09-30-14

I landed at the pool without my camera today, so I played with filters on my phone camera.  This was interesting; the splash of another swimmer with Anastasia behind it.

09-29-14

Bruce made his soy curls into "BBQ sandwiches" for dinner, but Xander didn't care for the texture.  Making everyone happy at mealtime is near impossible.

09-28-14

Today Bruce and I headed to Portland to attend VegFest.  I wanted to watch some cooking demonstrations, and a doctor was talking about reducing cancer risk with diet.  I learned how easy it is to make yummy vegan chocolate truffles, got some good ideas, and Bruce got some soy curls.

09-27-14

Today was a mini mission event in the Highlands - Dump Runs and Alley Clean-up.  This is an annual September event; the city partners with us by proving free dump coupons.

It didn't rain on us.  Disappointed with the number of volunteers that showed up, but we did get 7 loads of unwanted items hauled away off our adopted block.

09-26-14

We crashed the homecoming game tonight.  One kid in the front row cheering, one kid in a batman costume on the halftime float.  Fun way to wrap up a crazy week!

09-25-14

“We’re out of bread.  And out of jam.  I timed it well so they would both be gone at the same time.” - Xander

“Did you put them on Cozi?” – Me

“Nope, I don’t want to get more, I just eat them.” - Xander

This container of jam isn’t very old.  Days, not even a week.  Demolished.  #THISISOURLIFE

09-24-14

Walked over to tennis practice, then rushed over to the pool.  Anastasia swam in four events, stretched out from the first to the twelfth event.  Less schools attending, so more space int eh bleachers, yay.  Anastasia made district time on the 500 meter, super yay.

09-23-14

I remember being in a hotel in France as a 14 year old scratching my head over a bidet.  What is it?  And more importantly, why?

As of today, we now have one in our bathroom.  

Still scratching my head over why anyone would want to subject themselves to that, but evidently the guys were intrigued...

09-22-14

Too tired to chase a real photo.  Didn't have to go far to get this view.

My glitzy jeans.  Wear with nice shoes at the office, slip into sneakers to walk the lake.  My ever present Fitbit keeps me moving even when a nap seems more appealing.

Monday blahs...

09-21-14

I was trying to get a photo of Bruce replacing a broken window, but got a reflection of the pink sun instead.  A varied day - little bit of work, little bit of church, little bit of eating out, and a little bit of weekend chores.

09-20-14

Swim meet.  Muggy, crowded, noisy.  We've gotten great at slipping in to watch Anastasia's heats then slipping out to go to lunch, tour the new science wing at the college, walk to the grocery store...

09-19-14

Friday...

... Xander plays tennis against "Racquetman".  The entire city seems to be at the stadium watching the Lumberjacks stomp on Mark Morris (fro the first time in years) at the Civil War game.  And I drive back and forth to the grocery stores gathering ingredients to make breakfast cornbread chili for breakfast potluck tomorrow.

Just another day in paradise.

09-18-14

It's not often I use a picture of a picture for the blog, but wanted to wish my MIL Renee a happy birthday!

09-17-14

Anastasia is still on pain meds, so needed a chaperon to the pool for team photos.  Took them awhile to get organized, but the individual photos went fast - the girls lined up and took turns climbing partway down the ladder to pose.

09-16-14

Tick, tock, how can we be halfway through September already?  

Anastasia had to repeat part of her oral surgery today.  Stakes are higher now as she misses out on even more by being sidelined to the couch.  And her busy family struggles to be home to keep an eye on her.

Tick, tock, scurrying around like mice...

09-15-14

Yep, this is the best photo I got today.  My phablet is awesome, but not so much with photos.

Tonight Bruce and I went to back to school night and roamed the halls listening to the kids teachers.  Well, we spent most of the time in the science wing, and I couldn't keep track of which kid went with what class, but I enjoy the few minutes to get a flavor for the teachers and the coursework.  

Xander's going to be experimenting with potato bugs...

09-14-14

Spent the morning moving in a new tenant, spent the afternoon at our church picnic at the park.  An OK way to spend an over 90 degree day.

09-13-14

Here's my favorite photo of the day.  Grampa Rod, Grama Bunnie, Mom, and Jerry.

We had a 13 hour day door to door today.  Met my family for lunch, explored UW Bothell, shopped at the Supermall, and met Bruce's family for dinner.  Got to meet Amethyst, the newest member of the Fischer clan, and enjoyed time with our nuclear and extended families.

09-12-14

Went to a Weyerhaeuser fundraiser BBQ this afternoon.  We normally have several wood carvings for raffle at the BBQ.  This year we had that, plus the artist on site carving an endearing bear out of a big cedar log.  Raised about $4400 for Relay for Life with great food and great prizes.

09-11-14

A break from tennis to go watch swim today.  Tomorrow, and evening at home - what will that be like?

09-10-14

Happy 18th birthday Anastasia!

I don't remember all the birthdays clearly, but I remember her first year with a bear cake to dig into.  Second year was cars.  Later she watched a video of her first birthday and started yelling "don't eat bear!".  An Americal Girl party with homemade jewelry and a script.  Sweet 16 at the Electric Bean.

Ah, memories.  Tonight we opened gifts and enjoyed a sweet treat at SubZero compliments of the baseball players from Fargo.

09-09-14

No a great pic, but the only one I took today, so here it is.  Three vehicles pulled up on Field Street within minutes of each other this evening.  Busy family.

09-08-14

This afternoon was the first tennis match of the season.  Xander's match lasted two hours, about an hour longer than normal.  He won in the end and got rewarded for his persistence with dinner at Izzy's.  Now Anastasia wants Izzy's for her birthday and after her swim meets.

09-07-14

Today was a geocaching and rentals day.

First stopped to check in on the cache I have hid at the statues in Toledo, and was disappointed to find that it has gone missing.  At least it provided many years of fun.

Then Bruce and I found a very unique cache in Centralia, enjoyed a new restaurant, and explored a swap meet at the old Yardbirds.

Next on to two tenant move outs.

09-06-14

Look who went to Powell’s today and now has her nose buried in a book.  I don’t blame her, I beat the heat today with my nose in a book too.

09-05-14

TGIF!  Bruce and I walked to Lowe's this evening to pick up some supplies for the rentals.  What a pleasant evening!

09-04-14

I don’t care much for cooking, but do like to bake.  Bruce calls it messing up his kitchen.

I hovered around the kitchen for about an hour tonight, working on roasting eggplant, making Cajun sweet potato fries, asian pear tart, and peanut butter balls.

Potluck at work tomorrow, plus wanting healthier options to snack on.

09-03-14

First day of school.  The house woke up before me for the first time in ages.  The first day of her senior year.  College classes start at the end of the month, so both have a pretty sweet schedule for now.  A year of lasts officially starts today.

09-02-14

After a weekend filled with much reading, I am appreciating my Kindle.  I'm still trying to read my remaining bound books, but wishing all of my books were on the Kindle.  Cooler weather = more reading.

09-01-14

Laboring on Labor Day.  Finally got the first coat on our duplex. Bruce wanted the same color.  I stayed in the same funky mustard/baby diaper color family.  It went on lighter, we'll see how it looks dry.   All four of us together in one spot for a few hours, that is a miracle in itself!