Walden Island 2011

We're headed back up to the lake in a couple of hours. It's that time of year; get things winterized and put away until next Summer. It's always a little sad when we close the door on The Shed for the last time each Fall, as we don't usually come back up for several months. But, not this year. This year, Jamie is hoping to keep working on the boathouse. (Yes, that means more manual labor....big sigh...)

The boathouse has been a "project" for almost 2 full Summers now. Neither one of us have ever built a boathouse and digging out the area took us much longer than we had planned. That is until Jamie found me a Yanmar. Or, as I call it, Amber's Tonka.


That little beauty is my new favorite thing. It's basically a small dump truck. And it has literally been a back saver! Instead of shoveling dirt out of the little John Deer wagon, the Tonka just dumps it. I don't even have to get out of the seat, I just pull the lever. {Angels sing here} The best part is, the Tonka holds approximately 6 John Deer wagon loads at one time. Again, making my life easier! Jamie just fills up the back, and off I go.


Once we got everything dug out, we started building a step. It's a bit difficult to haul things up a sliding hill of dirt.


And having a step is wonderful! The dogs and kids have an easier time getting around too.



So the next step is getting steel for the remaining structure and then getting the roof going. Jamie would like to have the roof on by the end of December. Lets see how things go.

Genetic Engineering

A little something to share from Stonyfield Farms.

How can you be sure genetic engineering was not used to make your food? Unless you're eating organic, you can't. We think you have a right to know what's in your food. Genetic engineering-also known as genetic modification-isn't allowed in organic production. But genetically engineered (GE) ingredients are in 60-70% of non-organic processed foods. Most people don't know this, and food companies aren't required to tell you.

What's the danger? All the health and environmental impacts of genetic engineering are not yet known. We do know that GE crops have increased the use of herbicides and may have introduced new toxins and allergens into our food and environment. Many other countries, including all of the EU, Japan, Australia and even China already require GE labeling on all foods produced with GE ingredients. What can you do?

Tell the FDA to label GE foods.

I have...

This post is an add on to my All About Amber post. Who doesn't want to know more about me right?

I have experienced natural child birth. This was not by choice.

I have yelled at the person in the car in front of me for driving too slow. Shortly after I yelled, I found out that it was my grandmother.

I have said mean things to my best friend. Thankfully she forgave me and is still my very best friend.

I have done something illegal. I may have done two things.

I have sewn an entire outfit and then modeled it in front of 4H judges and families. If only I still had those yellow stirrup pants.

I have gotten lost while driving only a few miles from my home. I'm not good with direction.

I have broken the bone in the same finger 3 times. I did it during my 4 years as a basketball star while in school.

I have laughed until I cried. I may have even pee'd my pants because of it.

I have been attacked by a dog. A St. Bernard pulled me out of a car and dragged me down a gravel road.

I have lied. At least once that I know of.

I have been to France. I would love to go back some day.

I have been in two fist-fights. I lost one of them.

I have licked the bottom of a slug to see what it was like. Outdoor School was an eye-opener for me.

I have cried about something hurtful someone has said to me. It took me a long time to convince myself that it wasn't true.

I have talked 'baby talk'. It wasn't always to my own child.

I have eaten a food that I wasn't exactly sure what it was. I probably didn't want to know.

I have fully experienced the term "blood, sweat and tears". I don't believe they were happy tears.

I have smiled at an older couple walking together, hand-in-hand. I hope to be this older couple some day.

I have volunteered for things that I probably didn't have time to do. But I fit it in my day anyways because it was important to me.

I have always lived with someone. I'm probably too expensive for myself to live on my own.

I have been on two cruises. I doubt I ever knew where the front (or bow) of the boat was.

I have spent an entire day just reading a book. I wish I could have more of those days.

I have stayed awake for 45+ hours. Most of it was spent with my Aunt Tami, so every hour was worth it.

I have gone skinny dipping. We were caught.

I have been mistreated. I only grew from that.

I have been in the delivery room to experience 3 births. Each one was beautiful.

I have eaten chapstick. I don't remember why.

I have been loved unconditionally. It's an amazing feeling.

I have loved unconditionally. It's the most amazing feeling.

Walden Island Tea 2011

In August, Jamie and I helped out again at the Walden Island Tea and Beef & Brew. Both of these fundraisers are held on the island benefit local charities in Castle Rock. I helped out a lot more this year with the baking. I'm not sure if that was good or bad for the guests.













The Tea Girls.

It happened to be on Sara's birthday this year. (Sara lives on the island.)

Sara always makes beautiful quilts or gifts to donate as prizes. I have yet to win one...



Always a tradition, a little shot of alcohol to finish off the Tea.

KC and the Tea Girls

(Imagine me at one end) The Tea planners/bakers.

Then down to the Beef & Brew for more raffle drawings and, more importantly, the brew!



The Brew planners/chefs.




