Tereffrey

A Year

2010-12-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy year, thus the lack of postage. I have no idea if anyone even checks our blog anymore, but here is an update for any who do.

We are in our second and last year of school. The plan as it stands is to graduate in June. Jeff will find a job in a machine shop somewhere around Bellingham, or at least in the Northwest. I'll start up my own business, so it doesn't really matter where we are for my work. I'll probably start up an etsy store to sell my art work, I may reopen my massage practice (after completing continuing education and getting my license back) and work freelance/contract writing jobs. If anyone needs a ghost writer, or technical writer, contact me in June!

In the small amount of time that we've lived in and explored Bellingham, we've come to really like it. Not only are the people wonderful, but we love the gorgeous mountains, farmland, parks, water, etc. Then there is all the art and music and theater, this place has a lot for a smaller city. Of course there is a part of me that loves change and desires a new landscape and town with new adventures, so perhaps we will move. But I don't know where to. :) I think no matter what we'll always come back to the Northwest wet and green climate that I love.

who am I fooling?

2010-01-14T14:36:00.000-08:00

I have combined my writing blog with this blog, because--who am I fooling?--I wont keep up two blogs at the same time. I was trying to keep the very personal separate from the not so personal, but whatever. Yup, that is what I said in such a literary and concise matter: whatever.

Cheers.

some things I'm thankful for on my birthday

2010-01-02T07:53:00.000-08:00

My husband. I have found the best partner to live life with as is possible. He is kind, generous, loving, and takes care of me in every way.
My mom. As much as she thinks I don't need her anymore now that I have Jeff, I still do and always will. She taught me how to think, to question everything to figure out what is right.
My daddy. Often we don't understand each other, get angry at each other, shake our heads at each other (that sounded primal), but I always know he loves me.
Friends. Although I have just two very close friends besides Jeff, I also have a plethora of people who love me from a distance and that makes them all my friends.
Intelligence. It doesn't make life any simpler but much more interesting.
Truth. That there is a right and wrong, and that it is discernible.
God. Although I don't understand completely what/who God is, I am very thankful that I have felt (and feel) something so much bigger than me.
Jesus. As Job said in hope of Jesus, "If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot."
Education. Ignorance can allow so many evils.
Books. For the ability they give me to escape pain.
Internet. It would be hard to keep in touch with people without email, blogs and facebook. Plus it cuts down on destroying trees as I don't need a book on every little piece of information I want to look up.
Skills. My ability to draw, work with clay, write, bake, create, sing, play piano, argue, play sports, be a good wife, knit.
Health, such as I have. The pain is most certainly wearisome, but I am able to do much still.
My dog. Perhaps a bit silly, but having a warm, soft puppy to cuddle with on occasion is some of the best medicine in the world.

Rules are meant to be broken

2009-12-12T00:17:00.001-08:00

Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don't start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a
great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.
~William Safire, "Great Rules of Writing"

On Control and Pain

2009-12-11T23:32:00.000-08:00

by Teresa Halfacre

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

The relentless pain defines your life. You’re hedged in by all the things you can’t do. It prods you until you are teetering on the brink of insanity, grasping for anything to hold on to. You sort your life into pain and less pain. At times with great effort you can appear normal. Then you try to laugh, socialize, exercise; function beyond survival. On other days, pain overwhelms you and getting out of bed becomes impossible.

…

Pain is a motivator. It drives some people to drug abuse, or suicide. Others become irritable and lash out at whomever and whatever comes near. Still others trudge on, lives bent under the siege. Pain warps your body; it can no longer be trusted. Pain can change your young body into the stiff husk that only an old grandmother should know.

…

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream holds no appeal. It is strewn with cherries, peanut butter, and cookies, colors swirled together, strands of caramel and fudge. It is like wearing a silk shirt from the 1980’s in brilliant colors of bizarre proportions: not in style. You like things black and white, concrete. Vanilla. Chocolate. Dirt drives you to distraction, but the dog-eared pages of books falling apart from use, they are your friends. Old friends. Written in black ink on white pages, they are.

…

You have found one thing that counters pain’s sway over your sanity—control. Control over anything, anything at all, is vital. You search for things that aren’t left to chance, things that are simply reliable. You feel the need to reorganize your house periodically, clean it thoroughly, order it all. On days you feel especially out of control you pull all of the books off their shelves and alphabetize them. You clutch order to stave off the unpredictable.

…

Yet, one day you decide you are going to get out of bed, and make it too. You decide to do more than read the next escapist fantasy book or organize the closet. You find a part-time job and apply to school. Pain is pitiful, and you must do something to not be pitiful. You choose to live your life, because control is about choosing to live despite the circumstances.

thanksgiving on a boat

2009-11-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

For Thanksgiving dinner, Dan, Dad, Jeff and I went on the Arogosy cruise of Elliot Bay in Seattle.

A pic I snapped on the walk to the pier.

The second course:

and we are still docked.

The best pic I could muster out of these men:

october weekends

2009-11-03T21:22:00.000-08:00

At WWU

At BTC

In Fairhaven (Bellingham)

My pumpkin

An especially awesome bloom

and new rain boots!!

new 'literary' blog

2009-09-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if it really deserves the title 'literary', but I did start a blog for any of my original writes. It will include humor, candor, opinion, memory and whatever else seems interesting to write about.

Check it out: www.whenwriting.blogspot.com

it's blooming!

2009-09-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

proof that I don't kill all plants mom gives me

carefully constructed ramblings

2009-09-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

oxymoron: a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms

I am fascinated by oxymorons. While I am generally guided by a desire for the literally correct, somehow I have a deviated admiration for contradictions. I search for oxymorons in the books I read, in the names of products, in peoples' speech. I write with oxymorons, because "two sides to every coin" are still a part of the same coin. Light and darkness are opposites, but one doesn't exist with out the other - how else would they be defined? A person is alive, but dying slowly every second they live. Lemonade tastes both bitter and sweet. Contradictions are a part of everything.

So perhaps, my fascination with the contrary is in fact an embodiment of my desire for the literally correct. It is a paradox.

couple weekends ago

2009-09-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

I made chocolate zucchini cake

In the back yard of my parents house

We like the hammock

nightmare snatcher journal

2009-09-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

I would love to give these to my nieces, (and get one myself) they are awesome!

Check out other journals designs at this etsy site, The Spiderbite Boutique.

we are in an apartment

2009-08-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten the woes of living in an apartment building, and this particular apartment has more than it's share.

The first on my list is that, as far as I can tell, everyone else in the building smokes. Smoking is not allowed inside the apartments, so they smoke out on their decks and patios. Inevitably, when I go to dry my clothes, I have to take someone's clothes out of the dryer. Even the clothes stink of cigarette smoke.

During one of the hottest days this summer, we had the windows wide open and a fan in the next room pulling a draft through our bedroom window. The person living beneath us, stood about 6 feet below our bedroom window on his deck chain smoking with a buddy. We were asleep, since it was 2am, but I woke up gagging as the entire apartment had been fumigated with cigarette smoke.

Courageous with indignation at 2am, I managed to immediately stomp down the stairs and confront the smokers. They were fairly polite, and said they would smoke in the front of the building from then on. It lasted a week. They like to smoke at night.

