04-30-10

Made it to another Friday!

Bruce has a poker game, Anastasia has a sleepover, and Xander is at a stage where it is mutual that we don't want to spend time with each other.

So, that leaves me an evening for a pedicure, manicure, and Netflix chic flick!

Happy weekend!

04-29-10

Today:

- Bruce removed oodles of roach carcasses from the rental kitchen

- Everyone finally liked dinner. Asian stir fry is a keeper!

- Our contractor evicted three feral cats from under our rental

- Xander earned his cell phone back

- I finally spent some time pulling weeds in the vegetable garden

- We celebrate one month of landlordship

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

04-28-10

Our ranunculus is happy, but not our squirrels.

We have a big squirrel nest in the plum tree in the front yard. When I'm digging, I am always finding big walnut shells, hidden away by the squirrels. I laugh at how silly they are to leave their stuff all over the place and not come back for it.

But, now I'm thinking that they really do remember where they hide their loot. Note that the upper left hand corner of this planter is not looking so healthy. And that is where I found a walnut...

"A retentive memory may be a good thing, but the ability to forget is the true token of greatness.” - Elbert Hubbard

04-27-10

Spent so much time on the computer this evening that I forgot to actively look for a blog photo!

I've been researching sides of beef, e-mailing and IM'ing friends, and getting the April records for the landlord business pulled together.

Not a very glamorous evening, but way better than fighting mold like Bruce, being on restriction like Xander, or back-to-back track and dance like Anastasia.

04-26-10

We closed on the duplex today. Got the keys and everything.

Tonight we took a quick field trip over there to intercept the May rent check before it gets mailed off to the FHLMC no mans land, set up a time to sign the new lease, and take another look at some details we overlooked in the empty unit at inspection. Tomorrow Bruce starts pulling up flooring and fighting mold.

Anastasia came along (only because she wasn't given a choice) and her first reaction was "ewww!" and she kept saying over and over "it stinks, it stinks". Yep, it does, but this too shall pass.

04-25-10

It always seems a little surreal to me when I start the day in one place and end it somewhere completely different.

When you wake up on Sunday morning, the focus has shifted. We are no longer retreating; we are enjoying our last meal that we did not have to plan, prep, or serve, are packing up our belongings, and are mentally preparing for what is waiting for us at home.

Luckily that involves sunshine, lake walk, geocaching, fun shopping, and cheap Blizzards mixed in with the normal Sunday chores. But communion this morning in the serene setting cannot be beat.

04-24-10

So hard to choose one photo for this day.

Recurring themes in our weekend was water and rocks.

Water purifies. Washes away our sins. Common events, like our shower, can become holy events and daily reminders.

We collected rocks on our hike, we wrote our cares on small rocks, we built an alter with large rocks, and focused on really giving up our issues and concerns rather than yanking them back from God.

"A song of your forgiveness

For it is with grace that river flows

Take us to the river

in the city of our God" - praise song

04-23-10

Have bags, will travel.

This weekend was Longview Community Church's women's retreat in Eagle Creek, OR. Our working definition of retreat was getting away from normal activities.

I tried to get my stuff into our smallest suitcase (it is only a weekend, after all!), but just couldn't and fell back to the old tweed suitcase. And packed my "retreat bag" with Bible, notebook, weekend schedule, water, GPS, and cell phone.

04-22-10

Busy, busy, busy.

The past week has been incredibly busy, I’m heading out of town to retreat for the weekend, and the bank has accelerated our closing date on the duplex by two weeks. We’re thrilled, but it takes away our breathing room.

Planning the garden a few months ago I anticipated this craziness, so I kept things simpler. The weather's been great and I haven’t found my way out to the garden all week. Tonight I did a quick scouting trip to see which seeds are sprouting.

Wow, the bluebells and strawberries are in bloom, when did that happen? The spinach and lettuce are just starting to emerge. And here are the peas that hopefully will give us peapods for stir-fry’s, salads, and snacking.

04-21-10

Attended my first track meet today. I had no idea that they lasted 3 hours long!

Anastasia ran the 1600 meter, 800 meter, and 400 meter relay today. The 1600 is just shy of a mile, so she was one tired puppy by 6pm.

She’s not the fastest, but I’m proud of her for pushing through. I know that when I am running each morning that it takes constant self talk to keep going. Looking forward to seeing her improvement over the season, seeing her compete against good church friends (Julia is catching up to her here) and seeing if long distance is her niche.

The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” - John Bingham

04-20-10

If I've been the one up since 4:40am, why is he the one sleeping?!?

My secret is to keep moving. I feel great until I stop.

