Memorial Weekend

This weekend honors and remembers those brave men and women who died in service to America.  At church we also expand this to include all those that have touched our lives in someway and have since passed away its always a very special service for that reason.  With the four year anniversary just having come around, I was thinking of my Nana, Ann. 

Prior to the service you are invited to bring a flower with you and as you walk to the entrance of the sanctuary there are flowers for sale.

 After a few announcements the band plays beautiful music and the congregation is invited to walk forward to the stage where about 30 vases are waiting to receive the flowers people bring.  Each flower represents the beauty that person brought to your life, and that life keeps blooming.  Kathianne suggested that they are never really gone and said on the way into church this morning she had glanced across a couple of lanes on the highway and realized that a person was looking at her as she looked at them...you've done that before right?  I loved that she used this analogy to explain that when you want to remember someone that has passed over you only need look towards them, remember them..and they are right there looking back at you "from the other lane".  Beautiful right?  I loved it.  Fortunatly they had tonnes of tissues so it was all good, and then they started the procession up to the front while a couple of ladies sang "Because I knew you" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UFpQtOuOnc don't listen to this unless you are willing to shed a few tears, but it was really perfect for this ceremony.   

Nan, Because I knew you, I have been changed - - for good.  I miss you every day.

After everyone had taken their flowers up front this is the beauty that was left:


We finished up by singing America the Beautiful as the closing song in salute of those who have passed away that were in the armed forces, it was perfect

Im so glad that I am part of such a great community at the Center for Spiritual Living.  They do things just a bit differently, but different in an excellent way.

Happy Birthday Little One

It's your birthday today. You're two and I can hardly believe it. Seems like only yesterday that your Mum and Dad were calling to tell us the news that you were on your way to brighten our lives with your perfection.

I wish that we lived closer. I would give anything to be able to see your sweet face more. I love it now that Dad, Mum and I got smart and we now have Skype capability. I guess when you get older that will be something old fashioned, but right now its new. I got to hear you giggle while Dad tickled you on Friday night, and see Mum push you around on your new bike. It made my day, but then - it always does.

I want you to know that I love you very much, I miss you and I cant wait to see you next year. Happy birthday sweet boy!

Here you are when you were first born

and how here you are - a baby no more at 2 years old:

Beautiful video

Click on this.  Its great!

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Bits and Bobs

I recently downloaded an app called "instagram" on my iphone.  Its a photo app so you know Im all over that... its really fantastic because not only does it allow you to have a rolling photo journal of daily photos you take (and post) but its also social because you share you photos with other instagramers all over the world.  One of the people on there posted a photo from The Eden Project in Cornwall and it led me to their website... HOW EFFING COOL that they have a web cam on this..:

Giant corn on the cob?  No.  Deep breath readers.... ITS A FLOWER BUD that will soon open up to have a giant stinky blossum.  Word.  Even better....it has a webcam on it so you can check in, real time, from across the miles to watch its progress.  This thing would be a bitch to repot right? 
Its a Titan arum - which is the world largest flower.  If I were a teacher (SIL Verna....) I would totally show my kids this.  The flower is endangered AND once it blooms it only lasts for a couple of days before it goes toes up.

This upcoming weekend is Memorial Weekend - one of the very few long weekends that we have here in the states, so as you might imagine Akeeweegirl and her family are very much looking forward to the rest.  Unfortunatly the rest part is a dream I think because I already have about 17 million jobs in mind for me (and the fam :-) ) to work on.  Course there's the garden, thats a constant, and I also want to repurpose a bookshelf into...a better bookshelf that it currently is.  In my mind the finished projay looks incredible, but Im not the handiest person sooooo...we shall see.  I also want to hang mirrors, paint frames, do some art work, plant some veggies...Im tired just thinking about it!

Got the coolest thing for Fathers Day gift for Mr Big, I cant say what it is (he sometimes reads this) but I know he is going to lurve it!!  I wish it was fathers day today so I could surprise him with it.

Have a great weekend friends!

