TGIM

We had a really nice weekend in Ellensburg. I loved the town, I could easily live there. Really cute, PG style houses and nice people. We were there for the farmers market and took in the really awesome Ellensburg museum. We always stop in at the museum in every town we visit. This one was one of the best, as well as the largest. It was also a free day for the children's activity museum, so we stopped in to look into some future careers. Oscar is considering following in Grandpa Pats and Great Grandpa Freds footsteps.
Or maybe Uncle Davids. If these jobs are things children want to play, then I expect dad and David are living the dream. Maybe Oscar will be interested in the "fire sciences".
Hans would be willing to work the desk. He's more a "people person". Hans is really more interested in being a florist. The yellow under is his nose is constant due to all the flower sniffing.
Maybe a trainer? He could run a gym, he has the energy for it.

Olive is thinking more along the lines of swimsuit model.

Or dancer/choreographer.
Maybe a bouncer.

And Pete? Well, he took a shot at snake wrangler. Did you ever see the original Freaky Friday? That was one of my favorites when I was younger. I thought Boris was hilarious. Anyway, did you also know that my brother-in-law David and Pete share the same birthday? Well, maybe in some freaky Friday switch they would swap careers.....




*****Updated*****

Mom- Olive did actually gravitate towards the kitchen. She made pizza and chocolate chip cookies. Definite cafeteria food. I actually thought"Oh a lunch lady, like Grandma." Then she told me I couldn't walk in there, she just mopped and my feet were dirty and I realized she was just Grandma.

TGIF

These past few weeks Pete has had to work on the weekend. We have become totally spoiled in having our weekends together and it's been boring without him. Finally, this weekend is ours and we are heading to Ellensburg today for camping. It is due to be in the upper 80's all weekend so the kids have packed their swimsuits and are gearing up for some swimming. Pete is planning on lots of fishing and I am bringing lots of books. I am looking forward to Sunday when we will be stopping at Roslyn. This is where Northern Exposure was filmed, which isn't all the interesting to me, but there is a cemetery that I want to visit. So, that's our weekend. I am looking forward to it, although there is a lot of prep work to be done. When we return, Pete will be heading to Utah for Zaks wedding. I am so sad I can't go. My mom will be coming though and I will be accompanying Oscar on his school field trip to Tillicum Village. That I am looking forward to. I also am looking forward to some more movie lists!

Deadwood Shirt

Visiting my mom recently, the subject of my early 90's cowboy obsession came up. I was into it in a big way. Cowhide purse, a rainbow of Justin ropers, Rocky Mountain jeans. It was a passing fancy, but I did it up while I was in the mode. That's kind of how I operate. All or nothing, I get fully immersed in my passing fancies. Right now Pete and I are in Deadwood mode. Upon deciding to visit Deadwood on our vacation I checked out the first season of the HBO series. Pete and I are hooked. We are almost finished with the second season and are waiting on the third. It's been a little difficult, there is more swearing than the Sopranos, all historically accurate of course, so we have to watch it sans kids.

It is my new passion and all things cowboy are cool once again for me. Not the new, kenny chesney kind of stuff. No offense, but that's not really my thing. The real, pioneering cowboy, old school stuff. Olives new favorite songs are some of my grandmothers favorites. Listening to Hank Williams, whom I have always liked, reminds me of sitting at Grandmas table in the early morning. I Saw The Light is her particular favorite and hearing her sing it is my favorite thing right now.
So, of course this trip will require some new, cowboy clothes. I have long promised my sister in law Gretchen some cowboy shirts for her boys. This was my practice and I am really, really happy with it. You can't see it well, but the front has horseshoes on each side. Now I need to get one made for Pete and his new, growing out beard for Deadwood. Then, I may have to move on to some pioneer dresses and bonnets for Olive Jane.
So, onto the list. I know we have done favorite tv shows. Let's do movies today. I don't think we've done that? Pete is the hands down best at movie quotes. I sometimes have to ask if something he has said is from a movie or just him.

#1. Rushmore. Pete and I must have watched this a thousand times. He was planning on wearing a version of the green velvet suit for our wedding but it was 100 degrees out. I also loved the soundtrack to this as well as all the other Wes Anderson movies.

#2. Breakfast Club. I will always remember this movie due to the fact that I took my Dad to see it at the Dream Theatre in Pacific Grove. Once again, I also have enjoyed all the John Hughes films.

