Lovely

Two fires in the fireplace. Kitty is impressed by the cozy.

Today I got a few upvotes for my remarkably witty comeback, "Your butt is a mind-control device".... felt like a Reddit hero.

In other news, I've been sick for over a week and my husband says I've never looked or sounded hotter.

Her Royal Catness

Catness, age 6

Messing with filters

These are required for my happiness' sake

Went shopping at Bi-Mart tonight. My life will never be the same.

Bringing Home Lee-Lee

After our marathon of driving from our house to Salt Lake City in ONE FREAKING DAY - with some pretty significant snow on the ground starting in Mountain Home, Idaho (one of our stops) - we stopped at the hotel in Ogden and checked in, got our room key, and headed to Salt Lake to wait at the bus station.

It was after midnight. I waited in the car while Brennan met her bus. Pretty soon, here they came, holding hands.

We drove back to Ogden, fell asleep around 1:30 AM, and slept till around 8:00. I woke up, showered, and woke the two of them. It was going to be a monstrous day of driving and I was eager to get it started, so we'd have time to stop for naps.

I was the chauffeur. Among other places, we stopped at Taco Bell in Ontario, Oregon, for lunch - they ate in the restaurant, I ate in the car and then napped.

We made it home around 8 PM. I was never so grateful to see my bed.

So glad she's home.

Birthday Dinner

Today is Mel's birthday, and we met her and her boys at the Izzy's in Hazel Dell. We stuffed our faces with pizza buffet items and a lovely time was had by all.

First Band Concert!

Our beautiful R, who went into band really wanting to play the trumpet,

but was convinced by her teacher (the fabulous Mr. C, whom we love)

to try the alto sax instead.

And she loves it!

New Lunch Place

Today Brian and I discovered that Loowit Brewing Company in downtown Vancouver has amazing sandwiches! Two grainy mustardy thumbs up! 

Halloween S'mores in the New Driveway

Alas, our dreams were sadly crushed by the crap weather. We went inside and watched a movie instead.

Here's to better weather next year!

And did I mention

BLLLLEAAAAAAHHHHHH

But we're done. Finally.

Tonight we celebrated at Shari's, our old favorite: a cleaned-out rental, a dropped-off key, and the end of an era.

Church Report

- Held a sleeping baby

- The music rocked

- Wore my skull scarf and skull & crossbones flats. 

Couldn't quite pull the trigger on the eyeball hat, though.

(New phone, don't know where to look for selfies)

Tomorrow we will finish moving the rest of our stuff out of the rental. BLEAH

Please send good vibes.

Ice cream would also be cool.

Hmmm

The robot floor cleaner was *of course* next to the wall under our king-size bed when its battery died, necessitating my rescuing it....using the broom.

Dude, You Got A Disease

 Just one of the parts I love about this church piano gig - finding a fun ribbon for my hats:

The hat situation:

Happy Birthday

...to my sweetheart, my partner in crime, my baby daddy, the love of my life, the Best Man Ever.

I love you. So happy that you were born.

Have a wonderful day.

H & C Have Their Ears Pierced

We decided it was time. They both wanted pierced ears. Off to the mall we went.

Before shots:

H having his earlobe marked:

H, after:

C goes next:

C, after:

The boys with the lovely Piercing Pagoda staff:

They were both very brave and earned a sucker as their reward. 

Wedding and Funeral

FUNERAL:

Held at Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church.

Judging by her family's stories, the deceased was awesome.

Also, all of the gospel music I printed to play for her service had been recorded by Elvis.

Wish I'd met her.

WEDDING:

Held at the Brickstone Ballroom in downtown Vancouver.

Mom helped me lace and feather my black straw hat.

L and me

M, N and me

My Beautiful Sister and Me

Out for dinner with the (almost) entire family of origin

at Sayler's in Portland.

It was a very fun night.

All about the hats lately

Family Photo at Lucia Falls

This was a really fun day.

Brian posted this on Facebook today, saying this:

"I feel like I totally hit the jackpot with the family I have. Not only do Natalie and I have so much fun together, but watching these kids be friends with each other, stand in support of their friends, battle their own issues and excel at what they do while treating me and Natalie with nothing but respect and love. I just feel so lucky today. Sorry for all the feels."

Well said, Bri Bri. I feel the same.

R goes to Homecoming

Our beautiful youngest had her first formal dance date tonight. Can't believe how grown up she looks!

First Day at Briar Handmade

My first day of the new job went well. My feet are so tired!

Here's the company: 

https://briarhandmade.com/

Also, the moving continues. 

And: the moon is huge and beautiful tonight!

Update

There's a whole lotta moving going on and I am a happy, happy girl.

Le Goof

A throwback pic. 

I very much miss my hair.

For you Al Yankovic and/or Michael Flatley fans

The goodness of this day cannot be overstated

We received the keys to our house today.

Apple Feet

Me, after church, in our almost-backyard.

"almost" because

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE

Hat of the Week

In honor of Aretha, we had to have a huge bow.

Today during Offering, I played "Natural Woman". I love my job. 

I am a happy, happy lady.

Because WE BOUGHT A HOUSE TODAY!!!!!!

Piano Feet

It's hot in this old church.

Today was a good rehearsal day.

Teeeeeeeeeeeaaaa?

Happy Birthday to our Goose!

She requested a birthday tea at our favorite tea spot, Sweet Peas Tea Room in Battle Ground, Washington. All the birthday stops were pulled out in her honor.

mmmm, tea goodies

Horrible Haircut Hilda

I took Carter to a soccer tournament in Renton, Washington, this weekend. It was hot, humid and disgusting outside, and my hair was driving me absolutely bonkers.

So I went to some walk-in place, and a lovely young woman chopped my hair off for me.

It didn't look a thing like the picture I showed her. I HATE how short it is now.

But the hair color is gone, so that's something.

Now comes the fun of growing it out. Lucky me :)

Blondie

Our Handsome Harrison

<3

First Float of 2018

...at our favorite river spot, Lewisville Regional Park.

And I am a happy lady.

Happy Sunday, you glorious people

Went shopping today.

I hate shopping so much that by the time I was finished, I was giving every cashier who asked a fake email address or phone number.

Unrelated: I still have my high school boyfriend's phone number memorized.

No Rain by Blind Melon

You have no idea how much you're holding inside until your kid starts singing along with this song on the radio and you ask her, "Have you ever seen the video for this?" and she says "No" and you start describing it to her and end up with your voice squeaking like a mouse and water leaking on your face

This gorgeous kid is off to the prom

Have fun, Mr. C!

The joys of growing out the gray...

It's a real laugh riot.

The phrase "if hairs be wires" comes to mind.

Being at the beach

always makes me so happy, I wet my pants*

After spending the night in Sequim, Washington, last night, we drove to Clallam County and visited Salt Creek Beach, off the Strait of Juan de Fuca. What an incredible place!

Today being Mother's Day, I was extremely happy to be in such a beautiful spot with Brian and two of our babes. It was a fun trip.

*I will never not use this joke whenever possible

Playoffs Game in Lacey, Washington

This was a bummer.

Brian: "Carter and his school teammates unfortunately lost in the state playoffs today, 3-2, to top-seeded Gig Harbor. They had a great game and season."

But, the good news was, after this game, we drove north to beautiful Sequim, Washington, and spent the night.