Today was day 1 of three days of early mornings thanks to work meetings. I decided since I have to get up early anyway, I may as well get up a little bit earlier and do my treadmill time. So far seems like a good decision, but we'll see how I feel by Thursday!

04-19-10

Saw and photographed oodles of tulips in Woodland on Saturday, but think I like the ones in my yard the best. Deep cranberry with white edges, and lots of petals.

I planted 25, but only 3 came up. Enjoying them though, even if sparse. And the short rain shower, so I don't have to water the garden. Too bad the rain was during Xander's soccer practice though!

Another Monday behind us...

04-18-10

Doesn’t this just scream fun?

So a few weeks ago we toured a house that has been on the market forever. Asking price $70K. 4 bedroom 1300 square feet. Bruce and the realtor raised their eyebrows as we walked through room after room of dilapidation, but I thought it was adorable. Yeah, it needed a lot of work, but it had a lot of potential.

We decided that if it was still on the market after we got the duplex settled down that we would look at it again, maybe offer $30K. Well, this week the price was lowered. To $30K. We put in our offer and scheduled the inspection for today, same day as the duplex.

As we drove up via the back of the house, Bruce was amazed at how terrible it looked, pictured here. This is the entrance into an enclosed porch rather than the main house, but still. The obvious work the house needed didn’t scare us away. But the inspection uncovered some pretty major structural issues (the upstairs addition bounces when you walk on it an would need to be redone) and electrical issues (still using fuses rather than circuit breakers).

So the “Project House” truly is a disaster house after all. Moving on…

04-17-10

Busy day, busy day.

9am soccer game... Killer Teddy Bears lost, but didn't get stomped by the team two years older.

Photos galore Lilac Festival and Tulip Farms in Woodland.

Xander's birthday party. We rented a teen center for two hours of video games, noise, and rough football.

Here's the birthday boy with his haul of gift cards, cash and candy, with Dad, girlfriend Jordyn and friend SunnyRae in the background.

04-16-10

We just got home from the most amazing dinner party…

Bacon wrapped quail egg with balsamic drizzle
Tomatoes provencale with goat cheese bruschetta
Fantastic smoked ribs
Red and golden beet salad with mint
Roasted strawberries with shortbread &red wine sauce

Kids hanging out and getting along, not under foot.
Time with friends, old and new.

…and the 411 on very cool dishes at Target.

04-15-10

Yesterday was Xander’s birthday, today is my mom’s birthday.

Last night in Bible Study I shared that my work life was getting a wee bit boring. Today my phone rang off the hook and time went by faster.

Yesterday a “project house” we were interested in was priced at $70K. Today it went down to $30K.

Yesterday the weather was nice, but this evening it is absolutely perfect!

Happy tax day!

04-14-10

We arrived at church too late for singing Happy Birthday (what, six people don't fit in the Scion?!?), but here is the birthday boy at our Simple Supper meal.

Twelve years ago we were taking a leap of faith moving to Aberdeen so tht Bruce could be home for the kids. Now we are taking antoher risk buying properties, in part to fund Xander's college expenses. How time flies!

Your birthday is the perfect time

to wish you nothing less

than favorite memories, plans and dreams

that bring you happiness,

for birthdays are a link between

the future and the past,

reminding us to treasure most

those special joys that last

04-13-10

Ah... where to begin?

I spent my evening at Relay for Life team captain training.

Xander got sent to bed early for being a creep on his birthday eve.

Bruce finally had his nasty stye removed.

Anastasia is feeling the effects of all her recent running.

Out of time for today, hope for tomorrow...

04-12-10

Slow day at work, but running running running all evening.

Allergy shot. Quick dinner with just Bruce, kids running other directions. Visit to Starbucks to wait for the realtor. Sign updated offer papers. Jog with Anastasia for a block or two. Pick up Xander from soccer practice, get him fed. Jog more with Anastasia at the lake. Debrief the Highlands neighborhood meeting Bruce attended solo. Decided I don’t need to exercise alone tonight.

I believe that the Good Lord gave us a finite number of heartbeats and I'm damned if I'm going to use up mine running up and down a street. ~Neil Armstrong on jogging, in an interview with Walter Cronkite

04-11-10

I haven’t felt very good this weekend.

Not sure if it is because my body is worn down or because of all the toxic food I’ve been ingesting. Relaxing my standards on the weekends goes a little overboard at times. Defrosted a fruitcake from Christmas, got half price Easter candy, and… on second thought, I don’t want to add it all up… sugar tooth gone amok.

Looking forward to Monday morning – a fresh start to count calories and cleanse out my system.

