Healthy Family Favorites

I'm so proud ... I'm speechless.

Two copies of my mom's book were delivered to her door yesterday.

She will receive her shipment of thousands of books in a few days ... ready to be sold.

Her book is beautiful, thoughtful, and personal.

Mom ... your hard work and love for food has come to fruition. I am so proud of you. You have always been a role model to me. You are also an example of following your dreams.

I love you so much.

Your proud daughter and #1 fan, Lisa

P.S. Who wants to buy one? I know the author! 

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who offered to take us or offered up their resources/ideas for transportation to the airport (my personal favorite was Linda offering up Jodie's chauffeuring skills!).

I feel bad asking people because we have to be there so early (4:30am!), but Joe and Jeruschia need a SeaTac favor in September ... so he's taking us on Saturday, and we're taking them in September.

Your the best neighbor and friend a girl could have.

I have wonderfully helpful, loving and generous friends.

Thank you!

S.O.S

Can you help me?

I'm going to Cancun on Saturday and have NO WAY of getting to the airport. All my family is out of town because of a wedding and our friend's are gone this weekend too.

Here is my question ... What do you do when you don't have a ride to the airport?

Taxi? Town car? Shuttle? Park at the airport (thinking about saving $$ though, any cheap places to park?).

I'm totally at a loss right now. We have to be at the airport at 4:00am which is the big kicker.

Anyone have a resource for me?

Thanks ... I'm starting to feel a bit frantic.

Introducing ...

Dreyer's Slow Churned Ice Cream Bars.

Seriously.

Buy these and eat one.

You'll thank me.

My Intent

So ... I'm not a runner at all. In fact, I only run if someone is chasing me ... and even then, I usually give-in.

But I've been thinking about running a lot lately. A lot of my friends run, and I totally admire them for that. 

I think it's hard. They push themselves.

Yesterday, I thought, "Why can't I push myself?" Why do I think it's cool for everyone else but me to do it?

So ... today I got online and downloaded a 5k training schedule (I'm starting of slow here people).

Here's the best part though ... it's called The-Couch-To-5K Running Plan.

Isn't that a funny name! It totally grabbed me. Because compared to people who do run ... I am a couch potato.

I just finished training day #1 and all is good.

I didn't die. It wasn't as hard as I thought.

Just wait and see ... I might sign up to run my first 5k ever!

Help Make A Difference

I'm super excited about our next Women Of Purpose event!

Please click here to check out our website. You can sign up to become a player, be a sponsor, donate to our cause and learn about this super fun event.

Hope to see you on October 5th!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm ...

Jay and I spent a really nice long weekend with his family in Spokane and got back really late last night. We didn't want to leave. 

We got home at 1:30 am.

After unloading the car (Jay actually did that, I didn't do a thing), going through the mail (I did this!), running around opening windows in my hot house, I cozied into bed around 2:30 am.

I couldn't sleep.

I turned on the light and grabbed whatever was on top of my night stand (from the weekend's mail). I opened up the Everett Community College Fall 2008 Class Schedule pamphlet. I decided not to recycle it right away earlier in the night since I'm trying to cram in 9 credits of classes this summer to keep my teaching certificate up-to-date. I thought, "Huh, you never know, maybe they'll have a class I can take?!?"

Anyway, I was blown away with the wide range of classes a community college offers. 

I had no idea.

I actually laughed out loud at some of them.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Flagger Certification (for construction, I'm guessing)
• An Introduction To Modeling For Ordinary People (My favorite class offered. Hands down. I'm still giggling about this one. Who takes this class? And how sad that if you're in this class, you've labeled yourself as "ordinary.")
• Awakening The Goddess Within (LOVE IT!)
• Past Life Regression: Believe It Or Not! (That's the actual course title!)
• Make Your Own Biodiesel!
• An Introduction To Voiceovers: Getting started in voice acting
• EBay Selling (I have always wondered how to use EBay!)
• Finding The Right Hairstyle (I can't stand it ... I want to register for this one just to see what it's like!)
• Iaido - Classical Japanese Swordsmanship (I can actually visualize the person who would take this class ... still wonder about the above classes though.)

They didn't have any classes I could take for my teaching certificate ... but it was worth looking through the pamphlet for a good laugh.

