Pumpkin Walk 2011

Well, it's been a crazy week or so. My dad had surgery - he is doing really well and in good spirits - then I got pretty sick and have just felt run down for a while. But I'm doing better today so I thought I'd blog.

Last Friday we went to the Bainbridge Gardens Pumpkin Walk with Ryan and Marcela, et al. Since this is the second year in a row that we've gone, it is now a tradition.

Last year, it was cold when we went. This year it was almost warm. And threatening to rain, but it didn't so that was nice.

If you remember from last year, there is a trail lined with carved pumpkins. It smells amazingly like cooked pumpkin...don't know why.



Reyes is a huge fan of Rapunzel. She was so excited to see her as a pumpkin.

Cami was excited to see Elmo.

They also had face painting so Marcela and Reyes got to be kitties. Reyes said that if Daisy saw her, she wouldn't know she was a little girl and not a cat.




It was a fun night. I'm glad it's a tradition!

Update

Well, just talked to my dad. His surgery went really well, just started really late yesterday. He was up and walking and said that he felt great. Compared to what it had felt like, he feels so much better. Which is great!

The doctor said that he will feel like he's been kicked by a horse for a few days. Little did the doctor know that, since we've had horses for so long, he knows what that feels like.

He'll probably be in the hospital for another day, then just recuperating for a few weeks.

I'm really happy!

Just Waiting

Here I am, just waiting to hear that my dad has been taken back to surgery. He is getting his hip replaced today.

His surgery was suppose to start about 1 hour ago, so...any time now.

So, any thoughts and prayers sent his way would be awesome today!

Luke, I am your Father

***Sorry about this, but I guess the person who put this on YouTube has taken if off. Basically, it was his two kids watching when Darth Vader tells Luke that Vader is Luke's father. The kids both react with surprise. Too bad you can't see it anymore.**

Do you remember how much I like Star Wars? I know, it's weird, but hey, that's me. (And, yes, Star Wars has come out on bluray. Great. Another time buying Star Wars.)

Anyway, I saw this video on the news and just had to share. It makes me laugh.

Have a great day!

Westport by the Sea

Well, here we are...back from our trip to the Washington Coast. It was a FABULOUS week and just what both of us needed. And, as I usually do, here is the trip in pictures.

Speaking of pictures. The picture from my last post is from the deck of the condo we were staying in. Yeah, it's my new favorite place!

When asked what I wanted to do while we were in Westport I said, "Beachcomb." I love to go beachcombing. So we did a lot of that.

When Brent was asked, he said he wanted to fly his kite. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate until Saturday and we were already all packed up and ready to go when the wind started up. And with the wind came rain, so...needless to say, no kite flying this time. But a lot of beachcombing with me!
Look at that...we're the only ones on the beach. There were quite a few times when we couldn't see anyone else. It was great.

This is my new favorite camera angle. I took a lot of ones like this.

See

There were sand dollars everywhere! But I only came home with five of them. Even though I had told myself I was only coming home with three. I was really impressed with my restraint.

I did, however, take a lot of pictures of them!

How come smelly old boats are so pretty in pictures?

Most people would take one of those smelly old boats out on a fishing trip, but not us. I'm not a fisherperson. I cry. I know, it's weird, but...hey...that's me!

These next pictures require some explanation. There is a lighthouse in Westport - the tallest one in Washington - so we went to take a look. The volunteer there was blowing these HUGE bubbles. And he even said it was a bad day for the really big ones. Here is his blog that tells you how to blow your own huge bubbles. I think Brent's going to give it a try sometime.

I think this one looks like the thing from The Abyss.

To get to the ocean from where we stayed you had to walk through some dunes. I think they are so pretty.
One day, Brent and I were out beachcombing...I know, surprising...and I noticed something way out on the horizon. I kept looking at it and realized it was a ship, in full sail. This picture is REALLY zoomed in, which is why it's not too crisp. This is the Lady Washington. The Lady Washington is a full scale reproduction of the original Lady Washington that was the first American ship to make landfall on the west coast. I don't know about you, but I'm reminded a little bit of the Goonies with this picture. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, please, watch the Goonies again. It's funny.)

As I said, this is the tallest lighthouse in Washington. We don't have really tall lighthouses here though so it's not too exciting.

