Back Again?

   It has been three weeks and three days since our lives were blessed with the arrival of Claire Renee and I have been at home recovering and resting while my daughter, husband, and I learn more of each other.  Been busy with friends, family, and those every so often feedings, poopings, and naps.  It has been wonderful and tiring all at once. I will post the birth story sometime after I get our taxes and bills done. I have such a long list to get done which even contains list for lists. Such a person am I. I know a bit OCD, but it gets things done. The latest...Claire's birth announcements. The reason for the post here is even to the effect off Shutterfly. I share my project on my blog and I get a $10 off discount on my next order which I intend to use for the baby book project for Claire in a couple of months. (also on the List)
   So we shall see what time this part-time-at-home mom has to blog, but some days might actually be interesting, even if it is to just say that Claire smiled for the first time at me last Tuesday and then for the first time at Daddy this morning. Those are my daily rainbows and some of you like to share them.

claire announcement

Little Birdie Baby Announcements

Shutterfly has cute birth announcements and Easter cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

True or False?

Zach has been in the long, long process of trying out for a new job with Polk County. It would be overnight at first, but the pay and benefits would be wonderful and allow me to stay home at least part-time. 

First, back in August was the physical tryout -- running, dragging, and lifting.  He did very well in that phase. 

Phase two, was a written psychological test.  That was in October. It took a couple of hours, but he also passed that.  Go sweetheart!

Then, lastly, we have been waiting to hear about going on the third phase which is a polygraph test. Now at first, I was kinda envious.  How many of you have seen those people on TV taking the poly test? When you are innocent...pretty cool, I was thinking.  When you are bad, it can get really intense and fun for the other people on the other end.  Well, we finally got the call about three weeks ago that Zach was scheduled to come in this morning at 7am to take the poly.  He called me at about 10:30am to let me know that he was finished. 

 "So was it like the movies?" I asked. "Not at all." Zach replied, "You sit with the strap around your arm and answer the same few questions in a million different ways.  It was kinda boring". So much for my envy of a Hollywoodized experience.  "I did spike one time though" Zach informed me.  "For what on earth did you lie about?" expecting some weird question had been asked out of the blue of my husband just to throw him off the track since he NEVER lies. :)  (I did actually ask him what was the last lie he told, but I didn't get a response, just a quick contiunance of the drama in play).  Zach -- "The question was 'Are you nervous about passing this test?" Me -- "Seriously?!" Zach -- "Yeah, the guy was kinda surprised since he thought some of the other questions would make me spike since I have a conservative background." 

So that was it. Not as long as I thought it would be. Zach went back to work his current job afterwards. Now we wait to  hear back from them to call him in for the interview if he is to be hired sometime in the next year or whether they are not going to take him at all. So far, I am pretty sure he is up there on their list.  I may be bias, but I don't think that they do bribes from prospective employee's wives.

Orange Juice

Two work days till I can take off with my sweetheart and drive East to IN for Thanksgiving! Today the assistant's assistant comes in to work with me half the day, but tomorrow is flying solo!! Please don't let it be a terribly long day!

It is very drizzly, so I needed a perk up. I tasted some decaff coffee with pumpkin spice, but it wasn't hitting the spot, so I grabbed my OJ. Perfect!! There is something about cold, rich real (not that kiddy flavored "juice") orange juice or grapefruit juice. It isn't a pregnancy thing either. I have always loved it!

I wouldn't of had it though if I hadn't wanted to make the Honey Orange chicken yesterday. We both really like it and and it gets made every month or two. Pretty much just orange juice, garlic, onion, pepper, and honey mixed for the glaze. You pour over the chicken, cover, and bake for 3o-40 minutes till chicken is mostly done depending on how thick or poundage. Then you take off the cover and bake on a little bit of a higher degree and keep basting the chicken with the glaze till the chicken is thouroughly cooked and the glaze has reduced. I usually make extra glaze and then take the chicken out when done and finish reducing on stovetop. It is pretty sticky, but so incredible to taste! Especially this time since they were all drumsticks.

So I am going down the rest of my juice and read some more of the "Husband Coached Birthing" book and keep highlighting the parts Zach will be reading after me. Do I dare go as far as getting the accompanying work book too? Humm...we'll see. Here's to OJ!!

All shiny, shiny!!

Okay, so I don't have much more than a minute, but I noticed that my blog was outdated (go figure!) and that the very possible sad ending to the last blog post needed attention.

For those who would fully relate to the situation, we had my ring majorly cleaned and brushed and then had the annual rhodium dip. I made sure that my finger was all nice and healed and blister free. I held my breath almost all the way the ride up in the elevator to IA Diamond. They pulled out my ring and it was so very shiny!! I was all pins and needles when I put it back on. I prayed that this would be the last for at least 6 months that I would need to return to this jewelry suite. It was beautiful and even Zach commented that he had forgotten how sparkly it could be!! I couldn't stop looking at it!

