Father's Day. Here's to you Pop.

I didn't do cards for Father's Day this year. I felt since I couldn't do them for Mother's Day I should just make things even across the board. : ) Not to forget that we aren't even celebrating Father's Day today. The girls aren't here and Jeff opted to do it when they get back home. I still felt I needed to write a little something to commemorate the day.


Thanks Dad,
For letting me brush your hair while we watched TV when I was a wee lass. I would brush it over and over and over. It was always the same blue bristle brush. I think I know why you lost your hair now.

For giving me a sip of your root beer, with or without ice cream. This usually occurred on a Sunday after church and during an episode of Star Trek, you would of course be seated in the rocking chair.

For trying to teach me how to ride a bike. Trying being the key word. I still remember crashing into the railroad ties to stop the bike. It was the first successful run. It was exhilarating, until I realized I was starting to go to fast. I don't remember if we went over how to brake, or if I was sure I knew what I was doing and had stopped listening to your instruction. I even remember you surprising me with my first bike. Pretending to look at it in the store, only to find it already in the car when we left. Was it K-mart or Sears?

For getting me Blueberry Hubba Bubba on my birthday. Mom had refused to get me some and you were always good for the impulse grocery buy. I just needed to ask and you had a quick snappy, "Sure. Go get it." I still remember the banking curve on Canal Drive by Oasis, laying in the back seat of the Buick, watching the summer sky pass while I savored the artificial berry goodness of the forbidden gum.

For sending me letters of encouragement and of love. They will be treasured keepsakes for generations to come.

Sorry for not sending a card.
I hope you will take this post instead.
Have a good day Pop.
I love you.

Things I love...

I don't have much to post and it's a rainy day and it's making me pensive. So, I figured I would do a silly fluff post. I am just going to simply list a few of the things that I love. A little glimpse into what makes me, well, me.

*Jim Henson and his Muppets. There is a huge traveling Muppet Museum and they are in Seattle until July and I just can't miss it.

*Fresh garden tomatoes

*Between 5 and 6 AM during the summer...so crisp and clean. You can't find better air!

*Fondue. Cheese, broth, oil, and CHOCOLATE! I went to a fondue party last Friday and I want more. Gotta get a pot...where did Jeff's target gift card go?....

*Peonies. I think they are, next to roses, the most beautiful flower. I want large quantities in my yard someday.

*Disneyland. LOVE. I want to retire there. I want to be the little old lady that sits in Main Street everyday and watches the crowds go by. It is the best place. I live to go to Disneyland.

*Real BBQ. I am a snob actually. I'll eat it all, but to really enjoy it, it's gotta be the real deal. Smoke ring, dry rub, wet rub, apple wood, hickory wood, I like it all, but it's got to be authentic.

*Cats. I am a cat person through and through. I like dogs too, but cats are my favorite.

*Vegetables. I don't think I've ever had one I don't like.

*Movies. I see about 6 a week. All kinds.

*Enter Sandman. I can't hear it with out turning it up really LOUD!

There it is. Just a little bit of me. What are some things about you that make you, well, you?

Lindsay's defense

As you know, Abbey and Lindsay are both at Camp Grandma right now. Well last night as they all were gathering by the outdoor fireplace, there was a disturbance. Lindsay had her friend Michael come over and enjoy the fire with her, but he had a nasty neighbor boy tag along that wasn't being nice to her. Apparently, Uncle Donald heard a few of the things he was saying and told the kid that he wasn't invited to be there and he needed to leave. This was followed by Michael seconding the motion. I wanted to know what was said, so I talked to Lindsay this morning to get the skinny on the situation. This is how it went down....

Me-green
Lindsay-purple

"Hey Bubs, how's it going?"

"Good. I miss you."

"I miss you too. Hey, I heard there was a boy last night that wasn't being nice to you. Can you tell me what happened?"

"Oh, ya. It was a boy that was following us around. He told me that he is going into the 3rd grade and that he was bigger than me and that I was too small and that he could beat me up."

"He did? What a punk! What did you say?"

"I said, well my ancestors were Vikings, so I don't think so!"

Yup.

School's out for summer!

That's right Alice, it is! Let the fun begin. There will be swimming! There will be crafting! There will be park picnics! Don't forget library activity days! The very cool free movie days as well! To start it all off, they are going to CAMP GRANDMA for two weeks! {me jumping in the air} YA!

School's out for summer! School's out forever!
well, not forever. It's starts again in September.

There will be swimming

I would like to announce that we will be frequenting the Spokane public pools yet again this summer. After many debates and town hall meetings, they have come to a conclusion about keeping them free or not. Well, they decided not to keep them free. I think that 1$ per person is pretty reasonable though. So, swimming is definitely on the calendar of fun this summer.

What do you like to do in the summertime?

It's comming to an end.