I'll miss you

Dear Miss Oprah
I've grown up with you, and as Madonna said - you have been a mother to millions, including a simple kiwi girl from Auckland, New Zealand.  Oprah, I love you and I'll miss you.  I know you are a faithful fan of Akeeweegirl....or at least you would be if you knew about this little bloggie, Im sure it would be one of your favorite things.
I never got to go to see your show even though I have been to the beautiful city of Chicago several times, I'm sorry about that - it would have been wonderful!
I was watching your farewell spectacular last night and I was so emotional throughout - it is incredible how much one person can do, and you've done SO much good, not just here in the states - but all over the globe.  Thank you for being an inspiration in my life. 
Love Feefee

Maggie at http://www.mightygirl.com/ has put together a little flickr group to showcase some of the great teachings Oprah shared over the years, things that resonated.  If you want to join in you can post your photos at the group #thanksoprah - here's my contribution

Golden Gardens

People.  Seriously.  Its spring here in the Northwest.  How bout some freaking SUNSHINE ALREADY? Arrgh!  I am completely sick of greydom (which is weird, I usually embrace it)...but im ready to break out the sundress, ready to complain about it being too hot...

With this in mind I was so excited when, a few weeks ago Caroline mentioned that she was hosting her sons first birthday party at Golden Gardens.  This is a wonderful spot, just outside Seattle proper.  Perfect for a first birthday party.  It was freezing cold.  But you know me, I always like to look for a silver lining.  I found four.

Number one.  Olly.
This kid is a delicious morsel.  Anytime I am in his presence is a good time.  Just look at this wee cherub...this is Mr O not eating, but sucking, the life out of his birthday cupcake.  Like most 1 year olds this is his first taste of one, and he was definitely savouring it....and concentrating..at the task at hand.  Happy Birthday lil fella.  Love you oodles.

Number three was Miss Sophie.  Shes a little poppet too and its co-incidentally her birthday celebration this coming weekend.  She will be 3.

oh, did I mention the weather? Brrrrrr

and yet strangely after all is said and done, this too was a silver lining, Number three actually.  Number four was spending time with the love of my life, Mr Big AKA Gary.  Love you honey.

My Workplace

Honestly, if when I win the lottery and am swimming in million dollar bills I don't think that I will be working here at my present place of employment.  THAT SAID - I cant help but love love love where I work, and this is almost exclusively because of the people I work with and the simple fun that we have together.  Today is a perfect day to explain what I mean.

Firstly this is the conversation I have

UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #1: Does anyone have a plastic bag

UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #2: I do... (stands up in her cubie and this is what we see)

ME:  Bingo, UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #2 has one or two in her stash to help...

I don't know about you, but I think I counted about a gazillion bags here.  It was made even funnier when this exchange happened:

QUEUE raucous laughter following UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #2 showing the plethora of bag choices....

UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #3:  what is all that garbage doing at your desk?

UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #2:  this isn't garbage!

.....silent pause......

THEN, Kind Kirsten brought in her red wagon to lend to Caroline.  Caroline's son Mr Ollie is turning 1 and is having a barnyard themed party so what better to compliment all the decorations that a red wagon? 

and then the shannanigans ensued. 

and then...Unnamed friend demanded a ride (and as you can see there was some speed wobbles and an austin powers style turn happening here....thank goodness Carrie is practising before the prince gets in on the weekend!!)

and then she was off....to get coffee 

This didn't even draw a crowd, because we were surprisingly stealthy about the whole operation.  And yes, we were on our break.

Unnamed friend being the strong negotiator and sharing caring kind of person she is hopped out of the wagon and tried to get UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #4 to join in the fun.  I think UNNAMED EMPLOYEE #4 is saying something like this when I took the picture "emmmmmmmmm I don't think I should...ps, girl, where are your shoes?"

 followed in quick succession with...."ok, I'll give it a whirl"

but in the end....

Scaredy cat ...

Millionaire?

I love this, its so perfect dont you think?

Ahhaaaa breathing space

A bright sunshiney day!