04-10-10

The killer teddy bears didn't kill anything today. They lost their first game of the season.

I enjoy watching soccer, but I wish it wasn't so stinking cold. Today it was sunny, and it was quite comfortable at home for a day of gardening, but it was windy and miserable at the soccer fields. I'm a wimp.

A great low key day, the way all weekends should be.

04-09-10

Happy with life, but feeling worn down.

Wrapped up the work week.

Researching Frank Lloyd Wright stuff in Chicago.

Almost done with my novel.

Celebrated Anastasia's 4.0.

Put away soap purchase - stocked up on the sale.

Took Xander to sleepover for Landon's birthday.

Evening plans changed several times.

Enjoyed a key lime pie cheese ball.

Happy weekend!

04-08-10

Today was Battle of the Books.

The kids group into teams of four or five. There is a reading list of 10 books.

The idea is that the kids read the books and compete to answer questions.

The prize for the winning teams is to go to OMSI in Portland at the end of the year.

Both of the kdis had battles today. And both won. Just barely, so they have more reading to do. I was only able to watch Anastasia’s, but I got to watch Xander’s first battle.

As I spend more time at school, I’ve been hearing “wow she sure looks like you!” a bunch. Not sure we do, but both the kids looks more like me than Bruce!

04-07-10

My to list for this evening:

- Remember to grab small paper plates for Sunday School while at church. Check.

- Charge my cell phone, down to one bar. Check.

- Exercise. My new favorite evening workout is walking briskly on the treadmill while reading this months book club read. Check.

Is it Friday yet?!?

04-06-10

Instead of “say cheese!”, I said “say summer school!” to the kids tonight, and this is the reaction I got.

The kids school was deemed to be in the lowest 5% of Washington schools, and they won a $1.4 million School Improvement Award grant by demonstrating a high need and a great capacity to improve the situation. Looks like before, after, and summer school programs are in their future.

Tonight Bruce and I attended a meeting to hear from the superintendent and provide parent input. I was glad to hear that the money will be spent on “academically rigorous” programs to help the below benchmark kids AND the high performers who need enrichment to continue to grow.

04-05-10

Xander came home from his 90 minute soccer practice soaked to the bone. Feet on the heat vent to warm them up.

And so starts spring soccer. Spring or fall, both can be miserable and cold.

They picked their team name – Killer Teddy Bears. Better than the Chipmunks, but not as cool as the Kickin’ Carrots.

And Anastasia started track today. She loves the stadiums.

04-04-10

I got a phone call Saturday late afternoon. That is the first oddity; I avoid the phone like the plague. It was the message you don’t want to hear: “I have the flu and won’t be able to teach Sunday School with you tomorrow.”

Easter is hard to know- a lot of people come for Easter. But it’s hard to get up out of bed after a week of Spring Break. Our class is big and has a lot of rowdy kids. But some people go to Easter brunch right after service and don’t stay for Sunday School.

The second thing you don’t want to hear: “There is no Easter bunny. Your parents are the Easter bunny.” by one of the kindergarteners. That was our only moment of mayhem all hour.

04-03-10

Working on slowing down, staying home, and taking time for things I’ve been neglecting. Like playing in my scrapbook room, reading, and studying the Bible.

So today I focused on staying on task to accomplish 8 things – no more, no less.

But there is always more. Like house shopping and making another offer. Every house we looked at today was a winner, at some price. But all so vastly different. My heart is elsewhere, but this time we’re going after Bruce’s dream- a duplex.

Facebook conversation:
Our agent: just showed a duplex infested with cockroaches! I nearly puked in my mouth.
Bruce: It was only a few roaches you big sissy! :)
Listing agent: Hope that wasn't our duplex

Regardless of whether we buy it, it’s getting fumigated. LOL!

04-02-10

Ah, the Fischer family made it to Friday evening! Just barely, we are all kind of grumpy. The kids have been running Bruce ragged and the slumber party girls kept me up last night.

Looking forward to a quiet weekend. And sleep tonight.

Anastasia is proud of her clean room, and should be; don't think I have ever seen it stay this nice this long. Music, computer, and cell phone all within reach; such a teenager.

04-01-10

I’ve been reading a lot this quarter.

April Fools!

Does it count that I am also part way through six other books, and that the real estate books are really long and slow going?!?

I want to read more this year, and normally I find more time in winter, but this year has been unusual.

Favorite reads this quarter:
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. Very touching.
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl. Fun read and neat to hear the author speak.

Other recommendations:
Learning to Breathe by Karen White
Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Little Stalker by Jennifer Belle

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." — Groucho Marx