Second on my list of woes, is that the property manager(s) don't manage well. The first manager who rented the place to us, lied about the apartment. We weren't able to see it before we moved in, so we didn't know the bathroom was basically a closet. She told us there was off street parking, or a parking garage across the street for 35/month, both of which were lies. The current property manager has said she will send out letters about the smoking issue, but that was two weeks and several emails ago, without response. She doesn't even respond to an email asking for the utility bill!

Third, and last that I'll mention, is that all of our neighbors are musicians, which is fine when the violinist is playing, but the pianist isn't very good, and the drummer, is well, a drummer.

I'm impressed if you read this far, you are tenacious.

Good things about the apartment:

Within walking distance of the library, restaurants, parks, buses
Between both of our schools
Sort of cute
Cozy, in a sort of cramped way
We have a fridge
Oven
Internet
Sink
Shower
Roof over our head
Heat (I think)
....

we are finally in bham

2009-07-07T21:52:00.001-07:00

With the help of a fabulous dad and brother, we managed the grueling move to Bellingham. In the process we downsized from a three bedroom house, to a one bedroom apartment - our living room is stuffed with all our belongings which we now have to sort through and get rid of at least half. With one cupboard in the kitchen we have to find someplace else for all the baking equipment that we have accumulated over the last year. But, we do live in dowtown Bellingham, within walking distance of almost everything we need; our internet likes it up here and has been very cooperative; and we are already loving it here in our new cozy 500 sq ft apartment.

Congrats Laura and Craig!

2009-06-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

crepes

2009-06-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

A family tradition - crepes filled with avacado, fresh peaches and cream cheese, smothered in peach sauce, with a little nutmeg or cinnamon. (Are you drooling yet..?) When (if) I have a cafe, this is the first thing going on the menu.

Umm...my attempt at food art...

the real deal

courtney's graduation

2009-06-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

To WI we went for Courtney's Graduation...

At first I thought it was pretty, but after miles and miles of seeing the same thing I wasn't so thrilled :)

Galleria de Courtney

the cake shed

and with a chocolate fountain... :)

Fairies were running around everywhere

The maypole

chasing bubbles

The favorite balloon

At least half the gifts were towels, fortunately fairly color coordinated

I think people were hinting at something (or just know that she works at the pool)...

Yes, blurry - but it could almost be intentional with the glamor look...

'Peter Pan's gots kids?'

2009-06-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

Why do people have kids? Is it because children make a family feel complete? Because they add to the overall love quota? Is is a basic human instinct to propitiate the human race? Or is it a lesson in flagellation? (Hehe.)

Of course I have thought about having kids, but it would completely change our lives. Financially, physically and emotionally (no specific order there). There must be positives to it since so many people have kids. I even want them sometimes - but I can never put my finger on why, other than (occasionally) the idea makes me all fuzzy inside.

Although this doesn't apply to adoption - I only feel fuzzy about that little Tereffrey that would be running around. Maybe it's about possession and creative pride - 'I made that kid.'

Hm. Well, any thoughts?

What we have been up to...

2009-05-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

A month ago I planted some sunflower seeds in different parts of the yard - but they have only started to grow in one area. I have been taking pictures as they grow because...well because that is what I do. And yes, Jeff laughed at me every time I dragged him outside to showcase the half inch my plants had grown.. :)

I even planted some flowers in the pots I had laying about - not looking forward to moving all those in July...

My sis Marianne and her family stayed with us for a few days - days that ended up being gray/cold/windy so we roasted marsh mellows at the fireplace.

For mom's day, my Mom and Dad were over for the weekend. Mom made her own cake, a lavender-lemon concoction that was awesome!

(We made it snow sugar...)

I also made a few hats for Jasmine's twin girls. I forgot to photograph the other two....one more to go...

Last weekend we went to Volunteer park on Capital Hill. We made the hike up to the top of the water tower for the fabulous views of Seattle.

And lastly, we have finally managed to get my brother Dan to play bass guitar with us so we have been learning a few songs together.

One Sentence

2009-05-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

Today I found the website One Sentence. A place where anyone can submit one sentence true stories to be published on the site. I find it a nice challenge to sum up life events with one sentence and enjoyed reading others' submissions.

how bout them mariners?

2009-04-21T13:45:00.001-07:00

Although I am fairly oblivious when it comes to baseball we went to a Mariners game.

A large group of our friends ended up being there at the same night.
I love this photo even though it's blurry.
Most of my pictures are like this. Someone batting. We are way up high. (I think this is that Griffy guy.)

i forgot to upload these pictures...

2009-04-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

These are the last few pictures of our trip back from San Fran.

Our last day in SF was gorgeous. On the way to meeting we had to stop at Golden Gate to take some photos.

I love how it shows we are getting 99 mpg! Of course I didn't get a picture of when we were only getting 9 mpg. :)

I can't remember where we were for this photo... maybe it's Mt. Shasta? Any takers?

stinson beach and a wedding

2009-04-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

The house we stayed at was pretty nice. It had many things left from the owners (books, games, toys, stuff) and it was decorated all nice besides being about a 2 min walk down to the water; we had a sweet set-up.

The view from our bedroom, with the few palm trees around we could almost, (almost) pretend we were in Hawaii.
Matt dug out some kayaks and dunked himself repeatedly in the ocean :)

Becca taking a break after the hot tub.

The pathway from the house to the beach (2 min walk).

I became a little obsessed with these birds, as you will see later...

Matt was awfully happy to be going out on his board. :)

Happy Second Anniversary to us!

We went to the Sand Dollar Restaurant in Stinson Beach. It had the best reviews of the three places in town, and it was excellent!
On the way back to the beach after dinner we shot a few baskets.

We walked along the beach as the sun set.
Our footprints.
(Those birds again)
We saw some other wild life.

(again)

Pretty cute huh?

Yup, I'd say so.

We built a dam. Yes, we do this often when we're around streams, rivers...even oceans apparently. ;)

And then we broke it...

Jeff buried Lindsey a few times...

I love this picture! It looks like they walked out of their shoes. :)

The rocks on the North side of Stinson Beach...where Matt and Jess got married...

Rehearsal on the beach at sunset...

The wedding day...a very pretty flower girl wandering the beach, dreaming I think.

I unfortunately only got a few pre-wedding photos, maybe someday I can get some photos from family to fill it in (hint, hint!)...

Reception - very nice Italian place. I love how Matt is beaming in this picture!

so about that wedding..

2009-04-02T00:11:00.000-07:00

I unfortunately have very cruddy internet, so I haven't been able to upload the pictures I have of Matt and Jess's wedding. I don't have many to share, but when I get the chance (in otherwords - when I have the use of high speed internet) I will try to post them and more pictures of our trip up and down to San Fran.

Ps. Another happy reason to move: we are going to get good internet.

Pps. I'm a little embarrassed that I posted that picture below.

driving along the coast

2009-03-17T10:00:00.001-07:00

Day 1

Rockin out to Metallica

The first night we stayed at Beverly Beach in a 16' diameter yurt. Plover was its name. We had a lovely wind and rain storm all night, it almost sounded like a symphony.

