12-31-08

Happy New Year's Eve!

Our plans got cut short due to Xander not feeling well, but we still partied a little.

As this year comes to a close, some thoughts on my blog. It's been a fun journey. In some ways it feels like I've been blogging forever. I may not have been at a computer to post each day, but I did have a photo for each day. I have twice as many photos as normal for 2008. A resolution to take more photos was met. Thanks to Bruce for the technical support, content suggestions, and encouragement.

See you next year!

12-30-08

Remember little Stacy?

We had a surprise when we got to G&G's - Stacy is staying for a few days.

She has glasses now and is talking much more. She is still in love with the kids, free with hugs unless it's bedtime, and has not grown one bit.

What an adorable little sprite!

12-29-08

I have been wondering for years what it would be like to train up to Edmonds to visit Grama & Grampa, instead of driving it.

I was finally able to take off a few days to accommodate the cruddy train schedule, and we gave it a go. Glad we did it, but don't think we will be doing it again anytime soon. When a 4 hour ride has two hours of delays, it's pretty frustrating. As is needing to stress over finding 3 seats together. And deal with a boy coughing the whole time and throwing up after deboarding.

Anastasia, however, is in love with the train and wants to use that mode of transport to visit from college. Go for it, kiddo!

12-28-08

Have my clothes back on today.

Because baby, it's cold outside.

I was wondering why I didn't get better snow pictures, but then I remembered - I hate being cold! Bruce and I went for a walk before dinner tonight. Brrr....

12-27-08

Bruce thinks the theme for my 2009 photo blog should be tasteful nudity shots.

Seriously, I've been meaning to attempt this pose since I saw it on Angie's blog over a month ago. Hers is nicer for many reasons, but I get points for trying.

When the kids are away, the parents will play...

“I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience.” - Shelly Winters

12-26-08

Dec 26th is a top 10 day of the year for me. I love to wander around the stores looking for Christmas stuff 50-70% off, picking up a few things for me and a few things to start the process all over again for next year.

This year it started a little later and was a little shorter since I decided the roads were still too bad to drive, but Bruce was nice enough to take me to a few stores and see how fast I can burn through a few hundred dollars... he even met up with me in one of the aisles with a Starbuck's cup!

Here's some of the people I have spent the past 24 hours with... and now the kids get a few days alone with Grandma and Grandpa Fischer.

'Twas The Day After Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was hurting-- even the mouse.

The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.

Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor, while
Upstairs the family continued to snore.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.

The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;
The patch on his jacket said "U.S. POSTMAN."

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.

He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.
He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.

He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,
Driving much faster with just half a load.

Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
"ENJOY WHAT YOU GOT ... YOU'LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!"

12-25-08

Be reminded of the words the angel proclaimed on that first Christmas Day, "Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which come to all the people."

I wasn't very comfortable with Anastasia putting the goat on the platform this year when she set up the Willow Tree nativity. "Goats climb" she argued. The idea has grown on me in the past month; now I love the goat up there watching down, I think it is another new tradition.

Xander and I are up incredibly early today. No Christmas season is ever as quiet, peaceful, and reflective as I imagine it should be, but these wee hours help.

Merry Christmas! May His many blessings be upon you today and always.

12-24-08

I sped through the book Twilight so that we could go see it on Christmas Eve. Then we woke up to more snow and decided not to go see it. Then Bruce drove around for some last minute shopping and decided the roads weren't so bad. So we did make it after all.

I'm not used to movies where the guy is wearing more make-up than the girl, but overall I give it a thumbs up. It couldn't develop the story as well as the book, and Edward was not as beautiful or as well dressed as the book portrayed him, but it was fun to see the Pacific Northwest on film (including Kalama high school) and discuss the book compared to the movie afterwards since we've all read "most" of book 1.

Going to the movies is not a normal holiday tradition, but it was a fun way to pass some of the "I can't wait" time for the kids.

"About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him, and I didn't know how dominate that part might be, that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him." - Isabella Swan

12-23-08

Back to work today, thanks to my driver. The gate guards are getting used to seeing him.

The sun came out this afternoon, and I ran outside with my camera.

I am so glad I did my log counts earlier in the quarter! It's hard enough to get reliable numbers without snow everywhere. We have a new requirement this year to count all trees that have been cut and are still out in the woods in addition to the logs that have been delivered to a yard, and I have no idea how they will get good numbers!

I only deal with the logging side of things, but in the background is the pulp mill. The mill began operations in 1931 and produces a wide range of paper products, including paperboard, corrugating medium, newsprint, and fine papers.

12-22-08

How in the world do you get revenge on someone who willingly does this to themselves just for fun? That is Anastasia's dilemma as she gets pelted over and over again with snow...

I get cold just watching them.

But I did venture out for a few minutes this afternoon, just to help with the cooped up feeling. It's pretty deep in spots!

“People that like snow, need to get out there and play in it.”
Paul Douglas

12-21-08

Our snow just keeps falling.

The newspaper says Longview got 7 inches, but I saw 3 inches at our house this morning.

