Cinderella & the Victorian Christmas Ball

The museum hosted their annual Christmas fundraiser last night. Fred & I left just before midnight so I wouldn't turn into a pumpkin or a very cranky lady. A busy night. And I went to work today just to wrap up the auction etc.
Max told me this morning I might want to get back in the laundry room. Did not want to, Max! But I did and came home from work with a large garbage bag of dirty tablecloths. My house has been on the slow but steady decline that happens with hand surgery, Christmas decorating, going to work. Oh well! I am off to the kitchen to create a honey sesame pork loin, baked potatoes, green salad and carrots with good bottle of pinot noir. Why? Because I have the BEST husband in the world. He worked very hard at the museum fundraiser, took me to the doctor to get my stitches out and he has put up a stunning Christmas light display on our home. I will later post a photo of the lights...after dark and all...

Chick Lit

I am back to work at the Lynden Pioneer Museum as of today, felt good. Yesterday everytime I thought of something to do I needed to get wet or use fine motor skills with my right hand. Finally I gave up, threw myself on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, a diet coke and a bit of Chick Lit. Do Me, Do My Roots by Eileen Rendahl is a fun read...not too trashy, a bit of substance and story. Really.
And some insight- "People talk about denial like it is a bad thing. You hear it all the time,"Oh he is just in denial." They all nod their heads wisely with knowing looks on their faces. I personally like denial. It can get you through a lot of bad days."
Amen to that!
And that was in the prologue.

Sisters Shop in Seattle

I'm walking through Nordstroms yesterday when I am approached for a 10 second makeover. Sure. She is patting some anti-wrinkle voo-doo on my face,only on the left side. Tells me to stop and look at the diffence in ten minutes. I shop, meet the sisters, have a Starbucks, shop Target and on the way home I remember and try to check it out in the dark. Can't really see, or see any difference. We laugh about my forgetfulness...haha old is still old. This morning I shower, remember, seriously, look in the mirror and TA DA. The left side looks younger. Of course I can't remember what in the &*%$# the product was named...Whew anyway, Snap Sisters, my official photographers, I now have a better side, if I can remember it.
Great shopping yesterday and since my arm was bandaged yet I couldn't write a list, and I did well. No list kind of made me nervous. Really fun day with all my sisters, Kathi, Jodi and Melinda. Of course we ate well, laughed lots and when the Cougars won we were in Red Robin in Burlington and I could run to the restroom, swing through the bar and check the score.
The photo is Jodi & Mel with the packages that we arrranged in the back of the van to look like Christmas trees...even our trunk was cute, oh and Melinda bought a book that everyone should ask her about. It is not suitable blog material.

Go Cougs!

Enough said!

Old Friends and New Friends

Mmmm! Shelly invited me to a wreath making party in the party barn today. Her mom, Nelia, sister Roz, niece Danielle and Danielle's friend Kate and her mom, Roberta & me, I'm not sure how I got invited but I did...Lucky me! Delicious food, beautiful creative women, lots of laughs, great kiddos home from college for the weekend. All of the wreaths were so different from each other but all so pretty and festive. I do like the picture of Shelly & I on the couch acting like we made them all. It is so unlike us to take any credit...any credit at all. Also, the pink, red, & orange wreath is one of mine. I hung it in the bedroom at the Rylaarsdam casa and I am calling it the LOOOVE wreath. hee-hee :)

Best Sam @ Best Buy

Sam left for Best Buy in Bellingham right after Thanksgiving Dinner...kind of rude but he made it up to Grandpa & Grandma by bringing home a new computer for them, even came with a printer. Fred & I got a new TV in our room, Sam got a new TV, & a dvd & ipod dock combo. A laptop for auntie Shelly, 360 for Brent, etc.etc.etc.
He took a hot shower & went to bed, deliveries later.

So Blessed

Happy Thanksgiving! I can hardly list all I am thankful for here or I might miss dinner.
A husband who did it ALL this week w/o being asked.
My boys-good and kind, close & far. And their friends too, neat kiddos!
Our parents-in good health and so good to their families.
My church-I wanted to go badly this a.m. b/c I love singing "We Gather Together" an old & beautiful hymn.
My Mom- she made the cranberry fluff...just for me. I think Kathi & Melinda get small bowls delivered to their houses.
Our extended families...love 'em near & far.
Friends...saw some yesterday and said WOW I am lucky!
The holiday season coming.
My crocs.
My healing hand...answered prayer.
The Office. It makes me laugh til I snort.
My job and Fred's job...good things!
Have a special day of thanks, folks. Love you!

