I'm an Old Settler. Yup I am. Me and my super cousin went to Pioneer Park to the 115th annual Old Settler's Picnic. First thing we did is register. If you don't register then you don't get a ribbon and then you don't get your name in the yearbook next year. So, if you go you must register. Very important.

We got blue ribbons which means we are Tillicum ("a good friend"). It also means we have been residents of Whatcom County between 31 and 40 years. I pointed out that in three years my super cousin gets a green ribbon. She wasn't thrilled with the reminder.

Our family has been in Whatcom County since the 1870s. You don't get a ribbon for that but people really want to know so you should tell them if you know when your family first arrived. It gives you lots to talk about.

Once upon a time I worked at Pioneer Park as a tour guide. That was a fun summer. There is something magical about wandering through the buildings (15 at this time plus an outhouse) and being transported in time.

This is one of my favorite houses. It is filled with home artifacts...the kitchen is one of my favorite places. That said I'm glad I didn't have to prepare meals there.

I also love to eat at Old Settler's. It is a picnic! We ate our way through...Starting with the Bison Burger place. Coffee. Pie from the Rainbow Girls. It was all so very good.

I have always loved this gum machine....

Good times. Good friends. Spending time with family. It doesn't get much better than that.

Next up? Custer Daze!

"Holy Mackerel! Call headquarters. Get the lieutenant."

I think I've found my new favorite donut place. Rocket Donuts in downtown Bellingham is just a lot of fun. My bismark was delicious, my latte was yummy, my company was great and the decor was original.

Who would have thought donuts and 50s sci-fi? Not me. And why donuts and 50s sci-fi? Their answer "Why not?" Well...that's good enough for me.

Mr. Harley: "Your impatience is quite understandable."

Klaatu: "I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it."
Mr. Harley: "I'm afraid my people haven't. I'm very sorry... I wish it were otherwise."

Klaatu: "I'm worried about Gort. I'm afraid of what he might do if anything should happen to me."
Helen: "Gort? But he's a robot. Without you, what could he do?"
Klaatu: "There's no limit to what he could do. He could destroy the Earth."
OR...he could steal your donut (I added that myself...)

Reporter: "I suppose you are just as scared as the rest of us."
Klaatu: "In a different way, perhaps. I am fearful when I see people substituting fear for reason."

Army physician: "I don't know whether to get drunk or quit the practice of medicine."

Klaatu: "We have come to visit you in peace and with goodwill."

All quotes are from The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Now doesn't reading those make you want to go watch it? My thought is to watch the original...I mean really...50s sci-fi? You just can't recreate that! Or maybe watch both - Keanu Reeves does make a good cheesy movie.

Happy Thursday friends!

Just updated over at the book blog here. I haven't actually read a book lately, but...you should go visit anyway. I posed a question and would LOVE to read your answer.

Happy Friday!

“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!

just a thought...

I am not a political person (I really don't like blog posts that start like that...but bear with me). I am not vocal, I don't watch political shows, I tend to shy away from political conversations. I don't like the words - Democrat, Republican, Independent, conservative, liberal, middle of the road. I just don't. I am educated. I read, I talk to a few people regarding issues, I watch the news sometimes (however I do not find that a good forum to receive information).

That being said, I do believe in politics. That is a strange statement I know...how do you not believe in politics they are everywhere? I also believe in education. I think we need to think about and be aware of the founding principles of our great country.

So, where am I going with this? My friend Pete is awesome. Oh. Wait. Sorry. Start over.
My friend Pete and his friend Mark, started a website LibertyBands that is dedicated to education of the founding principles of Republic, Liberty and Justice. The site is filled with tons of information. What I appreciate is I can read through it and be reminded of what I learned in my high school American Citizenship class. I also appreciate that the information is not party based. It is education based. If you are Democrat, Republican or fall anywhere in-between you will find useful information on this site.

So, take a moment and give the site a read. Take a break and go back again. Lots of information there...you will have plenty to read!