We went out to the beach by the yurt and stayed all of 10 minutes. It was cold and very windy.

The second day we stopped by the Oregon Coast Aquarium. I liked the sign: 'Welcome to Oddwater, where it is OK to be weird'

Unfortunately the exhibits for the otters and seals had bad viewing areas. Very small and very dirty glass.

On the road again...

Heceta Lighthouse - we had planned to walk up to the lighthouse but we were running out of time.

This is what the coast looked like most of the time. Most of the pictures didn't turn out well because of the amount of fog. Half of the time we couldn't even see the ocean.

Day Three
Evidence: Teresa drove.
There was a large herd of Elk on the side of the road, beyond this sign:
Somewhat closer of the elk

In CA: vines for wines. Lots of grape vines.And lots of really neat looking trees... mesquite?

Conclusion: March is not a good time to drive down the coast, except for the lack of traffic, and you need more than three days to see stuff.

knitting for hire...

2009-02-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

I have been on something of a 'knit craze' the last few months. I've been having fun experimenting with my new found skill - but I am realizing that I really don't need anymore scarves!! I have already made myself three (plus couple more for gifts), and have some more projects underway.

So here is my proposition. Say you want something knitted (ie: a scarf, maybe a hat, hand warmers or a purse) and I want to knit but I really can't justify buying more yarn. So: you buy yarn, I knit and give to you. :) This should help out both parties: you get a handmade something or other and just buy the yarn and I get to work on my knitting skills without spending money.

Of course we could collaborate on the pattern (although it has to be within my skill level - which is ever growing...hopefully) or if you don't even want to think about it I could do it all (yarn choice included) and surprise you.

Let me know if you are interested!! I would love to make something for you!

the female brain

2009-02-20T09:30:00.001-08:00

The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
While some reviews have ranted that this book is written to give excuses to women for their bad behavior, I have found it validating of what I experience and it has given me some of the knowledge I need to change my behavior. I now know that I am not alone, that I am not crazy and I feel empowered to change. That is the miracle of being human; we can consciously choose to change our minds.

View all my reviews.

our unusually busy weekend

2009-02-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY:
Jeff very sneakily left work early to go buy me flowers without my knowing. I made chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate cake which we had after an awesome meal at one of our favorites - Lanna Thai.

and I got a little picture happy :)

SATURDAY:
We drove up to Silver Lake to meet a bunch of friends and on the way stopped by the river property that my grandma and aunt own. The amount of mole hills was surprising.

The river is fairly easy to cross these days.

Once we got to Silver Lake we had to go out since it was frozen over. Of course we had to ignore/avoid a few signs that warned us not to. (But it was safe, mom, really!)

A large crack in the ice...

Part of the lake that we didn't venture onto.

Once everyone showed up we had a fun time chatting, playing games etc. Sarah and Kateen made everyone valentines, which were very impressive.

SUNDAY:
We met up for meeting and a potluck at Gerald and Angela's.

Then we drove to the boardwalk and strolled enjoying the rare sunny day.

Laura, Jolyn, Krindee, Rian, Kim

Becca, Jolyn and Krindee

MONDAY:
We drove up to Mt Baker and went hiking.

Jill and Toriana

Mr. Trunky, Becca and Kateen

Laura and Craig

Kateen

Jolyn

Justin

i had to share before i ruin it, again.

2009-02-12T11:01:00.000-08:00

I am working on a very simple shrug. Or so I supposed before I started. The idea was to knit a rectangular panel with a design down the middle, then connect the ends into sleeves. However, I can't pick a simple design for the life of me! I am too fond of complex looking stuff. So I adventured on the long journey that is this design: I realized quickly that when I make mistakes in the design stitches (my most common being somehow dropping stitches), I'm not very clever at fixing it. So I have had to rip it out a couple times. Of course my lack of patience by nature doesn't help in this process - ie, I actually threw a little bit of a tantrum the second time I couldn't fix something, and um... threw my knitting across the room... :/ But finally I managed to finish the sixteen rows that are the pattern. I decided that I had better take a picture, or no one will believe I could do it, least of all me.
Now I hope to be able to do this for another 20 inches.

how bad do you want a homemade gift?

2009-02-05T19:12:00.000-08:00

Lucky you! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

So....who will be the first 5 people?????

what causes smell?

2009-02-04T16:00:00.001-08:00

- a random thought that popped into my head last night as I was falling asleep. I wondered if it is always a bacteria that causes the smell. From what I read, I gathered that odors are caused by either bacteria or chemicals. Bacteria: body odor, bad breath, the smell after it rains. Chemicals: flowers, bread (if I understand correctly that yeast is a chemical).

I found these articles:
'Why do feet stink'
How does the sense of smell work? What causes a smell?
Why do flowers smell?

I thought I was researching a simple question, but while delving for the answer I found out so much more. You can't discuss this topic without knowing some basic chemistry (most of which I have forgotten!).

a poem i wrote ages ago

2009-02-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

Out Your Window

A tree standing straight and tall,

Straight and Sturdy by a wall,

Flowers blooming on the ground,

A child going 'round and 'round.

A dog barking in the distance,

The Sun gone in an instance,

Stars show forth real bright,

Shining with a beautiful light.

You hear a wolf howling at the moon,

Frogs crooking from the lagoon,

Now you close the window and go to bed

For now is time to dream on ahead.

curiously strong

2009-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

Jeff's band Curiously Strong has their music on itunes these days!!! Wahoo! So if you're interested, check them out!

last night i kept waking up with sharp chest pain...

2009-01-30T11:56:00.001-08:00

on my sternum and right side rib cartilage. Every time I moved or took more than a shallow breath, I had sharp pain in my chest and shoulder. This morning after some palpation I realized that a few of my ribs are poking out, and others depressed (for lack of better description) further than the other side of my ribcage. So I decided that I should look it up, see what it may be -- if I should actually consider seeing a doctor.....And surprise, surprise this is the article I found:

"Costochondritis: A Painful Problem
The chest pain associated with fibromyalgia is referred to as costochondritis. It is an inflammation of the cartilage that joins the ribs to the chest bone. It is this inflammation that causes the sharp chest pains inside the chest wall. The pain of costochondritis often mimics the pain of cardiac problems, including heart attacks and stroke. This can be quite scary for some sufferers; however, costochondiritis rarely causes any physical complications.

Costochondritis affects about 60% to 70% of fibromyalgia sufferers. Costochondritis in women is particularly common, especially in women between the ages of 20 and 40. Costochondritis rib pain can last for weeks and even months, and can reappear at different intervals throughout your illness. Costochondritis can also affect those who don’t have fibromyalgia and is often a result of chest trauma or exercise-related injury. In fact, it is thought that about 10% of the general population has costochondiritis.

Where does Costochondritis Hit?
Costochondritis affects the junction between the ribs and the chest bone, also called the sternum. 7 bits of cartilage attach your ribs to your sternum, and costochondiritis causes this cartilage to become inflamed and sore. If you have costochondiritis, you will be able to feel pain upon movement of your upper torso or when you touch your ribs. Most commonly, pain is felt on the left side of your chest, though chest pains on the right side, or even on both sides, can occur.