The real test came as I wore it over night, since after about 6 hours I had been breaking out. I woke up out of my normal morning grogginess remembering the little weight on my left hand. It felt foreign on my finger after more than a month of problems. I checked for redness and chafing...nope, all good. Did it itch or burn...nope!! Yes!! After a full day, I did wear it to work despite the protests of my dear concerned hubby!! I was careful to not scratch and to wear gloves. It was after lunch when I reevaluated and I was doing great!! I decided that I was cured and that I needed to keep up with the regular suggested maintenance of my precious ring!

So the story with all its ups and downs, bated breath (not bad breath) and beating heart moments, came out to be a happy ending after all. Any one need another peak at it, just come up and ask to see it (when I am not at work since it has been mandated and I must obey my husband's good-willed command to not wear it at work anymore).

THE END!!

Oh, my ring! My precious!!

I have been without being able to wear my ring for about 1 1/2 months!!! My wedding ring! My poor ring finger would break out into these small red hideous blisters and itch like nobody's buisness. It was awful!! I put anti-itch cream after cream on and the red and itch would go away for a few days and then I would put my beautiful ring on for a day and voila!! Itchin agony!!!

I finally dragged Zach down to IA diamond to get an answer from experts...or so I thought!! The lady told us after just a few questions for us and for the craftsman in back that if I am allergic to the alloys in the white gold, then it would mean an upgrade to palodium (spelling). Inside I panicked and then my heart fell to my french-painted toenails. After asking if I was attached the original design (okay, lady, how many times have you been divorced?), then proceeded to tell us that it would be about $500 -$700 at least more to replace, I wanted to grab the Kleenex box run out to the elevator hit the basement button and bawl. Well, I did the more mature thing and just paled a little and asked what my other options were though slim they may be. There really wasn't much of an answer, so we left. Zach told me that he wanted me to see a doctor before we ended up paying half a grand.

I was so very crushed, but my dislike of going to doctors was still greater, so I called the school nurse. She gave me some good advice about checking for saudering marks and cleaning and such. I had to give it a try. I started working even harder on healing my finger whilst we took it back to IA Diamond and requested that the saudering areas be filed down more and the ring super brushed and polished and the annual rhodium dipping. All for free too! I was praying so hard for positive results. That lady at least didn't ask the terrible question about changing my ring and she seemed to know more and seem that it wasn't that big of a deal to fix.

I now sit typing these words with my most beautiful shiny ring on my left finger and I have worn it all last evening and through the night and this morning and so far it feels perfect and my finger is the normal color and texture. Yay for maintenance!!! I am so not waiting 14 months for the next cleaning!! I love my ring, honey!!! Sorry for the scare!!!

Homes, homes for sale!!!

For those who understand that entry title is to be sung to the "boy, boy for sale" song from Disney's Oliver Twist.

Well, the Lord continues to show us what to do and it is such a relief to make the next step and the both of us feel full confidence in it. After another weekend at the farm and talking more to Bill and Jeanie and other peoples, we came home and were praying even more about the decision that we have been on the fence about since February. By bed time we had made our decision and believe this is what God wants us to do or at least head. We are going to stay here for a couple more years to pay off bills and to invest in a house. Many things have been thought and thought through again and revisited. We are totally willing to move down to Creston if the Lord shows differently, but that doesn't seem to be the way to go for now.

We meet with a realtor tomorrow to get a better idea of what is out there and what to expect, though we both think that it would be best for us and for the market to wait till January to actually purchase. The realtor is a lady with good experience that is a member of our church, so we are very thankful for that. Please pray that we make wise decisions and are able to find the best little starter home for us. Pray that Zach's job continues to progress well. He still has a couple months before going to nights (we both hope that maybe it would work out to keep him on days, but we will see). Pray that I have patience with my job during the winter as it is so very slow.

We are so thankful for everything that the Lord has done for us and we are so excited to see what He has for us to do for Him!!!

Lesson of Prayer and Patience

This posting is mostly for those who really keep up with my poorly kept current blogging, but that stay faithful.

Life has been interesting once again, but for everyone when does it not. :) This last week or so though has brought Zach and I together for prayer even more so. About a little over a week ago, Bill Saylor wasn't feeling too well. He went in and was treated for a sinus infection. While in there, they scheduled an overdue cardioexam. He let us know that his vision was double and after a couple more days of that and other symptoms of concern continued. He went in again to the Creston hospital and they did a MRI. Finding nothing, they came home. To make a long story somewhat short, they have done several tests, a lot of possible ailments have been discussed and checked. We thought it might be his diabetes, but now after blood work, they have found that his white cells have these black rings around them and they won't know for sure what this could be till Monday the 15th. Please pray for Bill and Jeanie as some of the possible conclusions could be very drastic.

