tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62576892485869433082024-03-07T10:43:21.574-08:00Something PonyWelcome to my blog, where I talk about design, my dog, and life.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-35792552097236161602013-11-06T09:01:00.001-08:002013-11-06T09:03:53.669-08:00Goals and SuchInspired by a friends comment, I have decided that I need to reassess why I do what I do. In order to be successful in life, I need to have goals and not just slog through each stage of life hoping to survive. These goals are just the beginning and not comprehensive by any means, just some that I threw together before my daughter wakes up.<br />
<br />
I stole many of these goals below from another blog... but carefully edited out certains ones that didn't fit my personal credo, such as "eat healthier", and "try a new board game every month". I am a committed Dominion player. Don't even mess with me. Unless you are Jenn K. Then you will destroy me.<br />
<br />
<li>Go on a family outing every month this year.</li>
<li>Have family prayer every day.</li>
<li>Go camping two times this year.</li>
<li>Read a book every month.</li>
<li>Play a new game with your family twice a month. (Good thing we post new games every Friday!)</li>
<li>Count to five and think about what you are doing before you get angry.</li>
<li>Call a good friend each week.</li>
<li>Make someone in your family smile every day.</li>
<li>Clean the house every Thursday so I don't have a panic attack.</li>
<li>Go hiking each month as a family.</li>
<li>Walk the dog. Anywhere, for any amount of time.</li>
<li>Eat less.</li>
<li>Spend less money.</li>
<li>Commit to less busyness.</li>
<br />
Are there any I forgot?<br />
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<br />nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-19312823383205652922013-09-24T12:02:00.001-07:002013-09-24T12:02:14.429-07:00Monday's Top Ten<br />
<div>
In no particular order:</div>
<ol>
<li>Woke up to Coral yelling "Mommy, Up! Mommy, Up! Mommy, Up!" and so on and so forth</li>
<li>Coral peed in her pretend toilet</li>
<li>Emptied pee from a pretend toilet into a real toilet</li>
<li>Bought underwear in size 2-toddler for the first time</li>
<li>Got peed on</li>
<li>Baked 3 loaves of bread at 11pm-midnight</li>
<li>Went for a drink with a husband that was too tired to do anything but nod and squint at me while I rambled on about my thoughts</li>
<li>Bought some bitchin' Rachael Ray orange ramekins </li>
<li>Got pooped on</li>
<li>Got 3 filled punch cards at Dutch Bro's when I bought my pumpkin spice latte!</li>
</ol>
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Wow, no wonder I haven't done one of these in a while. Parenthood can be depressing. The show Parenthood is for sure depressing, I was talking about my life though...</div>
nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-13121935369538902452013-02-20T12:02:00.001-08:002013-02-20T12:03:12.651-08:00Dear Uncle Jake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past month, my great uncle Jake died. He's shown above here on the right. I mostly just interacted with Jake as a child during family reunions at this camp in Oklahoma. Our extended family would gather at this remote lake and choke on the southern humidity while Jake cooked up 2000 calorie meals for us and told outrageous stories. He was a kind man that loved to make us kids laugh. I was pretty young the last time that I saw Jake but here's what I remember.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>He was hilarious</li>
<li>He didn't put up with any of the mean older boys bullshit</li>
<li>He killed a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_atrox">diamondback snake</a> in the shower house by crushing it's head and tried to keep it on the DL</li>
<li>He was a freakin' hero to us kids</li>
</ul>
As a child, that's about as good as a hero gets, but as I grew up, he continued to be a hero in my mind. Right before his passing, he received <span style="color: black;">the medal of Knight in the <a href="http://www.libertyjumpteam.org/veteran-tributes/jake-mcniece.html">French Order</a> of the Legion of Honor. That is the greatest honor that France can give someone and was established by my favorite Frenchie, Napoleon in 1802. </span>It was great to know that France has a similar opinion of my uncle as I do. <br />
<br />
Jake was a paratrooper in WWII and led an elite demolition unity called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filthy_Thirteen">Filthy Thirteen</a>. Hollywood adapted the story into the Dirty Dozen, one of the most popular WWII movies, and had Lee Marvin play uncle Jake as seen here:<br />
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More can be read about that<a href="http://thecasemateblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/jake-mcniece-1919-2013/"> here</a> as it was of course, a longer story.<br />
<br />
I am so proud of uncle Jake, as he meant so much to our family and the world. He was a lovely and humble Man.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-23960596337645685612013-01-25T07:59:00.000-08:002013-02-28T21:03:41.967-08:002013, I think we are going places...Now that it's near the end of of January, I'm reflecting back on my unintentional new years resolutions. I say unintentional because my iron resolve to not let my muffin top mock me in the mirror and my 20lb weight gain evidenced by my new drivers license photo came all right after Christmas. Oh, Christmas! with your shortbread packed plates and your ceaseless offers of spirited beverages. Not to mention the traditions that bind you to a chair/couch/bucket seat with family in stress-eating inducing scenarios. By the time January 1st came along, the 1st circle of Dante's Inferno, (which if I recall correctly, is a slightly neglected post-baby body) had seared through the hardened arteries of my heart and penetrated my soul. <br />