Any one of the 7 cartilage junction points can be affected by costochondiritis. 90% of people with costochondritis suffer from more than just 1 inflamed cartilage junction point. In severe costochondritis, all 7 cartilage junction points can be inflamed. This inflammation causes pain on the anterior (front) chest wall, which can be felt when you move and when you palpate your ribs. Typically, the second to fifth ribs are affected, though it is also common for the sixth rib to be affected.

What Does Costochondritis Pain Feel Like?
Costochondritis pain is often described as a stabbing or aching pain in the ribs. This pain can wax and wane: some days it will be worse, while other days it will be much better. The sharp pain caused by costochondritis generally begins in the chest. This pain can then radiate outwards, attacking the shoulders, neck, and upper abdomen. Costochondritis pain can last for long periods of time and chronic costochondritis is not uncommon. However, most pain should be gone within 6 months to a year from the onset of symptoms."

--here is the website

Oh just lovely. Another symptom associated with fibromyalgia that is basically untreatable. Just take ibuprofen, but oh wait, I already do that every day, and it doesn't help any of the other symptoms. Almost invariably when I wonder about some random pain, when I go to look it up, it is just one more fibromyalgia symptom. I can not wait until the day someone finally figures out the cause for this syndrome, and then maybe a cure. I don't have any hope that it will be during my lifetime.

And of course there is this statement: "It is important that if you are experiencing any type of chest pain that you immediately consult a physician in order to correctly diagnose the nature of the pain." Ah...no. Sorry I am done with Drs, I am done wasting money.

i was going through some old photos...

2009-01-27T15:27:00.000-08:00

a mask I made

halloween one year

with my parrot:

i love calling him husband

2009-01-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

What is his name? Jeff
How long did you date? 6 months; started dating 3.18.06, engaged 9.2.06, married 3.17.07
How long have you been married? 2 years in March
Who eats more sweets? he does
Who said I love you first? I think I prodded him to say it first
Who is taller? him...6'4"
Who is a better singer? me...although he may be great - if he actually sang. :)
Who is smarter? us, together. two heads are better than one.
Who does the laundry? mostly me, but he helps out sometimes
Who pays the bills? me
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? him most of the time
Who mows the lawn? both of us
Who cooks dinner? him. I do the baking.
Who drives? majority is him, until I get a craving to be behind the wheel
Who is more stubborn? ....stubborn who us? nah...
Who kissed who first? he kissed me
Who asked who out? he asked me and I told him no...later that day I changed my mind.
Who is more sensitive? well I show it more, he controls it better - but probably pretty equal.
Who wears the pants? what an odd question. a better question would be, who wears the skirts? and that would rarely be me.

26 random things about T

2009-01-25T13:31:00.000-08:00

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

Disclaimer: I wasn't actually tagged, but several people were doing it on facebook, and it looked like fun. :)

We name our cars, currently we have Forest and Beatrice. We just sold Isabela.
I really like leg warmers, I wear them with skirts which looks tacky.
I get nauseous easy at certain smells. Sometimes randomly - something that was just fine yesterday, does me in today. Loud sounds do it too.
I don't shave. Keeps my legs warmer. ;) Actually shaving (and even Nair) irritates my skins so I've quit. And it always was a bother.
Jeff does all the cooking while I do all the cleaning and baking. A fairly sweet set-up.
I am very close to my momma. We talk on the phone often, and if we are out of town - we are probably at her house.
I have four rather large scars resulting from being stitched up. One from crashing on my chin when I was three, and three from surgery on my ankle and calves.
I worry about Jeff dying a lot. Mostly at night when he is already asleep and I know he will be gone to work by the time I wake up.
I get some of my best ideas for writing in my dreams. One time I even composed a song for the piano -- unfortunately I didn't immediate get up to play it so I lost it.. :/
There are several people I think of as kindred spirits, but I don't really know them...and don't have the guts to get to know them.
I have always wanted to have green eyes and auburn hair. I don't know why. Instead I have hazel eyes and brown hair (with red highlights). ;)
I get bored very easy. I always have. I don't like doing the same thing for very long. I don't like being in the same place for very long. I'm a little worried about that for that day sometime in the future when we buy a house.
I hate shopping. Trying on clothes, walking on concrete, spending loads of money, finding tons of stuff that doesn't fit right, or does and is too expensive - not my idea of a good time.
I love books. Just having shelves full gives me a happy feeling. I re-read books, several times over....and do it again. I can't go to sleep unless I read for an hour or two.
I am good at a lot of things, but excellent at nothing (well very little). I am well rounded - the bane of my existence.
I like antiques. Not the cutesy pastel stuff. The wrought iron, worn wood, colored glass sort of antiques. I like old stuff.
I'm happy staying home. Occasionally I think about traveling to other countries, but I don't have the motivation. It seems like a lot of work. Besides I am perfectly happy just going to Hawaii.
I love words. I especially love reading the Bible because of the many places that the words (even through translation) are so powerful. Blunt, but with elegance. I aspire to be that sort of writer.
I had no clue what marriage would be like. It is so much better than I thought.
I am tied up trying to figure out if I want to have kids. They are so much work, yet I realize that they can add to your love. And then there is no getting past that I would be the one pregnant...lovely being the woman.
Yup, I married a man 12 years older than me. I hardly even think about it anymore.
I have an opinion about most things. Sometimes well thought through, sometimes on the fly. I am working on looking at things from other perspectives.
I am slightly superstitious. I am careful not to hope hard for anything - in case that causes it not to happen. I talk pessimistic when really I'm secretly hoping for the best.
When I'm sad, I'm very sad. When I'm happy, I'm exuberant. I don't have a medium.
I wish I were closer to my siblings, because when it comes right down to it, friends come in and out of my life, but family is stuck with me.
I am a bit of an organization freak. I'm happy when things are clean, put away, ordered. If my house is messy then I can't think, my mind feels cluttered. Although it should be noted that this doesn't apply to other peoples' houses. Also that my 'ordered' may be different than someone elses... :)

I think it would be fun it other people did this - it is fun learning random things you never knew about people...

apparently i have a lot to share today

2009-01-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

so for post #3 today, I recommend a book.

The Garden Angel: A Novel by Mindy Friddle

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book explores the limitations set on people by fear. Irrational fear based on the acceptance of one's inadequacies and failures. The character Elizabeth suffers from an anxiety disorder that doesn't allow her a simple trip to the grocery store. She has trouble forcing herself out of the house into her yard let alone into the work place. She cannot get the concentration and motivation to finish her dissertation. While I don't suffer from a mental condition, but rather a physical one, I felt like this story could be written about me. I love the determination that made her face her fears, and while her condition didn't cease to exist, she overcame it.

View all my reviews.

i forgot about these

2009-01-23T12:13:00.001-08:00

Pictures from new year's eve were still in the camera:

so much fog

2009-01-23T11:53:00.001-08:00

The weather has been fairly nasty. I haven't been warm in a while. And everything broke. The microwave, lawnmower (well it broke a while ago), fridge, dryer... So our landlord who is in Italy is trying to fix everything via his dad - it is slow going. All this assures me that I can wait to own a house and prolong the responsibility of fixing everything that goes wrong. I am looking forward to moving back into a snug little apartment with just a few things to make it home. :)

So with the bad weather, Laura's prompting and mom's guidance (and supplies) I have begun to knit. I have finished two scarves and have started a third. I even bought some fancy yarn to start another more complicated project, but it is still sitting in the bag, awaiting my confidence.