It's a beautiful spring day here in the northwest, one of those days that make your happy meter peg, your eyes weep with the beauty of the mountians against the bluest skies.  Ahhhhhh.  Heres a picture from the University of Washington taken last weekend, the cherry blossums are just delicious en masse at this time of year.  It always puts a spring in my step to see them

What will make the day better you ask?  This beautiful little collection of childhood memories, reposted from one of my favorite blogs http://mightygirl.com/ Whats your favorite childhood memory?  Mines being with my dad on a sunday afternoon on Devonport wharf with my orange fishing rod fishing for sprats (tiny fish that only the cats would eat) and having sausages and chips (fries) for lunch out of their newspaper wrapping.  I really hated fishing, but I loved the time with my Dad.

Other childhood memories from Mighty Girls bloggie fans...

My grandmother had a heart valve replacement in the early 80’s, and unlike the porcine valves of today, hers was mechanical. It clicked every time it opend and closed, and I remember drifting off to sleep lulled by the symphony of her creaky wooden rocker, her heartbeat, and the click-click of her artificial valve. -Angela







Every Saturday morning, my dad would make me Eggo waffles and then, before he started his weekend chores in the garage and the yard, he’d make me a magic wand with a star on top out of a twisted wire hanger and tinfoil. I would play with it all week and it would always fall apart around Friday afternoon. -Sarah Brown






The time I asked if we could go to the amusement park after work, and my mom said, “we’ll ask your father,” which always meant no, but for some reason he said yes! And we went! -Brittney






My dad worked swing shift until my older sister started kindergarten, so he was home during the day. My preschool was down the street from our house, and one day I got sick and he came and carried me home in my alphabet blanket. -Judy






I remember my grandmother giving me a bath, in the darkening evening with just the glow of the under-cabinet lights, in the kitchen sink and her playing “this little piggie went to the market” with my toes. -Wendy






When I was 3 I “ran away” exactly one house down and across the street from my house. I dragged a half-inflated rubber dinghy and got the dog to follow me. I went completely buck naked, and my neighbours brought me home after my long journey… -Tia






When I was very young, finding a penny on the felt like I had won the lottery or unearthed a pot of gold. I would pick it up, bring it to my heart, and shout, clutch it and shout, “I’m rich, I’m rich!” On the morning of my fourth birthday [my 12-year-old half brother] woke me up very early, excited to show me that a money tree had appeared in our backyard overnight. Sure enough, when I ran to the back yard I found one of our little trees had “sprouted” not only pennies, but nickels and quarters on nearly all of its branches and leaves. I was so blown away by the surprise and joy of plucking treasure from a tree that it would be many years before I realized the “magic” was my brother. At an age where kids are notoriously self-absorbed and barely interested in any members of the family, much less a four year old sister whom he was forced to stay home and baby sit instead of being able to cruise the streets with his friends, my brother took a portion of his hard-earned paper-route money and spent many nighttime hours taping coins all over a scrubby lilac. At the time, I had been enduring some of the darkest days of my childhood. Our mom and my dad (my brother’s step-dad) were in the midst of a toxic divorce, involving the police being summoned to the house on occasion to break up the fighting, and ultimately, my dad ignoring me in order to cause pain to my mom. Though the breakup did not involve his biological dad, my brother, who lived with us full time, was by no means spared the pain of the divorce. Yet, somehow, while the adults mired in their own drama and self-pity, a twelve year old found a way to put his hurt aside in order preserve a little bit of magic in mine. -Jenny






We lived in New Mexico when I was younger. Whenever there was a thunderstorm at night, my parents would leave the garage open, and we’d sit in the trunk of our car wrapped up in blankets watching the lightening. -Ashlyn






My sister and I used to gather all our barrettes, hair clips, and pony tail holders and put them all in my dad’s hair while he read. We inherited our naturally curly hair from him and would comb it out to a giant Afro first too. -Betsey