July 24, 2004

Today is what I call my Not-Anniversary.

It would be too weird if I didn't mention it. 

Like it didn't exist or something.

Today, I am able to look back on my wedding day as a really special day that I was able to spend with my loved ones.

I kept a few wedding pictures in frames around my house for quite some time after my separation and divorce. One day when my mom was over, she asked, "Lisa, how come you still have pictures from your wedding out?" 

I simply said, "Cuz I looked really good that day."

When in doubt ... approach hard times with humor!

As each year goes by, there is less pain on July 24th. Today, there is less sadness than previous years. 

I'm more reflective than sad now.

I just didn't want the day to go by without an acknowledgement of the meaning of today for me.

Good Eats, Great Company

Today was my favorite lunch-day at the SPU cafeteria. 

The food options today were actually pretty good for you (besides the fried anything, burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc). They also served Stir-Fried Vegetables and a really pretty spinach salad.

I had a salad (again), 1/4 of a grilled cheese sandwich off someone else's plate (she said it was okay and I come from a big family where everyone eats off each other's plate. Bottom line: I felt okay about it), Stir-Fried vegetables with noodles and my usual Diet Coke. 

Yum.

We giggled, told jokes, listen to each other's stories, talked about our own lives, and lovingly teased each other (still love the pizza crust dipped in left-over stir-fry sauce maneuver!). We were strangers on Monday, and bonded women on Wednesday.

I was sitting with six other ladies and none of us could decide what we wanted for dessert. So, three of us got up and made the journey over to the dessert display. We all grabbed as much as we could and brought it back to the table. We were like sugar-loving, dessert-needing, calorie junkies.

We placed the plates of dessert in the middle of the table and ate family-style. 

Seven women surrounded

• 4 chocolate w/caramel cookies
• 3 sugar cookies
• 2 pieces of chocolate cake
• 3 lemon wedges
• 1 vanilla cupcake filled with strawberry gooeyness

We were in heaven and giggled the entire time.

One of the girls left for a bit and I didn't think anything of it. When she returned, I almost died laughing. She had gone to retrieve a big 'ol glass of milk.

Love that girl.

Thanks for the fun lunch ladies. 

I needed that.

P.S. My jeans are really tight. I wonder why?!?

Nice Try Buddy

I'm home from another day at SPU for my summer class (writing this post instead of my paper, I may add).

I had another fun commuting incident today. 

I was going North on I-5 at about 20 mph (come on people this is Seattle, traffic is terrible) when a car to my right cut into my lane. Now ... I was going pretty slow, but this guy cut into me like he didn't even so me (I figured it was an accident since he didn't use his turning signal). 

"No problem!" I thought. I've done that before and felt terrible when I've changed lanes and didn't see a car in my blind-spot. 

Oops. 

No biggie.

As he swerved his car one more lane to the left (to get into the HOV lane), he rolled down his window. "Oh boy!" I thought. This was going to be good. I figured he'd wave me off as a kind gesture of saying "So sorry for cutting into you. My bad." And I envisioned myself kindly waving back "No big deal ... have a great day!"

Not this guy (I refrained myself from not typing 'Not this piece of work.'). 

He stuck his left hand out the window, and raised his plump middle finger at me. Okay, so the 'plump' description isn't really needed, but it makes me feel better, and it is true. He had plump fingers. I'm only telling the truth.

I didn't do anything back. I actually just sat there thinking "How sad for him." He wanted to leave me feeling bad for his actions? No thanks man. You don't have that power over me.

Nice try though!

Humbling Post

During my divorce, my world was turned upside down. The carpet was pulled out from under me. I didn't know which way was up. I was in survival mode.

I wanted to keep one thing the same. 

My HOME.

I was in pain and heartbroken. I wanted to stay in my safe, warm, loving home. I wanted to keep my bed in the same place. I wanted to shower in the same shower. Wanted to park my car in my familiar garage. I wanted to use my usual washing machine when my clothes got dirty. I wanted to see the artwork I bought in the entryway whenever I came home. I wanted to be able to negotiate every room in the dark, if needed. 

I needed something ... anything ... to stay the same. I craved familiarity.

Fast forward to last week.