#3. Amelie. I just really liked this one.

#4. The Big Lebowski. There are several reasons that I love this one, the most being that it just makes me think of when I first met Pete.

#5. Every Indiana Jones movie ever! I can't wait to see the new one. I remember seeing the Temple of Doom with my Grandma and parents in New Monterey.

I can think of a hundred others and I can't wait to see what everybody else comes up with!

Mamas

This weekend we were in Sequim for a super combo. Mothers Day/Irrigation Festival. The Sequim Irrigation Festival is the oldest festival in Washington. It was a rip roaring festival. The parade consisted of several local dignitaries as well as countless logging trucks and equipment and vans carrying residents from various assisted living homes. The highlight was the pirates and their ship, which were so real. They had an awesome canon,that was super loud. I LOVE noise, something Hans has in common with me. Olive runs in the house and hides every time a train or semi roll past our house. Hans runs in circles screaming in excitement. Something I also do when Pete is not around to witness. Luckily, Alex shares this trait and was as excited by the noise. She wanted to follow them through the rest of the parade. Next year I want to ride in this van. This was the first Mothers Day I have spent with my Mom in several years. Probably 8 or so. Alex and the Baconater were there, as they usually spend Mothers Day with mom.I had a nice time. The guacamole was a particular highlight. After several weeks of teasing, I did indeed receive diamond earrings from Pete and the kids. Good thing I cut all my hair off last week so they can be shown off. I love short hair, it is so freeing to get rid of all that bulk. I went to my favorite place in Seattle. My hair actually curls up quite a bit without all that weight. Siobhan was super jealous, she wants a new look, involving blue hair this time. I promised a picture for Sharon, she thinks short hair is "sassy" on me. This picture, believe it or not, is the best out of about 50 I tried to take of myself. I know it's a day late, but I wanted to wish a Happy Mothers Day to all my mamas. Of course my mother, and both Sharon and Sharron. I think that I am lucky. Three very different ladies and styles and opinions. Each of them has influenced my mothering greatly. I would not be me without them and I love them dearly. I also have to say Happy Mothers Day to all the other mothers that are so special to me. Luisa, Kim, Gretchen, Melissa, Tara, Annisha, Brittney, and Trisha. She sent me the nicest email that absolutely made my day. I hope that you all had a great day and I hope to include Alex in the next year! I am secretly hoping that she will somehow have her baby in Canada so that I can continue to call David baconater and their baby can be Canadian bacon.

Get it off your chest.

Soooo. Taking a cue from Annisha in her last list post I hereby dedicate today to pet peeves. This is not a difficult task here. I married a man that advised me right away, "I don't like people." I have come to accept that most people will annoy him in some way but in an effort to survive in this society, he will put up with them. We moved to a town that is ripe for the picken' and everybody is a total pain in the ass. In the last month or so I have been trying to break from that and be more positive. I had read somewhere, I wish I could remember where, about wearing a string around your one wrist and every time you complain you have to move it to the other. The goal being to not have moved it at all from the original wrist. It's harder than it sounds but it has made me aware of how much I complain. It has made a big difference for me but man am I excited to use this list as an excuse to get some of it out! So, here are some of my all time,most annoying, pet peeves...

#1. Referring to California as "Cali". As in "going back to Cali," I don't think so. (remember that song? This lady loves cool j) Pete always calls it Cali to annoy me. Rarely do people actually from California call it Cali. And no I never had a "Locals Only" sticker.

#2. Cell phones. Especially when used with a bluetooth. I actually saw a man go in for a haircut that did not remove the bluetooth. When I have walked through the mall to see Pete and the cell phone kiosk people ask what cell phone I use and I say none, they act as though I am lying, it could not be possible to not use a cell phone. I do have to amend this to state that my mom gave me her old pay as you go for when I am driving Pete to work, it makes her feel better.

#3. Misspelled words. I don't know why, but I cannot stand to see words spelled incorrectly. It is like nails on a chalkboard. I know that I am not the worlds greatest speller, so I spellcheck everything. Spelling is my favorite homework to help with.

#4. Checkers that are outright mean when people pay with WIC coupons or food stamps. I am sure there are people that abuse this system, but some people are in rough spots and don't need the attitude. I have been there and it is hard enough to feel like you are not taking care of things without having people that don't know you treat you like a leper. I have actually told checkers off since I have lived here. I just don't understand why they feel like they are being cheated.