Here is to one long piece of nothing that can be fantastically made into something useful. Whoever came up with knitting had a fabulous imagination.

plans made, trips to be taken

2009-01-13T17:26:00.000-08:00

Jan: hurry to get taxes filed
Feb: finish applications for schools/financial aid
March: drive down to San Francisco for Matt's wedding
April: find out for sure if I am going to Western
May: fly to Wisconsin for Courtney's graduation (we just bought the tickets tonight!)
June: rent the largest u-haul to be had and move to Bellingham
June/July: possible trip to Pittsburgh to help Marianne get ready to move back to WA
August: figure out all the necessary stuff of being in a new town
September: start school
Sept 2009-June 2011: study, study study...penniless...housebound...study, study, study :)

Bring it on!

what human invention are you the most grateful for?

2009-01-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

MOM(Ms. Literal Pants): 1) sewing machines - "we would still be stitching our own clothes by hand!" 2) artificial heat - "we don't have to rely on the sun for heat" (Although I think this just makes us suffer the injustice of living here rather than Hawaii!!!!!)
DAD: printing press - "those scribes would be cramping up"
JEFF: electricity - "otherwise there wouldn't be electric guitars"
ME: 1) libraries - "free knowledge, can't get any better than that!" 2) indoor plumbing "although there are some really cool looking outhouses"

pt. defiance zoo & zoolights

2009-01-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

The story here is that the tiger first glared into my eyes from behind the glass, then turned suddenly, stood on his hind legs and peed on the glass right where I was (or used to be..even with the glass I scrambled out of there!).

L & R checking out the otters.

We spent a long time at the carousel, I used the 'burst' option to get the photos. I have a whole collection of photos that could be made into a movie now. :)

If I had ridden, I would have nabbed the zebra...

The 'Lovers Tub'. It was also in the carousel house, we got dizzy spinning 'round.

The purple tree is my favorite every time we go. This is how people should do trees (not necessarily these colors however)

Taking a break in the aquarium. It was really cold still.

Watching the sharks.
Dancing around the fire:

too many photos

2008-12-26T21:12:00.000-08:00

dancing in the kitchen while making cookies galore - normal business as usual at the j&t household. ;)

on the road to Bellingham

the road to grandma's house
the barn - years ago my uncles painted it for my mom's wedding, and we repainted it for my sister's
Jeff starting the snow run...at first it was hard to get it going

Dan almost taking out our cousins

the sledding group: David, Juli, Natalie, Joni, Katie, Kristi, me, Jeff, Pops

Jeff pushing mom and poki down the run

mom and poki running up the hill
blurry I know, but a comical moment

we were trying to slide down, but I fell of halfway

Juli and David

Poki loves the snow, he just has a hard time getting through it..

i had to show this off, my grandma did this tile work above her stove, she is one talented lady

cookies as done in the Brady house

one of four cookies I finished (at least 10 minutes a piece). i may be too much of a perfectionist. ;)

the reasons I don't celebrate christmas

2008-12-19T17:37:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, the holiday was made up by the Roman Catholic church because they wanted a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. They chose December 25th, because the Pagans already held a celebration to worship the sun god with a festival of lights. At that time the church was aware that the day wasn't actually his birthday, but they wanted to incorporate the Pagan holiday into a religious one so the Pagans would feel welcome in the church, without having to give up their celebrations.

Second, the Bible doesn't ask us to celebrate Christ's birth on any certain day (the exact day wasn't even recorded, possibly for a reason), and the idea of celebrating His birth by giving material gifts to each other doesn't make any sense. How does giving bikes, ipods and puppies have anything to do with Jesus?! Giving gifts isn't how you show love, or spiritual encouragement. Some may argue that the wise men brought material gifts to Jesus, but they were bringing gifts to a king and God knew that Mary and Joseph would have to flee and was preparing them accordingly.

Third, somewhere along the line a fat jolly man named Santa was introduced into the tradition of Christmas. He was given the attributes that only God can claim - omnipotence. Parents (and society) lie to children, they tell them that if they are good Santa will give them presents. If they write letters to Santa, they will get exactly what they asked for. Then at one point in the lives of these children, they learn the reality that Santa doesn't exist. How far is the leap that God doesn't exist either?

Lastly, and least important, is that Christmas has become a struggle to appear the most affluent and the most giving. The piles of gifts have grown larger and more expensive, and less from the heart. Employers have got in the 'spirit', throwing lavish parties for their company during the holiday season, while the rest of the year they treat their employees poorly. The month of December with holiday cheer, excuses whatever you do the rest of the year.

the head fell off..

2008-12-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

The Olympics from the ferry

beautiful snow-laden trees!

snow!

2008-12-13T23:46:00.000-08:00

In the past every time it has snowed I said we should go out into the hottub, but we never did. Well, today we did. Unfortunately, besides it being freezing outside, the temperature in the hottub had never been turned up since summer. 96 degrees doesn't feel warm when it's snowing. So we didn't last long and then had to run barefoot back to the house before we froze!

Earlier today we cut out snowflakes and snowman for our decor. Looks good, yes?
To top it off, we enjoyed hot chocolate while watching the snow pour down!

the dark back of time

2008-12-12T00:06:00.000-08:00

"It is always said that behind every novel lies an episode, however pallid or tenuous or intermittent, in the life or reality of the author, thought it may have been transfigured. This is said as if in distrust of the imagination and the inventive faculties, and also as if readers and critics needed something to hang onto, to keep from falling prey either to the strange vertigo of that which is absolutely invented and without experience or basis-as if they did not want to feel the horror of something that appears to exist as we read it, that breathes and whispers and sometimes even persuades, yet has never been-or to the ultimate absurdity of taking seriously what is only a representation, as if they were struggling against the lurking awareness that reading novels is a childish pastime, or at least inappropriate to the adult life that is always gaining on us." -The Dark Back of Time by Javier Marias.

I love this, it reads as my thoughts on the subject. It exasperates me when people ask, "but what does it mean?" while looking at art, or reading a story. It is what it makes you feel. Whether the reader wrote out of real experience or with a particular emotion, what it means is how it makes you feel. Nothing more. Nothing less. Every piece of art doesn't need a title. It can just be art.

Jalapeño-Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

2008-12-05T14:16:00.001-08:00

I made this soup last night and we loved it! At first it seemed a little spicy but it didn't build up too bad. I probably wont put in the whole jalapeno next time.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons grated ginger
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
4 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2-in. cubes
3 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Crème fraîche (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil in a 4- to 5-qt. pot over high heat. Add garlic, ginger, jalapeño, and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not yet browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add cayenne and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add squash, broth, brown sugar, and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender, about 20 minutes.