What I think is interesting about this lighthouse though is that it's about 3,000 feet from high tide. Which means that the condo we were staying in was between it and the ocean. Kind of defeats the purpose of a lighthouse, doesn't it? (I did read about this...it originally was a lot closer, but over the years, sediment has built up so it keeps getting farther and farther from the ocean.)

And now for some just plain old pretty pictures...of the ocean...because I love the ocean...





And now on to our favorite part of the trip. We heard about this glass studio where you could take glass blowing classes. It's in a little town called Cosmopolis. Isn't that a funny name? Anyway, we signed up and had a great time. I brought my camera to the class but to tell you the truth, I didn't even think about taking it out. Brent and I each got to make a float and a bowl.

Here are mine...

And here are Brent's...

I think that we both did a really good job, being that it was our first time. Brent's bowl is a lot better than mine. He really got it to ruffle nicely.

It was really fun. The guy who taught us was really easy going and easy to learn from. He helped as much as we needed and even left us alone a little on the bowl. I'm really thinking about taking another class.

And, to finish off, the obligatory scrunch pictures. (Notice how cute Brent looks in both of these though...I was impressed.)



It's kind of hard to get back to real life after our great week, but it's nice to see Daisy again. And it did turn into fall while we were gone. I love fall!

See Ya!

All I can say is...someone bring me Daisy, I'm never leaving.

We're off beach combing. I'm so excited, I can hardly stand still.

:)

Craftiness is not an Option

I've been having some discussions with people I know about the worth of crafting. I really enjoy crafting. Usually, unless it's sewing related, it really relaxes me. But the other opinion is that crafting is just a waste of time. That there are far more important things to do.

I can't help it, I disagree. There are a lot of great things to do. And I do a lot of those things. But if I didn't do something that I enjoyed every once in a while, I would go crazy! So, I've decided that for the dissenters, craftiness IS an option. But for me, craftiness IS NOT an option. I mean, it's not like I do it 24/7. Just in spurts. Like now, I'm on one of those spurts.

I have been wanting some milk glass vases for my computer room, but when I went searching for milk glass I found that it was expensive. I mean, really expensive.

So when I found this tutorial, I thought, hmmm... Then I found a couple more and it really got me going.

Off I went to Goodwill to find some vases.
Check. And they were only $2.50. WAY cheaper than milk glass.

I already had some white acrylic paint, so after figuring out how much water to add, I got this...

Fer cute!

And I really like how they look with my super cute lamp.

See, I'm saving money. Another good thing about crafting. Crafting is awesome!

But, I feel I should show you my failure at craftiness. As I said before, crafting is relaxing to me, except if it's sewing. I am bound and determined to like sewing, but I haven't gotten there yet. Mostly it's just annoying. I don't know what I was thinking when I took on this next project.

I found this tutorial on how to make a case for your camera. We needed a case for our GPS, so I thought, "Hey, I can do that. It can't be that hard."

Yeah, I know, I think I'm delusional too.

So, I made a GPS case.

This is so embarrassing.

You may not be able to tell from the picture, but the GPS doesn't really fit into the case. A key component to a case, if you ask me. The strap that keeps the GPS in the case is crooked. And, I know you really can't see this, but I originally put the velcro in the wrong place. Awesome.

I guess it's better than nothing, but not much. Needless to say, I will not be making one for our camera.

But it was basically free because I already had all the stuff for it. Well, I take that back, I had to get the velcro so it cost like a dollar.

Crafting is not my life. But I do enjoy it and I'm not going to feel guilty for enjoying it. As long as I get the rest of my list done, I'm good.

Happy crafting!

Sad News...

I knew this day was coming. If I was honest with myself, I would have known how much I was dreading it. But, it's time to announce to the world...
Sarah is now taller than me. Yep, a twelve year old has surpassed my height. **Sigh**

I don't know why I'm so sadden by this. I mean, look at her parents...they're both way taller than me. But it just makes me feel short. Which I know I am, but I sometimes pretend that I'm not.

But, in the interest of not dwelling on my short stature, here are some good things about Sarah being taller than me, ie: my shortness.

1) I now have another person that I can ask to reach high things for me. That's always nice.

There's this girl in our ward who is about 5'11" and barely 14. At camp last year, I called her over and she said, "What would you like me to reach." Well trained.

2) No more wondering when it was going to happen. I now know. In Utah. She was shorter than me when they left and taller when they got back. Seriously.

3) The B**** family now has a new gauge. You see, when you're taller than me, you can use a big cup. Not sure how I feel about this.