For the last week I've had a stomach ache. I know my body. A stomach ache that lingers means something is bothering me. What have I been suppressing that is now ready to come up?

I stayed at home a lot last week. Some days hardly getting out of bed. I knew something was off. I was unconsciously processing something. 

After a lot of soul-searching, honesty with myself, and wonderful talks with my parents ... I've finally come to the root of my deepest sadness and grief.

I need to sell my home.

I just can't afford it. I am unbelievably strapped for money every month. 

At first, I cancelled things that seemed frivolous. Cable. Internet. Extra features on my calling plan. I worried what would happen when things broke. Lawn mower: can borrow the neighbors. Weed-wacker: don't really need one, I can do it by hand. Need new clothes: your old ones will do just fine. Hair cut: your gray hairs don't look that bad, you only have a few. I seemed to have a plan for everything.

But what happened, is that I missed out on fun opportunities, stressed about money, became irritable, and most unbecoming of all ... became resentful of others (this is so embarrassing to admit).

Because the truth is:

• I am loved
• I will never be homeless
• I will have everything that I need
• I already have everything I need
• I have an amazing support system
• Any home can become my home if I make it that way
• There are others that are so worse off me. It makes me sick to think about myself crying about a house when there are real problems out there.
• I am being selfish
• I am being shallow
• I'm trying to be real ... and honor my feelings

These negative characteristics are not on purpose of course. No one wants to be selfish and shallow. But the truth is ... sometimes I am ... and I guess that makes me human.

I'm ready to face what is scary and unpredictable. I'm ready to do what is hard.

Last week's step was admitting to myself that it must be done. I need to move on and sell my home. Just typing that sentence makes me cry. And you don't know how it feels because you're not in my shoes. You may have never had to go through this before. Or maybe you have, but this step was really easy for you. For me ... it only makes me sad.

But I've tried to afford my home for a long time now. And I'm ready to not worry about money. I pray that I will find somewhere new that I call home. I catch myself at what I'm saying and I totally realized that I am holding onto a materialistic item. So unlike me. But I guess it isn't.

When I talk to others about it ... everyone thinks it will be such a great move for me. Start over fresh. A place to truly call your own.

Everyone makes is seem so easy. Is that because they can see the big picture? Do I have tunnel vision?

At any rate ... now I'm just crying and typing.

The truth is ... is that I'm not really grieving about my house. I'm grieving about something much deeper. Whatever my house symbolizes to me.

My old life? A safe place? Security? The final step of my divorce?

Because I know only good things are in store for me ...

John 14: 1-2 Do not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would not have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

Driving and Food Choices

I'm a student this week. 

I'm taking a class at Seattle Pacific University (SPU) and I've been commuting every day.

Here are three things that are driving me nuts ... therefore I am grateful I don't usually deal with them in my regular life:

• When someone pulls out in front of you and you have to slam on your breaks in order to avoid their back bumper ... and they honk their horn at you, throw their hands up in the air (this annoyed expression always makes me giggle), and slam their breaks on. HUH?
• Slow drivers in the left-hand lane. Enough said.
• Drivers who go under the speed limit. How can you not tell everyone is whizzing past you?

As a side-note ... we are eating lunch on campus. I was actually pretty excited the first day. It's been a long time since I've been in college and I figured there were probably some huge cafeteria improvements in the last ten years.

I now remember why I gained the Freshman 15. 

Here have been my lunch item choices the last two days:

• Cheeseburgers w/fries
• Grilled cheese w/fries
• Sandwiches w/chips
• Pasta
• Mac-n-Cheese
• Pizza galore
• Beef stir-fry
• Salad Bar
• Pop
• Cupcakes
• Pudding
• Cookies

Needless to say ... I've been eating a huge salad every day. But also eating cookies. I had two chocolate chips cookies yesterday (come on ... they were small). And I was only going to have one cookie today, but then noticed that they had snickerdoodles too ... so I had to have one of each. Duh.

Happy eating my sweet college students!

Thank goodness I'm done on Thursday.

Me, Myself, and I

Since being back from vacation, I've been taking a lot of time to myself. I was gone from my home for two weeks, which I don't like to do. I love being at home.

Throughout my divorce, I've learned to love being by myself. This is something I never thought I'd like to do. A few years ago when my old roommate said she loved her 'alone time,' I used to ask her, "but what do you do?"