If you enjoy the site and want to "support the cause" on facebook go here and become a member.

Those sites one more time:
LibertyBands site
facebook site

Enjoy!

“Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes.” - Irish saying

I like the saying above because it reminds me of Archer. He is pretty lighthearted and carefree. He is friends with most people he comes across and the few he doesn't get along with he doesn't fret over. Lots of joys and few foes. That is Archer.

I thought I would do a little this and that post about Archer today (as I had the cute picture taken when we went to Gig Harbor over the weekend.

Archer's {this and that}:
*watches That '70s Show every morning before school and sometimes after school
*has gotten really "into" music lately from today's Top 40 to our 80s faves to country to alternative to 60s & 70s...He has eclectic taste just like his mom and dad...Current faves - Word Up (yep, by Cameo) and You Spin Me Right Round (you really can't hear that one enough - believe me.)
*requests Shephard's Pie at least two nights a week for dinner. He loves meat, gravy and potatoes
*makes coffee at home and drinks his fair share
*loves animals
*sleepwalks still (kinda thought he might outgrow this)
*is learning to play cribbage from his Grandpa David
*likes playing all sorts of games. Of course he loves video and computer games (he is a WOW kid and Call of Duty? LOVES it). However, he also likes Monopoly (I hate it, but play it because I am working on that mom-of-the-year award), Clue, Blink (he always wins), and Jenga. However, he does not like Boggle at all!
*likes school - never complains about going. He actually thinks year round school sounds like a good idea.
*enjoys going to the eye doctor and dentist (so not my child)
*loves his family. He thinks all of his grandparents are cool - loves to spend time with them. He adores his aunt DeAnne and thinks uncle Alex is the best.
*likes to build things - wood shop is one of his favorite classes and is looking for wood to build his mom shelves over spring break or summer...first I have to decide what I want.
*he's a great kid that is growing up just way to fast. I drove by the high school yesterday after school and saw the flocks and it really dawned on me that that is where he will be next year. Makes me excited, sad, anxious, hopeful...all those and more.

Happy Wednesday friends!

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.

i interrupt this program

I am interrupting my regularly scheduled posts to bring something that might be slightly disturbing to some of you. While at Fred Meyer last night (camera in hand for the "week in my life" project) I wandered through the clothing department. Sounds innocent enough.

And then...

I came upon...

THIS!

I about fell over and actually laughed - out loud! Remember that I am by myself so it isn't like I could turn to someone and say "Holy crap I think I owned that!" Oh the memories. The totally awesome, radical, tubular memories. Not only stretch pants (which I love by the way), but STIRRUP PANTS! I was way too tall (and without a butt) for stirrup pants - which I wore anyway, but that is another story. The little skirt OVER the stirrup pants. And the vests on the side. They are just missing a thin tie and maybe some pegged jeans (loved those). Oh and the jeans should be acid wash I think (and you know they have those at Target right now...I'm just saying is all...).

Just needed to share a little blast from the past. Everything that way oh-so-right and oh-so-wrong all at once! Who knew?

Have a happy Thursday!

cute Thursday

I thought you may like a few "cute" pictures for this almost-Friday!

Um...CUTE! I found these little witch duckies when I was in Bellevue.
What happens sometimes is when you make orange hot chocolate and you look at the cute ducky sitting there just minding its own business is this. You think "now this ducky wants to swim in my orange hot chocolate" and the ducky says "take my picture." And you do because really if a rubber ducky talked to you you would probably do whatever it said. Which is how this cute picture came to be!
And the little ducky's friends they sometimes get sad because they are too big to go swimming in orange hot chocolate, but mostly they are happy. And when you look at them you are happy because...really...look at those faces!

(tall, standing lamp is my oldest Halloween decoration. He was my mom's and was a fixture at Halloween - my mom's favorite holiday. The pumpkin bucket was mine when I was a child. It still has my name, in my mom's handwriting on the bottom -love that! The mugs are adorable and from Starbucks last year.)

