December Daily only in November

I have to make an album. Yesterday I went to Woods Coffee to see my fav barista, Stevie. He gave me the holiday wrap and the snowman fastcap on my holiday drink. This is too cute not to save and add to a Daily December album.

As for Stevie, he was an intern at the museum two summers ago. And he is my favorite. He took the liberty of adding his cell number to my cell. He is listed as Stevie your fav. He is a good kid doing amazing work in God's kingdom.

And he makes a wicked sugar free toasted marshmallow nonfat latte.

Love that kid!

Do You December Daily?

The past two years I have made a December Daily album. The concept is great, you create your album early on and then take a photo every day in December and then add it as the month goes by. Some scrappers do 1-25, some the entire month, some print pics everyday and literally add them daily. The albums are fun to make and put together.

Some days go by and later I have nothing. No idea what we did that date. But I try to have something everyday that I can journal, some is Christmas and some is everyday stuff.

This year I bought a kit to use as a starter. I bought it at Hobby Lobby in Dallas, Texas. In other years my pages would be ready for December first by now. This year the addition on the house took over and the album hasn't been started. Now I'm thinking I'll skip this year but then I look as my past DD albums and really want one for 2010. Maybe I'll just make a small one and only scrap the odd days. What do you think?

Christmas is coming. I love Christmas and I love that it comes every year. This year I am a little overwhelmed. A little knee deep in projects and painting. Hubby is reassuring me that he'll help. And he will help, he's just that kind of guy.

But I'm scared.

And then I remember the reason for the season.

The glitter is nice but really...

How should I really be celebrating my Savior's birth?

I don't think He wants to me to go crazy.

Finding perspective is on my list for today...

along with getting groceries, cleaning, decorating, planning December, making museum calls, paying bills, making lists of gifts to buy, organizing the upstairs for everyone to come home.

Perspective... what is important in the grand scheme.

Thanksgiving 2010

Max and Hana just had a big snowball fight, words were said, feeling were hurt, toes were tramped on and then they made up over pie.

Mom and Kathi washing dishes. Why does Thanksgiving dinner have the best food and the most dishes? Sticky, dried on, horrid mountains of dishes but the best dinner, it's cruel.

The teens and the twenties are so much fun! We were so blessed by our kids and their friends at the Thanksgiving table. Whenever I looked at my Dad he was grinning. It seems like just a few years ago we had four high chairs around the table and no one ate dinner uninterrupted. Now it's all about great conversation with some very cool kids.

Hubby worked yesterday, I brought home a plate for him and then we took off in the snow. The two of us put on our snowshoes and had a nice walk in the neighborhood. Then it was off to the hill for a sledding party, I packed up the hot cocoa and cider, we bundled up and had more fun with the kids sledding and snowboarding.

It was too dark to get good pics so I had to leave that up to my Snapsister. The hill is long and I worked off my dinner hiking back up hill. It was worth it because flying down was so much fun!

An attitude of gratitude everyday but especially yesterday surrounded by the peeps I love, delicious food, a meaningful church service, SnOw, safe travels and all the laughs.

{love}

Max Has Food & Hawley Has a New Bed

Brrrrr, baby, it's cold outside! Wind isn't my favorite. That said, gusts up to 60 mph, totally freak me out. It's dangerous. And 15 degrees F. isn't comfortable either. Combined makes for a cold wind chill. But the house is toasty warm and I'm thankful for my wood stove.

Yesterday I went to town to get groceries, Trader Joes, Cash & Carry and Costco. It was snowing, icy, windy and cold. It was all good until I walked out of Costco. The wind blew the dog bed, the chips and rolls right off my cart into oncoming traffic. I had to crawl under a van to retrieve Hawley's new bed. I had parked at Billy McHale's because it was crazy busy. After I got everything back on the heavy loaded cart I pushed on into the wind across the icy ruts in the parking lot to my car. NO KEYS!!! I went through my purse over and over. NO KEYS!!! I looked around and realized if I left my cart to run back I would likely come back to an empty cart. Not everyone is above stealing $300 in groceries.

So, I started pushing my way back. Then came an angel, a Costco employee arriving to work. He noticed I was going the wrong way. A big pickup came around the corner and lost control. The truck slid up in the tree median and avoided us. We looked for my keys again, no go, so I stayed with my cart and he went to look inside or where everything blew off my cart to find my keys. Eventually another employee came out with my keys. He helped me load up. I was frozen and near tears by then.

So, if you saw a crazy lady laying over her cart to hold the groceries down, slipping on the ice, in 20 degrees, 40 mph winds yesterday, it was me. The cart would literally blow across the ice if I let go for a second. I would have cried but I knew the tears would freeze to my cheeks and make it worse.

So we have food. Max was worried that we were low on food and a storm was coming. Have I ever let him starve? No, but after yesterday I just might.

And a first... we have a walk in closet! I feel like a grownup. A happy, excited grownup.