I used to cry in my counseling sessions ... just thinking about being alone, spending time with myself. Nothing to do.

Through my journey, I've learned to love my alone time. I crave it. Quite frankly, I need it. 

And honestly ... I've learned that I'm never alone. He is always with me. In my deepest, darkest moments in my divorce, I found comfort in knowing that God was with me. Holding me in my sadness, grieving with me in my pain. He didn't judge me. He just accepted me for where I was on my journey, and supported me 100% of the time. I'm thankful for the love and presence of God in my life. Most importantly ...  He is my role model for how to love and accept myself.

So often we look to Him in times of need and despair.

Like two days ago for example when Cooper took off after another dog in the neighborhood and I spent a good chunk of time bawling my eyes out, running around the neighborhood, yelling, begging (yah, I was "that" crazy lady who lost her dog, crying uncontrollably) for him to come back. I immediately started praying.

However, it's days like this. When I'm 100% content being by myself, when I feel His happiness alongside mine.

So ... I digress. My point is ... here are some things I've learned about myself while giving myself the gift of my alone time:

1. I exude an aura of confidence on the outside, but I'm very sensitive, especially to how people talk to me.
2. I worry about money. ALL THE TIME.
3. I cry every time I hear someone play the piano. I can't explain it ... the sound just moves me to tears. I think it's breathtakingly beautiful. Some day I'll learn how to play.
4. I am a homebody.
5. I can't just casually read a book. It's all or nothing (I've spent the last three days reading A Long Way Gone).
6. Apparently I cry hysterically when my dog is lost. I have no sense of controlling my emotions in this situation. P.S. I found him. Or rather we found each other. As I was heading back to my house (to meet a neighbor who was going to help me look for Cooper), Cooper was casually smelling the flowers (I'm not kidding you) on his leisurely walk back to the house. At least he knows where home is.
7. It's humanly possible to stay in bed all day reading a book and/or watching TV (only to get up to eat or use the bathroom) ... when you're NOT sick.
8. I realize that once I have a family, this will never happen again. In fact I hesitate to post this because my friends with kids keep begging me to not tell them when I'm alone, resting, taking nap, and/or sleeping. Sorry ladies. My day will come too.
9. I love to talk to myself. Out loud.
10. I talk to Cooper like he is a human ... though I'm fully aware he hasn't a clue of what I'm saying.
11. I'm totally addicted to playing Solitaire on my IPod.

I'm sure there are a billion more ... but that just about wraps it up for now. I'm only coming up with dumb stuff I've learned about myself now. My self-diagnosed ADD is kicking in. Besides, I'm hungry, and since I haven't burned ANY calories today, I just might have some Mac-N-Cheese.

*Picture taken in Manhattan Beach last week before Melaine and I hit the town. Which is also worthy of a post, but many innocent (or not-so innocent) people will be embarrassed. So I'll save that story for myself.

Even On Our Own Soil: Sex Trafficking

Many of you know that I am part of a group called EAST SIDE WOMEN OF PURPOSE.

We are committed to raising awareness and educating people on human trafficking and other causes that affect women and children around the world.

Sometimes we (not WOP) but people in general, forget about the atrocities that occur on a daily basis to people in our own country.

Tonight, ABC Primetime: CRIME, aired a documentary about sex trafficking in our own country.

Thank you ABC, for reminding us that this is a worldwide problem ... even on our own soil.

Child Soldier

Ever read a book that you can't stop thinking about?

I'm totally there.

As part of our mission trip to Africa, Jodie has encouraged us to read a book of our choosing about Africa. I have had A Long Way Gone on my bookshelf for quite a few months and thought it was perfect timing to start reading it. I think about the book as I do my laundry, make dinner, walk Cooper, drive to the bank, etc.

I can't put it down ... and can't stop thinking about it.

It's riveting.

A Long Way Gone is a true story about a 12 year-old boy who's village in Sierra Leone comes under attack by the rebels. He is on the run for a year, before being caught and is forced to become a boy solider. He is forced to fight, given drugs, trained to kill and use weapons such as AK-47's. There are an estimated 300,000 child soldiers. 

This book is heart wrenching and sad, but I know the ending is good.

