Crazy Little Thing Called Life

know what's funny?

Funny is when you look out at your garden and you think, hmmmmmmm...I wonder why my pumpkins aren't growing very fast?
So then you wander over there to see for yourself what the problem is.
By the time you get there, you're totally worked up.
Pumpkins, dangblastit.  There should be pumpkins!
Heaps of large, round, going-to-be-orange vegetables.  Or are they fruit?
Why aren't there pumpkins?

Then you realize this is why there's no pumpkins:

Funny is when you realize you planted cucumbers where you thought your pumpkins were going to be.
Hmph.

They're lovely cucumbers.  I just wish I knew where my pumpkins were.
I planted regular ones and little baby ones.
At least my gourds are where I thought I put them:

Hello there, little gourd.
You're a cutie.  

I am a terrible gardener.  This year has been really bad.  I did get a pretty good crop of peas...my beans were puny.  Piddly.  Paltry.  My pepper plant is pepperless.
And I have these huge, robust tomato plants...chock full of green tomatoes.
But none of them will turn red.  None.  Not one.
They just sit there...all green and mocky.
And then I have cucumbers where I thought I'd have pumpkins.
I can't find any pumpkins.
And my gourd crop is a crop of one.
Kind of like Army of one...only with gourds.  I mean, gourd.

Gardening aside...

-I cleaned my scrapbooking room yesterday.  Now I can see my desk.
I finally have a plan for my Learn Something New book.  That's good.

-Somehow I missed the tv program I wanted to watch on Sunday night.  The one I wrote on my calendar so I wouldn't forget.  The Inspector Linley show on Mystery. 
Yes, I am a nerd.  A sad, forgetful nerd.  That's bad.

-I am meeting Alissa this morning in Bellingham.  We're going to do a little antique-ing and have lunch.  That's good.

-School starts tomorrow!  4 kids, only 2 schools.  Woohoo! 
That's very, very good. :)

Happy Tuesday...

an extremely happy happy monday to you!

Oh excuse me, do I sound cheerful??
We had a really nice weekend...maybe that's it.
The Lions had a scrimmage on Saturday.  I am SO ready for football.

Luke had a bunch of catches.  (He's number 26 here, but that's just his practice jersey.)  Several for touchdowns.  yay! 
That must be why I'm happy.

We went up to Picture Lake and Artist's Point yesterday.  And it was so beautiful.
It must be that I am simply in awe of God's creation.

I'd never been to Nooksack Falls before...can you believe that?

I'd never been past the ski lodge either.  There was snow up there. :)


Luke didn't want to go.  Too much family time and picture taking involved, evidently.
I can't be too mad at him.  He stayed behind and went to church.  Even sat with his Grandma.  (Awwww.) 
Picture Lake was soooo pretty.  

Ian loved the binocular thingys.

It could be that I'm chipper because Iz took Ian to Dave's Sporting Goods...to spend his birthday gift certificate from Grandpa & Grandma Jacob.
Quality father/son time.
They came home with this:

And now my back flowerbeds are full of BB's.  See those tin cans in the distance?
He's getting pretty good about knocking them down.  I'll hear this "PING!"...and then he yells, "I got one, Mom!!"  
I'm so proud. :)

All these things make me happy.
But what is especially warming my little heart right this minute...
is that 48 hours from now, all my little darlings will be in school. 
The class lists were posted this weekend, and everybody's happy.
EVERYBODY.

Enjoy your Monday. :)   
   

when something is lost...you really should look 10" to your right first.

I found my iPod.
I had just put up a reward of $2 for anyone that found it.
I was so frustrated because I KNEW I had just seen it recently.
And then I moved a pile of papers that was sitting on top of my external hard drive.
No more than 10" from my hands as they typed about my lost iPod the other day.
And there it was. :)
Yay.

I had said that Alissa and I found a few things at the Thrift Store on Wednesday.
And then we hit the antique store.
Yesterday I went to Value Village with Belle & my mom.
Belle's mojo isn't working like it used to...but we still found a couple of things.
And I went back to the antique store for what I should have bought on Wednesday.
And I went back to the Thrift Store (everything was 50% off.)
And I went to the store next door to the antique store.
Are you still with me?

The old black cookbook is from a garage sale last week...but all the other stuff is from my traipsing around the last two days.  Alissa found me the little rectangular frog...and she sorted through a whole box of blocks to find me all the J's and 6's.  That's what a good friend will do.  :)
Of course, I found an aqua typewriter at the Thrift Store and passed on it, so she could buy it...for $4.50!!  That's what a REALLY good friend will do. 
I hope she posts a picture of it on her blog...it's cute. :)
But I digress.

Found the puzzle map when I went back to the Thrift Store.  Paid a whole quarter for it...50% off and all, you know.

The numberline tape was in a bag with a bunch of other junk.
And the letter cubes...I just think they're cute.  They're from some version of Scrabble I think.  

The cute little globe bank is what I went back for at the antique store.
And when I visited the store next door...I found the thyme!  I collect thyme.
You can never have enough thyme.
I'm always running out of thyme.
Thyme marches on...
You get the idea.