Keep warm!

Where Can I Rest My Eyes?

I don't do well in a mess. Yesterday I spent the entire day in our old bedroom painting trim set up on sawhorses. There were times when I wanted to cry. There was no where to look and rest my eyes. I persevered. All day. All night.

The trim got painted and Hubby put it up last night. Today I will give it a third coat to hide the putty, missed spots and flaws. It was a breakthrough. The trim made the room look like our house. It was looking like a new house and gave me the creeps.

Last night Max wanted to go to Levi's, I used the power I have when he needs permission and had him clear the living room floor of the pile of lumber. He may have just saved my sanity.

This morning I tried to find 10 feet. Done & clean ten feet. I didn't think it would be quite so difficult. There are piles of junk everywhere.

I found five feet in the new bathroom. No, guess not, the grout isn't finished in the shower.

Now {insert heavy sarcasm here} for something different I think I'll paint today.

Do You?

We are deep in thought, making a big decision. As a family...
Do you? Or don't you? Some of my friends do and some don't. Some of my family don't and some do.

Homemade? Store bought? Picture?

Ten or a hundred?

Include the dog?

THE QUESTION? Christmas cards!

After my guys got older and started leaving home I went to "the Tami way", I send Christmas cards every other year. It's an on year. And since I had all my guys in one place this September and my sister that is a Snapsister offered, we have a family photo.

Shutterfly has some sweet designs. I need to decide if I do a picture card with our three guys only, or the whole family. The pretty poinsettia print design from Shutterfly? Or mod snowflakes? Or the family wall , since I love monograms this is an option.

And then, who goes on the list? People we never see, people we always see? Or should I just send them to those who send to us? Do I send them to all the military and shut ins from our church?

My guys have endured some years of Christmas card photos, matching Christmas sweaters and me begging for a five minute shoot. I take whatever I can get. Looking back, I'd take the pics, get them developed, decide, run back to the drug store to order the card, and all this with babies in the car. Thank goodness for digital photos, a sister photographer, and online ordering.

Now, to make all these decisions... Yikes!

Oh, and on my ON years I have to send early or I get scratched from lists. If I send early, they may have thought about dumping me and then got a card from me on December first and so they keep me on the list. You can hardly dump someone that you just got a card from, can you?

One thing is for certain, I love to get the mail at Christmas! Don't you?

I need to make snap photo books for gifts too. Better get busy.

THAT Homeowner

We are in the trenches.

The addition is consuming our lives.

Hubby and I are exhausted.

Max has an icky cold.

I go to town every other day.

I hate going to traffic town.

Do you know what Painters' Holiday is?

I do ;(

My tile guys are very nice but they tiled the decorative tile upside down yesterday.

It's all coming out today.

The light fixtures are installed.

Except one is the U word and has to come down.

Several light fixtures are in transit.

If they don't show up it's going to be BaD.

The living room has a load of lumber in it.

And it all need to be primed and painted.

I go to bed every night and hope and pray that the subs don't think of me as

That Homeowner.

You know, the one from H E double hockey sticks.

Hubby told me when this is over I am going to a SPA!

I love that guy.

I don't like posts without pics but it's better that way, for now.

Santa Needs a Snack Too

The Museum was given some milk bottles. Many, many milk bottles. They were given with the idea that we could sell them. Troy, Jerrie and myself put on our thinking caps and this is what we came up with for Christmas 2010.

Milk and Cookies for Santa Kits!

On Santa's List I would write the children's names and if they were naughty or nice!

I made the samples using scraps I had in the house.

For $3.00 you get the bottle, the recipes, and several poems for Santa's key. We also have old keys for sale for $1.00.

The idea is that you empty the cookie mix into a bowl, mix, bake and refill the bottle with milk. Then on Christmas Eve you leave out the milk and cookies for Santa.

I decorated the bottles shown as samples. We can't wait to see what our crafter friends make with their bottles. Super gift to give to families.

Teachers, we'll make you a deal on large quantities.

Lynden Pioneer Museum Gift Shop Open House

November 18, Thursday, 5-8 p.m.

See you there!

God Bless America

Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you to all of the Vets who have made our freedom our reality.

Psalm 91 The U.S. Army Psalm

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

My Response

Ladies. Ladies. Ladies. About the chair and love seat.

I did jump in front of Cynthia but hey, she should have gotten on it a long time ago. Leslie, I'll give you the name when Cynthia says that I may, and only then. I'm a little scared of Cynthia. She's our church secretary and everyone knows just how much power church secretaries have in their little pinkie. A lot.

Shelly, my friend came right over after I talked to him and just kept saying that he didn't think I would really want to do this job and that he could do it for me. And then the kicker...

The springs need work. I got scared. I asked him how much. He quoted me a price and I knew it would be silly for me to try this project.