On another note Zach and I are really trying to figure out where God wants us as a partial result of the most recent events, but also it has been a big topic of prayer since the beginning of this year. We really can't make any decisions till we find out more about Zach's Dad and his parents are able to figure out some things. We want to be there for them and help out with their plans for the farm, but so much could take things in several directions. So we are trying to be content in each day at a time and with a willing heart ready to go where and when He leads. That is where the patience lesson has really been hitting. We are also both so very thankful for having each other in this and that we wouldn't be moving or making such big changes without each other.

I found this quote in a devotional book that I just finished up and it is very appropriate to these thoughts:

"God is not in such a hurry as we are, and is not His way to give more light on the future then we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time. When in doubt, do nothing, but continue to wait on God. When action is needed, the light will come."

Thank you for your prayers and love!!

Fall is A'Comin'!!!

For those fellow fall lovers, yesterday was the breakthrough of the perfect, crisp, fresh fall weather. Drinking hot spiced drinks, picking pumpkins and squash, crunching colorful leaves, and then later comes the Thanksgiving dinner...ummm...ummm! The summer went by so very fast and was so very busy. I love saying goodbye to the hot sticky, busy summer and saying hello to autumn. I really wanna try to get Zach down to Winterset for some picture takin' fun! I should find another couple to go and we could have a picnic of sorts too and we would get better pics.

Also this fall holds something else special. I was a married a year ago in the fall...Novemeber 24th. It is coming up and I hope it comes quickly! Funny thing is that my brother is getting married a week after that at Thanksgiving. Deja Vu!! It will be hard to not to be reminiscing about my wedding the entire time since it is the same time same church and similar theme. They have good taste, I must say.

To celebrate the season, Maria, my faithful and friendly co-worker, and I went to Panera Bread to partake of some yummy soup and delicioso turkey artichoke spinach sammie!! So I am totally ready to put summer behind me and welcome autumn with sweatshirt-covered outspread arms!! Bring on the sweet potato souffle'!!

Many Years Ago In A Land Far Away

Okay, so my summer hasn't really been a fairytale and because of it I haven't had any time to blog. Also another good reason is that our home computer has been in the workshop for over two months (that is a tale of its own and so far it has ended happily) and work has been so insane that I don't have time to do any there. Here are some highlights briefly to catch up to the now. I can address detail requests as they come.

Sad -- Faith got flooded and we ripped out the carpet of about 16 apartments and had to find housing for all that resided
Happy -- Zach and I had a wonderful learning experience as we went with our youth group to work with the Brockas in Salt Lake City, UT for nine days. We drove out and there are many trying and fun times involved in that trip.
Sad -- Came back to work and in a few days about 20 apartments and some offices were again flooded. It has taken till just this weekend to clean it all up and recarpet and place people. They are still several apartments that are currently "condemned".
Happy -- I finally cut my hair to a kind of bob that I've been to scared to try out.
Sad -- It didn't really work and I had to wait a weekend to fix it!
Happy -- David and Aly got engaged!
Sad -- Our computer was found to have more issues and we had to wait at least 2 more weeks.
Happy -- Zach and I and the two bros and their women went out to Indiana for my Dad's 50th birthday as a surprise.
Sad -- I can't take my two birdies back with me cause Faith doesn't allow it.
Happy --I got my hairs cut to what I now absolutely love!!! (Zach says he really likes it too!)
Sad -- School is starting very soon and work is insane for several crazy reasons and I want to time skip to Labor Day weekend.
Happy -- Zach and I went to IA state fair for free the opening night after work and then again to see the Gates family play fiddle another night.
Sad -- I worked 13 hours straight yesterday under a crazy schedule and I am beat.
Happy -- I got 9 hours of overtime for this last week and will get more this next week.

So with few and much in between it has been a busy but great summer and it is going by so very fast. Two more weeks and I will be in school and fall mode. I love fall!!!!! Happy days!! I will be trying to be much better at my bits of info for whomever may actually be interested. Grab an icecream and go spend a night out under the stars!!

Take Me Away!!

So this is just a moment where I can just get some frustrations out and have a slight moment of reprive now that I just had lunch at 3 pm. Officially, as of yesterday, the GARBC conference is now meeting on Faith Campus. There are many good things about this such as exposure to the school for perspective students, a chance make a great impression on the association, a more convenient distance for some, and the school getting really, and I mean really, fancied up for once.

It is this last one that makes me want to run home and bury my face in my pillow and take a nap to wake up and find all preparations already accomplished and the school shining! The entire campus will be used. It is now more like a hotel accomodation than ever as we are now supplying room spray, Kleenex boxes, hand soap, and even little mints on the linens.