2. In a blender, purée the soup in batches until smooth, then pour back into the pot. Stir in cream and adjust seasonings to taste. Serve hot, with a swirl of crème fraîche if you like.

wish lists

2008-12-03T16:31:00.000-08:00

Does it defeat the purpose of present giving, if you make a list beforehand? When I was really little I started making up birthday wish lists and posting them on the fridge (partially because I had this fear that people would otherwise forget my birthday! as if i would let them!). I still continue to do this, and from my point of view it makes sense. For those who know me well, I can be quite fickle and it may be hard to figure out what I really want if I didn't write it down for them. However, this year Jeff is coming up with a list too, and I feel like if it is coming from the same pocket why don't we just buy it for ourselves. Of course then there isn't any surprise left at all. Hm.
What are your thoughts?

a photo i liked...

2008-11-30T20:22:00.000-08:00

as we walked to thanksgiving dinner

one room down, # to go

2008-11-30T20:05:00.000-08:00

This past month I have spent helping my mom redecorate a room I had totaled during my tween phase of loving panda bears. I put a horrendous green on the walls and border wallpaper. Mom wanted to keep the room the 'panda' room, so I compromised by repainting the walls with murals of bamboo jungle. After getting only two walls finished I was quite sick of painting bamboo but I managed to finish just before I went crazy. Meanwhile Mom stripped all the paint off the dresser, which now looks great!

i have lots to be thankful for...

2008-11-26T10:54:00.000-08:00

Others have done this, and I thought it a wonderful idea, so here is a list of things that I am thankful for (in no particular order):

1. The occasional sunny day that brilliantly offsets the rain and gloom (today)
2. Jeff who adores me and who is my life
3. Parents who live close enough that we can crash their place for weekends and vice versa
4. This one is a little dreary, but I am thankful I can function fairly well most days
5. Friends who want to hang out with me, for hours
6. Family who love me and are proud of me because I'm me
7. Although I am sometimes annoyed of this, I am also thankful that I have a bad memory...I tend to have more optimism that way (I can't remember the bad stuff!)
8. That I have talents in so many areas
9. For the conviction I have in the things I believe, about whats right, about God
10. That I have dreams and goals (that are attainable)

'twilight' craze

2008-11-24T23:50:00.000-08:00

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I heard many things about this book, all from people who loved it, but no one mentioned how hilarious it is!

View all my reviews.

dad's birthday weekend

2008-11-24T23:24:00.000-08:00

We spent Saturday setting up our legendary lego-town at my parents place; an old ping pong table with a hole cut out in the center serves as the foundation. Legos have been part of my family for as long as I can remember. We tend to get it out around the holidays and spend the time fighting for pieces. :) A few photos of the demolition or construction:

Sunday we had a feast for Dad's 61st birthday.

Mom made an awesome cake. We didn't do our usual 1 candle per year...

in the kitchen

2008-11-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

Today I spent the morning sitting at the kitchen table looking out into the back yard. I could see the wind blowing through the leaves, and I imagined I could hear the rustling leaves although the house was quiet. The sun was streaming down, ebbing as clouds rolled past. The light played on the walls as the trees swayed to and fro. The squirrels came up to the back door, begging for free peanuts. And a big beautiful bird sat and watched me.

awesome clouds

2008-11-16T19:17:00.001-08:00

I revel in the magnificence of nature. There are a lot of ugly things that go on in this world, but at least up til now, I can rely on nature to be amazing and beautiful.

tree cutting

2008-11-13T20:03:00.000-08:00

the backyard

2008-11-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

wa state election results

2008-11-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

http://vote.wa.gov/elections/wei/

it looks like the assisted suicide passed :/

anyone been in a book group before?

2008-11-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

I am considering the pros and cons of joining a book group at the local library. At this point I haven't figured out if I really want to put myself in a room with random people who will assuredly expound to great length. I can see people getting all peppered, spit flying, hands jerking through the air...which may in fact be amusing, but then what if it is the opposite and it is all awkward silence as they wait for me to speak up. Ha! What I am trying to say is that I'm not persuaded at this time that I would enjoy such a group, but I could use something beneficial to fill my time. So I hope to hear any feedback to help me make a decision.

I may be more inclined to organize a book group of people I know...if there are people who are interested....? Or maybe as just an excuse to get together and eat sweets and catch up?

SOLD!! ford ranger for sale

2008-11-01T15:57:00.001-07:00

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SOLD!!

Isabel is a 1994 Ford Ranger with a king cab and canopy. She is a 2 wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 5 speed. Her windshield was replaced about 1.5 years ago, as well as her radiator. She is newly tabbed and has new license plates. She has 104,000 miles on her, of which I put on half. Not so bad for a middle-aged lady. After many reliable years, my gorgeous truck is again on the market, as we really don't need three vehicles. Isabel has been in the family since 2002, when we bought her from an old woman whose husband had kept her in great condition.

Of course since then, Isabel and I have gotten into a few scrapes. Like when I backed her into my grandparents RV. Luckily that incident only caused minor butt damage.

Or when I was trying to park in the tiny slots at the community college and got hung up on another car, but that only caused a few scratches (which look worse than they are because of the leaves reflected in Isabela's newly washed hide).

The only annoying thing is that the canopy door doesn't stay open anymore.

SOLD!!!

here is a realization

2008-10-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

that I figured I should write down so I will remember it, and maybe it will mean something to someone else:

As I wrote to Jeff today, "Loving something is losing yourself to that love, to whatever you love, and whatever you love becomes apart of you." That seems to go for most anything. I love Jeff, and that has changed me. I love God and that has changed me.

photos from the last few days

2008-10-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

Sunday we spent a few hours sitting on a bench at our favorite park, savoring the sunny day and reading. I hope we always live close to the water, it is the biggest feeling soaking up the blue expanse. I can see us when we are old, still sitting on a park bench, holding hands.

I've taken quite a few pictures of clouds throughout my life...
Jeff commented, "People are only out there sailing, cause they know their sails look good against the blue water."

One day we spend driving around different pockets of Everett that we'd never been before. Although I grew up thinking Everett was the ugliest place ever (from the freeway it is), there are many old houses and views that balance its ugly parts.

Our back yard is filling up with leaves:

View of Mt. Rainier and Seattle from the ferry to Kingston:

'Once'

2008-10-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

We just saw the movie Once. If you are a song writer, or just like music you may really like this one. It mostly about song writing (with some human relationship stuff thrown in), which the actors themselves wrote and performed. The film is done in the fashion of a documentary, which makes it rather fun.

happy birthday Laura!

2008-10-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

i've been 'tagged'

2008-10-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

I am supposed to come up with six things that most people don't know about me. I'm not sure how many people know or don't know this stuff, but here it is:

1. I'm a hermit. I am shy. I have learned some slightly persuasive acting skills that sometimes fool people, but I don't like big groups or being the center of attention. But at the same time, I need people around or I go insane.

2. I read on average about 10 books a month. I am a big fan of most things fiction. And I do judge the book by it's cover. If I don't first find it interesting by the cover, I don't pick it up to see if I might like the story.

3. I have a diary. I don't write it in it very often, but I have been writing in it since 1996. I go back every couple years and read it. Although it is often embarrassing to read what I once thought important, it helps me see how much I have changed and grown.