And then...You wake up on a chilly, September morning only to notice a sweet kitty looking longingly at you from outside the back door. You open the door because "oh poor kitty has been outside all night with the big bad nighttime outside scariness" and the kitty runs in eats and curls up on a chair and falls fast asleep. Then your son thinks she is so cute that he tucks her in before he leaves for school with his favorite fuzzy blanket (because she isn't fuzzy enough) and she sleeps and sleeps and sleeps (and has been for the past 3+ hours).
Sleep tight sweet kitten (who isn't a kitten anymore...but she is MY kitten so I can call her kitten if I want especially since she doesn't know her name...whatever!).

perfect day.

I would classify today as one of those perfect days.

• Slept in (aaaahhhh fabulous!)
• Ran a few errands with Troy (emptied some *junk* from the garage)
• Put up a few Autumn decorations (Yay!)
• Made a huge pot of Taco Soup (for lunch and dinner - linner or dunch - I like dunch better!)
• Watched movies with my guys (Love Guru and Baby Mama - both funny!)
• Quiet, lazy Saturday...Love it! Love it!

neglectful.

Okay friends. I have been a neglectful blogger as of late. This blog, my other blogs. I have been uninspired. That is all there is to it. I would say too busy, but that wouldn't be true. There are people busier than me that take five minutes to update their blogs...I just haven't.

Not much to report. Archer did a fabulous job as a lifeguard for VBS. He was the assistant for the science station. He really enjoyed it.

Our friend, Jasmine, went home yesterday. So as of last night we only have our four animals to care for. Aaahhhh.I took Archer and Grandma to catch the train to Tacoma this morning. Troy and I will be going this evening. We haven't been in oh-so-long. Looking forward to it. We will be celebrating Nicholas' 3rd birthday!
Okay. So I am off for the weekend and my goal next week? to be super blogger. Okay, maybe not super. But better.

Until then. Have a great weekend.

check it out!

One of my favorite blogs on my reader is this one:

Check it out. It is fun and has a different creative blog featured everyday. 

enjoy!

remember my quest?

Remember that quest to become more organized? Look at the previous post if you need a refresher.

I have begun digging through boxes of old photos. No rhyme or reason on why they are in a box together. Some are when I was a baby. Some when Archer was a baby. Some from before I was born. Each box spans many years. One thing each box has in common is A LOT of pictures.

While this project has been a tad on the tedious side and very long (I am not even close to through), it has also been a lot of fun. I love looking at old pictures. I am lucky enough to have a mom that not only took pictures, but gave them to me quite a few as well and I know that if I want any more that I just need to go to mom and ask.

So, here is a sampling. Enjoy!

me 1975. I have a "DeAnne look" on my face. (Don't know DeAnne? Well...she kinda looks like this but 18 and blonde.) Funny.



me 1974 (8 months)- Now tell me I wasn't stinkin' cute!

me in middle school. Those are some rockin' glasses (I know you are jealous! I think I may still have them!) and yes, I did sit around surrounded by florescent pink decor while reading (didn't everybody? it was the 80's!).

worthless waffles and other random tidbits.

It is Monday morning. The first after Spring break. Oh how I wish Spring break could have lasted just a little bit longer...In honor of this chilly Pacific Northwest Monday I have decided to share a few random tidbits (I love that word) and a little waffle story.

Last night after Archer had been in bed for awhile I hear "MOOOOOOM." Being in bed myself I ignore it thinking if it is important (like vomit or something) he would get up. Then "MOOOOOOM" again. So, I haul myself out of bed and go check to see what Master Archer wants.

"Can you put syrup on the grocery list?" him
"Ya. Okay." me (leaving thinking...well...never mind)
"Now?" him
"Ya. Okay." me (how do you think I am feeling now?)

