07-31-10

Long but good day.

We started with duplex work, potential tenant interview, and shopping. Then we headed up north for Sam’s Toy Story party. Happy 3 buddy! Next we hopped over to Shanna & Jamie's wedding reception.

On a busy day like this it is hard to choose one photo for the blog. Bruce and the kids posing at Cabela’s with new Camelbaks. Sam holding up 3 fingers with Grandma with his cake. Molly and Anastasia enjoying birthday cake.

This isn’t the best quality photo, but it captures the evening well. Shanna and Jamie prepare to cut their unique giant cupcake from the top of the lavender flavored cupcake tower with their friends, family, and paparazzi surrounding them.

Enjoy!

07-30-10

I think the mess is conquering me instead of the other way around. But, this room was not on my agenda today. It will still be waiting for me when I’m ready for it.

Tonight I sat in the sun and read my book for a few minutes to celebrate the weekend. I wondered by the kids always come home from trips so stinking crabby. I ran over to the duplex where Bruce waited for the plumber to do his fast but expensive magic. Bruce and I walked the lake before he headed to poker.

And I mostly focused on getting our Chicago trip plans put to bed. At work I printed out all the hotel and airline confirmations that I am so glad weren’t lost forever. And I discovered that google maps also has modes for pedestrians and public transit. It is 8 El stops between the airport and our hotel, then 3 more to the Cubs stadium. At home I organized the 24 page document with the details about our destinations. And added cross streets to addresses since we’ll be navigating the old fashioned way (paper maps, eek!). Except for the detailed packing lists, I think I'm ready!

07-29-10

Just when I decided I was done dwelling on the break in, we got a break in the case.

The good news: Our suspect is in custody. And there are enough charges to hopefully put him in jail for awhile.
The bad news: None of our stuff will be recovered. And robberies continue in our neighborhood.
The weird news: The police found him sleeping on a couch in a self storage unit, and our credit union checkbook was on his possession. That’s a different account than the one he’s been forging out of.

Tonight was concert at the lake, with a good Connections turn out. I thought it was the eight-piece group with a horn section and chorus line, but that’s next week. Tonight was a John Denver tribute. Turns out I know a lot of John Denver!

07-28-10

I had planned to start fundraising for Relay for Life again tonight. I planned to see if any of my Facebook buddies want to buy simple greeting cards that I’ve been making this year with my paper scraps.

17 days to the event, I’m $600 away from my goal.

But, with the advice from mom to prioritize and focus on what really needs to be done in the next month, I’m going to have to let this one go this year. I care deeply for the cause, and I’ll redouble my efforts next year.

“To give requires good sense.” -Ovid, Roman poet

07-27-10

This is a duplex week. Tonight I washed blinds. And went to see the new Colonial Cream paint job. About an hour a day is a great pace for me.

But we need to get these units ready pronto, so that isn’t going to cut it. Bruce has been working much harder trying to get us back on schedule and trying to find us some tenants.

Then I drag him on a long walk to dinner where we review the list of things that still need to be done. No rest, no rest…

“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.” -Doug Firebaugh

07-26-10

Monday, another week begins.

I tried really hard to get caught up at work, but it was another busy day. Tonight was our highlands evening – walked to the hole-in-the wall Mexican restaurant, to the duplex to water the flowers, and to the Highlands Association meeting where we learned about paint and neighborhood watch.

Four more wake-ups before another chance to sleep in…

07-25-10

Today we saw the kids off to church summer camp for a week in Oregon. They waited to the last minute to pack, typical teens. We realized our flashlights had also been stolen, quick trip to Wal-mart. Have fun kids! Be safe, be nice, be smart.

As if our July has not been crappy enough… when we went for our evening neighborhood walk, we saw two fire trucks and an ambulance go by in full lights and sirens. Turns out they were headed to our duplex. Something left on the stove unattended. We had three calls on the answering machine and one cell call. No damage, but minutes from flames. When is all this fun going to stop?!?

07-24-10

Today was one of our hike days with the Wood family.

Bruce showed us all the cool spots around Ape Caves – the trail of two forests, June Lake, and Lava Canyon.

Here’s Xander. Anastasia, Madeline, and Landon getting drenched at the bottom of the waterfall that feeds June Lake.

Fun day, glorious scenery, great friends to share it with.

07-23-10

Ah, made it to the weekend! On weeks like this we have to celebrate the small accomplishments.

My ornamental oregano at the front porch is blooming for the first time. It's been reassuring to me that in all the chaos, my garden is a constant distraction that I can nurture.

And the rocks at the foot of the oregano that say "Peace", "Joy", and "Hope" struck me. I'm ready for more peace and joy in my life. But on the other hand, my hope is strong, and if this season of pain and frustration is the worst thing that happens to us, I will consider myself quite blessed.

