Riverbend Ladies Camp

Last Wednesday I left on my girls' trip with Huaka'i Annie.  We met in Twisp this year at Riverbend RV Park. I was a tad apprehensive about driving over the North Cascade Highway but it went really well.  Hubby took this picture as I was leaving home.  He is super encouraging and proud of my independence.  I love that guy and his encouragement.

 I packed several hats, tiaras, petticoats and enough clothes to stay a month.

Every eventuality.

 I got to the camp first, and set up my site.

 It was too windy for my awning, I don't know why I even tried,  Then I ate lunch because I had been so nervous about the drive that I couldn't eat the night before or that morning.  At this point I was so happy and chill.

My view was lovely,

 And then my tribe started to arrive.  Packing light isn't on the agenda.  Trailers and tow vehicles packed to the top!

 Jean whipped up a little yeehawwearehere cocktail party.

 There were 13-14 of us and all parked waterfront.

There were a lot of Aloha trailers and sisters.

We toured and ooh and aahed over our clever and cute vintage trailers.

 We went to Winthrop for wine tasting and then to dinner at the School House Brewery. Tracy made a fashionably late, dramatic entrance looking fabulous!

Fly fishing, farmer's market, trips to the bakery, biking, shopping, bags and bags of goodies from French Quail, junkin', floating on Lake Perrygin,  and a lot of visiting and laughing. Oh and sunshine!

It was a jammed packed weekend of FuN!

 So many good memories were made this year.  I love these women and their adventurous spirits.

The mosquitoes were ferocious, plentiful and mean.  That was the only negative.

Every thing else was a dream come true.

Tomorrow I'll share our Diner En Blanc.

Ooooh La La

Update on the Guys

I'm not above theft when it come to pictures of our guys and their girls. I thought it was time for an update on the guys.  The blog used to be all about them.  Now Hubby and I are home alone and we don't see the guys as much so I don't write about them as much. I didn't have many recent pics so I went hunting on FB and Instagram. 

Danny and Jessica live in Grand Rapids, MI.  Danny is an entrepreneur.   Danny is working on new products that involve refrigeration. He's been enjoying some wood working as a hobby and building some furniture.  Jess is a high school teacher.  Jess is working on her masters and teaching full time so that keeps her busy.  They have Huxley, their puppy, to keep them entertained.  They both love to travel and are adding pins to their map of the world to mark places they've been to visit.  Their next stop is Lynden in August, as they are planning a road trip, with Huxley to Washington. I can't wait!

Sam and Angela live in Bellingham, WA.  Sam is a warehouse manager for Cenex.  He is serving in National Guards as a medic.  He was a medic in the Army and hopes to get a fire fighting/ medic job. Angela is the manager of a coffee shop.

Sam loves to be outdoors, camping and fishing and hiking with their dog, Reagan.

Max and Kassie are engaged to be married on December 16.  Max is farming in George, Washington and Kassie is a dental assistant in Bellingham. Max bought a house and is waiting to do some fixing up and painting until Kassie moves to George.  Then they can make it their own.

Kassie is going to school to get her dental hygienist training, and working and planning their wedding.  They like to go snowboarding in the winter when Max isn't as busy on the farm.  They have a dog too.  Bo loves living on the farm. We are going to stay at Max's place for the 4th of July. I'm excited to see him, Bo that is.

Some times I really miss them.  And sometimes we have cheese and crackers and fruit  wine for dinner and then I don't.  I'm excited to see them this summer and I am hopeful for one night with everyone together.  Cuz that is all mamas ever want...  Well, that and grand babies.  I'm kidding.

Maybe.

School is Almost Out for Summer

 After my walk this morning I just had to take a photo walk around my yard.  It is blooming. Raindrops on roses, favorite things, you know the song.  Anywhoo, it's pretty out there.

I haven't written for a bit. Busy with the usual.  I am packing up to go camping next week. I am on a reading kick. And I'm still in school.

In March I wrote that I was back in the classroom as a substitute teacher. 

 I am trying to finish the school year strong. The kids are tired, the teachers are tired, and it's the middle of June.  It needs to be over.

I have really enjoyed substitute teaching this Spring.  I can pick and choose when I work.  Hubby and I can have some days off together. There is a lot of flexibility with this gig.  Obviously, I am not going to teach music or P.E.  Know your talent level and stay within it, that's my thinking.

I have subbed on a first grade field trip to the beach and on a fifth grade field trip to the skating rink. 

 I am not gonna lie, it is STRESSFUL! All students were accounted for and safe at the end of these field trips. Thank you Baby Jesus.

 And no, I didn't skate.

