Holiday Treats

Are these not the cutest little pumpkins ever? I love the ballerina skirt.
Here is a picture of the cake I tried to make and the cake I made. It took forever, then it was WAY too much chocolate.
Christmas eve gingerbread houses. Owen and Mike made the cute one in the back. Abam (his spelling) wrote his name on his.

Yeah, I'm White

I went to an old friend party in Oysterville tonight with the folks. It was fun. There were nice people I don't see very often, excellent food, and VERY strong drinks. As we were preparing to leave I was searching for my coat and had a thought that I should have written my name in my coat. This immediately reminded me of how white I am and I had to laugh.

Here is me in my pea coat after a couple of vodka crans.

When technology fails, neighbors prevail

I went out in the slush today to deliver some items, shop a bit, and go visiting. I didn't make it very far. On my way back from the O.P. my little car decided it had had enough. Of course, it died in a section of the Peninsula with no cell coverage. Luckily I was in clumsy girl's old neighborhood. It took my a while and my feet got pretty wet, but I found her childhood friend's parents' house. They were very kind, let me use the phone, stand by the fire, and pet their cat.
Now I don't know what to do. I love my little car, but I am getting tired of being rescued from various spots. I need reliable transport. While randomly browsing on Craig's list I found a pretty sweet mustang, but that is not very realistic. I'd like something small with good gas mileage. Also, I have no money. So, if anyone knows of a reliable, environmentally friendly, low mileage, high fuel efficient, cute, fun, free car give me a call.

Snow Day

What a great snow day! I usually hate snow, but today it was fluffy and thick and bright. Getting an extra vacation day was nice too. Yes, I know we will be making it up in June. Adam and I tried to make a snowman this morning, but the snow was too powdery to stick. We threw some not well constructed snowballs at each other and called it good.
Yesterday Len went with me on a trip to the UW for my 6 month check-up. I don't know why I didn't reschedule. The drive up and appointment were fine. The drive home was another story. Cars could travel on the road just fine, but trucks and buses struggled. We spent 4 hours sitting on I-5 between Tacoma and Olympia very slowly moving around two jack-knifed trucks and two stuck city buses. Yikes.
I took a ton of snow pictures today. Adam measured the snow on the balcony rail and claimed it was 4 inches deep. As Moldpenny mentioned, it has been a very long time sense the last snow storm at the beach. I am curious as to what the rest of the week will bring.

O Christmas Tree

Happy T-Day

I am very thankful for all of my wonderful friends and family. Best wishes to all for an enjoyable holiday season!

Small Steps

Len installed the cabinet handles in Adam's bathroom last night. I like them. They make the room look closer to finished.

I installed the handles on the drawers in the master bathroom. I still need to put them on the doors, but Len will have to make me a different jig for that. It was kinda fun and much easier than I thought it would be. Jigs are cool, even though Len drew boobs on the one I was using.

Birthday Fun

For my birthday, my dad installed the sinks and faucets in the master bathroom. They are awesome! The handles are very fun.

Moldpenny gave me an equally fun gift. This is the most ruffly, chickeny, obnoxious apron ever. I LOVE it! I am also wearing the rad necklaces from clumsy girl today, but you can't see it in the picture.

A few less than pleasant birthday things:
- I got an email from the AARP. Thanks to whoever put me on that list.
- A woman obviously in her late 40's asked me if I was older than her.
- My drivers license has been expired for four days now and when I got to the building it was 5:02 and dark.

There are also good things
- My top XC girl placed 12th at State. She wore her medal to school today and was the cutest thing ever.
- My XC boys placed 10th at State and beat the team we have been chasing all season.
- I had pumpkin pie cheese cake last night.

A great day

Last night I really enjoyed watching all the Republicans loose, not just the presidency, but in the House and Senate. The acceptance speech turned me into a big, sappy, cry baby. Hurray for social change, locally and all over the country and world. Yes, we can!

New Sidewalk

Len put in forms for this sidewalk and had the concrete poured. He has planted grass seed in the middle. I hope it starts growing before the terrible weather comes.

The district XC meet was this weekend. Our boys' team and top girl qualified for the state meet. So, next week I will be taking a rather large group of kids across the state to the Tri-Cities. Should be a good time.

Sweet Baby

Len watched Olivia today for a couple minutes while Heidi and I used the work-out equipment in the exercise/war/dancing room. She is so sweet, she fell asleep hugging him.

The Kenna would win

I could survive for 47 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

New Sinks

The Don stopped by today and dropped off the sinks for the master bathroom. I like them. They are different. Len ordered faucets online. Maybe someday soon we will having working sinks in our bathroom. Awesome!

Here is the keek after her bath the other day. Unhappy kitty.

No Time for Fun, Dr. Jones

XC and school started. It has been mostly good, just busy.
We haven't done anything on the house, but try to keep up with the cleaning and chores. Oh, I washed three out of four cats the other day. I will try to get pictures up soon. Mad kitties.

Goober Fest 08

Len had some fellow D&D geeks over for a little adventure last night. They ate a bunch of junk and goobed out all night. Moldpenny and I went to the kite festival to watch the fireworks as her husband was one of the adventurers. All of these guys have worked on our house. Mr. Moldpenny installed the Internet and phones. Goober Jeff helped with framing and siding. Len's nephew Brian did some painting and Adam installed the electrical outlets.

