12-31-13

I rarely stay up to celebrate new years, but this year I did.  If I pump my system full of enough coffee, I can even be awake without being grumpy.  Happy 2014!

12-30-13

Look who got new glasses today.  No comment about the weirdo in the background. 

12-29-13

I went on two photo quests today.  This afternoon I walked downtown to get a photo of the vintage clock on Commerce for the “Take Your Time” photo prompt.  And this morning Bruce was kind enough to drive me out o Willow Grove in search of a fallow field to signify my 2014 focus word.  While there we saw these adorable little cows.

12-28-13

I took photos when we played tennis today, but didn't get any good ones.  My other photos taken today was a lake walk working on a "breath of fresh air" photo prompt.  This one didn't get uploaded to the bigpicturescrapbooking gallery, but I did like it.  And I like putting in my ear buds, listening to real estate podcasts, and looking at the world form different perspectives.

12-27-13

Part of Anastasia's Christmas gift is to repaint her room.  We painted it bright pink and purple when we moved in, to our realtors chagrin.  Before we can paint, though, we need to decide on new colors.  We've played with yellows, purples, greens, and will probably go with blues.  The color swatch from Miller Paint was a nice frequent customer bonus...

12-26-13

Hi, ho, a-shopping I will go.  One of my favorite Christmas traditions is shopping on the 26^th.  I search the 50% off Christmas sales looking for gifts (work, family, and charity), wrapping supplies (paper, baskets, tags, ribbon), and Christmas cards for next year.  And this year, for some clothes to round out my wardrobe, and a cookbook to broaden our menu options.

Obviously, it was a bountiful day.  Target at 7 am was priceless, wish I felt comfortable photographing it.

12-25-13

I captured a nice shot of the two girls in purple, Molly and Anastasia.  It’s amazing how a day can be so calm yet crazy, relaxing yet tiring, suspenseful yet over so soon, all rolled up into one.

12-24-13

We spent Christmas Eve in Portland as a family.  We opened one gift early, dropped in at Lloyd’s Center to watch the last minute shopping, we attended Christmas Eve service at Mars Hill, explored and had dinner at the Kennedy School, and aborted a trip to see the lights at the raceway (too many people).

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright…

12-23-13

Not sure whether to say we're winding down or winding up for Christmas day.  In some ways energy levels are really high, but then they just as quickly peter out.

Tonight I took a tin of homemade cookies to the HNA party, then our family grabbed drinks at the Electric Bean and drove to Castle Rock to see a lit up house pulsating to music.  Pretty cool how Santa under the eaves sang for the guy parts.

Merry almost Christmas...

12-22-13

Struggling to get things done this quiet Sunday.  I did get six photos uploaded to the gallery for my photo class, though, including the results of a late afternoon lake walk.  Also got the last gifts wrapped this morning, so officially ready for Christmas!

12-23-13

Cookie baking day!

This year’s varieties:

Luscious lemon cookies

Chocolate chip cookies

Double chocolate cookies with peppermint kisses

Peanut butter cookies with Choc Kisses

Sugar cookies with Peppermint or Choc kisses

Chocolate dipped pistachio cherry cookies

Magic Cookie bars

Dorothy balls

Grama Cookies (fruitcake in cookie form)

Pecan cookie bars

Scotcharoos (rice krispy treats)

Waffle turtles with vanilla frosting

It’s a lot of cookies, but it was a slower pace this year and was a fun day of family together time.

12-20-13

I took a bunch of photos of various decorations at the Fischer’s for my photography class Friday night.  I liked the simplicity of this one; resting up after a long car ride north, and no Christmas decoration in sight.

12-19-13

Tonight we went caroling for adopt-a-block.  The kids love to bang on the doors and look adorable, the residents enjoy our spirit, and we had lots of lovely voices tonight.

Of the 25 houses on our adopted block:
11 were sung a carol
  3 answered the door, but didn't want a song
  5 didn't answer
  6 are empty houses

12-18-13

We are the proud owners of a Christmas pig, thanks to a Christmas decoration exchange at small group tonight.  Evidently it is an office decoration.  I think I see a holiday Relay for Life office fundraiser in our future, moving the pig around...

12-17-13

I put my hardhat sticker on my name block today.

Bruce found a blog post from my 15 year service award, five years ago.  It mentioned having a bad work year.

Maybe it's an every five year thing, because I was in the office at 7pm tonight, a far cry from the massive time off I had planned for December.

12-16-13

Xander thought we should all stare straight ahead and not smile for tonight's impromptu photo shoot.  Easier said than done.  At least one person started cracking up as soon as the camera timer clicked, and sometimes multiple people.

12-15-13

Xander wants to drive.  Bruce is selective about when he says yes, but today he got to drive to lunch and back, to play tennis and back, and home from the Christmas musical.  Anastasia and I are back seat drivers, mostly announcing speed issues.  Xander finds us all annoying.

