Random Again

Still here, just a little busy.  Here comes a random post to get caught up.  Speaking of caught up, Hubby finished Christmas gifts.  He built corn hole games for the kids.  I don't have a picture of Danny's set, it is a Seahawk set like Sam's and is getting shipped to him.  Hubby does beautiful work.  No, he is not making any more sets, don't ask him to because we have other projects... the Curtis Wright!

Hubby also finished rebuilding his new old bike.  He saw this bike at a neighboring farm in George, WA when he was six years old.  Recently, Max was able to get the bike for him.  He took it apart and rebuilt it. New tires, and brakes!  And yes, he rides it. Why?  Well, because he can and it was a life long dream.

 After growing rhubarb here at the Stone House for 13+ years I finally had enough for a pie except I didn't and had to make it a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.  We love rhubarb and I do wish I could grow it.

 Meanwhile, I keep trying to get myself on a diet for the December wedding.  I order dresses, try them on and send them back.  I have resolved to stop looking until September because it's depressing me.  Maybe I'll magically lose weight over the Summer?

 We had great fun this past weekend!  Jeremy and Rene' came to visit us.  We went to the Estate of the Century at the Century House. I love the Stremler girls and their junk! Jeremy and Rene' had to rent a U-Haul trailer to get everything home.  I call that success.

 Photo collage is courtesy of Rene'.

Summer is coming and that means more to me as I am back to school.  I am subbing five days this week, May is busy! The weather is changing to more sunshine.  Hua'Kai Annie is out of storage, exterior is washed and she's getting cleaned up inside for camping season.  Yipee! We have a lot of summer plans with Annie.

Enjoy the sunshine today. If you're a Mama, stay sane! May is crazy busy but Summer is a comin'!

Aunt Shirley

My Aunt Shirley passed away on Mother's Day. She was my mom's older sister.

I have good memories of my Aunt Shirley.  She was  married to Uncle Gordon, who was career military police in the U.S. Army.  They lived all over the world and when I was growing up they spent a lot of time in Germany and Iran.  It was different then and if she called from Germany it was a big deal and was only for three minutes.  Aunt Shirley was a good military wife and went with the all of the moves and distance from her family with grace.

In between posts her family would come to stay at my grandparent's dairy for several weeks at a time.  One year they came with a big, brand new convertible. I remember sitting in the back seat with my legs straight out and not able to reach the front seat. I can still picture her hands on the wheel, she always had a beautiful manicure, as we flew around the curves on Wiser Lake Road. Oooh, I thought she was so glamorous.  She had diamonds and rubies, diamonds and sapphires and diamond and emerald sets.  She collected Hummels that she'd bought in Germany.  She sent my Mom exciting birthday gifts from around the world.  She shipped home Landen's hand me down clothes from Germany for my sister and I.  They were beautiful clothes.  Not like anything from the Lynden Department Store!

When I was in first grade she lived in Monterey, California while Uncle Gordon was in Korea. She needed to get everything packed for another move and then drive with Landen and Ed to Lynden.  My parents drove there to help her, and by helping I mean getting Landen and Ed out of the apartment.  My parents picked them up and we drove to Disneyland. Aunt Shirley packed up everything and then we all drove back to Washington. It was such fun and a good memory for me.

After Uncle Gordon retired from the military, they moved back to Whatcom County.  Then we all experienced Aunt Shirley's hospitality and delicious cooking. She worked for Trillium and set up a job interview for me to be the Syre family nanny.  I am so thankful for my years I spent with the Syre family.

Aunt Shirley always had an office job outside of her home, always ran her home beautifully and was a dear mother and aunt.  She was one of those women that seem to do it all with ease.  Though I am sure it wasn't easy moving all over the world and being away from her family.

I am so grateful for my memories of Aunt Shirley.

She was a gem.

Mother's Day 2017

Hubby and I hosted Mother's Day brunch on Sunday evening at our house. I set up a mimosa bar in the living room.  The moms sat in the sitting room for brunch and gifts.  Years ago we set up a Mother's Day table for the moms separate from all of the guys and toddlers.  It was a break from feeding kids.  The tradition has continued though everyone can feed themselves now.

 I used my Mom's wedding china for our Mom's only table.

My sister that is a Snapsister set up a photo shoot after we had eaten.

 Our Mom struggles with dementia and so we treasure her good days and her smiles.

Her sister, my Aunt Shirley passed away Sunday morning.  She also had dementia. I'll be sharing more about my Aunt Shirley in a later post. My Mom misses her sisters.

 Melinda, our sister from another mother (my Mom's youngest sister Clarice) joined us for dessert.  I made the Happy Birthday Cake because it was Kathi's birthday and she requested it.

Since Jodi's kids were all there, she wanted a quick photo shoot with them.  I was a little envious until I watched her try to get them to cooperate.

I am so thankful for my Mom and my sisters and my sister cousins.  We had a good day celebrating.

Clutter, Lists and Junk

When the guys were younger and still living at home we ate dinner at the table every night.

Hubby and I still eat dinner but not always at the table.  My house was tidy when the guys were here.  Now it's messy.  I have no one to blame but Hubby and myself.

I don't know how or why this has happened.

 I clear off the table and then it just fills back up with junk.  The sad part is that a lot of the piles are lists to help me be organized.  If they are lost in a pile they don't do anyone any good.

 Hubby brought me a new pencil. I hope it helps!

Today! I am going to clear off the table.  

It's a lofty goal. Each piece of paper represents something to do, an appointment to be made, a phone call, an errand, groceries to get or finding a spot for something new.

#thestruggleisrealandboring