"Because really waffles are worthless without syrup." And really have truer words ever been spoken? And...where did this morsel of wisdom come from? Really? He was practically asleep...So, being the good mom I am I went and wrote syrup on the list and went back to tell him I did so (didn't want him to think I was a slacker) and guess what? He was ASLEEP! Geez!


Okay. Now for some random tidbits...otherwise known as things I really like right now...

tid*bit - a choice or pleasing bit of anything

1. for my smoothie drinkin' friends (you know who you are) and those who just like yogurt. Have you tried the Apricot-Mango Greek style yogurt from Trader Joes? It is so good. Excellent in a smoothie and chunky enough for a picky yogurt eater like me to just eat. And one container will make 3 or 4 smoothies! YUM! Try it!

2. for help in the weight-loss arena: http://www.my-calorie-counter.com This site rocks. It is free and easy peasy to use. My cousin, Lorinda - the personal trainer (aka crazy exercise girl) got me hooked now I am obsessed. It really makes me think. I use to keep a food journal, but this is so much more! Love it! (p.s. the numbers can be customized for you...so if you need help w/ that let me know...it is easy- even I can do it!)

3. Alex got a job! Yay!

4. Starbucks has some stinkin' cute new *stuff* in store. I love Starbucks mugs!5. New episodes of shows! Yay! Cold Case, Without a Trace, Criminal Minds, CSI, Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men! Thank goodness!

I think that is enough goodness to get you through this gray Monday! Enjoy!

And...Welcome back Tami!

Happy Friday Friends

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy Friday and a glorious weekend. At least it looks like Saturday will be gorgeous! What a wonderful Pacific Northwest Day we had today. We (Archer & I) worked in the house a bit and spent the rest of the day doing nothing - just relaxing. I love the sun streaming through the windows and heating the house naturally. I see the heat being turned off for the season in the near future...I love it when that happens. I am thinking right now is a bit premature as the mornings tend to get chilly. Usually by early-mid May we are heat free! Yay!

Archer and I rearrange the living room. Every Spring the room gets moved a bit. It is a small house so the options are not great, but we do adjust a bit here and there. I love to rearrange - an inherited trait from my mother. I remember as a kid our living room changing frequently - don't try to walk through in the dark you could be in for a surprise.

Spring break was nice. Lots of boys for the first part of the week, Caleb's 13th birthday party @ the bowling alley, shopping with Lorinda, a little housework, and relaxing! Wonderful.

The birthday boy, Caleb. It's hard for me to believe he is 13! That means that Archer is just three months from becoming a teenager. Archer and Caleb have grown up together. They were each other's first friends. It is fun to see them growing up, becoming young men to be proud of...

Caleb is funny and smart and a lot of fun. I can always count on him for a hug, to say hello when I first see him, to say good bye before we part. He is so kind and full of life.

Happy 13th Birthday Caleb Shmalub! Love ya.

Good advice.

Think big because your thinking anyway!

Secondhand Rose Mosaic

Here is a selection of photos from our trip to the antique/thrift/junk store - Secondhand Rose. What wonderful photo opportunities!

coffee w/ the cuz!

I had the opportunity to spend an hour (+ some) with my lovely cousin Lorinda today. We met up at Treasury of Memories - cruised the store, bought some stuff - then off to Starbucks for some skinny drinks and conversation.

It is great to just hang out with her. We always have a good time no matter where we go or what we are doing.

I love the "The Way I See It" messages on the Starbucks mugs and took the opportunity to capture a picture today. Go here to see Lorinda enjoying her skinny cinnamon dulce (1/2 syrup) drink.

Heaven.

I went shopping with Cheryl at Costco today and I fell in deep love with this chair! It reclines and massages...It is pure joy! As a matter of fact it is called the Human touch iJoy chair. And as the name says I JOY this chair! So if anyone out there feels the need to buy me an expensive present I would really love this chair! I may never leave the house again, but I would be so happy!

I would say so...

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

I also think I need to "walk away" from blogthings. I get a tad addicted and do every quiz that comes up! Yikes!