I just came back from stripping Wal-Mart of their Equate hand soap stock and four scents of their Glade room sprays. It was actually kind of fun and I felt like I was on that Shopping Game Show. No prizes taped on any boxes though. I won't tell you how long it took to check out! So after about 129 items checked out and in the car trunk, I drove back. I rolled down the windows and imagined for a few seconds that I was laying on the grass at home in the sun. Maybe later.

Now I have the stuff still in the trunk and I am about to go take all the supplies to the residence halls to be distributed. I hope they feel quite homey next week when they visit. I will be on my way to Salt Lake City, UT on Friday so I will be great!! Seriously though, if you can, you should really attend part of the conference.

Narry a Sound but for the Floods

Okay so it has been just under a month that I have blogged. There has been much to say but so very little time. We don't live in Cedar Falls or Rapids, but Faith Baptist Bible College had their own state of emergency and we are still working on the results.

I came in on Friday morning about 10 days ago to find matting all laying around drying outside and fans ablowing on all the carpet in the maintenance shop. Apparently, with the floods, the drains backed up and that included sewage for our humble office. Gross!! There was even obvious evidence to dispose of. As of now, we still haven't shampooed the maintenance carpet. I just don't think about it and I wear shoes all the time.

People had been called at about 12:30 am on Friday and were up for all hours. Larry had accidentally left his phone in the truck and since he lives about 45 min away anyway, didn't know about this. My phone had been close to temporary death and had been left in the shop to charge. So Larry and I both were unaware and both got a full night's sleep, of which I am so very thankful. Everyone spent the entire day vacuuming out water and discovering new places and mopping and vacuuming up water and ripping up carpet and padding. We were totally drenched after ripping out 6 apartments that day. Total apartments and offices that had to be decarpeted was 16! We still await the decision to whether recarpet or whether to put in tile. Comeon', who wants to snuggle on their couch in the middle of a tiled living room or wake up out of deep slumber to be shocked to awakeness by a cold tile floor. We are going to have some grumpy people if they do tile and if the people will even come back.

We have about 13 displaced peoples. Two people just found somewhere else since all we have to offer are one bedrooms. Crazy!!! We are still working on them even to this week and people are living out of totes, but honestly, how many people are everywhere in IA. We didn't have it nearly as bad as others. It just takes on another aspect of worry and responsibility when you are on the landlord side of it. I have both perspectives as I live in a leaky apartment at Faith currently. We will most likely be here for at least another year too and since Faith apartments are so much cheaper for the space and location, we most likely will also not be moving unless some major leakage urges us out. Thank the Lord that we live upstairs though!

To those who are in the majorly damaged areas and who are pretty much homeless, we are praying for you and know that the Lord will provide for His children.

Branded Cows and Amish Doughnuts

This last weekend, Zach and I went down to the farm to work cows. Jake, Amber, and kidlets came along as well. We packed up clothes, mud boots, and our laundry and headed on down. I love how Jeanie encourages me to bring down laundry each time as I need. It was rug washing time and I will not spend $1.75 on washing three rugs and then another $1 to dry them unless I can catch a sunny day. While the wash was going we watched "The Long, Long Trailor." A classic with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. Zach and I got about 30 minutes into it and then we just had to go to bed since we were falling asleep. On the way to bed we asked when we were supposed to be ready to get out to the cows and calves. The answer was "out at 6 am". 6 AM!! I thought we were going to get to sleep in. Apparently this was a little miscommunication between my husband and I. I was so bummed and all of a sudden way more tired than 10:30 pm had felt only a minute ago. So we set the alarm for 5:15 AM and crashed.

Early in the morning, we grabbed some bacon and eggs and headed on out. It really was a beautiful sunny morning, once I opened my eyes more. The calves running across the field were so cute awkwardly running along after their mothers. There is a bucket calf in the shed and he is so adorable!!! I was told to park the truck at the top of the hill on the road to tell peoples coming that they just couldn't get through due to whatever we farmer peoples were doing -- calves today. Once they chased them out of one field, across the road and to the other new pasture, I was free to move...once I could get the cold truck restarted that is.

Good morning cows!!! Come on...ya gotta get a movin'!

Jeanie, Jake, and Zach setting up the corral for the calves...the one we

didn't use cause they ran off.

Amber getting the girls' hair all put up for the day. Teddy bear ears or pigtails?

Isaiah wasn't too happy to be in the van alone, so I just had to do my auntly duty and visit.

Cutie pie!