Besides, I think it's nice to read a book that isn't coming up all roses. It awakens our senses and allows us the opportunity to open our eyes to what's really going on in the world outside our own. 

I so want everyone to read this book. Ishmael tells his story through the eyes of the child that he was. It is sad, life-altering, and real.

Anyway, that's why I haven't been blogging. My eyes have been on my book ... my mind has been in Sierra Leone. 

P.S. Isn't Ishmael adorable!?!

Manhattan Beach

Just a quick update.

I haven't been blogging because I've been soaking up the sun in Manhattan Beach with Melaine during our annual girl's trip.

We've been laying in the sun, eat great food and drink lots of wine.

Jealous much?

Just kidding.

I'll be back to the blogging world on Monday.

Love to you all!

Tuesday

I have a quick 24-hour turn-around today.

We arrived back into town late last night. I leave for Manhattan Beach tomorrow morning.

I feel like my head is spinning with To-D0 lists:

• Pay bills that arrived while being gone
• Balance checkbook
• Shower (hey .... it's a to-do on a day like this)
• Call PetCare ... why is my bill so expensive?
• Sign up for a class through SPU
• Call my OB/GYN to reschedule my appointment; SPU class is on the same day
• Go to bank 1. make a deposit 2. change my name back to maiden name
• Call Alaska Airlines; change tickets to my new, legal name (This one is actually done. I did it last night. It took me 1 hour, 7 minutes and 48 seconds)
• Stop to itch my (over) 15 mosquito bites (but I'm not complaining, because I chose to not wear bug spray)
• Unpack
• Do laundry
• Re-pack
• Procrastinate by blogging
• Water the yard
• Drop Cooper off at my ex-husbands house
• Mow my grass
• Write letters to my students
• Stop to smell the roses :)

Oh ... and I woke up at 11:30 am! By body is exhausted.

I can do this ... especially when I read other people's blog and they do way more than this ... and have 6 kids!

How Do You Know Your Getting Old?

You fall asleep before the fire works start.

Catastrophes, Caves & Storms

We have just returned from our exciting 4th of July weekend! 

We went on vacation with Jay's family. His family has an adorable cabin on Pend Oreille River (north of Spokane) and the majority of his family gathers there each year for a family reunion. This year, there was 29 of us. Ages ranged from 1 week (yes, a newborn!) to Jay's Great Grandparents who are in their 90's. The cabin has 6 bedrooms ... but with so many people, many of us brought tents. Hence ... Day #1.

Day #1 (thursday): Jay, Marc, Sarah and I arrived to the river around 7:30 pm (after a quick 7 hour drive). We quickly set up our camping area before it got too dark. Our camping area consisted of a big blue tarp, two tents, 4 sleeping bags and mattress pads. Oh, quick interlude: Jay bought a new sleeping bag for our trip. When he pulled it out of the bag (after setting up our tent with sweat dripping off us), we realized he bought a youth-sized bag. I laughed so hard I wet my pants a little bit. He slept in it all weekend. Every time we went to bed, I had another laugh-attack. The top of the bag came up to his lower-chest. The set-up phase of camping is not my favorite. Especially when you're tired and hot. It was still in the 90's at this point of the evening.

After hanging out with his family for a few hours, we went to bed around midnight. Our camping area was about 50 yards from the main cabin.

After washing myself with wet wipes (see previous post), I quickly fell asleep. At around 2:30 am, I woke up to Jay jumping on top of me, yelling "WE NEED TO LEAVE ... NOW!!!!" I had never heard Jay yell so loud, and I could hear the fear in his voice. As I opened my eyes and tried to figure out what was going on, the sky lit up like a light bulb. It was loud. Like a zapping sound. And a few seconds later, a loud crash, like a bomb. Or a gunshot. I had no idea what was going on, but I was scared. Jay quickly informed me that we were in the middle of a terrible thunder & lightening storm. If you refer to my previous post, you will know that I randomly got frightened by a thunder & lightening storm a few nights ago. I've never been afraid of thunder & lightening, but I was really spooked the other night by a nasty storm that rolled through town. 