We walked to church. Our friend Stan passed us on cross country ski's, going down the middle of the empty road. It is wonderful snow, fluffy powder. This is the view we saw at the end of out block, everything is so white.

As we headed across the green bridge, we waved at other church friends driving or walking. I thought for sure Sunday School would be cancelled; I counted 24 people total when first service started. But people kept trickling in and eventually at least 43 showed up, and I had 5 students after all.

I'm thinking I'll be working at home again tomorrow, the storm warning has been extended into tomorrow and the roads are getting more treacherous.

12-20-08

Hurray, hurray, crossed off two major to do's today. Finished writing Christmas cards and finished my Christmas shopping. Both much later than my normal timeline, but still done. Woo-hoo!

Since I have been working so much overtime, I decided not to do Christmas cards unless it was a family effort. Bruce helped me write the annual newsletter. The kids each wrote at least 12 cards themselves. Bruce addressed most of the envelopes. And the kids did most of the envelope stuffing and stamp/label affixing. With over 60 cards getting mailed each year, this may need to become a new tradition!

"Why do we send cards to these people we haven't seen in years?" - Xander

12-19-08

Christmas still life. Of some of my Christmas stuff.

My almost empty cookie tin that we have had for years. My fun nutcracker bear, a new addition this year. Cutie oranges, a Christmas tradition since they showed up in the toe of my stocking when I was a girl. And reminders that I try to keep around the house of the true reason for Christmas.

Stuff can waste our time and clutter our lives. But it can also scream out who we are and what we cherish. And the stuff I see around the house constantly brings a smile to my face. For past memories and new traditions in the making.

12-18-08

It's official, the kids have 3 extra days on the front of their winter break. Watching the weather from the windows makes it seem pretty mild, but venturing outside to photograph the kids reminded me how cold and deep the snow is. Not that they care one bit.

Anastasia calls herself a pink marshmallow. Her snow camp clothes are coming in very handy, especially with her snow flinging brother nearby.

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”
John Ruskin

12-17-08

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

The kids were finally blessed with a snow day today, they were so excited! They are hoping that they will be done with school until after winter break, but it seems to be melting.

I didn't pack home my laptop last night, and I had lots of meetings, so Bruce drove me into work. While I was waiting for him to pick me up again in the early afternoon, I walked around our building with my camera. I found a big bird hunkered down inside the bird feeder.

These are the trees I see out of my nearest window, I love them. Funny thing is, none of the foresters can tell us what kind they are!

12-16-08

Do you have yard art?

It's unintentional, but ours seems to be monochromatic this year.

And peaceful.

All is calm, but the kids are waiting for the snow.

"Silent night, Holy night
All is calm all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace."
- Christmas carol written in 1820

According to wikipedia, the song has been successfully recorded by over 300 artists, particularly successful in hit versions by

Enya, Stevie Nicks, Bing Crosby and Mahalia Jackson, and an instrumental version by Mannheim Steamroller.

12-15-08

Do you like to wrap?

I do. I love to figure out what ribbon goes with what paper and what fun do-dad I can add. I get lost in it.

Anastasia has been doing most of the wrapping this year, but tonight I really got to play.

And, no, I'm not volunteering to do everyone's wrapping! I don't like it that much.

Fresh starts also come in the pretty wrapped gift called 'tomorrow'" - Unknown

12-14-08

Still dealing with the grief of losing all my photos from Thanksgiving on, but life goes on.

The subject of the day was snow. Sounds like it stayed dry in our neck of the woods, but we were up north for family stuff, and we got some snow. This may be the smallest snowman ever at just a few inches tall. It's owner may be the craziest ever. Last night he was goofing off with an empty tube of mini M&M's, note the mark on his forehead. And this morning the first thing he does is go outside with no coat and make a snow angel. Grandma yelled at him so I didn't have to.

"There isn't even a puddle here!" - Xander, as both kids hope and pray for snow or ice to interrupt school

12-13-08

Today was our annual cookie baking day.

A day each December where my sister Shanna, Grama Bunnie, and I get together and make as many cookies and dirty dishes as we can in a day. It is a fun day, and many enjoy the fruits of our labors.

We have a few favorites that we HAVE to make each year (Dorothy balls, scotcheroos, peanut butter kisses, lemon cookies), and we like to try new recipes (mice cookies, Rudolph cookies, fruited candy crispies, etc). And Bruce made a batch of his favorite, chocolate chip cookies.

“The holidays evoke strong emotions, and . . . it's all about the senses. You touch gift wrap, smell the candles and cookies, hear the sounds of bells.”
- Kay Wilsbach

That was Michele's original post. Unfortunately, when she went to pick out a photo from the day she found that her SD Card was deleted somehow. So this is a photo of Michele soon after finding this out. - Bruce

12-12-08

Today in Vancouver my bosses awarded me with my 15 year service award. We joked that this has been my worst year at Weyerhaeuser, and it has been by far, but this too shall pass.