#5. Strangers that advise you that you will have to keep an eye out on your daughter when she's older. "She's a looker, you'll have to fight 'em off." If this is an old man, I am especially bothered. Both creepy and gross. The one I am keeping my eye on is them.

I feel like I should end on a happier note so I'll leave you with this, a song written in the 1920's that my Grandma and us girls would sing every vacation coming back home. Like Alex, I have a real love and sense of ownership in where I grew up. Soy un Californiano!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Thumbtastic

Yesterday we went to Nolte State park to test our luck. We found out that the kids have to have licenses also so Pete went in and got them all set up. It was kind of fun to see what he guessed their weight and height at. I was glad that he erred on the lesser side by 20 pounds for Siobhan. She is suffering from self scrutiny right now and we have been trying to make her realize how perfect she is. I didn't get a license this year. I mostly just like to read. I did take a 3 mile hike though and it was extra nice.
I don't know if you noticed in that last picture that Hans was neither sitting nor fishing. He was just playing by the edge of the water despite repeated warnings. He did not heed the advice and ended up rolling in and spending the next half hour naked in a blanket in the car while Pete and the kids packed up.
We didn't catch any fish, which angered some.
Today is a clean up day. Or as my dad and I say, "the cleaning rag is in". The kids are occupied with some Ed Emberley and making some great things. There is a lot of Mothers Day whispering and "Don't Looks!!" I have been giving Oscar a hard time and telling him I expect diamond earrings, but I would really love some thumb pirates or another George Washingthumb. It's fun to tease though. Especially when he doesn't even blink before he tells me no.

From Siobhan I would just like her homework done.Without crying, whining, anger or distraction. Also, I would like the ability to remember even a little of what I learned the three times I took Algebra so I could help.

The list!

Okay, yesterday was just too busy to post. I don't want to start slacking on the list though, I love it. So, today will be quick and tomorrow will be a real post. Instead, today I will post just a quick list with an idea I saw on someone elses blog. Five random facts. This might be fun, there is kind of a varied group here and it will be neat to see what we do and don't know about each other. Here we go....

#1. I love coffee. Really,really love it. I drink several cups a day. I will gladly drive into the city just for a latte that's really good.

#2. I stopped using shampoo a month ago. I wash with baking soda and rinse with vinegar. After an initial adjustment period, my hair is really soft and shiny. Although, sometimes when it is humid or rainy I have smelled like a pasta salad.

#3. In my early 20's I lost over a 100 pounds. I never really realized how big I had gotten but it really hurts to look back and see how far it had gone. I once showed a picture to Kim but not at my biggest and I try hard to keep them from Pete.

#4. I would happily have more babies if I didn't know that Pete would go INSANE.

#5. When I was 26 I dated a guy for a year that was 19. I also, unfortunately, tattooed his name on me.

Your turn!

Puzzling

I keep meaning to get on here and put up a new post but time just gets away from me. We have done a lot this past week. Last Wednesday the kids and I drove up to my Moms to stay the night and had a great time. We went to Port Townsend and walked around and ate at a delicious bakery. Friday, Oscar was sick and stayed home so I took advantage of the situation and hit a few garage sales. I bought a dresser and some amazing vintage fabric from the 30's, 40's and 50's. The best part was they were large pieces, not remnants and they were .50. I am beyond thrilled. We also did a little fishing. On Sunday Pete caught a couple of trout and Siobhan caught 3. I actually really enjoy trout and Pete made us a delicious dinner. Let's see, what else? We have been in the middle of a puzzle frenzy. Hans is very good, as is Oscar. We have probably done a dozen different puzzles this past week. Most are 1-200 but we did a 500 piece "Marine Mammals of The Western Hemisphere" that was really fun. This one Oscar did on his own and we just had to measure up. Hans also informed me that babies do not come from the belly. I was anxious to see where that was heading, maybe the older kids had been talking? No, buckets. The nurse brings them out in buckets. I would like to say that I cleared that up but I'm leaving that to Pete.
Saturday we went back to garage sales. It was a city wide sale and there was a sale at every turn. We started with two church rummage sales. Church sales are my favorites. I always find amazing vintage dresses and quilts and fabric. Oscar was devastated when he barely missed a box of a complete Lego soccer set but rebounded when he found an in the box Smurf village. I found a cuckoo clock. I have a growing collection of miniature ones but this is a regular size and I am excited to get it set.
Later in the day Oscar and I headed back out to the church sales for the "fill a bag for a dollar". There had been a couple of dresses that I had liked, as well as a beaded cardigan from the 40's. They were all $10 each though so I thought I'd take a chance and hoped they were still there. They were, and Oscar also filled up a bag. I found Olive a million pairs of tights, what she calls baby legs and some awesome pink pony fur Italian shoes. So, overall, quite a weekend. It may take Pete some time to recover. My mom and John will be here today to stay over and the kids are excited.