4) I don't have to worry about flood pants.

5) My kitchen is set up for a short person. All the stuff that I use every day is low down, and all the things that are used sometimes are higher up. I don't know if you've ever been in a tall person's house but their things are high up.

6) Ok, now I'm just grasping at straws so I don't know what else to say.

7) Oh, yeah, when I fall down - and notice I did say when - it's not as far to the ground.

So...Sarah is taller than me. So what! I'll always be older.

Wait...that's not better.

:)

I See...

Ahhh...so that's how a vacuum is suppose to work. Amazing!

I love my Dyson!

Just a Little Happy...

Here are a few things that are making me happy today:

1) I'm a little bit cold, but the sun is shining.

2) My super cute new pot I planted.

3) The fact that I picked two, count them... two, tomatoes today. Alright, they're cherry tomatoes, but since we didn't get ANY last year, two is a huge improvement.

4) Daisy is shedding all over the place and my vacuum is broken. Wait, that's not a good thing. But it's not bothering me too much. I might even get a new vacuum out of it.

5) Yesterday was our anniversary and we got to celebrate it by going to Les Mis - a week ago - and a yummy dinner last night. Our marriage is now a miamaid. Seriously?

6) Other than not being vacuumed, my house is clean. So if someone stops by, I won't have to be embarrassed.

7) I talked to my Grandma today. She is fun to talk to.

8) Went to the zoo yesterday with Court and the kids. I love the zoo but forgot my phone and my purse, which is another story, so there might not be any pictures from the day. Oh well, still fun!

and

9) My person gardener, who was one of the young women I taught and I hired to help out this summer before she goes off to college, swept the driveway and stairs today. I love having it all clean and I love not having to do it.

It's a good day!

A Visit From the Parents

Not long ago, my parents came for a visit. We had a great week with really good weather. And, as always, let's relive it in pictures.

But first...the main thing we did was go to Family Day at the shipyard and since you can't bring a camera, I don't have any pictures. But, if you would like to be reminded of what it was like, go here.

There were a few differences this time. We didn't take the ferry over because it's not free this year ... stupid budget cuts ... and the line wasn't as long but still long. We got to go on an aircraft carrier...where there were a lot of sailors holding guns. And Brent's desk was still barren, but he promises me it's because he had just moved.

Now on to the things I could take pictures of:
My dad wanted to go fishing, but it seems something always happens so he can't. Or they don't catch anything but that's a different story. This year was another year when it just didn't work out. Who knew they closed fishing certain days of the week? So, Brent and Dad went to a Mariner's game instead. There was a picnic for University of Utah alumni beforehand (I know, I don't get it either) so they got dinner and a game for a pretty good deal.

Needless to say, Mom and I went to do girly things ... like a much needed pedicure and shopping.

The rest of the week was spent doing yard work (Dad moved a lot of dirt so Brent can start building the next wall in our front yard), crafting, and playing a lot of Wii golf and bowling.

We did go to Illahee State Park where I got a nice sunburn on my neck. I forgot that the sun comes out sometimes around here.
Can you find the crab in this picture? We went at low tide so we could beachcomb. It wasn't a great beachcombing day but still fun. We found out that Mom is the Geoduck Whisperer. She got sprayed by geoducks about 5 times and got me and my dad sprayed once because we were following her. It was funny.

(What is a geoduck, you ask? Oh, and by the way, it's pronounced gooeyduck. They are these weird looking clams that can get quite large. They burrow down in the wet sand and when the tide is low, they are completely buried with only a hole filled with water above them. If you walk too close to the hole, they spurt water on you. This is the best picture I could find for reasons I would rather not talk about.)


It was a BEEEE-UTIFUL day and the mountain was out...

Mt. Rainier to be exact.

And we even saw an eagle. It's not unusual to see an eagle around here but it still quite fun!

Then we planted some pots and made the corner of our deck super pretty.


And, of course, we crafted. This time we broke out the Cricut and cut some vinyl. What do you think?

This says "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, Fire Burn and Caldron Bubble."

I started this one when Leslie was here. It's gone through a couple of changes since then, and a whole new set of vinyl, but I'm finally quite happy with it.

You can't see it very well, but it says 'Happy Halloween' on the bottom left hand corner.

(Just a reminder...you could have any of these vinyl beauties, and more, by going here.)

It was a great week! And to finish off the post, here are some pretty flower pictures.

Have a great day!

Hee Hee