Anyway, my adrenaline kicked into high gear. We yelled for Marc and Sarah to wake up. The storm was literally right over us. And the lightening had struck a few yards from our tent. I scrambled for a sweatshirt and my flip-flops when another lightening strike lit up the dark, night sky. Jay once again jumped on top of me and we laid there until the thunder roared. It was all so loud, close, and scary. The sound pierced my ears. 

Once the thunder stopped, we yelled for Marc and Sarah again who were scrambling for their belongings too. I had to think fast about what I wanted to take: sweatshirt, cell phone, flip-flops, pillow, sleeping bag and a flashlight. 

This is the point where I had to stare fear in its face. I had to run from the tent to the cabin. I was terrified. The night was so loud. Lightening. Thunder. Rain. Wind. Neighbors yelling for loved ones. Dog barking ferociously. 

I was scared.

Running out of a tent in the middle of night, through a thunder & lightening storm is like playing Russian Roulette. You don't know when or where the lightening will strike again. I was terrified. I knew I had to leave fast though, because I knew another round of lightening & thunder would come soon.

I unzipped the tent door and ran as fast as I could to the cabin. It felt like it took forever. I was running scared and praying hard. Another round of lightening and thunder struck as I heard Jay yell out my name and I yelled back that I was okay. I'm not gonna lie ... my praying turned to saying "shit, shit, shit, shit shit!" under my breath. I made it to the cabin with Jay, Marc & Sarah right behind me. I opened up the cabin door and nearly 15 family members with eyes-wide were ready to greet us. I collapsed onto the couch and cried. 

Jay's family had been trying to reach us on our cell phones but we never heard their calls. We had a bit of comic relief when I noticed that I had grabbed Jay's youth sleeping bag, and not my own. A good laugh in the middle of a scary night.

We sat in the cabin until the storm passed (about an hour) when I realized I had lost my phone on my run to the cabin. Once the storm died down, Jay & Marc went back to the tents, grabbed our suitcases, and found my phone in the soggy grass. 

We found beds in the cabin but we didn't sleep at all that night. Lightening lit up the sky all night. I could see it through my shut eyes. Thunder kept us up.

Quite an eventful first day.

We slept in the cabin for the rest of the week. Day #1 is done.

Day #2 (friday): I was very tired in the morning. Ashley and Chris returned from an adventure on their quad ... they found where the lightening struck the previous night. It was a few yards from our tents, across the road. It struck a tree and split it down the middle. 

Totally freaky.

The rest of the family members arrived and the day was set to be great. Jay's mom and dad arrived and they put their boat in the water. A few hours later, Jay's mom came running up from the dock to say that the boat was taking on water. Sure enough, the bottom of the boat was covered in 4 inches of water. Without the boat starting, the guys had to tow the boat to the boat launch and load it onto the trailer. We still had one working boat and 2 jet skis left. The rest of the day was spent playing games and water sports (wake boarding, skiing & inner-tubing). Only injuries (on this day) consisted of a sprained ankle and a pulled hamstring. Not too shabby compared to day #1 ... no one thought they were going to die.

Day #3 (saturday): Today was jam-packed with a wide variety of fun events and catastrophes. Most of the crew decided to float the river. Two dads, three children, and I decided to drive up to the Gardner Cave and hike around. We drove 45 minutes with one child or another asking, "Are we there yet?" about every minute. When we arrived there at 2:32 pm, we learned that the tours were at 2:00 and 4:00. GREAT. We had 1-1/2 hours to burn with three young kids; ages 3, 4 and 7. We ended up finding a 1/2 mile trail that actually takes you into Canada. Very cool. The girls were troopers and hiked the entire thing. We were very impressed. 

Once 4:00 came around, we are all set to hike the cave. Once again, the girls did a great job. Each adult took charge of a youngin' which worked out great since the cave was cold, dark and scary for them.

On the way home, the 7-year old vomited all over herself. We had to pull over and clean her off and drive the rest of the way (30 minutes) with the windows down. I gagged 4 times.

Once we got back and threw Lilly in the shower, we all made it down to the docks to find the river-floaters three-sheets-to-the-wind. The entertainment value of this group remains unparalleled. I literally pulled up a chair and watched them. The best part was when Lilly's mom yelled, "Lisa, come on out here, I feel like I haven't seen you forever, we need to bond." I quickly yelled back, "Oh .. I'm good. Your daughter just puked all over me. I feel quite bonded to you already." :)

In the afternoon, we took the boat out to wake-board and proceeded to drive over a piece of wood that got lodged in the prop. Boat #2 is broken-down and out of order. Now we're down to 2 jet skis. 