When I was a teenager I use to suffer really bad with menstrual cramps. We were at our beach house and I came back from the beach crying and in pain and my dad, put me in his bed, the only bedroom with an air conditioner, a cup of hot tea and some pamprin and rubbed my back until I fell asleep. -Meg






My parents used to take my brother and I on “surprise vacations” when we were growing up. They’d wake us up at some ungodly hour of the morning and tell us we were going on a trip. My brother and I would go back to sleep in the backseat of the station wagon and by the time we woke up again, we’d almost be at our destination. We’d start guessing where we were heading, and the anticipation and excitement was just overwhelming. -Erin






When war broke out (in the Fmr Yugoslavia, where I’m originally from) and the constant shelling would get so bad in my hometown (Karlovac) that sometimes we had to go stay with family friends in Zagreb, I’d dread every Sunday at 7pm when my parents would drop me and my brother off. I remember climbing the stairs up to our friends’ apartment, holding onto both of my parents, and making sure my steps were in sync with theirs as we climbed. For some reason I felt this was like a secret thing that made us closer in those moments before they’d leave, even though I never let in on it to them. And then later, lying in bed, I’d blow kisses to them in the dark, convinced they’d somehow get to them. -Pretzel Thief






When I was little the tooth fairy would come to visit me, my mom would not only leave me money under the pillow, but she’d leave a trail of “fairy dust” (glitter) from my pillow to my bedroom window. I would show everyone who walked in the house, and didn’t let her vacuum for weeks! -Emily






In the early 1960’s, my siblings and I were sent to our grandmother’s for a week or two each summer. Across the street from her house was a black family with lots of kids. We weren’t allowed to go across to their yard and they weren’t allowed to come across to ours. Sadly, it was stricly racial on the part of the adults. However, we all wanted to play together so badly that we made up games that could be played without ever crossing the street, all day, every day. For about 6 years, we couldn’t wait to get there to see our friends and they couldn’t wait for us to come, even though we were never closer than 25 feet from each other. -Marsha






My dad owned a small diner in his younger days, and because of that, became the best short order cook. On Saturday mornings, we would come downstairs to fluffy omelets, baskets of toasted bagel halves, crisp bacon, and these incredible little fruit fritters he would make. -Dawn






Walking home from the community pool in bare feet popping tar bubbles on the side of the road with my toes. -Sarah






When I was a little girl, I absolutely adored my Dad. I would get up earlier than I had to – before my 7 brothers and sisters – so I could watch him shave. First, though, I would need to warm up so I’d stand over a heat register, oh did that ever feel good. I’d watch my flannel nightgown billow out. Then, I would go to the bathroom and sit on the toilet seat and watch my Dad pass the electric razor back and forth over his cheeks. One time, he grabbed my arm and ran the razor over my forearm. I remember giggling because it felt funny and when I looked down at my arm, a small patch of blonde hair was gone. I thought that was the neatest thing. -Cindy






My Gram wouldn’t let Gramps smoke in the house so he rode his touring motorcycle to Dunkin’ Donuts every night to smoke and drink coffee with his Navy buddies. When my little sister and I would stay the night, he’d come home with a box of Munchkins for breakfast. He would sit in his recliner, me on his lap, and the dog on my lap while we watched “Lawrence Welk” and “The Wheel.” His leather jacket was cold against my cheek from the wind and he smelled like cigarettes and sugar and coffee and it was perfect. -BeckyC






When I was about 6, my Dad took me on a “date”. It wwas after my parents’ divorce, and after he started dating my (soon to be) step-mom. We got dressed up in our very best, and he took me to the fanciest restaurant in town. The maitre’d gave me a long-stemmed red rose, pulled out my chair, the works. My Dad gave me a bottle of “First Lady” perfume by Dadi (which he of course told me was French for Daddy). From then on, he always called me his First Lady. -Amber






When I was small my grandparents had a trailer on lake ontario. My grandma would go swimming with us several times a day, as much as we wanted really, and while we were all out in the water she would make up rhymes and sing non-sensical, silly songs that she made up. When we went inside she’d make us change into dry clothes and then let us put her “mouse” in our hair (mousse). When I was with her I was never concerned with anything but having fun. -Cheryl