We had raised just over $6,000 by the end of the event, and more money usually trickles in through the month of August.


Walden Island Tea and Beef & Brew 2010

Walden Island Tea and Beef & Brew 2009

Good to know ~ BPA

I read this today on the OEC Blog - Oregon Environmental Council

Last week, the Breast Cancer Fund released a report that tested six different kid-friendly canned products, with every food sample registering levels of the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA). Most metal food cans have epoxy-resin linings that contain BPA, which has been linked to disruptions of the hormonal system, heart disease, diabetes and other severe health problems.

There are so many studies, on so many different things, its often hard to know what to really believe. I though, am one who believes in cancer research. All of it. I have been trying to rid my house of BPA for quite a while now. The Breast Cancer Fund report is something I think we should all read. Take from it what you will, I'm just sharing the information.

P.S. I still haven't posted photos of Makena's 15th Birthday party. I actually just found the pictures on a memory card last night and hope to get to them soon. Along with some pictures of Maddie and Moxie, and pictures from the Walden Island Tea in August. {gads}

P.P.S. Thank you all for the concern. My wisdom teeth apparently came out without a fight. I, however, have been fighting with my dentist about keeping them for the past 10 years. I obviously lost.

Ray & Sam

Sorry, cell phone photos only for this post. Good times though!

Ray LaMontagne was playing at McMenamin's Edgefield on Labor Day weekend. Both my sister and I bought tickets to the show. We decided to bring Chad & Jamie too (mostly for fetching beer though).

After walking and walking and walking, I finally found the end of the entrance line. I found our place while everyone else went for drinks. Perfect plan I'd say.

Once inside, more drinks and food were needed. See those blue chairs we're sitting on - they're fabulous! And since I only give credit where credit is due, thank you for finding them Jamie. They have a pillow, arm rests with drink holders (very important), they recline, they have a pouch for items AND they have straps to carry them on your back. Good score Honey!

Jamie is not a big fan of McMenamins. Mostly because they are famous (according to me) for their own brewed beer. Jamie doesn't like beer. But, Jamie learns to like beer when the Dixie-cup size drinks he likes are $9 each and a full beer is only $6.

Ray was, of course FAB-u-lous! Jamie wasn't impressed that he came on late and then only played for 30 minutes. But I was happy! (That is until there was a little incident in the Honey-Bucket that caused an immediate shut down of my body. Sorry, but I can't relive the experience here. I can say that after changing into the 'swooshy' golf pants Jamie had in the car, I was a little better.)

After the show, we headed to Standford's for some Happy Hour food.

Love you baby sister - I had a great time!! Can't wait for another!

Iron & Wine/Samuel Beam played last Friday at Pioneer Courthouse Square during Music Fest NW. After picking up Makena from school, we headed downtown on the Max. (Note To Self: bring ear muffs for Makena & I on our next Max ride downtown. Mouthy f'ing kids...)

Although the venue was not as comfortable (you can't bring chairs), the show was just as good. Makena was very tired from her first week back to school and Jamie only had football on his mind (he was leaving early the next morning for a Ravens game). And sadly, Heineken was the sponsor so they were the only beer sold. (Heineken = sober night for me.)

Sam was, of course, fab-U-lous.

Thank you both for coming to see him with me. Even though I enjoyed it for all of us, it was still fun to spend time with you.

An Ordinary Day

This Video/Poem is so true.

I try to enjoy every, ordinary day.

Maddie Girl

A few years ago, I started "hinting" to Jamie that I would like to get another dog. A friend for Moxie. A new baby. He said no every time. I would constantly comment on how much Moxie would like a friend; especially if it was a Boston Terrier because they are so cute and energetic. He said no every time.

Then, a few months ago, Jamie had this great idea to get another dog! A friend for Moxie. A new baby. What a great idea right? But he decided that we should get another Boxer, and never get a tiny Boston Terrier. (They aren't THAT small.)

Fine then, I'll have requirements too. We'd have to have a female, she'd have to be rescued and she'd have to be a brindle color. A couple of visits to PetFinder.com later, I found Madison. She was a 8 month old, brindle Boxer looking for a forever home. The first 6 months of her life were not good. She wasn't allowed to run and play. She wasn't trained. She wasn't loved.

We arranged for a visit so that we could see how well she and Moxie got along. Moxie liking a new puppy and a new puppy liking her were our biggest concern obviously. The second she got out of the car, Moxie ran to her shaking her little tail/butt in excitement. I would have been shaking my little butt too, but I was sitting down hoping she'd come to me. She was very scared and it took her quite a while to warm up to me.

Our week trial, turned in to two and then I finally convinced Jamie to sign the adoption papers. You see, Maddie was abused by a man for the first 6 months of her life and is VERY scared of them. Women, she's scared of but eventually warms up to. Kids, they still freak her out a bit, but she loves them too. So, a month later, she is still scared of Jamie. She just doesn't know that she can trust him yet.