Day #4 (sunday): Today consisted of more family games. Jay's brother took out a jet ski and while we were playing a game, we saw him floating down the river. Jay's dad jumped on the other jet ski and ended up towing him back to the dock. Jet ski #1 is no longer working.

While trying to tie up the 2nd jet ski, someone threw Jay's dad a rope which he accidentally ran over. Jet ski #2 is down. 

We're down to no more watercraft.

While packing up, Josh got stung by a bee.

Total count for the weekend:

• Thunder & Lightening storm
• Broken, water-logged cell phone
• Sprained ankle
• Pulled hamstring
• Two broken boats
• Two broken jet skis
• Hike to Canada
• Car-vomiting episode
• Bee sting

Sounds like a great trip to me!

Weighing the Consequences

Well ... we're almost back from our trip. We're back in Spokane at Jay's parent's house, and heading home today. More info and thoughts about our trip when we make it back to Seattle.

Here is my thought for the morning though ...

I was thinking about this a lot on our trip. Bug spray can't be good for you. I mean ... it just can't. If drinking out of plastic water bottles isn't good for you ... bug spray isn't either.

Anything that repels bugs, can't be good for your body. I sprayed some on my body our first night up at the cabin (because everyone else was, and they said that's just what they do when they're up at the cabin).

Who am I to argue? I'm the new girl.

Oh ... I should back up. I was with Jay's entire family up at PendO'rielle River for their family reunion which is always over the 4th of July weekend. We all had a blast (which is why there are many more stories to come) and came home exhausted. We played hard.

Ok, back to bug spray ...

Before I went to sleep on night #1, I proceeded to 'baby wipe' my entire body to rid it of the bug spray residue. Again ... I'm taking that as a sign that bug spray is not a good thing.

So ... on morning #2, when everyone was spraying themselves ... I didn't. I had to weigh out the consequences of not spraying myself, with the consequences of spraying myself.

Not spraying myself won. I would suffer with mosquito bites, before spraying myself with bug spray.

I received no mosquito bites on day #2 and felt excellent about my secret ban on bug repellent. Maybe that's because bug spray mist landing in my Diet Coke without me knowing it and I swallowed some of it before realizing it was in there. I'm thinking on day #2, the spray I swallowed was working from within my body. Who knows?!?

Day #3 proved to be another story (my body is a mosquito-bite war zone). With that said, I still felt great about not using it on day #3 when I showered. Because no matter how many times I washed (scrubbed) my body ... I still left the shower with a thin waxy residue on my body.

Again ... another sign.

So ... I encourage you to weigh the consequences of your actions, before doing something 'because everyone else is.'

P.S. I hope I don't get Malaria or West Nile.

THAT Kind Of Mom

I actually get more pathetic!

I just dropped Cooper off for boarding.

I was so sad. And in the rush of signing papers, jotting down instructions, keeping other dogs in the waiting room from biting Cooper's ears ... I forgot to say goodbye to my little man.

I was so sad!

Here's where the pathetic part comes in.

I actually asked the girl to go back and get him.

So I can say goodbye to my little man.

ARGH ... I'm like one of the mom's that used to drive me nuts when I taught Kindergarten. They would drop their kids off with me and stay outside the door, peaking in. Each time ... their child would cry.

I remember thinking, "Please, just leave. Nothing personal, but once you leave, your child will stop crying and my job will become monumentally easier."

Now I'm one of those moms!

But I couldn't help it. The 'What-Ifs' were going crazy in my mind.

What if he gets hurt while I'm gone?

What if he dies while I'm gone?

What if he can't sleep at night because he's not with his mommy?

What if he cries at night and no one is there to hear his calls (this one sounds especially pathetic)?

What if he has to go potty but they don't know it?

Seriously people ... I need some counseling.

And yes ... I DO realize he's just a dog.

But he's MY 'just a dog.'

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Irrational Fears

Holy cow ...

Did you get a chance to see the lightening tonight? 

It was amazing.

Amazingly scary.