Enjoy your Friday.
Last weekend before school starts!! Woohoo!  
Isabelle goes for her yearly allergy appointment today.  She'll have blood drawn to check her levels.  I have hopes that she'll grow out of some of her nut allergies (peanuts, walnuts, sesame seeds, etc.)...but I think her cashew and pistachio ones will be with her for life.
Who knows?  We'll know more after today.   

 

this & that.

-Got some fun stuff at the Thrift Store yesterday.  Then Alissa & I hit the antique store in Lynden...found a couple neat things.  But I'm going back today because I didn't buy something yesterday, and I should have.  Aren't I mysterious??  Anyhow...I'm going to go get it today.
If it's still there.  geez.

-Heading to Bellingham to run some errands.

-Finishing laundry.

-Hoping it will rain.

-I need to get Harlan back, so I can send him off to Michelle...who is going to London next month.  Woohoo!  Harlan is going across the pond.  Keep him out of the pubs Michelle.  He likes his pint.

-Ian starts soccer practice today.  Waving at Lisa's husband Tim, who will be his coach.  Hi Tim!!! 

-Going to start putting my book together for my class:

Happy Thursday! 

5th grade.

One week from today, this girl will be in 5th grade.

King (Queen) Poo-Bah of the Elementary School.  At least until next year, when all the fifth graders fall to the bottom of the poo-bah pile as the newbies in Middle School.
We went on a little mini photo shoot.

At first I was all excited because I had found this new spot.
A super cool gazebo in this pretty park.  We got there...and upon closer inspection...EVERY inch of that gazebo had graffiti on it.  (Including pictures.)  Belle looked around for a few seconds and said, "Hey mom...there's naughty words in here!"
So we left.

We found another fun park.  The sprinklers were on.
So we dodged them.  Mostly.

You're going to have a great year sweetie!

In other news...
1.  Today is a crazy busy day.

2.  I'm meeting Alissa for breakfast, and then we're hitting the Thrift Store.  yay!

3.  It's back to school day at the High School.  Also known as "Get Out Your Checkbook Day".  And freshman orientation.

4.  Oh, and if anyone has seen my green iPod...could you tell me where I put it?

Enjoy your Wednesday!

a few little things...

1.  Scrapbook Pictures
They're still having their $1.99 shipping anywhere in the US.  I plan to order again...usually there's extra shipping charges on larger prints...but I'm not sure how the deal works with that. 

2.  Bath & BodyWorks
Got an email from them yesterday...shipping is $1 on any order.
The code is TREAT1.
Usually I just get what I want in the mall.  But that place is like an evil bubble bath vortex...sucking me in and getting me to spend $30 or so.  It's those dang coupons.  And the sales.  So I thought if I ordered some goodies online, I'd be better.  AND I'd get a package in the mail.
I got 5 of these (Combined...they're 5/$5 and then you get a free holder thingy that glows in the dark):


 
I thought they'd be fun for the kids at Halloween for school.
Spooky fun AND clean hands.  It's a win-win.

3.  Shimelle class.
This one starts September 1 and it looks like a lot of fun.
It's called Learn Something New...it's $15...and it should be a hoot.  It's one of her classes that once you pay for it...you can take it as many times as you'd like.  Her Journal Your Christmas class is like that too. 

I'm still thinking about what book size I want to do.  If you haven't seen Alissa's book from last year's class, you're in for a treat.  That chickola inspires me to pieces.  :)

4.  TV Togetherness.
Ian & I watched Scooby Doo together last night.  It's our Monday night tradition.
I guess that at some point...like if he's 40, still living at home, and we're watching Scooby on Monday nights...that might be a little weird.  But last night was so fun. 
Then Minute to Win It came on...Last Beauty Standing.  They had 10 former Miss USA's and Miss Universes on...last one to complete the task was eliminated...until it came down to one.  Soon I had Isabelle, Ian and Shelby on my bed watching with me.  Plus a cat.
But he wasn't really watching.
Good times.
Then I sent the kids to bed and the Miss Universe pageant came on.
I used to LOOOOOOOVE watching pageants.  I know I've told you the story about pretending to win the Miss America pageant when I was little.  When I put my light blue night gown over my head for long hair?  Because there was a really cool ruffle on the bottom? 
Well I did.  And I won every time.  I was a pageant winning machine in my light blue hair. 
Anyhow...I watched until they chose the 15 finalists...then I decided I didn't want to invest any more time into it.  But I needed to know who won.  So I googled it.
Then I was relieved I knew the winner...and I went to bed and read my book.
What on earth did I do before the Internet?

Enjoy your Tuesday!

what a weekend...

So much fun stuff has happened in the last few days.
I still have over 150 pictures to sort through and edit.
I considered not blogging today (gasp!)...taking a break seems to be the thing to do lately (coughcoughKarenRussellcough). 
But instead, I'll give you the Reader's Digest version.