<br />
Now, my sage body-management advice (after loosing 4 to 6 pounds) comes down to this: Every time I want to eat something when I'm not hungry, I lift up my shirt a little and look at the glorious work that time and sin have done to my belly. That's all. It cures my craving every time. Take that, Cosmo and Weight Watchers! I'm cruising down Weight-loss Highway in the carpool lane with my middle finger up to Crossfit and Curves. Ahhh... I love the smell of arrogance in the morning. Smells like, binge eating in a dark closet.<br />
<br />
In addition to that morsel of good news, I have high hopes for this year. I put a lot of significance in a calendar year. For example, if I ever see 2009 again I'm going to knock it's teeth in. 2011 was a year of wondrous metamorphis where I not only changed physically and gave birth, but I lost many of my fears. 2013 feels good to me. I think I'm going to get out of debt this year(Dave Ramsey<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802463762&pid=UBM9780670032082&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdsbooksdvds.com%2Fproduct.jhtm%3Fsku%3DUBM9780670032082&usg=AFHzDLuqlab1VfEV--aZCbldLjiXTfOTbw&pubid=624589" rel="nofollow">Financial Peace Revisited (Revised Edition) by Ramsey, Dave [Hardcover (Google Affiliate Ad)</a>).<br />
I might have to sell dog-hair pillows on the street corner, but if my goal is acheived, I will shave my head. No I won't, but I might shave my dog. Well, I might HAVE to shave my dog for the pillows.<br />
<br />
In conclusion, may your 2013 be just as furry and balanced on a new digital scale as mine. Cheers, dear reader!<br />
<br />nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-50332042077093365632012-08-17T11:48:00.000-07:002012-08-17T11:48:55.272-07:00Journey from Backyard to Freezer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(the original six, before we gave three away)</div>
There are quite a few veggies that have made the before mentioned journey, but today is the first day that some animals made this trip. Don't worry, I didn't tackle the blue heron that was eating our koi. Our three feathered ladies have gone to the chicken coop in the sky. This morning I got some large cardboard boxes and trudged through our bamboo forest to the coop. The chickens eyed me warily and even more so, Jackie. I scooped up Fat Flo who came along willingly until she realized what I meant to do with the box. She hopped out of the box, punched me in the face, and went running for the open gate. Jackie lived up to her reputation and chased her down for me. Parker Jr. was easy to move. The last one was Frida, the little one. She quickly darted around the coop but I used my ninja skills and snatched both of her legs out of the air as she was hopping to an upper bar in the coop. I was just as startled as she was at my sucess but was repeatedly slapped as I crawled out of the coop with an upsidedown chicken in one hand. <br />
<br />
It took me 40 minutes to drive Coral and the three death-row-chickens out to the butcher. It was my first time in this neighboring small town and it met my expectations with it's gravel driveways and wild packs of tom cats. I handed over the birds and got Coral out to walk around and wait. The smell was so similar to my time in rural Mexico that I half expected a Tamale cart to wheel by. It was only 9am and already about 80 degrees. Between the cats gnawing on giblets and the smell of the water being flushed down the gravel driveway, I was glad that I hadn't eaten any breakfast. Even though I live in a small town, I totally felt like a city slicker in my "new" 2000 Volvo wagon that carried me and my 3 chickens in cardboard boxes. I watched four old beat up trucks come and go while I waiting, each carrying over a dozen birds or rabbits in large wire mesh cages. These people were obviously professionals. <br />
<br />
We are safely home now and the bags with chopped chicken are cooling in the freezer. We will have wonderful chicken soup this fall. Thank you, chickens. That was a good run. <br />
nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-84289542589824534422012-08-02T08:26:00.001-07:002012-08-02T08:26:34.998-07:00Story of a Fairly Normal BirthIt has been eight months since I gave birth but I felt that it was important for me and for Coral to get this written down. I ran this story by Matt and my midwife to check for accuracy and they said I got an A-. I'm happy with that. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Coral’s Birth Story 11-12-11</strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been 8 months since Coral was born but I still want
to write down what I remember about my experience. I should say “our”
experience because it was a remarkable experience for myself as well as Matt
and Coral.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leading up to Corals due date of 11-11-11, I was indifferent
about when she was born. I was just excited to meet her. When I woke up on the
morning of the 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, I was overwhelmed by the desire to give birth
that day. I didn’t have a name picked out yet, but I felt that I needed it to
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a Friday and I had a Dr
appointment to get my fluid level checked. I wasn’t as good as I should have
been about hydrating so I was getting being monitored for amniotic fluid levels.