The close of a day at the beach on a gloriously sunny holiday in Donegal (in the north east of Ireland) when I was about 8. As you probably know the weather’s not that great here in Ireland, but the sun was splitting the stones every day that week, and one long day at the beach, we stayed so late that it finished with us all watching the tide getting closer, closer and closer to our picnic blanket. Instead of being super-sensible and leaving, my parents went with it and let the water get so close that my brother and I built a little wall out of the sand around the blanket to keep the water away, while they lay on the blanket watching our efforts. We were totally surrounded by water in the end and had to paddle to get back to the car, arms loaded with all our stuff. It was so exciting to me and my brother. -SarahC






My favorite childhood memory is when my dad used to play guitar and sing to me. It was just after my parents’ divorce, and this was our time together — our weekends. I loved all those songs and learned all the words, and I still love them. After a while, he stopped playing guitar, and I begged him to play to me again, but he won’t now… and now that I am grown, I realize all the songs were love songs to my mom. So now the memory is a little bittersweet, and I wonder if he had ever sung “Every time I tried to tell you, the words just came out wrong… so I have to say I love you in a song” to my mom, maybe she would have understood, and stayed. -Steph






My family would go to the beach on the weekends, and my dad would fill a huge 5 gallon bucket with water. It would sit in the back of the truck and warm in the sun all day. When the day was done, we would scamper back to the truck where he would rinse me and my brother in warm fresh water while we stood in the bucket. -Christina






I remember my grandmother giving me a mug half-full of brown sugar for a snack.


And my grandfather carrying me out of bed in the morning and sitting me down in front of the fire before school.


And my dad telling me “Always do more than you’re asked.” -Kelley

Come on! Get Happy!

...... in my Friday blogfest look what I found.  I lovely list of things to do to "be happy".  My happiness meter is almost always running at 98% (I know, Im lucky)...but there is always room for more happy right?  Hope you enjoy this list as much as I did and that your happiness meter will be pegged!





1. Say what you want without apology or shame. You don’t have to tell the whole world, just one other person will do.

2. Refuse to step toward the easy thing, when the real thing is what you really want.

3. Forgive yourself for wanting more.

4. Forgive everyone else for wanting less.

5. Turn off all the noise. The phone. The TV. The radio. Sit in the quiet of your house and let however you feel come right out of you.

6. Take a nap. This is uncharacteristic and strange, but do it anyway. Go ahead, get all the way under the covers like it’s 8:30 and you’re five years old. We won’t judge you.

7. Tell the truth about your beautiful, impossible dream. There’s no point in hiding anymore. Everyone already knows deep down. If you say it, there will be a price to pay, but there will also be a path forward and real excitement.

8. Show your heart. A look or a small but simple sentence is all it takes, so allow yourself the freedom. You have so much hope (and sadness) you’re carrying around in there and it takes so much energy to keep it in, so let it out.

9. Know that no one needs to see what you see for it to be valid and true. Honor yourself for your own wisdom and register what it’s taken for you to learn what you’ve learned so far.

10. Allow yourself one small adventure. Define adventure as something that allows you to feel awake and alive without bringing destruction down on yourself or others. This one step toward your honest heart will fuel a hundred days of happiness, and happiness, like nothing else, is one of the most beautiful ways to enter a purifying fire.

Thank you to Jen Lemen for this list.

OK Big Guy in the sky, I hear you

I don't know about you, but I often find myself at odds with the people around me.  Not understanding their actions, their behaviors....being disappointed.....you know what I mean?  Well, there's a couple of close peoples in my life that have been driving me friggin bonkers and I was writing about this in my journal this morning and asking for some guidance from the universe (on how to be more tolerant and not so upset about it).  Soon after I started my usual trawl through bloggieverse and look what came up.  A MESSAGE SO PERFECT, so succinct.  Take a deep breath:



and breathe out haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.  Thank you great unknown.  You are so right. OF course.