4. Although I am both an artist and a musician, I don't care about the old masters. Not to say that I don't enjoy listening to Vivaldi and Beethoven, or can't appreciate Divinci's genius, but I am only interested in the art itself and not in knowing who made it. Either the work stands alone, or it doesn't. It is the same with modern music - I may like a song, know some or even all the words, but I wouldn't be able to tell you anything about the artist.

5. I have fibromyalgia, a wide spread pain syndrome that is thought to be a genitically predisposed condition. It was likely triggered when I had spinal meningitis my junior year of high school. There isn't yet a cure (or even a known cause) so I occasionally take IBprofen and hope that I don't come across as too surly.

6. I cry during 1/3 of the movies I see. If the movie has hospital scenes, or anything to do with pain/physical limitations. Or if the movie explores human relationships. The most recent movies: In Her Shoes, Blind Dating. Sad eh?

Edit: I just thought of something that only a few people know: I am goofy and rather funny. I dance and sing around the house like nobodies business, but the minute people are around I start trying to be an adult. I'm not so sure how well I pull that off, but I try! :)

Carleton Farm

2008-10-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

Carleton Farm is right off Hwy 2, on the way to Lake Stevens. It has a pumpkin patch, corn maze, fresh produce, canned goods and a pumpkin canon.

The canon's were great fun - they shoot the pumpkins further than three football fields!

The corn maze was about 5 acres - in a design of what else but the mascots of the democrat and republican parties.

A recent wind storm destroyed some of the corn.....

There were several clues to find in the maze.

fall beginnings

2008-10-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

I baked my first apple pies which of course made Jeff proud. He loves it when I bake. :)

We had a wild wind storm, which was rather fun. I took that time to run outside with the camera and take pictures and prune some stuff. Maybe not the smartest idea I've had, but it was fun being blown around.
As you can see, our table and chairs were blown across the yard - luckily none of them down the ravine...

So not only did I make apple pie, but I made cheesecake (something I don't even like - you're very welcome Jeffrey). So I was posing for the 'perfect little home maker' photo. I don't usually have such an insipid smile on my face, I assure you...but I was feeling a bit abused. :)

a couple of sunny fall days

2008-09-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday we had a picnic at the park and soaked up the sun, while I messed around with the camera.

On the way home from the park we saw this sign:

Sunday afternoon we dropped in on the last farmer's market in Everett, bought some produce and flowers. There were many artists there too, so we browsed through their stuff - some if it was impressive, others not so much.

The marina right next to the market.

The flower pictures were taken with our new camera!

This is a rose out along the driveway, gorgeous no?

past the point of no return

2008-09-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday evening we made the trek to Seattle's Paramount Theatre to see my favorite musical, Phantom of the Opera. We were suprised to meet up with some of our friends - the world is proved small again. It was Jeff's first time ever seeing a Broadway play at all, and although he was sick he really enjoyed it. The music gave me the chills. It was fun feeling the entire audience lean forward not wanting to miss a minute, it is that awesome. It took a serious genius to write it.

I hadn't realized before we went how much it would remind me of our wedding; we had All I Ask of You played and I sang Past the Point of No Return. Those who know that song may think it odd that I sang it - at my wedding no less. But it made sense to me at the time :). I choose only a few verses to sing (the less provocative/more funny for the situation), but while watching the scene as it was played out with that song, I got embarrassed. With our friends in the same theatre (some of whom had been at the wedding) listening to the song in the orginal context, I realized how weird they must think it that I sang it. Ah well. :)

Djangofest NW 2008

2008-09-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

is a European Gypsy Jazz festival in the town Langley on Whidbey Island. The festival runs from tonight to Sunday, with performances, workshops and jam fests.

For more info, here is the website.

we bought a camera!

2008-09-22T19:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday we ordered a Panasonic DMC-TZ4S Lumix 8.1 Megapixel digital camera after checking it out at the stores. It was the only compact camera that had a 10x zoom as well as the other features we wanted. Now we will just have to wait and see if it is as good as it seems.

Wohoo!

this past week...

2008-09-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

Joanne left the country for a year on Tuesday, so last Sunday we went over to Bainbridge Island to say goodbye.
This is a photo I got of Seattle and the moon while we were out by the bonfire.The last few weeks I have started up my art fest again. I am trying to get back in the habit and maybe get into an art program.
Here is a photo (with an odd perspective) of my most recent work. It is charcoal, which I haven't touched in ages - it is a lot of fun (not as permanent as my usual pen and ink). :)

i am more peachy

2008-09-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

Filling out the application for WWU, I was asked to answer this question:

What race/ethnicity do you consider yourself? Check all that apply. (optional)

Black or African American American Indian (please specify tribal affiliation) Are you an enrolled member? Yes No
Alaska Native: Aleut Inuit Asian American: Asian Indian Cambodian Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Laotian Thai Vietnamese Other (please specify)	Pacific Islander: Guamanian Hawaiian Samoan Other (please specify) Hispanic or Latino origin: Mexican/Mexican American/Chicano Puerto Rican Cuban Other (please specify)
White or Caucasian Multi-racial (please specify) Other Ethnicity (please specify)

At first I checked 'white or caucasian' since I didn't see another choice (there isn't even 'European American' *grin*). But I am not white. I am not caucasian. I am American, which means I am Irish, English, German, Cherokee and who knows what else all rolled into one. So I put the best I could come up with; North American.

What are you?

snohmish and ???

2008-09-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

We stopped by Snohomish last weekend and found a couple of cute shops. And it has a pretty river walk thingy. Might be a nice place to live someday....

i need opinion. does this look like the hunch back of notre dame? or just weird?

war is terrorism

2008-09-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Today as I was watching a recap of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, I was once again sickened. Not just by the devastation caused by those claiming it was God's will, but for what has occurred since. This attack on our nation wasn't random. It was the culminating event of years of bad American foreign relations. Of course this doesn't condone the actions of the al-Qaeda, but neither do the events of 9/11 justify the Unites States' choice in continuing the destruction of human lives. Instead of working to mend America's image; terror was sanctioned in the name 'War on Terrorism'. Wasn't it enough that almost 3000 people died that day, without adding more human suffering? Of the thousands of people killed since the US started bombing, how many of those were terrorists? The count of Americans killed in this war has long since passed the number of Americans who died on September 11, 2001.

War is terrorism. 'War on Terrorism' is redundant.

“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it... Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence”
- Martin Luther King

labor day weekend

2008-09-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend had us busy with leisurely activity. Saturday we started out window shopping; looking for a camera (which was a touch depressing as our budget doesn't allow for some of the beauties we saw) and perusing a music store. Then we headed for a nearby park with a view of Hat Island and the Port of Everett. Once there, we spent an hour or two. Jeff provided inspiring music while I drew. That evening family stopped by on their way back to Bremerton, and we ended up going with them.

Sunday we spent the day inside with the family, and they all flew out early Monday morning, leaving Dad and us behind. :( So Monday we meandered to the Blackberry festival and then through the ghost town that is downtown Bremerton. There were a few Art Studios open, and I met one of my old art professors. Also, there was a disturbingly large amount of old Pyrex cookware in a museum we happened across. We finished our Bremerton exploring by driving through some of the waterfront areas east of Manette. Unfortunately the price of real estate there is exhurbinate, or we mayn't have left.