We set up the corral for the punching, Pour-On, and branding and then set out to gather the cows and calves in the other pasture. We all headed out there and tried a couple of times to head them up, but rebels "44" and "47" had other ideas. They ended up running into the one weak corner we were trying to avoid and plowed through the fence too easily for comfort. The next hour we were tracking and then gathering Angus through a couple of neighboring pastures. These were unfamiliar territory to everyone and the terrain included hills, gates, streams, low trees, high trees, and other things to give it variety. Thankfully, it was a very nice day for being outside. I even rolled my sleeves up and worked on my summer tan. Unfortunately, it will take quite a few times like this to get a good tan started.

We were able to get all of them moved to one corner and into the neighbors corral. He was actually there turkey hunting and was so kind to even let us use the corral for all we needed to do that day so we didn't have to move cattle in the trailor twice as much. We were so very tired and hot from all the chasing and climbing. The cows were even breathing heavily and slobbering with their tongues hanging out of their mouths. I didn't feel sorry for them one bit. Well, I did have pity for the smallest two calves who were just following their moms. One even got run over in one of the earlier stampedes in the first pasture. He is okay though.

Here Jake and Zach are putting fly tags in a cow.

Bar S Double Bar

After lunch, we split the girls and baby Isaiah and then the guys up. The guys headed out to punch, pour, and brand the cows. The branding is new this year and they were anxious for and against it. The brand is pretty cool though. We got to see the last one branded when we got back. It is the registered Saylor Farm brand! Bar S Double Bar in wordage. I did feel a little sorry for the cows who looked pathetic in the gate with their head on the ground and their butt roast in the air. A couple of cows got away and we had to chase them back, but it eventually got done.

That easy going smile from my hard-working man.

We girls went to visit an Amish store that has fresh grains, spices, and dairies for way cheap and then a Dent and Bent store. We struck it rich cause we got there on the day that they make homemade doughnuts!! Yummm!!! We grabbed a couple dozen for everyone and headed back . We took the road through the Amish farms and homes. Interesting peoples, really! Also at one of the stores, we saw the most beautiful geraniums! It was all pinky and red in different spots at once!! Lovely! Jeanie ended up getting one for the house to hang.

After we got home, I showered and was given kid setting duty. I didn't mind. Then someone remembered the two calves that didn't follow their moms into the new pasture earlier that morning. So they headed out to chase those two. We finally were all ready to go at about 7 pm. Zach was anxious for the race that had started at 6 and I was anxious for the surprise that had been promised to me earlier. Turns out that the surprise was cheesecake to go from the Cheesecake Factory. Thanks my darlin'!!! I got a Dulce De Leche and I got him the Tres Leche. Umm, so good!! We also ordered a Taco Pizza since we were getting home so late with nothing defrosted and so much to do still when we got home.

We were so very tired, but we got a lot done and I beat Zach to bed. That doesn't happen to very much often since he got sick earlier this year. He is still recovering and I wonder when he will have his energy back 100%. Well, that was another taste of where our lives could be heading. It is kinda intimidating especially the getting up at 5 AM and needing to be flexible since you can't make cows and the weather submit to your perfect plans. (Though I could definitely get used to trips to that Amish store.)

We are still waiting to see when and how we are moving. Anywhere from Septemeber to January. We will see. In the mean time we are so thankful for what the Lord has allowed and given us currently and are loving our church!!! Who had ever thought...farming? Oy vey!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!!

So yesterday was one of the best days ever. I had to work on my birthday, but work that day was great. Maria and I got to plant all morning. You see they had this board dinner and at the dinner they decorated the tables with potted flowers. Very pretty hues of pink, red, white, purple, and lavender. Mrs. G, who is in charge, asked us if we could plant them somewhere. Maria and I happily took the Wal-Mart charge card and took off to get some big pots and potting soil. We pick up 3 bags of soil. We grabbed the cheapest since neither one of us really know how to garden much at all. We really like flowers and digging in dirt though. That counts doesn't it? Those bags were way heavy at 40 pounds a bag. Then we found a couple bigger round pots and then a couple of smaller ones.

We checked out and drove home with the windows down since it was absolutely beautiful!! We got back and unloaded the stuff out on the nearby lawn by the convo and started working. I love digging in soft dirt like that. Our hands were really quite disgusting after a short while. Well, we planted all the large ones in the two large pots and then we barely got started on the little guys when we ran out of room and soil. "Stink! We have about 64 little plants left!" So, since Wal-Mart had a very short and dislikable stock, we ran and got the Menards card from Larry. Another trip! Yes!! We like the out of routine little trips. It makes the day a little more various. So we loaded another 3 bags of soil and found four trough planters.

Thankfully, we got all but 4 little plants planted. We placed them by the bookstore and the front of the Ad. building. They look rather colorful and cheerful! I think we did rather nicely actually for being such novices. We were rather dirty walking by all those in classroom dress, but I am sure they were wishing that they were in our place in the sunshine and dirt.