The lightening freaked me out tonight.

I've watched too many scary movies (see previous post), watched too many ghost shows, and have let my imagination run wild tonight.

My senses are on overload. 

Every creek of the house freaks me out. Every time Cooper looks out the window, I think I'm gonna see a scary face looking in at me. When I smelled smoke outside, I was sure my house was on fire somewhere (fire is actually a legitimate fear for me that I can share some other time).

I need to stop this senseless worrying ... but I just can't help it.

I'm a scaredy-cat tonight.

At what age do we lose the innocence of our youth ... and start worrying?

P.S. For those of you in my neighborhood who are lighting your fireworks off early tonight ... you're not helping with my fears. At all!

My Little Guy

The worst part about leaving town is saying bye to Cooper.

I hate going on vacations that Cooper can't go on.

This falls somewhere between loving, pathetic and unhealthy.

But I'm gonna miss my little man.

See you soon Cooper ... I love you!

P.S. Feel free to insert your childs name wherever I wrote "Cooper" and you'll understand.

Fun In The Sun

I watched Joe & Jeruschia's son today while they ran errands (way faster & easier without a 1-year old with you!). We had so much fun together and I took a ton of pictures of our exciting day.

We had been spraying Cooper with the hose and Jadin did not like it when I put it away. He watched me coil it back up ... then went over to assess the situation for himself (notice his wet hair).

He quickly started to uncoil it. His right arm is doing the sign for "please." Too cute.
He got the hose unraveled (he did that all on his own while I happily stood there giggling and taking pictures) and turned around to look at Cooper. He wanted water to be coming out of that hose so bad!
Since Cooper wasn't coming to him ... Jadin went right up to Cooper. Now it's Cooper who desperately wants water to be coming out of the hose.
At this point, I put the camera away and turned the water back on. How can you say 'no' to such a determined little boy?

Easy Entertainment

This is what begging for an Otter Pop looks like.

Can you see the lust in his eyes? We wants some so bad!
And sweet relief (no ... he didn't eat that entire Otter Pop).

This cooler entertained Jadin and Cooper for a good thirty minutes. Jadin kept offering Cooper, Diet Cokes.Hmm ... now he's pulling out beer. I'm questioning my morality at this point. At least he's too young to know what it is.
Offering me a Bud Lite. No thanks Jadin. I don't drink and babysit at the same time. :)
I love you buddy. 

I'll babysit you any time ... if you're mom and dad will still let me after seeing this post.

Cuddling

This is seriously adorable. 

I came upstairs yesterday to see where everyone was. Jay was laying on my bed watching TV. And Cooper was ... umm ... cuddling/laying on Jay. 

This is just too much cuteness for one room.

Hot & Sweaty

It has been CRAZY hot here the last few days.

I feel like I'm melting. I can't stop sweating.

I sleep ... and sweat.

I wake up ... and sweat.

I take a shower ... and sweat.

I get dressed ... and sweat.

You get the picture.

I was on my computer yesterday and when I turned around to see where Cooper was ... I saw this.

Apparently, we're all hot and sweating.

Sunset With Mom & Dad

My parents and I went out on their boat last night to watch the sunset.

Here is the sun setting over Lake Washington ... taken with my cellphone camera. Not as clear as I'd like ... but still beautiful.

Bra Shopping

I went bra shopping yesterday.

Need I say more?

By the way ... why do I always go UP a size?

At least I didn't cry this time. 

Last time I went bra shopping (I brought my mom for moral support) I cried in the dressing room while the Nordstrom sales woman went and fetched me HUGE bras that were certainly not the correct size. 

They were.

I cried.

This time, I just accepted going into it, that I would most likely (again) need a larger size. And shoot, as long as they look good in a t-shirt, who am I to complain?

Nordstrom is wonderful. They participate in events like Fit for the Cure and work closely with organizations like Susan G. Komen. 

The sales associates are also fabulous. They are trained to size and fit you and specialize in helping women who have recently had mastectomies and other Breast Cancer related surgeries.

My acceptance of my larger bra size is nothing in the big picture.

I'm happy to be healthy and happy.

With that said, I still hate bra shopping. It rates right up there with JEAN and SWIMMING SUIT shopping.

And I'm glad it's over.