So, Maddie is my dog. And she's Moxie & Makena's little sister. And she's Jamie's...well, that's still a work in progress... She's hard not to love though.


She lays under my desk all day. (Well...she lays there when I'm there, then she follows me everywhere I go. And I mean everywhere. If she can't see me, she gets very anxious and paces. That's a work in progress too.)

She like it under the hammock at the lake too. (She LOVES the lake as much as Moxie does!)



She loves to play with Moxie and Moxie loves to play with her. She's quite the cheater though. If Moxie doesn't give her the toy, she will bite Moxie's legs to get it from her. Moxie usually gets the toy back. That is until Maddie hides it. (We found out she's a 'toy hider' and a 'chewer'. Two things Moxie is not.)



Yah, she lays like this sometimes too.



And sometimes like this. It's apparently better to share a bed than have your own.

She had her second visit to the vet last week and did okay. They try to butter her up with treats. Moxie shows her how it's done and eats all of the treats as fast as she can. Maddie is 51 lbs now - quite an improvement from the 20+ she was at 6 months old. And, the best part, the vet thinks she'll stay small. (Happy me!!)



Maddie Girl will be 9 months old on Thursday. I'm glad she rescued us, because she's a sweetheart.

Dear Blogger...

You often piss me off.

Burst my bubble.

Ruin my day.

It took me almost two days to get the last post finished. I thought that maybe my computer was still having issues, but then I tried my laptop and was having the same luck.

Okay, so my day wasn't ruined, but you get the point.

Stop being a pain in my ass and just work with me damn it!

-Me

Our last GS outing

In First grade, Makena asked if she could join Girl Scouts. I thought it would be fun for her, so we signed her up.

The first meeting came and I mentioned that I could help out, 'when needed'. The meetings were being held out in Beaverton, so I wasn't going to have enough time to drive home. I had brought a book, but 20+ 6 & 7 years old made it difficult to read.

The second meeting came and the large group broke out in to two smaller groups. Ten girls was much easier for the Leader to handle. Books were purchased, cute little uniforms were picked out, they were now a Troop.


The third meeting came and the Leader decided that she could no longer lead the Troop; she just wasn't going to have time. She thought it would be great if I became the leader since I was already going to be at all the meetings. (Yah, great...) I looked around at 10 little girls waiting to see if I'd say yes so that they could continue in Girl Scouts.


Fast forward 8 years later. My Troop, Cadette Troop 41054, would be enjoying their last outing together. In the previous years, girls had left the Troop and others had joined. We'd spent hundreds of hours selling cookies; often in the cold rain and snow. We'd been to Girl Scout camp, twice. We'd been to Girl Fest, Caroling, Build-a-Bear and had backyard camp-outs . We'd stayed overnight at the zoo, twice. We'd volunteered in our community and completed our Silver Star Award. We'd spent a lot of time together. We'd grown.


As I look back, I'm glad that I said "Ok!" to becoming the Troop Leader. I've made some wonderful memories. I was secretly happy that the girls didn't want to quit when they entered Middle School. Our Troop was complete: McKenzie, Jessica, Makena, Hayley & Hailee. (In alphabetical order by last name, of course.)


I planned our last trip for 3 fun-filled days in Ocean Shores, WA. Unfortunately, Jessica was in Hawaii with her family, so she had to miss the trip.

After a 3.5 hour drive, plus another .5 hours for driving breaks, we arrived in Ocean Shores. We unpacked and headed to the beach.

Makena drew in the sand 'I {heart} MH' which stands for Makena, McKenzie, Hayley & Hailee. (Not in alphabetical order obviously.)

The next day, we walked down to the Family Fun Center for some mini golf, arcade games and bumper boats.

Then we did a little shopping at Sharkys.

After a quick stop for buckets & shovels, we headed back down to the beach.

Then we went back to the room so the girls could play some board games and then we hit the pool for a bit.

Then a movie - Soul Surfer - which may not have been the best choice considering we were playing in the ocean.

The next day was horseback riding on the beach.

Makena asked for a horse that didn't run. (Actually, I think that was unanimous.) My horse, 31, liked to bite Makena's horse; making her's run. She tried to stay as far away from me as she could.

I didn't realize how difficult it was to take pictures on a horse. Especially one that is trying hard to stay in front of the pack and I'm wanting him to fall behind.

Then someone got the fabulous idea to rent a multi-person bike. It.was.a.lot.of.work.

So we stopped off at the park to play for bit.

Even Lori had some fun!

Then back on the road.

We turned in our bike early, did a little shopping and then went bowling.

Where we rocked lane 2. Much more fun!

We tried to catch the sun setting on the beach, but the clouds weren't coperating with us. But we still had fun!

We did a little more shopping before heading home the next day. We were lucky to have three gorgeous days in Ocean Shores.

I'm going to miss those girls.