Maria and I went out for lunch and Starbucks before we came back and finished the last apartment for the week. Yay and amen! I helped out with graduation line up for the rest of the day and then finished up the Ad. building with Maria and work day was over!! I couldn't wait to get home!!

Jeanie and all my bros, but for David came over for dinner before the concert that night. Mom cooked and it was oh so good. She even made melon and strawberry salad!! Incredible!! Then off to the concert we raced. Apparently, Susan, my graduating sister-in-law had saved us seats...in the very front row! This was okay for the first 20 min and then I started to die. I had to use the ladies' room so very badly that I couldn't actually sit still. Bad, I know! I had finished up a Monster right before to help me through the rest of the evening. I finially couldn't wait and I snuck out between songs. Such relief!!! My brother did a fantastic job in the orchestra and brass on his trumpet. He is the second best there but for the professional director himself.

We had icecream cake after and Susan's sister came over and David and Aly and they had to sing happy birthday. Haven't had that sung to me for a couple of years since my birthday is usually the same week as graduation or the same day even for the last 4 years. About 9:30pm, Zach announced that we had to leave. We grabbed a backpack and my purse and ran out the door. His birthday gift was next. I had been anxious all day for this one!

We ended up at this nice hotel in town...the same company as the one we stayed in when we got married. Hot tub and all!! I walked in and he had rust peach colored roses on the bed with the most wonderful card he has ever given me. Then he also had a "practical" gift as he called it -- an iPod attachment for my car to be able to play MP3 through the car speakers since our radio is attached to the consol control computer and can't be easily or cheaply replaced. It was a great evening. The only bad thing was that between the Monster earlier and then the one we split at 10pm at the hotel, I ended up deprived of any sleep till about 3:45 am this morning. That was kinda crazy! I finally turned the TV on at 1:30 and watched Without a Trace and Planet of the Apes. Why did Charleton Heston even try out for that movie much less take the job and then make the trilogy? I didn't finish that one. Oh, well we got home and he had to work at 8 and I did too! I put my lovely bouquet in agua and then ran off to work... with a Monster in hand!! I know they aren't good for you, but seriously, what would you do with only 3 hours of sleep and graduation and family the whole day ahead?

I really had the most wonderful birthday ever!! Thanks to all my friends who wished me many a wish yesterday and to my family who got to be here with me and most of all to my most wonderful and spectacular husband who endlessly surprises me in the most undeserving ways. I love you!!

And So We Went On A Picnic

As some of you very well know, we had incredibly beautiful weather yesterday. I tried to get outside as much as I could all day while at work. We did weed for about an hour and a half in the sun. That was great and I imagined everyelse that passed by in their skirts and school dress was jealous of the two girls in jean playing in the dirt in the sun. More likely, they were probably thinking "Poor girls! Slaving in the sun getting their nails all grimy.". Oh well.

Maria and I were estatic to get off of work and go on a walk. There was some pushing of the tushes in our walk, but we were also outside in the wonderful warm sunshiney weather. We walked for about 30 minutes before Maria had to leave and I had to start on my surprise for Zach.

In about 3 more weeks, we get to celebrate our 6 month anniversary. I had ordered him this really old Fred McMurrey and Irene Dunne video that they don't make anymore and that is his favorite movie ever and he had said that he couldn't find. Well, I got this call from him about 30 minutes before I get off work.

"Hey, honey, were you expecting something in the mail?"
"Well, yeah, the Sabrina soundtrack. Was there something else too?" My birthday is a'comin' and I thought I might have gotten something.
"You got the Sabrina CD, but there was something else too."
"What?" I was getting worried, but I shoved the thought that the VHS would have come that quickly out of my head.
"A VHS."
"Nooooo!!!! It was supposed to be a surprise for our 6 mo. I ordered it thinking it would take at least another week or two! Man, oh, man!! I am so bummed!!"
"It's okay. Thank you!" Zach said trying to reassure me. It wasn't working. I continued.
"You keep telling me about this big surprise that you have for my birthday and 6 mo. and I was holding this for a little suspense on my end of it! Now I have nothing!! No fair!!"

Well, he laughed and just told me that it couldn't be helped, he really like the tape, and it was okay. I sulkily said goodbye and that I would see him in a little bit, but then remembered my other newborn idea for a surprise that I had told him about when he asked "Was that the surprise you told me about this morning?" I brightened...I still had one on him. "Nope!! You have to wait till later for that one."

After I came back from walking with Maria, I walked in the apartment hoping that he would be taking his shower so I could sneak out the picnic basket out to the closet in the hall and secretly load it as I prepared stuff. He was!!!