07-22-10

Look at Xander’s sunburn peeling!

Somehow I don’t think he has learned to wear sunscreen.

Wow, our mirror sure needs a good cleaning!

Lake concert, more drama with suspects trying to cash our checks all over the city, and all new bank accounts. Is it the weekend yet?!?

07-21-10

And here is what we came home to…

Learnings from our break-in:
Store your computer back-up away from the computer so it doesn’t get stolen too
Don’t hide valuables in bedroom drawers; ALL our stuff was dumped out in that room
Make a list of makes, models, and serial numbers for big ticket items
Take photos every so often to remember what was there and to help jog memories of what is missing – what was in that drawer, anyway?
Thieves don’t look inside shoeboxes, they missed some good stuff.
If someone in the neighborhood looks suspicious, follow up. I’d have no qualms about calling the non-emergency police line to request a drive by.

07-20-10

Mom wanted us to have an outing day on our trip. So here we are at the happiest place on earth! A “honeymoon” for Shanna and Jaimie, a first trip to Disneyland for Eva & James, a few hours and ride on the happiest cruise on earth for Mom & I, and getting there half an hour before it opens to hit a ton of rides before the crowds got thick for Bruce & A & X. Nobody wanted to close the park down this time, but it was a good time.

07-19-10

Except for kayaking, I stayed off the water this trip. But Xander and James burned themselves to lobsters on their first beach day with a surf board, boogie boards, skim boards, and even paddle boards on the bay. On the second beach day Bruce took them to the ocean side of our peninsula to ride the waves. Yee-haw!

07-18-10

Happy Anniversary to us. 18 years, woo-hoo!

Sunday was our day for the friends & family party on the beach. The four kids did all the planning per Grandma Vicki’s crazy lists of instructions.

Bruce and I went out to dinner for some alone time. By that time we were so wiped out that California PIzza Kitchen and a milkshake at In ‘N Out was all we had energy for.

So glad to have Bruce to go through life’s stuff with.

07-17-10

Funeral Day.

Christian James Fortriede, known to us as Jim
Aug 19 1974 – July 8 2010, known to us to be way too early to die
Loved the beach, his husky Mysty, and music. All but the music known to us.

The bright part of the incredibly long and hard day was riding around in the limo, especially for the kids. And what a score to find the cold drinks in all the hidden compartments!

L to R: Jaimie, Shanna’s new husband (cut off), Grama Bunnie, Xander, Anastasia, niece Eva, nephew James, sister Shanna.

07-16-10

Our flight was delayed about an hour after we boarded the aircraft, so we had lots of time in this Jetblue plane. The kids loved having satellite TV in the back of the seat. I loved getting an entire novel read on the trip.

Due to our late reservations, we couldn’t get seats together. Anastasia was in the middle seat in front of us, Xander was in the middle seat behind us. Xander was subjected to a swearing passenger, but Anastasia was so happy that there were no fat men snoozing on her shoulder like she imagined.

07-15-10

How many Red Canoe beach balls does one household need? Evidently two more each time we go to the lake concerts...

Our crowd was small tonight, but I enjoyed the slower pace. Anastasia decided she'd rather pack than listen to a Johny Cash impersonator.

Everything that I won't need tomorrow morning is packed, in the bigger black suitcase. Hopefully I'll sleep tonight. Rest is good.

07-14-10

A mess?

Probably. I started a pile of things I wanted to take to California this week.

But haven't had a chance to organize it.

That's the way things are these days.

Any bets on whether this suitcase will be big enough? I'll have to find out by tomorrow night, because leaving direct from work Friday.

07-13-10

Most people who know me know that I dislike the phone. I don't feel comfortable on it, it's not my friend. I wonder if I would enjoy my job in an era before e-mail.

But I can rise to the occasion when I need to. Like returning work voicemail by phone rather than by e-mail. Or by calling a prospective renter. Or coordinating schedules with my family for our sudden trip to California. Or listening to mom rattle a wee bit.

"I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love, and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety, or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal - and soon they'll forget my number." - Edith Armstrong

07-12-10

Work life: Weyerhaeuser declared a $5.6 billion stock dividend and the stock price went up $3 on our path toward REITdom.

Family life: All ten of us now have plane tickets to head to California this week for Jim's funeral.

Social life: We had Tyra and Jeremiah over for dinner and Rock Band tonight. It's a blessing to have friends to laugh and struggle with.

07-11-10

Pastor Phil and Julie came down from Canada to join us at camp.

Just like at church back in Longview, there was very low attendance five minutes to start time, then it was full five minutes after.

Phil wrote a song to go with his message. Part of it goes like this:

Lord we come

For we are weary

Lord we come

With all our burdens

Lord please give us rest

Lord please give us rest

What a great message. I feel rested and ready to carry on for another week.