Singlehandedly

OK! I showered & dressed myself today, even a bit of hair & makeup. Loved Jodi & Wendi's and Oprah's favorite things so I am sharing mine. Copycat :)
$ 1 new desktop calendar from Target- I really like Target's $1 bins.
Burt's Bees Lip Products I have them all!
Christmas cards from Costco-ordered online & now written with foresight that I am crippled.
$10,000 candy bar left on my night stand by the best hubby. In case I need chocolate while recoverering.
A big stack of December Issue magazines.
Sisters & Mom who took good care of me yesterday. Yummo dinner and treats.
Starbuck's Cranberry Bliss Bars-I will share, stop by for tea today. hurry+
Trader's Jo's lemon sparkling Italy water...$1.19. Plain or with white wine for a spritzer.
Tags---$ 1.99 a pack and so fun for cards, albums, to attach to a wine bottle hostess gift. Also, love the K&C rhinestones $2.99 & they jazz up a tag like nobody's business.
A new Jan Karon book-kind of like potatoes & gravy.
Friends who pass on books like 'Do Me Do My Roots" should be a fun read.
Vanilla candles.
$18 fleece p.j.'s from Costco...really soft.
The beginnings of a cool decoration...in the background. Glass house from thrift store filled with the Smith & Hawken ornaments I found at a garage sale this summer...priceless!

Not before Thanksgiving

Ok,ok, ok so I did a little Christmas. Changed my coasters to a holiday paper from a fall paper. I like these coasters b/c they are easily changed with the seasons. My sister Kathi gave them to me for Christmas last year and they change out with paper or photos. I think she got them at the Van Heusen store & I have seen them at Rite Aid this year. Now all we need in a martini on top.
And the wreath that makes me happy. It was in bad shape and took 1 1/2 hours to repair today but I do love it. That and my eddie bauer snow globes (can't wait to see 2007) are my favorites. Tomorrow I'm writing Christmas cards...photos by the Snap Sisters.

Starring...MAX

My favorite youngest child came to me earlier this week b/c he was feeling slighted. By me. He had not been featured in the blog by himself. So, today I wanted to share about my baby, Max. He is taking Home Ec as an elective. He is the only boy in the class. When school started I offered to call the school and get him moved. NO...he kinda liked the idea of being the only guy, thank you very much. He sewed flannel lounging shorts, and serged the edges which I have never done. Today he made pancakes for breakfast. I am thinking that someday he will make a great wife...I mean husband.

Good Fun

Wednesday after work, Karen & I took on a mosaic project at our church's youth house. There was plywood on an entry counter and since I am on Building & Grounds I volunteered us. We used only materials that we had on hand. It just needs to be grouted yet. Love breaking those tiles! I will post the finished project soon.
After a quick dinner of papa murphy's pizza Fred went to choir and Emilyn came to stay with me. Caleb had a Awana. She brought toys to share. Pompoms from the $ store, very cool & I would have loved those when I was little. And she brought her cash register. So we got out the animals and played "Girls Only Pet Store" OK I had FUN! The cash register had a microphone! So, it was things like "clean up on aisle 5 and Yes this is a pet store so watch your step folks" and if Sam or Max came downstairs I announced the name of our store over and over...GIRLS ONLY Pet Store. Emilyn & I really giggled.
Now that is a creative afternoon & evening folks!

When Reading Becomes Homework

I love to read and choose it over other activities such as watching TV, housework, gardening. I just finished Songs of the Humpback Whale and it was horrible. So why read it? Well, I have read all of Jodi Picoult's books and she is one of my favorite authors. I hadn't read this one and it was the first book she wrote so I thought it was time. Note: I read all magazines from the back to the front too. I kept thinking it would get better, I thought I should read every one of her books, I do not like to be a quitter. Anyway, I think I deserve a party today for finishing that book. I could hardly tell my boys to finish their homework this week as I did not want to do mine! Bottom line-The paragraphs were too long for a speed reader such as myself. If you want to read Jodi's books start with Plain Truth.
I am reading and rereading The Grown Up Girl's Guide to Style! Love her advice for women over 40+. I may even purchase, yes, I said purchase this book. I don't know how to tactfully recommend it to every one of my more mature friends. Watch for the new & improved ME!

Summertime Garden Party

It is time for a dinner party review-the traveling party Fred & I have with friends each summer. Yes, I am already thinking about 2008. We have dessert at our house. It is all about the lighting!
This was actually a blogging test, to find out how many photos I can add to a post. Be patient as I am a beginner blogger :)

That Sam I Am

I found him a hat. I still love him but he does look kind of ill. Blake kept asking his girlfriend Angela if she still liked him and her response was-"but I LOVED your hair."
The mohawks are gone...so it is just bald!