12-14-13

Xander and I faced a few crazy hours manning the craft table at the Weyerhaeuser Christmas party this morning, but no photos were taken.

I did two different photo shoots for Picture the Holidays prompts, but not crazy about either one of the results.  The quest continues, but here is a runner up for a "tiny delight".

12-13-13

I was honored this week with my 20 year service award.  20 years at Weyerhaeuser; that has sure flown by!  I got a 20 year hardhat sticker, a card signed by my peers (with serveral comments about 20 more years), and a telescope for Bruce to assemble.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do… Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

12-12-13

Before heading to Vancouver for a few days, I took another early morning photo walk.  The sky was pink, and changing quickly as the sun came up.  A wonderful change from the colorless sky we've had.

"The sky is the daily bread of the eyes." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

12-11-13

Not sure what happened to photos of my family for the Christmas season.  Guess we're all going our own directions.  My photo prompt for today was Minimalist, and someone might get offended if I use them for that anyway.

I knew I wanted to capture the rose hips, but don't have much daylight to work with on work days.  Went out before work, but the sky was dreadful.  The news called it frozen fog.  Tried again after work and still didn't get much with the sky as the background.  So included more branches and the garage as a backdrop instead. 

12-10-13

Got up this morning, turned on the tree lights.
Checked the school closures, cancelled my dentist appointment, e-mailed work that I'd be taking a vacation/sick day, had breakfast, then crawled back in bed.
Quiet lazy day.  Bliss.

I'm not a big fan of this photo, but it is getting rave reviews in my photo class, so enjoy!

12-09-13

I braved the cold to get some photos for my Picture the Holidays class.  Baby, it's cold outside!  The lake is very frozen now - the small dark patch in the middle is the only part that isn't thick white ice.  Thankful that our water is restored and we have a warm dry place with all the comforts of home.

12-08-13

What a day!  Started with a nice luxurious bath.  We had a fun afternoon outing of shopping for stocking stuffers.  Then came the frozen pipes - ours and a rental at the same time.  And we ended the day at an Irish Christmas concert.  Lots of fiddle, lots of clapping, lots of Christian lyrics.  A great way to end a trying day.

12-07-13

It is impossible for me to teach the kids to drive.  I refuse to be in the front seat, but I can’t even cope with being in the car at all.  Anastasia and I gasped and giggled from the back seat, poor guy.

Xander’s driving school requires him to log 50 hours of time behind the wheel.  That’s about 10 hours a month.  Driving himself all the way to tennis and back only adds up to an hour a week.  Fifty hours is a ton of tootling around town; we sure as heck aren’t letting him on the freeway!

12-06-13

Since we woke up to a thin white blanket, I decided to go for a walk instead of heading straight to work.  The snow was really dry was quickly gone just leaving crunchy ice.  It was a different perspective for sure.  Stark, cold, and a muted kind of pretty.

12-05-13

Feeling very uninspired with the camera tonight, I stood up on a chair.  Funny how the view changes from a few feet higher.  Darn ornament wouldn't stay put with the peace showing, but I eventually got it.

Xanders viewpoint is shifting as he got his permit and got behind the wheel today.  And Anastasia's viewpoint is changing as she winds down from finals week and looks forward to a month with no college courses.

12-04-13

Hopes & dreams.
Anastasia's dreaming of getting past finals.
Xander's dreaming of a moped.
Bruce is dreaming of rentals quieting down.
I'm dreaming of a good nights sleep.
Wish upon a star...

12-03-13

Flights can be grounded for bad weather.  And hopes can be dashed by good weather.  I'm happy to see the weather behaving itself this week, a busy week at work, but there is a palpable vibe at work as people peek out the windows and discuss road conditions.  Give me sunshine over dog mushing any day!

12-02-13

Not a fan of the bristly needles of the fake tree, love the lack of fresh pine smell.  Not a fan of the work to decorate the house, love the collective years of memories as they get unpacked.  Not a fan of the family trying to weed out my favorite ornaments, love the set of faceless angels that remind me of my willow tree angels.  Not a fan of all the Christmas tasks looming ahead, but love the soft glow of the white lights on the tree.

12-01-13

Family Thanksgiving Take 2.  More cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes!  More prayers, more kids, more December spirit. Anastasia captured this great shot from the second floor.

L to R: Bruce, Michele, Xander, Sam, Diana, Renee, Bruce Sr, Kayla, Molly, Nathaniel.

11-30-13

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation world headquarters opened across the street from the Science Center in 2011.  Back then, we wandered around the outside of the brand new building.  This year we finally got inside the visitors center.  No surprise that it was high tech and interactive.  But it wasn't what I was expecting.  I wanted more solutions, not to be continually asked a bunch of questions.  But, I guess there is value in pondering...

11-29-13

Starting our weekend farther north with a visit to G&G, we decided to walk Green Lake before heading downtown.  We encountered a few art projects, including this turkey on a stump.

The day continued a path of new experiences - a new hotel, improv at Pike Place market, and a new cupcake spot.