IN AP PROPRIATE

I don't know what it is about dolls that my friend John finds so scary, and usually I send him the odd picture of a doll just so he knows im thinking about him.  So imagine my surprise when, out of the blue, when I wasnt even looking for a scarey doll picture for John, actually when I was blog stalking....look what I found


Im not so sure I would want this doll for a little one...how about you?

Visitation

Only 16 weeks till my Mum is here.

You know what its like when a parent comes to visit for a day: you throw laundry in the oven, push everything under the bed etc etc... well imagine that but that the visit is for 6 weeks.  Im a little panicked.  A little overwhelmed.

As I sat in the big leather chair last night thinking about the upcoming visit I started to make a mental list of all the things I wanted to have perfect by the time she gets here...

1.  The Garden
I want tumbling vines, in full bloom roses, no weeds, bees buzzing - you know.  The uge.  This is similar to what I would like established within 16 weeks

this is what I have in side garden number one

There's a little work to do as you can see.
2.  The Mouldings
When we moved into Castle Allen it seemed pristine - every surface had been newly painted including all of the 100 year old framing and mouldings....I think that they must have done a quick job of the mouldings because for some reason they are all yellowing and so now its white and yellow strokes (... kind of makes it look like we are heavy smokers, that kind of yellow).  Not pretty.  These must be refreshed.
3.  The letterbox
A couple of weekends ago I was enjoying a quiet Saturday morning when there was a knock at the door
Me:  Good Morning!
Postman:  Im going to stop delivering your mail unless you get a bigger mailbox
Me:  Huh?
Postman:  Holds out a stack of 7 magazines, 4 letters and a card  This kind of volume of mail doesnt fit into your box points at beautiful vintage cast iron box
Me:   Snatches mail  Thank you  Slams door
How bout doing your job postman.  Anyways, Im on the lookout for a beautiful larger mail box - I was looking at google yesterday (google search was "huge oversized mail box") and look what showed up.  I dont think that the mail would fit in this either.


4.  The Den conversion to a bedroom


This is where it is kinda (actually this is a photo of the den before we moved in, theres a desk in the place of the cube organizer but largely this is the den.  Somehow we have to put a queen sized bed in here and also something for them to store their clothes in...and in general make it a delightful place to stay.  Did I mention that this window looks out to the yard...the yard with no joie de vive?  Curse my black thumbs.

There are numerous other things to do...this is just the beginning dear reader.

Where do I begin

April 22?? That's the last blog post, heck I better do something QUICKSMART or I am going to loose my dozens of fans....

I actually have approximately a bazzillion photos at home but in an effort to get a post up I'm using iphone pictures only today....its been really really busy friends. 

First - WOAH.  The tulips this year were lovely, though late.  I broke with tradition and actually went twice.  Once with Tadpole and his Mom who was on vacay - and then again the other weekend with Mr Big, Ronnie and Tadpole.  What a terrifically fun day!  First we went and picked up Ronnie and Tadpole.  Sadly the pickup took alot longer than expected because 1.  It was the first dry, sunshiney day in a long long time 2.  The tulip fest is very popular 3. The whole of King County decided to go.  What usually is about 30 minutes turned into 1 and a half hours.  But we are fortunate.  We have great friends.  They know we hate traffic.  And they have alcohol....yes yes yes - I know its not seemly to drink at 1 in the afternoon.  But when Tadpole thrusted a frosty gin and lemonade into my hand as we landed at Castle Marks (it was disguised as a 7UP bottle)...I did not shoo him away.  Neigh dear reader, I chugged that adult beverage like a woman without a drink in the Sahara desert.  Needless to say this put Feefee is a fluffier mood almost immediately, perfect for driving around in the Gleemobile looking at flowers...note evidence of fluffy mood in the DOUBLE tooth cheesy grin that ensued...