 I have filled out four behavior plans each hour in a kindergarten class in addition to helping the two students in that classroom that speak very little English. Whoa, that teacher has super powers.

I have sent back packs of food home with students that do not have enough food for over the weekend in their house.  The school takes good care of these little friends and I am thankful for that but I worry about what summer means to some students.

I have laughed a lot. And I have come home and cried.

I get artwork for gifts and even better I get hugs in the hallway from kids I maybe taught a day last week.  Hey, Mrs. R!

I get compliments. Three kindergarten boys were reading with me at the table when one of them says to me, you smell good, another leans over, sniffs and says to him, she does!  There was a general consensus at the table that I smell good.  Probably better than fifth graders after recess, just sayin'.

I get random questions. In the middle of working on an assignment...

Mrs R.?

Yes?

Are you Asian?

Uh mm no?

Oh, well what are you?

I'm Dutch.

So is my Mom!

Who is your Mom?

It turns out her Mom and I were friends in high school.  I ran into her Mom last week and we had a good visit with a lot of laughter.

I know the weather song, the days of the week song and the months of the year song. I know there are many ways for kindergarten and first grade classes to do the calendar. And every student will cry out, thatsnothewaywedoit, if I don't do it the way their teacher does it. Yeah, well, she isn't here is she?

I love the actual teaching and when I look out at the class and see light bulb moments.

I love the friendly and helpful the school secretaries.

It great to be back at school.  Of course, that is easy to say when Summer vacation is just a few days away.  The summer vacation, Christmas vacation and just random days off are pretty nice.

And now I have a good excuse to buy school supplies.  I love, love, love new pencils and markers. And last but not least, I get to go school shopping in August for new clothes. Right?

It's Christmas Today!

Merry Christmas! It feels like Christmas.  I went out to Hua Ka'i Annie, our '57 Aloha trailer, today. I am getting her ready for camping and rally season.  I unpacked all of the gifts and things I've purchased since last season.

First up, I bought Hubby a bucket BBQ at Crate and Barrel.  He has been using charcoal more than gas to grill lately, so I thought this would be fun. They are $16.97, so not a big investment. The legs fold under and it looks easy to transport.

My most exciting purchase was my new bike.  I've had it in my online Walmart cart for months. I love it! It is a very comfortable bike and has seven speeds.  No cruiser for me, a slight incline can seem like a mountain if you are riding a cruiser.

 It says, 'it's five o'clock somewhere" on the frame, it includes the basket, bottle holder and bottle opener and a parrot that squeaks. And a big seat, a big comfy seat!

 My bag of gifts for friends, hostess gifts and card supply is replenished.  Everything fit in the white gift bag and is ready to go. 

New flamingo sheet set, new pajamas for me (because everyone needs three pairs of trailer pajamas), a new beach towel, a kitchen towel from Maui, new covered bowls, and paper supplies.

 I have a little nod to deer in Annie.  The deer pillow was found on a field trip with the Pie Pal Gals this winter.  Every time I see it I think of their friendship and the fun day we had in Arlington.

 Happy hour prep is getting real.  I love my new to me vintage snack and drink holders that Leslie brought me from Tennessee. The little wooden spoons for dips that I found at the University village Sidewalk sale will be handy. Drink umbrellas with flamingos, yes please.  

And cocktail napkins, shake your grass!

I did not photograph all of the cocktail napkins as I don't want anyone sending me to a twelve step program for cocktail napkin addiction.  Mind your own business, we are all have our issues.

 New toys for all of our river and lake adventures.  There are matching flamingo glasses for the flamingo float, not pictured.

 Max and Kassie bought Hubby and I new recliners for Christmas.  Thank you kiddos!

In the background is a new hose that is going to make camping easier.

 Several years ago I purchased a Coleman folding table at an estate sale.  It came in its original box but it had a scrape that I decided to cover with a sticker.

One thing led to another.

 Hubby and I started picking up stickers at rallies, breweries and restaurants to add to our collection.  It has been fun for us to add all of the new ones since last summer.  Good memories and trips!

Hubby's cousin, Karen and her family collect patches and sew them on a blanket.  It's their picnic blanket.  It is really great and I loved their idea so I adapted to the stickers on a table.  I had threatened to steal their blanket but they know I love it and they know where I live.

The last day of school is June 20 and I am hitting the trail on the 21st for a trip with my camping sissies.

I am giddy at the thought!

Merry Christmas to me!

EDITED TO ADD:

I almost forgot the scissor jacks and these will be life changing for me.  The vintage jacks are cute but a lot of work.  These are en route and Hubby will install.

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.