What's In Your Wallet?

First off. Somehow this post went to a different place, but today is Patricks birthday. Here is his present.


Part of the fun for me, concerning the list, is that I sometimes have an idea of what I think it will be and then, come Wednesday morning something else pops in my head and that is it. Today's idea actually started with Alex. She had read a book? or maybe an article? about what men during WWII carried in their rucksack, if that is the correct term. Anyway, she suggested a list about things we always carry with us in our purse, or backpack, or wallet. I have carried a backpack for a long time because I preferred it over a diaper bag. I carry a purse now, but it is usually large and still full of kids things. There are certain things I always have with me, even unintentionally. Olive has also started carrying a purse and if I can somehow lure her away from it I may have to see what she has in hers and add it to a list. I would also be curious to see what other peoples purse "policies" are. I grew up with the rule that you never get into a ladies purse. I've heard some arguments over this one. Oddly enough I recently read a "5 Questions with Lyle Lovett" where he gave that as a rule as well. Just wondering?
So, here's mine........

#1. Slingshot. I have had one of these for the last few years and I love it. It contains a radical contact list as well as a recommended reading list instructions for resisting government repression. I love it for the artwork, the phone number sections at the end and the fact that it is the only organizer I have ever consistently used. I always have this with me.

#2. Next would have to be my wallet. Pretty self explanatory, but I really like it so thought I'd add it to the photo.

#3. Some random kids book. Always. Right now the little ones are obsessed with Mr. Men and Little Miss. We have about 6 or 7 of them and that's what been with me the last week or so.

#4. A Field Guide to the Birds. I have carted this around for a year now. There are so many great birds here. We have several feeders in our yard and I thought it would be fun for the kids and I to start identifying some of the birds that visit. I have been frustrated that I haven't been able to really get the hang of this. Pulling the book out for the photo, I thought I'd sit down and look through it again, it has great pictures. I am so glad I did, this book is a guide for east of the Rockies. Lame.

#5. Stay Well. My mom bought me this pocket mirror for Christmas and it made me cry. I love it so much that I have entertained the idea of it as a tattoo. I had to put a better picture up of it so that you can really appreciate it. I always have it with me, I just love it and it makes me happy.

Oh yeah, one last thing I'd have to add is my camera. That is with me at all times. You never know when a great blog photo opportunity will present itself!

Road Trip

Obviously, seeing as this is my blog, I spend a lot of time talking about my childhood. It was happy and full of great memories and lots of love. Part of what really attracted me to Pete was the love his family has for each other,something I haven't talked about much here. Pete is one of 8 kids and I amazed by the fact that they all are so close as adults. They may not talk everyday or see each other often, but they genuinely love each other. I am fascinated by Pete as a kid. His mother has kept the best scrapbooks of their childhood. The time and love put into each is truly amazing. She kindly entrusted me to Petes and I protect it like the heirloom it is. I love looking at it. This is one of my favorites. Pete was born at Walter Reed Hospital on July 4th. I think that is neat.
I like to hear Pete talk about his time with his Dad. He likes to complain about all the hiking and how tough his Dad was but what boy doesn't relish time with their Dad. I look forward to adding pictures of Pete and his son together like this. Another thing I have always been really impressed with is all the traveling that was done. Pete tells us about going to the Expo in Canada, driving across country to New York, Disneyland, and one of Petes favorites, Yellowstone. By the way, that is Sharrons mother Olive, who my Olive is named for. I hope to do a lot of traveling with our family as well. We have done pretty good so far. Our next trip is going to be a little different. Siobhan and Oscar will be heading to California with their Dad to stay awhile this summer. I am beside myself thinking of how much I will miss them. This coincides with Pete's vacation. So, we scrapped the Disneyland idea for now, that will have to wait until next summer when Siobhan and Oscar are with us. Instead, Hans and Olive and Pete and I are going to drive to Yellowstone and spend a couple of days there, including our 6th anniversary. From there we will drive to South Dakota and stay in Deadwood a few days and see Mt. Rushmore. I plan to see all 50 states and as many historic sites as I can in my lifetime. I am really looking forward to this trip. If anyone has any thought on good places in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, or Idaho please pass them on. I also hope to hear about Kims memories from their Mt. Rushmore trip. That is yet another thing I love about Kim, she always gives me the missing pieces to the stories that Pete doesn't remember. So, that is just a little about Pete's family. I truly love them and I am so happy to be a Lindgren.