1.  He passed!

Last Friday Lucas scored a 90 on his driving test.  So look out.
And no, the Altima is not his car.  He is just using it.  Although he has cleaned and vacuumed it out, and instructed me not to drink lemonade in it.  
I cannot tell you how weird it was to watch him drive away on Saturday morning for football practice. 
I told him not to forget that Jesus is ALWAYS in the back seat.
I thought that might be useful, especially if there ever is a female in the front seat.

2.  Waterslides.
Saturday was Ian's 8th birthday.  He woke up early and opened some presents...and then we went to the waterslides at Birch Bay.  Actually Belle was going there with her Girl Scout troop...we just tagged along.

Shelby was very sweet and buddied up with him all day.
He chose Bob's for his birthday dinner.  Which was very yummy...AND they gave him a strawberry sundae.

Which he devoured.  Agressively.

Bliss.

3.  Party.
Then yesterday, we had a little family BBQ to celebrate some more.

Ice cream cake.  Yeah!
Iz picked out the cake.  They're usually a little more decorated than this...and when I asked him about it he said it was this one, or one with pink flowers on it.  So he made the right decision.
Must have been a busy cake weekend at the old DQ.

4.  This week.
The crazy back to school schedule seems to be starting this week.
Twoaday football practices, back to school day at the High School...complete with freshman orientation for Shelby, school pictures, cross country meetings, doctor appointments...Belle & Ian find out who their teachers are on Friday.  
Good times.

Enjoy your Monday!  

it's that time again...

Football cards are for sale.
Luke came home from practice yesterday with 20 of them that he needs to sell by Saturday.
I usually cringe when these things come around...but I have to say the football one is pretty good.  Especially if you eat pizza or pretzels.  Can you tell what my favorites are?

On the back are deal like...
Free medium pizza with purchase of family pizza at Papa Murphys.  They also are giving out a free medium pizza with no purchase.
Free pretzel with purchase of pretzel and drink at Auntie Anne's.
Free breadsticks with purchase of pizza at Little Caesars.
Free sandwich with purchase of same and drink at Arby's.
And so on, and so on.
With more deals from Sonic, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's and tons of other places.

Soooooo, if anyone would like one of these little goodies, shoot me an email.

Harlan continues to have a good time in Hong Kong.
He's staying at a pretty sweet hotel:
 

Enjoy your weekend...
I'm off to do a little garage saling.  Ian's birthday is tomorrow.
Happy Friday! 

three things. (slow day.)

1.  romeo.
How nice it would be to have a cat's life, right?  He sleeps on my bed.  Gets up...eats a can of cat food...gets his floop on (runs around like crazy...I think it's from the gravy)...hits the litterbox...and then sleeps all day.  Because, you know, that 7 or 8 minutes of activity is enough to tire out anybody.
He likes to sleep on my desk:

He has such handsome green eyes. :)
And just this morning I found him here:

In the Target bag.  No good cat worth his salt can resist a bag.
Lola sleeps on or under my bed most of the day.  But sometimes she sneaks into my closet.  I love these cats.  In October, it will be 3 years already that we've had them.

2.  Harlan.
He made some more friends:

Here he's hanging out with the salesguys from Indonesia, Singapore & Malaysia.
Tonight he heads for Hong Kong.  Secretly, I think he's the hit of the fiber optics convention.  Good job keeping him out of the bars, Tyler!

Harlan will be heading to Hawaii in a few months.  Miss Kim has very graciously offered to take him along on her trip.  I'm so jealous. 

3.  Random this and that.
Belle is going back to the Fair today with a friend.  Luke is at football practice.
I'm finishing laundry.  Ian is counting down the days until his birthday (2).  
Life is good.  

Enjoy your Thursday...don't forget Project Runway tonight!  
(hey, it's the little things.)
   

wegular wednesday.

1.  grocery shopping.
I am two-timing again.  Food Pavilion and Safeway.  I'd like to make a clean break and be loyal to Safeway, but DARN Food Pavilion and their cheapy cheap coupons!

2.  football practice.
It starts today...yay!  Now it really feels like fall and school starting are just around the corner.  And it's not even a million degrees this morning...so I don't have to worry about Luke flopping over from heat stroke.
Twoadays start next week.

3.  the DOL.
Spent two and a half hours of my life there yesterday...Luke finally took and passed his written test.  20 out of 20...woohoo! :)  He takes his driving test later this week. 
Go Luke Go!
You see the most interesting people at the DOL.
And in the immortal words of Forrest Gump..."that's all I have to say about that."

4.  Harlan!
He is safely in Macau...which I think is an island or something by Hong Kong?
Help me out here, geography studs.
Tyler is keeping him on the straight and narrow (so far)...and he has been attending fiber optic classes:

I cannot even imagine what explanation Tyler gave to these guys.
"Ok everybody...let's get together for a group shot...good, good...ok, now you in the middle...hold my fish.  No really...everybody in America does this.  Very common.  Yes.
Thanks so much."

Or..."It's for my crazy aunt."
yeah.  That works too. :)

Have a great Wednesday!