Matt picked me up and went with me to the Doctor that afternoon and while I was
there one of my midwives said that it would be so great for everyone if the
baby came that day since the fluids were a little bit of an issue and we were
all just ready. She swept my membrane as a gentle way to induce and sent me on
my way. I wasn’t sure what kind of feeling to watch for since I had no idea
what a contraction felt like. I knew that I felt strange the rest of the day,
as if my muscles and sinews were grumbling and rearranging themselves in
confusion. Matt made me a wonderful steak dinner that night and I even had a
little red wine in our celebrating. We then went to the store to walk around
and buy some receiving blankets for the baby and distract myself from the
twisting and pulling in my abdomen. When we got home it was about 8pm and I
told Matt that if we were going to be up all night, I wanted to go to bed then
so I would be rested. Matt and I had just dozed off when I felt my first
contraction. I woke up with a start and started shaking. I went to the bathroom
and lost all my amazing dinner and was shaking uncontrollably. Matt came in and
helped me get off the floor because my muscles and nerves seemed to all be
confused and panicking. We came downstairs and Matt ran hot water over my back
in the shower while I was leaning over the side of the tub like a sea sick
sailor. It was about 9:00 when I dried off and knelt in front of the couch and
rested my arms and head there while we tried to figure out how the heck to use
the contraction counter on my phone. I knew to start the timing from the
beginning of each contraction but they were so quick and short that I wasn’t
sure if it was one contraction or 5. We gave up for a while and Matt just
talked to me a bit while I zoned out and moaned and rocked. I directed all of
my pain sound through my deepest hum which is supposed to help relax and
release the pain. It seemed to help and it kept me calm. We were convinced that
the labor would be a long arduous one and were determined to stay home as long
as possible. I think it was around 10:30 and I was still on the couch/floor and
I realized that these were not one long contraction but many short one and I
had been at 2-3 minute intervals for a while. That is when you are supposed to
be at the hospital already, or reading to give birth wherever you are. I told
Matt to call my parents and get me down to the birthing center in which I had
pre-registered. It was only a 5 minute drive but I was in so much pain sitting
in the cold seat. My contractions were hammering me into a stupor at that
point. I felt like I was the town drunk as Matt led me staggering towards the
birthing center door. I stopped right in front of the automatic slider and
threw up on the loveliest Japanese maple. I wiped my mouth with the back of my
hand and we got inside. We were buzzed in and the nurse at the desk asked me
how I was doing, I told her not very well and she escorted me into the exam
room. After what seemed like 2 years, she was done checking my cervix and said
I was at 4 centimeters. They checked me in to my room at 11:11 pm and got an IV
placed just in case they needed to give me some fluids but I told them I wanted
minimal intervention. My midwife got there shortly after the nurse had turned
the back of my hand into Swiss cheese trying to get the needle placed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like someone should be as astounded as
I was that I was about to have a baby but my midwife calmly greeted me with a
cup of tea in her hand and talked with me about how I was doing and what might
help. I was sitting on a yoga ball with my head resting on the edge of the bed
doing my deep humming. I couldn’t stand being touched. Everything hurt when it
touched me. The band they put around my stomach to hold the round disk that
listened to the baby’s heartbeat was like a torture device. I took it off a few
times and the soft spoken nurse kept putting it back on while mumbling words of
encouragement. I wanted to punch her. Sam suggested I get in the hot tub and
rest. My mom and Holli arrived from Eugene by then. It was probably midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They helped me get in the tub while my
midwife cleared the room so that I could have some calm. There were fake
candles and bird chirping sounds that may have annoyed me if I wasn’t so
focused on the pain. The strange thing was that I could control the pain if I
concentrated on it and let it wash over me. If I lost concentration I started
to lose control of myself. That happened a few times when the soft spoken nurse
was telling me to do something and I couldn’t hear her over my low humming. From
here on out I will refer to this nurse as “Mumbles”. I snapped at Mumbles a few
times as I was fighting the panic. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I was in the tub Matt and Holli took turns holding my
hand. The contractions got harder and faster quickly while I was soaking. After
about an hour, so 1am I panicked a little because I was convinced that I was
going to pass out in the tub so I jumped out and Matt helped me to the bed to
stand near it. I was convinced that I didn’t want to get in the bed because the
contraction would be unbearable but I was really tired. My midwife suggested
trying to hang my weight on Matt’s shoulders while she supported my hip bones.