07-10-10

Anastasia was a great helper this weekend. She took the little kids across the field to the big playground, her and Xander (tried to) have children's church during worship, and she distracted Sarah when her parents went geocaching.

When Sarah fell asleep on Anastasia's lap, I took her up to our yurt. I got a short nap in myself, and got several chapters of my book read.

The fun part of family camp is the community. Parents have extra eyes and hands, and we can share supplies. Good thing, because we forgot to bring a lighter or kindling to start the campfire!

07-09-10

We're really wondering what happened to our boy who was so afraid of heights. Now he is willing to stand right on the edge of a sand cliff hamming it up for the camera, making us nervous to watch.

Friday afternoon we arrived at Skomakawa Vista Park, got settled in our yurt, and took a beach walk on the Columbia River.

I normally say I hate camping. But this weekend was a wonderful time. The good weather makes a huge difference to the camping experience. I wasn't in shorts much, but I wasn't wishing I had three more layers of clothes much either.

07-08-10

Ah, sweet sunshine. It wasn't as hot today, but I'm sure some people are still whining. I, on the other hand, wore long sleeves all day long. Going from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned office to an air conditioned car to a shady spot at the lake concert, I never got over heated. Love it, looking forward to the weekend and a few more months of summer.

07-07-10

Tonight we walked to Five Guys Burgers & Fries. I give their veggie sandwich a thumbs up.

It was a pleasant walk, even in the sultry weather. I could get used to walking to meals! We paused in front of the library to photograph the squirrel bridge. I've never seen a squirrel on it, but it is a Longview icon.

The weather is supposed to hold for camping this weekend. I started packing tonight, and it's hard to change my mindset. Usually I am uncomfortably cold and pack layers and layers of clothes. If 20 minutes watering the garden is any indication, we better not forget the bug repellent!

07-06-10

With the kids gone and Bruce blitzing the duplex this week, he's off dinner duty. I told him we could do fast food, IF we walked to it.

I had been seeing the readerboard for 2 for $2 BigMacs and that sounded good, so tongiht we walked to McDonalds. Call us stupid, but little did we know that ordering two meals would yield us four BigMacs! (And the best fries on the planet.)

I only wanted one, but I was up for the challenge. Made the walk back less pleasant. I don't think I've eaten two BigMacs in one sitting since Thailand 20 years ago!

If it's flipping hamburgers at McDonald's, be the best hamburger flipper in the world. Whatever it is you do you have to master your craft.
Snoop Dogg

07-05-10

Sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better. Like the bathroom at the duplex.

This morning we tore out the last thing with running water, the toilet. Bruce ripped up the flooring. And see how nice the walls look? That's my efforts with a brush and a vat of primer.

Glad that my days at work are more productive than a day at the duplex! Heading home for washing and bathroom breaks didn't help, LOL!

07-04-10

Happy 4th of July from our family to yours!

As we wait for fireworks tonight, the weather is deteriorating. But we still have a lot to be thankful for - worship service at the lake, more vendor booth food, cell phones to find each other in the crowds, fun T-shirt traditions, visit with the in-laws, a new fedora for Bruce, and a house close to the lake to get out of the chill!

"This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith." – Lyndon B Johnson

07-03-10

It's great living near the lake on sunny days.

It's better living near the lake for Thursday night summer concerts.

It's best living near the lake for the Go Fourth Festival.

Except for an exciting trip to Home Depot and Wal-mart for duplex supplies, the lake consumed our day. The kids had the 8-10am shift for the church parking lot fundraiser. I walked in the parade for Relay for Life. We had lunch from the vendor booths. Bruce and I watched all of the heats of the cardboard boat races. I enjoyed the people & energy during my evening walk.

There was a lot more seating for the boat races this year, a lot more boat entries, and still plenty of sinking ships.

07-02-10

Look at the new porch on the duplex! New doors, planted flower boxes, lattice over the concrete, and scrubbed front and roof, and it will be good as new!

Bruce spent $50 and 2 hours working on the water heater at the other duplex today, the not so joyful side of landlording. I gardened and sliced two flats of strawberries. The Go Fourth festival is in full swing - enjoy hearing the music from the yard.

07-01-10

End of another quarter, time to take stock in another three months of books.

Most enjoyable: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I wasn't looking forward to this book club pick, but it is an entertaining read about racial issues in the deep south in the 1960's.
Strangest: JPod by Douglas Coupland. This one has been on my to-read lsit for ages, I finally picked it up. I liked it, but it was pretty far out there.
Most relevant: Loving Frank, a historical fiction by Nancy Horan about Frank Lloyd Wright. Looking forward to seeing his work in Chicago soon.
Most rewarding: Finsihed my Archaeological Study Bible that I've been biting off in small chunks over my morning bowl of fresh fruit.

Happy Reading!