I LOVE the table the Moldpenny's gave us. It is huge and beautiful! It is absolutely perfect in our dining room.

House Party

We had a little house party on Saturday. Lots of food, folks, and beer.

Here is a pretty baby in her party dress.

The children love the dirt piles. I hope for them to someday soon become a lawn.

Exciting Day!

The koi are here!

Renee and her husband, Brian, came and installed the mosaic today. She brought it in three pieces. The little bits are all taped together.

It will set overnight. Then tomorrow she will take the tape off. If any pieces come up with the tape they will have to be stuck in again and set for another night. Then on Wednesday they will come and grout it.

Each koi in the mosaic is a different type. They have Japanese names for the different colors and patterns. I remember one is called fawn and another is four. She said she would write the names down for me. I am so excited for it to be complete!

Also today, my dad put up the shades in the master bathroom. I can now shower and potty in there without fear of exposing myself to the world. He also hung the mirrors and toilet paper holder in the master bath and the towel bar, hand towel ring, and toilet paper holder in the guest bath. He is awesome!

One Room Done

My dad was over the other day. He installed the mirror, towel ring, and toilet paper holder in the power room. Oh, and he made it so the door will lock. Except for trim paint, the powder room is done! Yes, it is the smallest room in the house, but it is complete!
My clothes all smelled like mildew from the old house so I am washing EVERYTHING. It is taking forever. Maybe I will be able to get my closet done soon. I need to run to Freddy's and maybe Ikea for parts.
Len is working on the tile in the master bathroom tonight. The blinds came from Penny's so when he is done grouting and painting we can install them.

Ready or Not, it's Party Time!

What: House Warming Party (whether we are ready or not)

When: Saturday, August 16th
Open House from 1:00 PM on

Who is invited: Everyone and their mom!

I heart Ikea

Check out my huge, red sectional and comfy chairs! We got the sectional and two chairs home in the back of Len's pick-up. It looked like a hill billy homecoming.

Finally a Picture

I have been trying desperately to put my new house together, but haven't made much progress. Working at the camp all the time hasn't helped. I should have a few days off soon.

Here is the guest/Adam's bathroom.

We're In!

I have spent the last two full days moving out of the bay house. What a mess. We slept in the new house on Monday night. I can't believe this is really happening. There is so much to be done. Hopefully, I will be able to post pictures soon.

Pictures of Fun Stuff

Mad Matt used bamboo flooring for the tub surround. It looks great!

The kitchenette is fun. I want to order some pineapple drawer knobs for the cabinet doors. I also want a pineapple outside light.

Len put in all the kitchen cabinet handles. They are great and from Ikea of course.

Here is the laundry room!

A pot to piss in! :)

Getting Closer

The kitchen counter tops are in. "Uba Tuba" granite from Ikea. The tile is done in the kitchen as well.

Adam put together his Ikea desk, chair, and bed. The mattress was crazy. A queen mattress vacuum sealed into a very small package, once we took it out it just plumped up. Funny.

Eugene 08

Wow! What an amazing experience. I volunteered at the Olympic Track Trials in Eugene last week. It was great!
Mr. Pant's parents put me up for the days I spent in track town. They were extremely kind and flexible, especially considering the late notice and that we had only met once before. They have a beautiful home in Elmira.
I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday helping at the metal detector. I wanded people, searched bags, and greeted people. The hours were long and my feet got tired, but it was really fun. The other volunteers were so nice.
On Monday I got into Hayward field. It was awesome! I watched a few races in the morning. For the evening races I bought a ticket. WOW! I am so glad I did. The men's 800 finals was the most amazing thing ever! The entire stadium, all 20,000 plus fans, went crazy.
I wish I could have stayed the entire week.

Spoiled Rotten

I am so amazingly spoiled! Tomorrow Renee O'Connor is meeting me at the house to look at the entry way. She is going to put a tile mosaic of a koi pond there. This is my graduation gift from Len. I am so freakin excited!
Mad Matt laid the marble tiles in the guest bathroom. They look great! I love the bamboo on the stairs. It turned out really nice.

I'm in love

We made another Ikea run on Sunday. This time we got file drawers, a book case, and a desk for the office. We wanted to get more, but could not fit anything else in mom's rig. We nearly had to leave Adam on a street corner.

I am in love with my floors. I don't think it is a crush, I think it is true lasting love. They are so pretty and shiny, but they are taking a long time to be installed. The bamboo is done upstairs. We are putting tile in the guest bath and by the shower in the master bath. Mad Matt and The Don were starting on the stair trim today. After that I guess they will install the downstairs floors.

The closet doors are in both Adam's room and the guest room. Except for touching up the trim and painting the doors, Adam's room is done. He picked out a bed frame he liked at Ikea, but we didn't have room for it. We'll get it on the next trip.

Bamboo

Here is the beautiful bamboo floor in the exercise room! I love it! Did I mention how great it smells?

Floors and Doors

Hailey Bug

The doors and floors are getting in. Pretty crazy. I love the smell of bamboo. It makes the whole house smell good. I wish it would stay, but like the smell of fresh cut wood, I think it fades with time.