I was told before that this helps relieve pressure as the baby descends. This
did not help at all and I started to lose it a little as the pain got ahead of
me. I was so tired at this point that I laid down on the bed because I thought
I might fall down. I was correct about the contractions being worse while in
bed and I did lose control at that point and started to wail and writhe in the
bed. Matt lowered the bed railing and got into the bed with me and talked to
me. He told me I was doing great and he was so amazed with me. I wasn’t able to
acknowledge him but that did help. My midwife helped me get propped up with some
pillows and Matt was laying right next to me talking to me. I started to focus
on the contractions again and they became manageable again. My midwife checked
my cervix and said I was already at 10cm and we should start pushing after she
broke my water. I think Coral must have heard her because her head started to
move and broke the sack. I was starting a contraction about that same moment
and my abdomen seized and I went from humming to a full out groan when my body
started pushing. I was confused for a second and then realized it really was
time to push just before my midwife started to talk me through the pushes. Matt
kept saying how amazing I was and I kept thinking how amazing my body was, that
it was doing all of this on its own.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 1:20am and my
mom was holding one knee up for me, Mumbles was holding the other and my
midwife was telling me I was making good progress. I was so tired that I would
feel a contraction coming and fear it, then I would push with all my might
through it, and then feel like I was going to pass out after it. I kept saying,
I’m so tired, I can’t do this, and then another contraction would come. I
started to be afraid that I really would pass out and they would cart me in to
the OR and cut me open. This fear made me push even harder during a contraction
and I would stubbornly be pushing even though the contraction was over. Mumbles
and my midwife started telling me to relax between and save my strength. I had
my hands behind my knees so that I could hold on to something. After a few
pushes they were just stuck there from all the sweat and pressure from my knees
being bent. Mumbles kept telling me to relax my hands and I was too tired to
tell her that I was relaxed, they were just stuck so after a few times I just
yelled it at her. The pushing fell in to a pretty good rhythm and as I pushed I
was thinking about the baby working her way down and I would say “come on
baby”. It was half encouragement, and half pleading. I’m not sure how the
onlookers interpreted it because I’m pretty sure I heard snickering. My midwife
was so encouraging that I started to get a false sense of progress and after 10
minutes I asked if she could see the head. She said “no” and I was so
disappointed. I had no concept of time. After a few more pushes she said she
could see it. A few more and the baby’s soft furry head was nearing the cervix.
I got to feel her head and it was kind of creepy but amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gave me the last bit of energy I needed to
push her head out. I think they sucked some fluids out of her nose and mouth
and my midwife said “push” so I pushed like crazy and thought that the body was
out. It was not, so I was again so disappointed when I was told to push again.
The baby didn’t move and my midwife could feel that the baby’s hand was stuck
by her face so she wasn’t going to come out very smoothly. She told me not to
push but I had to. There was no way to fight it. There was a little bit of
tearing and a sharp pain and the baby’s torso was mostly out. One more push
finished the job at 1:48am and I didn’t even think about the pain when they
pulled a purple crying baby up towards me and laid her on my chest. She had one
eye winked closed and a soft little whimper as she moved her little hands
around my neck. Her hair was dark and soft. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been so focused on pain and pushing that
I was a little shocked when they handed me a baby. I said “Oh, thank you God. Baby,
I’m so glad you came out”. I just watched her as they cleaned us both up. My
midwife gave Matt some scissors and he cut the cord and helped wrap the baby up
in a blanket on my chest. I was told to push one more time so the placenta
could come out. I asked to see it and it was huge. I had to get stitched up but
it was easy to forget about it with a baby to look at. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They wiped her face and head with a cloth and put a hat on
her. Everyone was ushered out of the room for a bit so Matt and I could bond
with her and name her. I asked Matt what we should name her and he said, “you
did so great, I think you should name her.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I named her Coral.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The family that had been waiting patiently came in to greet
