O For A Thousand Vats of Biofreeze

Eleven pages of pounding eighth notes? Yeah, we're gonna need it.

It sounded amazing today.

(Mostly) Rhetorical Mail Questions

How many more times will the #USPS bring us mail for previous occupants, on which I've written "Not at this address" and deposited into a blue USPS drop box? 

Should I be writing something else, besides the above or "Return To Sender" (my second attempt)?

During the holidays, did we not tip the mail carrier enough?

Have I angered some unknown mail god in some way? How can I appease its wrath? 

Most importantly: if this mail comes back a third time, do I then get to open it and keep what's inside?

Stellar Parenting, with Miss R.

R: S is having a team bonding party tonight. It's a sleepover. Is that okay? 

Me: As far as I know.....is she a drug dealer?

R: Yep

Me: Is she a pimp? 

R: Yep

Me: Wow, she's accomplished a lot for such a young age. 

R: Well she's a sophomore.

It's a good thing

...we only make artichoke dip on New Years Eve.... holy heck it's amazing.

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