Dancing Queen

Last night was Oscars school dance. Every year they have a week of dance instruction during PE and then Friday night there is a dance for the whole family. The DJ is somewhat of a local legend and in great demand. He is really good and to my surprise Oscar danced his ass off last year and has been looking forward to this years. Hans and Olive are the big surprise here. They do not leave their seats at all. I don't know if you can see, but Olive wore as much costume jewlery as she could. Oscar and Siobhan gathered their crew and hung out on the dance floor. Oscar did allow me to dance with him once, even though last week he told me it totally embarrasses him when I dance and/or sing.
He and Siobhan both entered the hula hoop contest. Oscar didn't last too long. I cannot believe how tall he is getting.
They did convince Pete to do the YMCA with them. Olive was not impressed.
The highlight of the evening though was the Siobhan /Brandon dance. This is our neighbor. He and Siobhan go to school together and Oscar is in the same class as his brother. They play all afternoon, break for dinner, and then head back out. Both Pete and Brandon's mom gave them each a dollar to square dance together. Siobhan is super stressed that Pat will freak out if he sees that she danced with a boy. So, no grief Patrick. I like this kid. He is very polite and equally nice to all the kids, regardless of age. Also, he is as goofy as Siobhan and they are funny to watch together. So, that was last night. I mostly wanted to post something new so that Oscar won't freak when he sees I compared him to Todd, he's really more a Kevin.

There's a New Todd in Town

Todd

Today is a going to be a quick little post. The sun is peeking out and I am hoping to enjoy it a little. Right now it's shining on our new little friend Todd. Or as Olive calls him, Toddie. Olive was so happy to find a boy Barbie. Not a dad, not a dumb old GI Joe from Oscar and Hans' room, but a real boy. It only sweetened the deal that he came along with his only Happy Meal. We don't eat at McDonalds, except for maybe once a year, although I do love their Cokes. Hans and Olive have a fascination with them, they are like the forbidden city. Especially the play places, those skeeve me out too bad. I like the size of the box in proportion to the doll. Anyway, we'll get right to it tonight. Where do you like to eat out? We hardly ever eat out due to the fact that we have children. But there are a few places that we enjoy.
#1. IKEA cafeteria. We eat here at least once a week. Pete and the kids love the meatballs. I like the Ligonberries and we all love the fries.

#2. Wild Wheat in Kent, WA. My dad and I ate here for lunch and I have sweet dreams about their lamb burger. They have awesome breads and pastries. I took my Mom and John there for breakfast and it was wonderful also.

#3. Rubios. When Pete and I are in Salt Lake we eat here as often as possible. Fish tacos for a dollar on Tuesdays rule.

#4. Giannis Pizza in Monterey. Mostly this place is just where we usually end up for family gatherings and it holds a great deal of memories for me. I especially like to remember when we first received our dog Sophie as a puppy and Luisa brought her in her jacket.

#5. Lets wrap this list up classy. Costco has become a staple for us. You cannot beat a $1.50 meal and I will never forgive Kim for turning me on to churros.

As you can see, we are a family ruled by our children. Someday though we'll eat out on our own. How about you?