11-28-13

Time to feast.  The food is on the table, the family is preparing to link hands and pray.  Love the laid back day of catching up, resting up, stocking up on cranberries and sweet potatoes, and even lathering up to wash dishes.

L to R: Chelsea, Will, Anastasia, Kevin, Raelyn, Jenn, Brendin, Aunt Mo, Uncle Pat, Shanna.

11-27-13

Some people call it Ambrosia Salad, or fruit salad.  We call it 5 cup salad – a cup each of pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, marshmallows, sour cream, and cherries to garnish.

I grew up on this salad at every family gathering.  I don’t eat much canned fruit or sour cream anymore, but I still enjoy eating myself sick on it once a year.  It’s my thing to bring to Thanksgiving.

11-26-13

Two of us got new hair-do's today.  Now we'll be styling for the holiday photos...

A day off work, life is grand.

11-25-13

It’s done!  My editor (thanks Mom!) and I wrapped up changes and published my e-book!

It doesn’t feel like it’s taken almost a year, and some of the info is already outdated, but it feels good to get it out there for others to learn by, and I’m getting great feedback on the free copies.

I didn’t get many 2013 goals accomplished, but this was a big one…

11-24-13

Let there be pumpkin crisp!

I decided to make pumpkin crisp for a work potluck, and I can't make pumpkin crisp without Bruce getting some, so I made two this evening.

Dessert at home for family movie night - watching Hunger Games again to get ready to see Catching Fire this week.  May the odds ever be in your favor...

11-23-13

Started and ended my day with food today.

This morning I headed to the community center to pack Thanksgiving food baskets.  I was in charge of canned vegetables, adding corn and green beans to boxes, and other veggies for bigger families.  Jill and I also delivered four boxes to our adopted block.

This evening Xander and I attended the community vegetarian/vegan potluck.  I love taking a bite of almost all of the dishes to taste the different flavors, and brussels sprouts don't scare me.  Xander usually finds a few things he likes to eat in large quantities - veggie pizza tonight.  We both liked the chocolate sourdough bread so much we brought a loaf home; the talk was about sourdough by a 15 year old with his own bakery.  Truly fascinating.

Blessed to have so much food in my life.

11-22-13

It takes two hours for me to read a Real Simple cover to cover.  I had no idea, because I never indulge to read the magazine in one sitting.  Tonight I took in a coffee, a concert, and some holiday inspiration.  What a great way to welcome a weekend!

11-21-13

Xander has fallen in love with a turkey.

He was hoping I’d have leftovers after passing them out on our adopted block, and I did.  I’m surprised he hasn't popped it.

“My teenage son is having a blast with this inflatable turkey, so maybe your teen will like it too.” – me to parent on the block

11-20-13

Busy evening.  Adopt-a-block visit, Anastasia's swim banquet, and small group.

Anastasia got a coach award and will be co-captain next year.  Fun group of high energy girls.

"So excited for next year." - Anastasia

11-19-13

Wow, both kids home for dinner, what a treat.  Somehow dinner ended with a competition to see who is taller.  All I know is that they are both way taller than me!

11-18-13

Is he cute or what?!?

On an impulse, I got a few dozen of these inflatable turkey balls to pass out to the kids on our adopted block this week.

Gobble, gobble.

11-17-13

And this is why our rental agreements say that tenants are not allowed to paint or make any other improvements.  Their interpretation of improvements is often our interpretation of nightmare.

If only they actually abide by the rental agreement.

We now have a very mint green unit, with a lot of repainting, scraping of paint, and general frustration ahead of us.

11-16-13

Bruce and I headed down to Portland for a bit of shopping this morning, spent the afternoon assessing the mess at our latest reclaimed rental, and attended church this evening.  We unloaded a trunckful of accumulated shoeboxes to add to the stack.

11-15-13

Escaped work today to have lunch with Bruce.  And little Carmelita joined us.  Adorable little girl, even covered with hot cocoa and PB&J.

Weekend stretching ahead of us, TGIF!

11-14-13

A boy with a new pet in his hands.

Tonight was the tennis banquet at Dominoes.  Xander got several academic awards, a tennis patch for his letter, a speech about being teachable and having a great hair flip, and a rubber lobster for the lob award.

I decided not to embarrass him by making him pose with his loot.

11-13-13

The house was transformed into a shoebox packing station tonight, a shopping and fellowship event with our small group.  Xander decided to schlep to the store, so he could enjoy the Ministers Delight afterward.  He's slowly learning to fold the boxes, while Anastasia is a pro at cramming things into the boxes, including tons of lollipops.

11-12-13

Happy 11/12/13!  I bet there were a few weddings at 14:15 today!

Anyway, I've been spending more and more time at the White House.  Not in DC, in industrial Longview.  It is indeed a big white house, a funky old office building that Weyerhaeuser recently acquired.  I'm on another special project, to get them ready to switch over to Weyerhaeuser systems for 2014.

So much for burning weeks of vacation after a hectic year...