So I whipped up some Mex hot sandwhiches in honor of Cinco De Mayo and some other goodies. I yelled to him in the bathroom that he needed to finish up quick and get some going-outside clothes on. He came out while I was just wrapping the sandwhiches in foil. He got a funny grin on his face and asked "Are we going on a picnic?" "Maybe" I said. I wasn't going to give up. While he was putting his shoes on in the back room, I ran out and stuffed the food in the basket. Then when he was ready I handed him the basket at the door.

We walked about a quarter of a mile to a little park called Village Park which is usually very quiet and empty. Besides a family there on one end, it was uncrowded. Zach asked "How about those benches over there?" "Nope, you have to sit on a blanket under a tree for it to be a real picnic." So we did and we had a delightful picnic. My honey even told me a couple times that it was a really good idea. He asked "So how long have you been planning this one?" "Honestly, ever since we started dating, but you never initiated it, so I waited till warm weather this year and determined that I was going to make it happen."

Yesterday was the day and so we went on a picnic. With even a bike ride at sunset to finish off the night. I love spring/summer time!

New Compy!!!

We got our bonus refunds yesterday from Uncle Sam! So we are paying off Zach's truck and since Zach's computer is ancient these days for what we need to do and mine is even older, we went out and found a more reliable basic computer. Sad that you can buy a computer that cost half the price of your three year old computer and it runs three times faster and better.

We got a Toshiba Satellite. I didn't know Toshiba was a computer brand, but I guess they are supposed to be fairly decent and will do well for what little, but neccessary we need to do. It was a fun trip getting it though as we had to wait for about 2 hours for it to be done so we went elsewhere. It was sorta like a unplanned date. I like those and we haven't had a real date for quite a while. We ran over to Jordan Creek and after finally finding parking, we walked to Scheels and grabbed some greatly needed replacement shoelaces for Zach's boots. Then we wandered around for a little bit as we had time to kill. Zach had to show me the hand gun he wants to purchase before the law that forbids the purchase of such a thing goes into action the first of November this year. "It is for your personal protection at home when we move to the country." he says. I see. Then he adds "I also have been meaning to get the handgun for hunting this fall anyways." Ah, ha!! Oh well, as long as I can get a couple chances at Bambi too.

After waiting in line for about 10 minutes, we left Scheels hungry for the cheesecake that was earlier promised. We got seated in less than 5 minutes. Very nice since my stomach was beginning to eat me inside out. We looked at the cheesecakes and drooled (well not literally for those who feel like pointing that out is a major concern to them). We ordered a yummy appetizer...buffalo wings, thanks to my honey who knows these are favorites of mine... and then ordered the lovely desserts. It was oh, so very good and I will finish mine right after I finish writing this little piece of Jamie's life.

I call it a date and it was great! Now after Zach has put in the important stuff, including his music, and I have got other things set up and after a couple games of Mah Jong, I am very tired, but very happy and thankful for this new technical little thing.

Happy birthday to Zach, me, and happy government bonus refunds!!!!

Finally It Is DONE!!!!

Okay, so apartments are in season for being moved in and out of. We have this particular one that we have been working on for about a week now. Well...after this morning rinsing the tub out and mopping the floor we are done!! Let me tell you a little about this place when we started so as to give you more understanding as to why we are rejoicing so.

The kitchen:
Where do I start? Really! Well these people are very nice people but had a dark side apparently in the form of lack of cleansliness. They cooked with oil all the time and because of this the ENTIRE apartment had this layer of sticky yellowness. I am talking outlets, baseboards, walls, cupboards, door handles, and window ledges. We used a whole can of oven cleaner and degreaser in the kitchen. We had to trade out the stove after three attempts at cleansing. Maria worked on the fridge for a day and a half - about 7 hours. The tile had to be replaced.

The rest of the place:
I had to scrub all the walls and baseboards of the place before we put 2 coats of paint on, that was after the mudding and drywall repair. Then there was scotch tape everywhere and we had to peel and pry and ungoo and sand. I didn't even try to clean the blinds, I just ran to Menards.

(Separate note: The Menards trip was interesting as when we got to the checkout, Larry had given me the gas card and not the Menards charge card. I actually tried the Wright card first, but that just affirmed my suspicion. Then when we parked the cart in a safe place, we ran back to Faith and got the right card. When we got back to Menards, the card was almost broken in half and the magnetic strip so worn out that it would'nt can. Oy vey!!)

So we are very nearly estatic on the ending of the saga of the former dreadful place. I only hope that the new residents are respectful more than they were last summer when they were here for a few months. I do NOT want to have a rerun on this episode. To those who rent and even to those who own, be responsible and remember all the cleaning tips that your parents taught you, and be kind, as your landlords will think very much more highly of you as a result.