Hair Shop

Saturday was a really great day. The kids rode bikes all day long. Oscar has been against having a bike, despite my urging, the last few months. He fell once years ago and that completely soured him on the whole idea. I think it was hard for him to watch the kids having so much fun. You can't really keep up on a scooter. So, we bought a bike and he has barely been off of it. He is fun to watch and really good. He and his friend built a little ramp. Hans was happy to have his dad run him up and down the street on the scooter and kick back with a tropical drink. Of course that was just a little teaser. We have had rain since then. The kids are a little bummed so I thought we'd get out today and head toward the city. Olive has been long overdue for a new hair style. This is how her hair usually looks. When she was little Kim gave her bangs and they had been growing out. I thought maybe she was old enough for some long hair that she could wear in braids or pony tails. Her cousins all have such beautiful, long hair. This is just not meant for Olive. When she sees a brush come out she starts screaming that it hurts. Barrettes are quickly discarded.

So today we went to the "hair store". It's actually a really cool kids store. We've been several times and I always think I would like to get Olives hair cut there. Olive was so happy. She got to play with ponies while she sat in the car to get her hair done. At the end she even got to have fairy dust in her hair. I love it so much. I love short hair and I think Olive looks adorable. It really suits her well.
Of course, this is a more everyday kind of pose, so we can see how it will really look.

Wild Kingdom

Sequim was awesome! I dropped Pete at work in the morning. He goes in at 5 so I caught the first ferry of the morning. It was pretty dark on the boat but once we were off on the other side the scenery was fantastic. It was kind of nice taking a solo drive with the kids sleeping. I stopped several times for pictures, something I always hate to ask to do when there is a car full of antsy kids (and an antsy Pete). We went out to the beach and I felt so bad that Pete was missing it. There were Geoducks by the thousands and crabs everywhere! Every rock turned over held something new and exciting underneath. We found guppies and even shrimp. Some of the crabs were pretty big, like twice the size of my hand, others were the size of my thumbnail. I thought that would be the highlight of the visit, but then when I was sitting in my moms living room, something caught my eye outside the sliding glass windows. A bobcat! There have been dozens of deer and a coyote earlier in the week. This guy was so close, we must have spent 45 minutes outside watching him. Oscar also felt it necessary to add we found it's scat with a mouse inside and a dead shrew by the tool shed door.
In other exciting news, today is the birthday of two special girls. My niece Magnolia turns five today. I wish we could be there to see her and give her a great big hug. She is a darling little girl and a lot of fun to be around.
Today is also my niece Nicoe's birthday. She is twelve. We are going out to dinner and having HUGE costco cupcakes. She is an equally fun girl to be around and I am happy we will be celebrating with her. What a great week, after a rough start there have been some great things. A fun trip, birthdays, a new Hells Kitchen (have you been watching Alex?) and finally... GARAGE SALES!! Whoo Hoo!!

Can you believe it? Yet another zoo picture!

It seems that the blogging has slowed down a bit. It is hard to get out and be positive when it is so gloomy all the time. Luckily I have Hans who is always ready to cheer us up. He loves to pick the neighbors flowers for me as well as every single dandelion in the county. Recently, he has begun to arrange them as well. This is his very first floral arrangement. Oscar has had a week of being under the weather. He spent a few days home from school and is using an inhaler again, something he hasn't had since he was 2. This week is spring break and he and Siobhan have been at my moms for the past few days. I miss him, I got used to having him around during the day. I tried to keep up the learning atmosphere and was glad he was able to catch up on his Steve Perry history. We went back to the zoo and Hans was a little freaked out that there was rope in the beluga exhibit. We sure do use the hell out of that pass.
The last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster around here. As always, there has been a lot of change with Macys. This led to Pete applying for a new position within the company that would take us back to Utah. I want to be there. I feel at home there and I miss it a lot. Pete is a hard worker and a great many people had recommended him and inquired for him and I really thought it was going to happen. In the end, someone else who had been displaced due to all the changes took the job. While I am glad to know that people that would have been without a job were taken care of, I have to admit I have been extremely disappointed. I feel bad for Pete that he has to put up with me and I feel bad that I haven't told him how proud I am of him for trying so hard to do something that he knows would make me happy. He is an amazing husband and I am so happy just to be with him, no matter where that may be. So this is where we are for awhile. I like the city, I think I will spend more time there. I love the Olympic peninsula and my mom, so I will spend more time there also. Hans,Olive and I are going to take the van across on the ferry tomorrow and have a sleepover at Grandmas. In the wise words of my sister in law Kim, " Enjoy it while you're there." So, since I will be in Sequim tomorrow, I thought I'd post the list tonight. I know the last one was a little bit difficult. Hopefully, this will be slightly less so. Where are your favorite places? I know we have done places we'd like to visit or that we have alrady enjoyed visiting. Actually, maybe we didn't do where we'd like to visit. Anyway, this is more of a "happy place" Places that I like to recall and am comforted by the memories of. Here are mine....