 Me and my sweetie

 Me and Tadpole at Tulip Town

 Me and Ronnie...same place

somehow during the tuliptown hilarity (a native American Indian gentleman yelling "move it Paki" to an Indian gentleman taking photos of his family in the fields.....Ron grasping tulips between his teeth....Tadpole LAYING DOWN in the fields (photo on the camera,,,I will publish at a later date)....and many more fun things to numerous to mention)....Mr Big was accused of being a hater.  Of Kites.  By Tad and Ron.  Course he couldn't be labelled as such and went missing for 15 minutes.  Upon his return...

I think in this picture he is shrieking "I'M NOT A KITE HATER"

I believe you darling.  You love kites.

Can you guess the next stop?

Kite flying...at Padilla Beach (via the gas station to pick up boxed wine)

Soon after these beauties got airborne they got into a weird spiral dance whizzing around each other to the point of almost crashing...15 minutes of untangling and they were free to fly again.  Gary, though possessing the brute strength of 17 men somehow could not hold onto the reel and his newly purchase kite sailed off into the bay....thank you Tadpole for ruining your new shoes and rescuing said kite.

The day culminated with a trip to the corner for the worlds greatest wingsies.  Good times.

Fast forward to last Friday night.  I am so fortunate to have married a man with an incredible family.  Its not often that you can have in-laws like I do...and this past Friday we got together to celebrate 25 years of marriage for Mike and Teresa.  It was beautifully organized by my other sister in law Mindy and a complete surprise for Mike and Teresa...they even had their original wedding video (long since lost and rediscovered in a friends basement).  It was spesh.  I don't know why but I was being really silly that evening and took lots of bad pictures...here is a speckling...

This one is kind of like a Seurat Painting

Its me and Mindaroo.

I interrupted a convo Teresa was having with another guest to snap this award winning photo

and here are three lovelies - Teresas daughter Mackenzie (isnt she beautiful), Gary's brother Dan (love him) and one of my top 10, Miss Evelyn. 

Evelyn really fancied a bloody mary.  She's 85.  She deserves a bloody mary.  We ordered one for her and it came cram packed full of all manner of veggies including celery and green beans.  Only trouble is it was in an ENORMOUS glass, challenging for anyone to lift.  As soon as she lifted it to take a sip a green bean did a triple flip out of the glass and onto the floor.  Fortunately Evelyn, like many of us is a 30 second person - here she is wiping off her bean...

Waste not, want not.

Saturday was spent watching 12 hours of footage of William and Kate's wedding.  So sweet.  Then a surprise visit from Mr Tadpole...we went to the garden center (yes, in Santa's little helper t-shirt) - I look so comfortable behind the trolley and its because, I am.  I love me some Lowes time

to purchase a vine for the trellis and found an INcredible clematis

and...A WONDERFUL SEEDARIUM for hungry birds

course we have all been on high alert for feasting birds.  It was very fun to do the following:

Me:  Honey - did you see the bird on the feeder

Mr Big:  Dang it, I missed it - what kind of bird was it?

Me: A bald eagle

Mr Big: Huh?

I'm so glad he gets me.  

oh, and just to brighten your day...look who brightened mine yesterday.  None other than Mr Ollie.  Love you Ollie

S.O.S

I am excited.  Very excited, as excited and happy as I am in this picture (thats me on the right hand side with my sissy Shona and my Mum circa 1974/75)

Its not very often I get visits from my beautiful family members (NZ side) but for the second time my Mum and Step Dad are coming AND as an added bonus my lovely step sissy Dee is also coming to visit! YES! Its 19 weeks away and I am in FULL excel spreadsheet/planning/panic mode.

First problem challenge
Mum dosent scale the stairs very well and we have one and a half flights to get to the boudair section so we have to set them up in the office.  Thats not the challenge.  The challenge is that the office dosent have anywhere for them to put their clothes while they are here.  Any idears peoples?

Second problem challenge
Bathroom.  Namely - there is one.  While the fam is here that will mean that we will have 6 peeps for 1 loo/shower and when the girlies are home 8 peeps for 1 loo/shower.  I wonder how much a portaloo is?