"Decorate Your Life"

Hummm...how could I do that? New curtains in the livingroom? Rearrange the bedroom? Zach would be wondering how many Monsters I had that day. Put up more pictures...oh wait, we still don't really have any photos of the two of us besides wedding. I could get a new wardrobe maybe. Anyone have an extra few hundred bucks they would like to donate to decorating my life?

Okay, so the suggestion came from a caramel Dove chocolate candy. I love the little messages, but some are just too cheesy to take seriously. "Follow your instinct", "You look good in red", "Listen to your heartbeat and dance", and other such oddities. Some are rather fun and you can give away to specific deserving someones.

The thing is that I am having this huge revelation! I am really starting to really like chocolate. More so dark, but then milk chocolate and then anything with caramel! I have never had a real love of the stuff. Mix it with coffee or put a few chips of it in a cookie, but that was it up until about a year ago. It slowly came upon me starting with dark chocolate and then it just grew. It is now having to rationed. I have never rationed chocolate!!! I don't know what it is. Can you grow up into being a chocolate lover? I know that women are known to have this acient innert desire for the cocoa bean products, but I always prided myself that I was and would never be one and that chocolate would never be a sought after object of affection for me.

I am not to the double chocolate and triple layer fudge brownie cake dessert yet, but if I had just a bite or two, I am sure it would be a couple moments of scrumdiliumptiousness. Between that and random moments of unwanted and only very very slightly warrented tearing up over a book ending or remembering that I still have dishes left to wash before bed when I am so tired, could this be called getting older and growing into what was always meant to be -- one of the 89% of women in the world? A few more years please!!!

"I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet"

Well, I didn't get up and sing this song this morning. I actually didn't even wake up before 6:30, except for the quick bathroom trip at 2 am. Apparently, though many women were calling in to the Van and Bonnie morning show telling their stories of the 5.4 earthquake that epicentered in IL. Cool!! But hey, it happened at 4 something a.m. I am so very not an a.m. person as my husband can quickly and clearly verify.

So while making French Toast, I listened the calls phoned in about different people's experiences. Zach started going off on how since all the callers were women, including Bonnie's comments, that they were all being emotional or some had hangovers. "No men are calling in!" he remarks. Well, my dearie, only a few minutes ago Van and Bonnie played the call of a man reporting on the earthquake, so there you are.

I was kinda sad though through all of this since I like to feel minor earthquakes. Usually back at home in WA, Mom only felt them since she has that "mom light sleeper" thing since us kids came along and also cause she usually was awake before all of us. She would announce the earthquake and ask if we had felt it last night or that morning and almost always we hadn't. There is no way you could plan for them or I would have been the first to try to stay up late or even try to set my alarm, feel the quake, and then drop immediately back to sleep.

There was one though that I remember though very clearly. It was I believe in '98 or '99. It was a 7.6 one epicentered in Olympia, our capital for those who have been out of highschool for more than a season. Ironically, I was sitting in a rocking chair watching "Little House on the Prairie". Now our old washer was almost always off balance considering the dozens of loads going through each week and we just assumed at first that it was shaking the house again. Then the shaking got really hard and things were moving a little. Just about the time we realised that this was different and that the washer wasn't even going, the waves started. It is really weird cause you tried to stand still and every thing looks and feels like those heat waves you see coming off the roads in the summer. It was actually very entertaining for us kids. Mom, though was thinking much differently and was shouting at us to get under the tables or in a doorway. Cool!! We get to put the emergency actions that we practiced once in a while to use!! Well, it lasted for about 5 minutes I think and then had some aftershocks. There was no hard damage in any area close to us. Seattle and Olympia and nearby areas did have some bricks falling on cars and things falling off shelves. No one was hurt and they cleaned up pretty quick. Sadly, downtown Starbucks had to redo the front of their store.

I would rather have earthquakes over floods and tornadoes, but everyone has their opinion. Maybe I should become a 4:59er...or maybe not!

Don't Panic!!!!

One of the features of our new car that I most delight in is the remote. I love the magic of technology as you push the buttons and door locks pop open or lock with the assurance from the flash of lights or the trunk releases from afar. These three buttons I have used with abandon these last couple of weeks. In actuality though, there are four buttons, the fourth being the "panic" button. It is appropriately the color of red.

Now the man who sold us the car, told us that the "panic" button didn't work and this fact didn't really concern us at all. It still doesn't. Today coming back from lunch though I was enlightened. I was piling a lot of stuff in my arms and my keys got squished in my fingers and up against some other things. I become aware of honking of a horn. I look around outside looking for the offenders until I realize that it is coming from my car. There was only one explanation for it and I quickly fumbled for my key chain and pressed the "panic" button. It stopped!! Well, whaddya know!! It works!! So now if I have reason to panic I have a working button, though not one to play with too often.