We thouroughly enjoyed our lazy three day weekend, and look forward to many more!!!

camera is on the blink...

2008-08-29T20:24:00.001-07:00

So I was walking down the beach with this camera, see, it was turned on ready to capture the sights, when I stepped on a piece of drift wood and gracefully jammed it into the sand to keep myself from face planting. Now it sorta whines and grinds when I turn it on and has a manual zoom. It has been a faithful friend all the way from San Fransisco to Pittsburgh to Kauai and back, but now it will be replaced.

SO....we are looking for suggestions - can anyone recommend a camera that costs less than $200 but still packs a punch? Or even tell us which camera NOT to get?!

jeff's first lesson in sailing..

2008-08-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

Dan took Jeff out to teach him to sail, but things began to look suspicious when Dan stood up (these can barely be called a 2-person boat)....

but Jeff seemed to be getting the hang of it anyway...

at least they didn't turn turtle (as they would have if Matt was there). :)

south beach

2008-08-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

Lindsey had Uncle Jeff make a teeter-tooter

a few of our treasures

Lindsey and Marianne working on the 'Rock Museum'

I tried to capture the sun magnified through the waves onto the rocks beneath...

the most beautiful sunset ever!

2008-08-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

We went kayaking to catch the sunset, and it turned out to be a great idea. It just kept getting better...

Sunset in one direction, rainbow in the other...

we went berry picking...

2008-08-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

we went on a short walk and picked lots of blackberries....

and we saw some alpacas (who were scared of our dog).

dungeness crab! yum!

2008-08-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Crabbing off San Juan Island.....

we had company

2008-08-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

flowers

2008-08-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

tatoos and sprinklers in Oly

2008-08-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

My 'tattoo' got wet and started looking like blood. :)

Jumping through the sprinkler...

You would think he is jumping hurdles by the look of concentration on his face! :)

Lindsey's tattoo was pretty fancy!

Becca was pretty funny, wanting to get wet, just not too much.

I like the shadow on this one:

Katie and Matt H.

pittsburgh zoo

2008-08-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

My favorite, the zebras:

Baby tiger, born on Mother's Day 2008

The elegant giraffes:
Outside elephant:
Baby elephant born around July 13th:

The biggest gorilla rolling around:

And the polar bears:

phipps conservatory

2008-08-01T18:09:00.001-07:00

Phipps Conservatory Website

chocolate chip cookies!

2008-08-01T10:29:00.001-07:00

The other day I picked up Linds from school early and we made cookies!

Lindsey likes to put sprinkles on hers. I admit I was a little skeptical.

But I think we all ended up liking the sprinkled ones the best! :)

kennywood amusement park, pittsburgh

2008-07-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Brent's work reserved a pavilion and had their employees and families come to Kennywood. Google provided lunch and a fistful of $1 tokens. Google really spoils their employees! We had a blast running around getting on roller coasters and doing kid rides with Lindsey and Rebecca.

The Log JammerBrent, Lindsey, Brendan and Amy

a busy weekend

2008-07-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we had a shindig.

And Sunday we went to the Park family reunion.

My cousin Craig and his baby girl Molly:

Aunt Dennie, Uncle Ken, Grandma, Mom, Uncle MurrayGrandma, Great Aunts June, Dorthy, and AudreyThe whole kit and caboodle (there were a lot of people that I didn't know and a lot of people missing):

three thousand three hundred and thirty three

2008-07-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

who is the 3333rd visitor?

sparklers, rain, a river, a lake and breakfast

2008-07-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

Our Celebration of a Three-Day-Weekend with a Camping Trip:
(on the Nooksack River)

The next door campsite people had some fireworks

And due to tradition we had sparklers...ah how sweet

Document it: Teresa cooking breakfast. (with parental supervision)Silver Lake north of our campsiteNooksack River falls:On the side of I-5 on the way home.
It sprinkled, poured and had a few sun breaks, but we had good food and better company. And not one picture of the river...

a thunder storm!

2008-07-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Last night we woke up at 2am when there was a flash of light in our room and the entire house vibrated. Then the torrential downpour started. As I ran around the house shutting the windows I looked out to the street and saw three guys standing out in the storm smoking cigarettes. They were just standing there. In the rain. Smoking.

Luckily Jeff and I both like lightning and thunder, so we had a good time. It reminded me of when I was a kid, during bad storms mom would bring me downstairs to the basement to sleep and we would count "one one-thousand, two one-thousand..." to see how far away the lightning was. Oh what fun! I wish I had some photos...

it will always be home

2008-06-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

Living in the city has given my a greater fondness for the place I grew up. What I used to consider traffic is actually casual cruising compared to here. I used to think spending 30 bucks on a pair of jeans was a lot, but here in the city it is normal to spend 60+. When I moved to Seattle my wardrobe wasn't sophisticated (expensive) or trendy (cheap) enough. I miss the quiet, natural, not quite hick atmosphere of Kitsap peninsula. There is a lot to be said for a place that has forests of trees and open sky without telephone wires or buildings. I used to see Mt. Rainier, the Olympics and Puget Sound practically everyday without going out of my way. Whereas now, to see anything I have to go to designated beaches or parks. Every time I get off the ferry on my way home it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest and I can breathe! Someday I hope that we will live in the place that still feels like home.

a rant

2008-06-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

no matter how many people wear them, skinny jeans are NOT attractive. they are atrocious. what happened to originality?! when a few people deem something 'fashion' it doesn't mean that you have to wear it! unless you are a 6' 100 lb model (and even then it is sketchy), it doesn't look good on you. what happened to dressing for your body type?!

it was a sunny weekend

2008-06-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

Seattle Underground tour, and these are the pictures I took.
Skylight:And again, without flashI liked the glass bottles through the window, but that wasn't really apart of the tour. It was the window to the gift shop?Golden Gardens Beach - we cooked hotdogs over the fire

um...well...

And of course, a picture of fire. Makes me warm looking at it.

so those pictures...

2008-06-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

Mt. RainierFlippies and snow don't mix well

Target practice in WI Deer park in WI Dells

really bad internet

2008-06-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

There have been plenty of times that I have tried to blog about our most recent adventures, but alas our internet has been to slow to upload any photos at all! So, it's all text for right now...maybe I will be able to add photos at a later date.

A few weeks ago we drove down to Mt. Rainer with Laura L. and her friend Sarah and had a great time in the 90 degree weather (or it felt like it).

Yesterday we got back from Wisconsin visiting Jeff's folks and entire family. We celebrated Burt's 65th birthday and he taught us how to play cribbage (I need to brush up on my addition). And I sort of learned to shoot a bow. We went to a deer park where there were lots of baby goats and I have decided that I want one whenever we get our land :).

Oh, and we have decided to go off wheat and sugar (or at least severely limit it) - I figure if I announce it to the world we may actually follow through :).

ps. has anyone ever been to the Ngorongoro Crater in Africa?
pps. I had accidentally adjusted the settings so no one could post comments - it's fixed now though...we love hearing from y'all!