Lesson Learned

Today I am posting some of Sam's senior photos, taken by the snap sisters. My focus today is how handsome Sam looks in these photos. Sam has shaved his head, had a mohawk for volleyball state. Blake too. I cannot express how happy I am that we had taken his photos and our family Christmas card photo.

Danny is in Kosovo

Dan made it safely and called me this afternoon. His flat is good and he is going to bed as he has been traveling since 4 a.m. yesterday. The call was so clear it was like he was next door. Mama is happy :) Love it when those boys check in!

Friday This & That

* Sam is going to Yakima for the weekend with Kai and Blake. This is a test... I think they will do great as they have covered many do's and don'ts with parents! Have fun guys :)
* Max has an appointment with dr.yeh, orthodontist, today---he is getting fitted for some heavy hardware. They discovered last week a BIG problem and were happy to find it while he is still growing to avoid surgery on his jaw. Lucky!
* Fred & I want a date night this weekend, stay tuned!
* I have church flowers this week...Safeway Floral b/c my yard is sad and dead.
* Laundry.
* Baking an apple pie.
* Hoping Dan calls that he made it safely. He called me from Chicago right before boarding and was tired but excited.
* Ironing.
* Cleaning.
* Ready, set, GO!
* Our photo today is at the Party Barn Pumpkin Carving. We asked Mark to take a family photo for Christmas and he was very surprised when he told us to SMILE...gnarly teeth, of course!

Go Dan Go...Go Around Again!

Dan is leaving the country today. He is going to Chicago by train today and then on to Kosovo via Austria. We had such a good visit with him in Oct. I can't help but be proud of him and his adventurous spirit. He will be attending the U of Pristina in January & in the meantime studying the language with a tutor and traveling. He is hoping that he will get a job at the US Embassy. He has rented a flat & someone in the building works at the embassy & told him he would have job.

Before Dan left we prayed as a family & I ended the prayer with this scripture prayer.Colossian 1:9-12
Since the day Dad & I heard about you, Dan, we have not stopped praying for you & asking God to fill you,Dan with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom & understanding. And Dad and I and Sam and Max pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord & may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you, Dan may have great endurance & patience, & joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified Dan to share in the inheritance of the saints of the kingdom of light. Amen!

Lynden Pioneer Museum Gift Shop

On Thursday, Nov.8, 5-8 p.m. the museum gift shop will be OPEN! This is our pre-holiday evening with sales, a drawing, hot cocoa and snacks. Jerrie comes in and helps me out and rumor has it that one of the snap sisters will be there too. If you decide to some in to shop & can answer a simple question about Jerrie's or my blog you will be given an additional discount.
Love a sale! Other downtown merchants will be celebrating too so get your friends together and have a girls' night out!
PS- the playmobil nativity sets are in...

Teenage Boys

It is the seventh night of Fred's swing shift rotation. It is not said out loud but my boys "know" that by the seventh night I am weary. I have made all the parenting decisions for a week...you know the kind...May I go? May I have a friend over? May I stay out past curfew etc. So tonight Sam, Max and I sit down for dinner and Sam says to me (even before I can pray) "I've been thinking, I'd like to get a tatoo and my motorcycle license. Ummmm-NO! Oh and he wants to go to girls' volleyball state this week in Yakima even though he has not been to a match this year. Ooooh. Those boys are fun. After dinner Max tells me he no longer has "the will to go to school or do homework". What is that all about? He is now sprawled on the couch.
I have to stay the course and just say NO! but I'm not sure I have "the will to parent."
Yikes!!!

A Busy Saturday

Since it rained all day we worked inside. Fred did the floors and I cleaned the bath and kitchen. I made two batches of cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies. Nice to have in the freezer. I am having wrist surgery in November so I won't be kneading dough for a bit.
Sam worked at the farm store and Max worked at the dairy today. Fred is really great about helping me with the wood floors, even when he has to go to work at night. Good thing that tomorrow is a day of rest for our family. Have a blessed Sunday.

In October I made a true scrap book, I used scraps! I had an empty book, black cover and pages, and lots of paper, stamps, stickers and thoughts in my mind. I went through my giant tub of photos and pulled anything Fall, Halloween, soccer, leaves, hikes and made a book. I did not get caught up in chronological order or the even-steven number of pics of the boys. I just scrapped. And it was fun, really fun. The boys have had fun looking through it and when Dan came home he would come to a page and say-Oh I have good memories of doing that or going there! (Yikes! Even good times at the Mt. Baker Winery Grape Stomp) That makes a mama HAPPY b/c really all we want is for our kids to have good memories.