I drove straight to the fabric store and ordered the goods. He told me to go with a coupon. I did. The only stipulation was that he told me I couldn't be in a hurry. I agreed. Which is just silly because everyone knows I have no patience. But I can try. The ball is in my court now, I need to strip the wood or paint it.

I think I'll paint it. I've got no patience for stripping furniture.

As for the patience, hey, Rome wasn't built in a day

As soon as I pick it up, I'll tell my friend that Cynthia is next and then Leslie.

Shelly, do you want in?

I Can See the Finish Line

Hubby and I went to the city last week. I had to get to Anthropologie for my cabinet hardware. I love it! Hubby is not sure it's worth it but Karen saw it and assured him it's worth every penny.

We picked up some new sheets and towels too. Why? Because we have a move in date for our new master suite... November 24! Many people, schedules and stars have to aline for this to happen, but it's looking good.

Oh, and I found someone to reupholster the loveseat and chair. Fabric is ordered. I'm on a roll!

Final Football Game

The last Friday Night Lights for the Lyncs 2010 football team was in Kirkland last night. It rained. A Lot. And the stands were uncovered. The Lyncs WiN ending the season on a good note. The rain stopped as the game ended and I took some shots, postseason.

Thanks Coach Faber.

Max and #11, Levi played together when they were in grade school, it's fun to see them now.

Robb and his guys, Bart and Jesse, they came from the Netherlands to finish school and play football at LCHS.

Max and Kassie. The cheerleaders did a nice job this year of leading the crowd with spirit and good sportsmanship.

Max and Chad are Dr. Yeh's best customers. Dr. Yeh is their orthodontist. Chad's mom is one of his assistants and she took a quick peek at Max's mouth after the game to determine, he is not straightened out yet. There are a lot of nice ladies working for Dr. Yeh and they must be tired of Max as he's had those stinkin' braces for almost four years!

Hubby is pretty proud of Max and has enjoyed every minute of the season. Well, maybe not every minute...there was the day Max tried to quit, and there was some traveling and there was some rain...

Me and my baby! Yay! Football laundry is almost finished.

Danny came to the Seattle games. Max appreciated having his brother there and they agreed to a pic. Danny suggested they look football tough.

Max and head coach K with his son, Dylan, an excellent ball boy and future linebacker.

Thanks Coach K for not letting Max break up with you. It's been fun.

Hey, can someone turn off the lights?

All in a Day

Sam texted me this morning.

Our conversation:

Sam- Hey are you gonna have your phone with you today?

Mom-yep ?

Sam-I'll call you in the air :)

Mom-Just concentrate on landing!!!

later...

Sam-Jump scratched :/

Mom-giving thanks while texting, are you bummed?

Sam-Yeah :(

Mom- why cancelled?

Sam- It's heaps foggy.

Mom-now? day off?

Sam? nope, back to giving shots all day.

Mom- giving thanks

This picture is from Sam's last jump at an air show. His buddy took the photo. We aren't sure which chute is Sam but we know he's in the picture. Cool huh?

Tonight I'm calling Sam because as much as I love to hear from my guys it's not always a good time. We are going to talk about bad times to call home, like when he's jumping, out of a perfectly good plane...

Weekend Fun

We had a busy, fun weekend. At home Hubby broke through the window and the wall to connect the addition to the Stone House. He looks really happy here but it was a big job and got worse as he chiseled his way into the opening. Stone and all, you know. I love my wallpaper and wanted to keep it in the room that will now be a sitting room.

Sitting room?

Wha huh?

Maybe we will sit after this project...

Anyway, my wallpaper is the last wallpaper project my Mom and Aunt Clarice did together. The paper is Ralph Lauren and I found it in his nursery and children's wallpaper sample book. I still love it. Hubby was very careful while demolishing and as he removed trim and layers we found the old wallpaper.

Similar design, to the new Ralph Lauren.

While Hubby was demolishing I was driving to Seattle. I met Danny for dinner, best sandwich ever at G's on Old 99, and we had a nice visit. Then off to the football game where we met Aunt Laura. Lyncs lost to Kings.

Max and Aunt Laura had a quick photo taken after the game. When the boys were younger their goal in life was to be taller than Aunt Laura. It was a more reasonable goal than to be taller than their Dad, Uncle Ken or Uncle John. Aunt Laura was always nice about them standing next to her and measuring. The guys still love to make sure they have passed up Auntie Loo. She still is a good sport, even when she is standing in Max's armpit after the game. Sorry, for the poor photo quality but I had to be fast. Max is impatient and poor Laura had to be dying.

Saturday night we went to the farm to carve pumpkins in the party barn. It's one of the guys' favorite nights of the year. This year it was just Max and Braden and since Braden is a senior and college bound it may his last one. Kinda brought a tear to my eye.

We were so busy eating and visiting that we forgot to carve the pumpkins!

A super fun weekend for sure and on Sunday, we rested. Except Max went to the Seattle Sounder's playoff game and Hubby went to work, I rested.