#1. Big Sur. We spent a lot of time there when we were younger. Camping or day trips on the river. When I get in the shower my first feeling is of Big Sur and the compulsory shower to avoid poison oak.

#2. Asilomar. This isn't necessarily the beach we spent the most time at as a family, but I did spend a lot of time there with friends. The day after the Loma Prieta earthquake I hung out there with friends and enjoyed the famous earthquake weather and huge waves. This was just a really cool day for me.

#3. Disneyland. I think this will probably appear on other lists as well. No explanation necessary. This is also a nice reminder for Pete, as the kids and I are compaining for a trip there this summer.

#4. Bisbee. We visited Bisbee several times on vacation. This is where my Grandma was born and raised. This own holds fond memories for me. Being there with her was special and I especially enjoyed hearing stories from there as an adult. She once spent a few weeks recalling her childhood to me. She told a few stories a day as we went through some old photo albums. I loved imagining her as a little girl, especially when she told me about the other Bisbee families and what her classmates and teachers were like. One summer we carried a headstone for her mothers grave and placed on her grave. This leads to my next place.

#5. The cemetery. Any one really,the older the better. I spent hours and hours at the PG cemetery trying to connect different family members together. The Bisbee cemetery was really interesting and so old. It is not creepy to me, I find it a really comforting place. Odd as a happy place I guess but to me it is.

Speaking My Truth

Wow! It finally was nice enough to be out yesterday. I have felt really bad for the kids. I guess I didn't realize how little we have been out. Yesterday, when I told them we were going on an adventure, Hans yelled out, with overwhelming enthusiasm, " Tell me where, is it Albertsons?" I should have gone with that and gradually worked my way up, but instead I started with the zoo. Hans loves monkeys. He has about 25 of these hanging ones. Every thrift store and garage sale is carefully sorted through to make sure there are no homeless hanging monkeys. They form curtains around his bed on the bottom bunk. The kids enjoyed the zoo and I was impressed when we went to the shark feeding and Hans answered the zookeepers questions correctly. He has a pretty vast knowledge of ocean life. He knew the difference between the sharks and what species is the largest(whale shark) and the most dangerous( bull shark). Olive was a little perturbed by the attention he received and started throwing out some ideas of her own. She has decided when she gets older she wants her head to be pink.

So yesterday was a busy day. Siobhan had another band concert. Arriving, the boy getting out of the car next to us was looked upon as a sort of street urchin, "oh, it's elliot, ugh". Following the performance, where he wowed everybody with a kick ass drum piece, he was "so awesome, I totally talked to him". Pete announced he was named Manager of the Year for his store. I am very proud of Pete and excited for him. He constantly doubts his abilities, despite the lavish praise he receives. It was nice for him and I look forward to taking advantage of his extra discounts this next year. So, really we are both winners.

I really try to be encouraging to Pete. I think that I am mostly a positive person, that's what I strive for anyway. I have received a great many lessons from my step mama Sharon. I used to like to joke about all her sayings and catch phrases but as an adult I find that most of them hold true. She has taught me a great many things things that have helped me make good changes in my life. I don't often share a lot about Sharon on the blog. She is a really awesome person. She is really open to all people and never tries to force anything on anyone. She always says of her advice, "take what you can use and leave the rest". But, my favorite lesson that she and Ottman(her animal son) have given me is to speak my truth. I have heard this many times but this has really been important to me in the last several months. This story could go on for awhile and I am sure that I don't need to detail all my various issues, that's where a trained professional comes in. But today, just for fun, let's list five things we like about ourselves, things we are good at. For me, it was harder than I thought. I hope everybody will give it a try. I know this one is a little bit vague, next week I may have to make the list- five list ideas. Anyway, here we go everybody....

#1. I like that I am willing to try new things and learn different ways of doing things.

#2. I like that I read a lot, I also like that I am a fast reader.

#3. I have a good memory and make an effort to remember things that people have told me.

#4. I am a devoted wife and mother and I like that I have put a real work toward that.

#5. I like that I dance with the kids, even though I feel totally ridiculous a lot of the time.