Another school year has come and almost gone. Abbey and Lindsay celebrated early last week when their school held the annual Jelly Bean Field Day on Thursday. We joined them for lunch and they had fun activities all day. The biggest and most hyped being the tug of war. Each of their classes won once. Yay!

Friday was Pajama Day. Lindsay and Abbey had planned just the right jammies for the day. Latter that evening Abbey was going to the 5th grade lock in. Dropped her off at 7pm and picked her up at 7am. There was dinner and snacks, movies, games, and all of the kids from the 5th grade to hang out with. Teachers and parents were there for supervision. I wish she had gotten some pictures, but alas there are none. I can't help but think that these are memories that will last forever.

Lindsay will return to do the 4th grade, but my first baby will never go back. She is crossing over to middle school. I know that a chapter is closing in my mother novel and it makes me sad. I know that there are new things to experience and enjoy, but that doesn't really cheer me up.

Not to fret quite yet though, cuz the summer is going to be fun. I've planned some great stuff and I'll be sure to post about them. For now, here's what they chose for PJ day.

Yes, those are claws that Lindsay made out of paper.

It was hard to get a good shot of Abbey. She has no patience for pictures, this is the best one.

5 days left

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. June 6th. She's 52 now. I will be calling her in a bit to sing to her. I'm not going to write 52 things about my mom though. I think my fingers would hurt the rest of the day and I don't really believe anybody is going to read them all, including her. So, I will do 5 + 2. :)

1. She is very creative

2. She has a very good sense of humor

3. She gave birth to me...thanks. :)

4. She saw Elton John in concert during his glory days. You know, when he was funky cool and not just uncomfortably weird.

5. She is the best Grandma you could ask for

*******************************************************
1. She will do anything to help her family

2. Her family loves her very very much!!!

Happy Birthday Mom & Grandmu
I hope you get something great today!

OOooOOoooOOOoOooOOOOoOwWWww!!!!!

I have two birthday's that I try to acknowledge on the same day. June 6th is my Mom's birthday and it's my very good friend Kenice's. I try to send them both cards and call each of them. This post is mainly about Kenice, so don't feel left out Mom. I'll get to you tomorrow.

When Kenice and I used to live next to each other we would go out to lunch on her birthday, usually Mexican food.

Kenice is the inspiration behind me concocting my home made-version of See's Scotch Kisses. I sent those to some people in their boxes of awesome. Kenice however, has never had them and she is the one who said I should make them in the first place. Well guess what I was going to send with her birthday card this year? Yup, a bag of these candies just for her.

On my way into the kitchen I felt something ominous in the air. I couldn't quite tell what was going to happen, but I knew something would. I went to the pantry looking for my ingredients. Sweetened condensed milk, check. Corn syrup, check. Brown sugar, hmm, where did it go? I can't see it...oh there it is. Can I reach it? {streeeeeeetch} The brown sugar then managed to knock over a heavy can. Now, I knew it was headed strait for me. Which part of my foot would it hit? It was going in slow motion, twisting and turning till....THUD!!! Right on my little middle toenail. I know that what followed was the loudest blood curdling scream of pain from the tip of my toe all the way to the tip of my tongue. It hurt so badly. It instantly started to bruise. The bruise has gotten progressively worse every day, it's quite gruesome.

*Now, I will show this to you for the sake of posterity. I would like you to know that my nails hadn't been painted in the few days since this occurred and it AIN'T pretty. Look if you dare!





So, sorry Kenice. No Scotch Kisses on your birthday. I will try to get them to you next week, when I can stand longer than 2 minutes. :)

Just a trim

I finally got Abbey to agree to get her hair cut. It was getting pretty long you know. Down past the middle of her back and layered. Getting it curled on Sunday was quite the chore, since I live only to do their hair you think I wouldn't mind it. :)

After some pretty strong arguments on both sides we came to a compromised length. I'm happy and I think she is too, especially after the first time she brushed it after washing it. The drama is over...for now.
She looks so cute. The bangs are getting grown out, she's not a fan of them after all. I don't mind that. I think bangs are to high maintenance, very cute, but to high maintenance.

Fairy Party

For the last couple years Lindsay gets invited to a Fairy Party. Her friend Jerusha is the little host. They have a proper tea (and milk) make fairy houses, catch chickens and just plain girly it up for a few hours.

Lindsay of course couldn't pass up the opportunity to not only wear a fairy type outfit, but what has been her party dress since she was 4.

Jerusha's mom was nice enough to send me some pictures.

Lindsay has been leaving bread in the fairy house and they have eaten every piece. They don't seem to like banana, the ants do though.

Guess what kind of party Lindsay wants for her birthday now?

New post to come tomorrow

I took last week off. Jeff was gone and I just didn't get to it. So, I will have a fresh new post tomorrow complete with pictures even.