Third problem challenge
15 days.  15 days available in their 45 day stay.  YEEK> I need your help.  Here is what the plan is so far ::

Wednesday 8/24/2011 Mom and John Arrive



Thursday 8/25/2011 Stanley Park Aquarium/La Conner for lunch/Home


Friday 8/26/2011 Rest Day


Saturday 8/27/2011 SURPRISE IN Leavenworth


Sunday 8/28/2011 ***NO PLAN


Monday 8/29/2011 ***NO PLAN



Tuesday 8/30/2011 ***NO PLAN



Wednesday 8/31/2011 ***NO PLAN



Thursday 9/1/2011 Zoo visit


Friday 9/2/2011 Rest Day


Saturday 9/3/2011 Port Townsend Tour


Sunday 9/4/2011 Olympic National Game Park


Monday 9/5/2011 Denise Arrives/Pike Place Market/Dim Sum/Underground Tour


Tuesday 9/6/2011 Portland


Wednesday 9/7/2011 Portland


Thursday 9/8/2011 Mt Rainier Drive


Friday 9/9/2011 ***NO PLAN



Saturday 9/10/2011 ***NO PLAN



Sunday 9/11/2011 ***NO PLAN



Monday 9/12/2011 ***NO PLAN



Tuesday 9/13/2011 ***NO PLAN



Wednesday 9/14/2011 Rest Day


Thursday 9/15/2011 Fremont/Theos Chocolate Tour/Ballard and Ballard Locks/Paseos


Friday 9/16/2011 Birthday Festivus 


Saturday 9/17/2011 Birthday Festivus


Sunday 9/18/2011 Saint Demetrios Greek Festival 12-7


Monday 9/19/2011 Rest Day


Tuesday 9/20/2011 ***NO PLAN



Wednesday 9/21/2011 ***NO PLAN



Thursday 9/22/2011 Eastern Washington


Friday 9/23/2011 Grand Coulee Dam


Saturday 9/24/2011 Eastern Washington


Sunday 9/25/2011  ***NO PLAN



Monday 9/26/2011 Mariners vs. the Hated Oakland A's


Tuesday 9/27/2011 Rest Day


Wednesday 9/28/2011 ***NO PLAN



Thursday 9/29/2011 EMP and Duck


Friday 9/30/2011 Woodinville Wineries


Saturday 10/1/2011 Kangaroo Farm and skagit wineries


Sunday 10/2/2011 Salmon Days


Monday 10/3/2011 ***NO PLAN



Tuesday 10/4/2011 ***NO PLAN



Wednesday 10/5/2011 Rest Day


Thursday 10/6/2011 Buchart Gardens/Victoria


Friday 10/7/2011 Mom And John Leave

See all those ***NO PLAN days....most of those days I am working so they will be at home with access only to the bus to get them about.  Any thoughts???

Catch up

I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that I am going an online course "Soul Restoration" ?  Well here is week twos accomplishments.  Ive been really enjoying the process and feel somewhat lighter through the exercises they suggest you do

This weeks task was to get in touch with your truthteller and this is symbolized by a bird in the artwork

Here are my bits

As well as working on these pieces last week there was some VERY strange weather which I was lucky enough to capture via iphone:

I didnt see it till I took a second look but you are right Faith, this does look like a giant pink arse!  When I took this photo I wasnt sure whether I should be pausing to marvel at nature OR turn the car around and speed away from it.  This front brought incredible heavy rain and hail but when you looked to the left it was bright and sunny...kind of a metaphor for life ay?  Sometimes when we turn our focus away from the storm there is calmness and beauty "just to the left"

Speaking of beauty - the daffodils are out and the tulips are trying their hardest to follow suit.  My dear friend Tadpole had his Mom in town from Wisconsin so we decided to brave the freezing weather and head out into the fields

after all that chilliness and exercise it was time for an adult beverage at one of our favorite boutique wineries - Carpenter Creek

in between times we went to La Conner and mooched around the shops for a while - and we found this amazing ring for only $6 AND, miracles - it fits my sausage sized fingers

pretty fun huh!