Just Me!!

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Staycation Day 3-Moments for Reflection (thoughts I'm sharing) Passion is in each of us! In some of us it is buried, and may never be resurrected to take it's first breath. Some wear it on their sleeves, or all showy with clothing and accessories. In some it is a gentle spirit, a breath of air, a touch, or word. In others it is awakened by life, experiences, pictures, events, words. I like my passion, like I like my gifts. All showy and stuff. I would love to be the woman laying on the ground in this first photo. In the second photograph, the passion is unspoken. She is passionate about giving life it's first breath. She loves someone who is unknown, unseen. She also allows herself to be vulnerable to intense pain, while allowing her husband to see her most passionate moment. It is beautiful, this passion that we as humans can house. It is in us. Around us.  My favorite passionate quotes: Scarlett: I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I...

Up at the crack of dawn buying gummy bears, chocolate syrup, and magic shell for Ethan's last day ice cream party. The kids completed 4th and 6th grade at 11am today. Ethan walked in the door and said, "I have 70 days to do what I want." If he grew up with my father it would be different. It would be 70 days of weeding (okay maybe not 70 but close). My dad wasn't that hard on me, but you can bet that these kids will do their fare share of work this summer. I won't bring the house down on them yet though. I wanted them to have a great start so I declared today, "gift card day." They both had four gift cards between them. They did a great job. Ethan bought a nice bat, and a Nerf water gun, and Valerie chose sugar cookies, and the largest Nerf Supersoaker she could find. Ethan and Valerie also purchased together, Pokemon White. Charlie got (thanks to auntie's gift card) her own camelback! Prior to the gift carding, we also went to Bally's and beca...

Slept, got the kids to school, played outside, starred at my garden, drove to Bonneylake, ate at Blizzard land, spent the evening at Jackie and Chris' watching Dilemma. Going to bed now! Hope tomorrow is filled with more excitement and adventure.

Here's a couple pictures of my last few days off before I go back to work for a grueling 3 days on, before I get 15 more days off! Can't wait. I hope to really work on my project list, cook some yummy paleo foods, and sign up to workout at Bally's. Very excited. Of course, Father's Day is Sunday so it will start off with a bang up BBQ at Dad and Mom's house. The past few days we spent entertaining family. We had Mark's parents and sister and brother in law over for a BBQ. Charlie was so silly, she told me, "Mom, this is my new best friend Andy. You gotta take a picture." I tried to explain that she is family, but since we rarely see them, she didn't understand. Silly Char. Tonight Nic and I went for a cupcake after her workout! It was nice to spend time talking. She's the best! A. Andy and Charlie  Lanie Grace   Checking out the new cupcake store!

We are at home, and it's Sunday 10pm! Our weekend flew by, no really it did. Mark and I, due to wonderful friends and family, were able to have a whole day/night celebratating our 17 years together. Our first stop after dropping off the girls was, Starbucks. We met the Wegley's, gave them Ethan, enjoyed a bunch of conversations about healthcare, Obama, Republican's, upcoming elections, and family. It doesn't matter what we talk about, as long as there is coffee in hand. Off we went to Kent Station for some one on one time. We talked, walked, shopped, and watched Super 8 on the big screen. Great movie, great times, and lucky shopping. We found two beautiful tables for our front room for a steal, at a thrift shop. In the evening, we enjoyed a catered dinner by Dining Delicacies. It was good, not great, but relaxing. Afterwards we jumped in the car, headed to Fred Meyer, and bought each other an anniversary gift, a coffee maker. Right now my sister is getting excited ...

Just a few short weeks ago, I had a dream....    Dreams became reality...Mark made these for me!  I planted for the first time ever...tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, broccoli, various lettuces, carrots, turnips, herbs, onions, and squash. My garden is growing like crazy. I love watching the progress. I go out there nearly everyday just to watch. Today I planted 7 strawberry plants...yummy in about 45 days. Big SHOUT out to Mark's parents for giving us their old lawn mower. I forgot how easy it is to cut grass, when all the clippings go right into a bag. FANCY.

If you take a can of beer, pour off all but three ounces (or drink all but three-he hee), lay the can on it's side in your slug prone garden. Slugs will enter, drink up, and die happy! Perfect, I will be trying this as soon as possible. Everyday when I visit my garden I have gently walk around all the slugs that are coming for my plants. I hope they like Samuel Adams because tomorrow they will be enjoying and early grave! AW

2011 Abston Cup Waldport, Oregon  The Gang  Cousins, but really more like best friends  The Lewis Family: Left: Rick, Curt, Dave, Miget, Vicki Eric, Joe, Karen Grady  The Gibson Family Left: Brent, Ernie, Duke Melanie, Victoria, and Jake Missing: Brady and Andrea  The Wegley Family Left: Mark, Angela, Valerie, Arlene, Taylor, Harry Ethan and Charlie Missing: Jill, Curtis, Dave, Julie, Andrea, and Mitchell  One of my favorite people in the whole world. I hope that in my lifetime I can accomplish as many dreams, and love half the people she has. I look up to her as my mentor in nursing! Above all, I love how each time she sees me at the reunion, she will tell me I am one her favorite people (but shhhh, that's a secret). I love you Aunt Miget.   Grady, and Charlie! Best of friends after meeting each other in the first 5 minutes! Saying goodbye was hard. Until we meet again next year! Treasures memories, treasured friends.