Fifteen years seems like a lot, and it is, but it is not very noteworthy here where 30 and 40 years of service are common. I spent my first year in internal audit, but since then I have been in the same division under the same leadership. Getting very specialized in company logging operations.

I don't wear my hardhat very much, so my service award stickers go on my name block instead.

12-11-08

I spent Thursday night at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver.

I love this place, especially at Christmas. I always feel like I've walked into a ski resort, but it is right in the middle of suburbia. The lobby and rooms have a log cabin decor that feels so homey. This is the light fixture in my room. The beds each have six pillows on them. At Christmastime there is a huge Santa in the lobby. And strange inverted birch trees decorated with birds and ribbon.

This year my room was right above the piano bar, so I drifted off to sleep to music.

12-10-08

Bruce took some nice photos of the kids today, but I'm going to stay true to my self imposed rule that I need to take the photo or be present when it is taken.

This evening I had to carry my heavy briefcase around a bunch, but I'm taking an evening break from work.

I left work a few minutes early to make a 5pm meeting at church. Since company policy is to not leave our PC in a vehicle, I toted it around. And right after the meeting we transitioned to Simple Supper (spaghetti for the third time this week and it's only Wednesday!) and my budgeting class. Oh, and a trip to the restroom, with the computer.

I'm getting a good upper body workout! I broke the strap by overloading the case, so now it's all on my arms instead of killing my shoulder.

Heading out of town tomorrow, hope I beat the snow home on Friday!

“Too often I find that the volume of paper expands to fill the available briefcases”
Jerry Brown

12-09-08

If you lived in my Christmas village, what house would you live in?

I would totally live in the gray one with the green roof. I have always wanted to live in a house with columns. I love living in old houses, not sure I could go back to newer ones. Of course, I'd need a housekeeper, that looks like a lot of house!

"Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest."~Robert Montgomery

12-08-08

Here I am working. A recurring theme.

Tomorrow I have seven meetings scheduled front to back from 8am to 5pm. I'm good at working during conference calls, but this doesn't even leave me time to heat up my lunch or run to the restroom.

Trying to stay on top of the pile, and not succeeding very well.

12-07-08

Here's girls from my Sunday School class in the Christmas play at church this morning. We've been working on doing Silent Night in sign language.

The play was adorable. The kids went from singing about how they wanted to skip the manger scene and go right to the presents to singing about how Jesus is the present.

The Christmas season has come to mean the period when the public plays Santa Claus to the merchants. ~John Andrew Holmes

Keep your priorities straight.

12-06-08

I worked a full day today and have another one to look forward to tomorrow, but I did take some time out today for festivities.

In the morning Anastasia and I walked over to church for the bazaar and pancake breakfast. Bruce was already there working a shift of keeping juice glasses filled. We even got to watch a nutria frolicking in the lake.

And tonight was Longview's Christmas parade and lighting ceremony. This was Xander's last year to ride on the church float.

A little brisk, but a good day to be outdoors.

12-05-08

I had paparazzi in my bathroom this morning. Bruce took 24 photos of me getting ready for another horrible, awful, very bad day.

So what is your morning routine?

Here's mine:
6:00am: Get up, eat ham for breakfast (every day), read my Bible
6:30am: Go down to the basement to exercise
7:00am: Get myself beautiful in the bathroom
7:30am: Leave for work

“The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.”
Mike Murdock

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.”
Wilfred Peterson
“The less routine the more life.”
Amos Bronson Alcott

12-4-08

We had a very gorgeous weather day today.

Folks were talking about outdoor plans. For me it doesn't matter what the weather is, because I am either working on work stuff or working on my backed up home to do list. But it still makes me happy to see glimpses of sunshine during the day. And tonight when I drive home I was rewarded with this sunset.

I loved how the sky was so pretty behind the Christmas lights.

Christmas now surrounds us,Happiness is everywhereOur hands are busy with many tasksAs carols fill the air.
-Shirley Sallay

12-03-08

November went by without a family photo, so maybe I'll have to get two in December. This one will be "Fischer's in hats".

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to anotherThe warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.--Emily Matthews

12-2-08

Can you tell who this is?

She asked me if she could watch TV this morning and I said no.

When I came up from the basement after my workout, this is the sight I saw. Her reading papers in the dark with Kleenex handy (she never gets sick, but she is now!) and the tree sparkling in the background.

Not my best photo, but it captures the mood.

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness." ~ Bob Hope

12-1-08

Do you have a Starbucks in your Christmas village?

Our village is hand painted, except for the lighthouse and this piece. It was a gift. At the time I cherished the Pike Place Market storefront, but now I get a bigger kick out of the Starbucks.

This weekend we wandered by the first Starbucks at the market a few times. It was fun to see the hub-bub and remember our discovery "what, no pastries?" a few years ago.

"I remember the day Starbuck’s opened its door in Pike Place. I have to say I didn’t get it. The coffee tasted burned (maybe it’s the perfect burned). From that day I disliked Starbucks coffee. I watched it grow into this giant. There are not too many things you can burn and make billions of dollars doing it." - Ron Shissler