the new baby and then left us for some more alone time and some resting time
for me.</span></div>nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-48961059017498471222012-08-01T09:29:00.001-07:002012-08-01T09:30:51.656-07:00Restore, Revive.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I have so much time on my hands, I'm thinking of doing dome work for our local Habitat for Humanity's Restore. They have recycled home building supplies and whatnot for those of my dear readers who don't know. I was mulling this idea over while Matt and I were making a mini greenhouse out of some old windows that we have had for 3 years. Blessing on Matt who has moved them twice as we've changed addresses that many times. I decided that as I grow some winter veggies this year, I'll need appropriate accomodations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzaqpHHQr7aDl0XPoDOQ31GhtXNR8TCD-XTl7p5ZRWqmnumvpe7qFucJ5IHqrBaG1cu1iwK53l0VCk6ZILXieIRCHAfO6OiFWZfFjzKNE9Ll8GD61VgFffoZOxUdOjN9NyqMVtNzDhNID/s1600/487826_558661941314_261280358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzaqpHHQr7aDl0XPoDOQ31GhtXNR8TCD-XTl7p5ZRWqmnumvpe7qFucJ5IHqrBaG1cu1iwK53l0VCk6ZILXieIRCHAfO6OiFWZfFjzKNE9Ll8GD61VgFffoZOxUdOjN9NyqMVtNzDhNID/s320/487826_558661941314_261280358_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lxdTVunzgwCV0gAhX8rSA_ogRaToRIrvb8CnnojeOyuOnTH-953eadayMARmcv0IvKmJpoRh50vueGYXsjd1FFBGO4oW-kHvjnj4a4GH7BDK0DdN8I48OmAXtNykPfzqBgVWPxfme-Nx/s1600/292430_558764790204_204797194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lxdTVunzgwCV0gAhX8rSA_ogRaToRIrvb8CnnojeOyuOnTH-953eadayMARmcv0IvKmJpoRh50vueGYXsjd1FFBGO4oW-kHvjnj4a4GH7BDK0DdN8I48OmAXtNykPfzqBgVWPxfme-Nx/s320/292430_558764790204_204797194_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My winter peas will be growing happily in this new house by fall. As we were building this I told Matt that I loved doing things like this and if I could have a little shop and sell oddities that I pieced together, I would be so excited to do more of it. Matt suggested the Restore as a place where I could try it out and see how it goes. I'm thinking that I would love to try some more repurposing projects like this little night stand below. Who knows, maybe I'll hate it, but it's worth a try and they might get some more sales at the old Restore. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTijXJXZ1FY-tOlU_H8t5YlsAwUAbI7YZHSmfTwkSWU2kjCDreRSCV1cAaFYYzD4wkrWKFsN23vSbpaLYjAJA4z-zlzof5C4yJa-qQUrPYL-XuqiMpZRVPoXHzwDDof_zEwUy_iSJveinQ/s1600/25825397834025381_sofILKpQ_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTijXJXZ1FY-tOlU_H8t5YlsAwUAbI7YZHSmfTwkSWU2kjCDreRSCV1cAaFYYzD4wkrWKFsN23vSbpaLYjAJA4z-zlzof5C4yJa-qQUrPYL-XuqiMpZRVPoXHzwDDof_zEwUy_iSJveinQ/s320/25825397834025381_sofILKpQ_c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-25813393659755229952012-07-26T22:27:00.001-07:002012-07-26T22:27:38.504-07:00This Baby, MY BabyForgive the obligatory relections of a new parent. I'm pretty sure they are required because I can't stop them from clouding my mind. It's all Coral all the time over here.<br />
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This baby that is somehow mine, has a bright future. I have big plans for her, BIG PLANS. Am I fulfilling my dreams through her? Maybe. But that's why I live in a country that doesn't limit how many children you can have. I have potentially limitless fodder for my unfulfilled dreams. Coral will be a linguist, the next will be a astronaut/Tie fighter pilot, the next an abstract painter, the next a hobby farmer, the next will marry the lead singer of a really depressing band, and so on and so forth. Somewhere down the line there will be a vampire slayer if needed. <br />
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It's really great though and terrifying to be the one to decide what to equip this small human with for her life. I have Spanish and French on the list. Camping and Karate. Possibly bee keeping but that might have to wait until the next child. I spend so much time thinking about how to make her life more promising and fulfilling and then it hits me that my parents did the same thing with me but I didn't seem to take much notice. No matter what kind of veggies you start them off with, or what soaps you use on their sensitive skin, they still are the ones that have to make their own way 90% of the time. OK 100% in a few years. Coral has been the one to decide to sleep through the night, and jump around in her crib at 8 months. She is the one that sings like a baby Wookie and claws anyones eyes that dares to get close enough. She is already choosing who she is and after the paint chips that she peeled off the kitchen wall and ate today, it's only going to get worse, I mean better, better!<br />
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She is great and I will never be the same because of who she is becoming. That's as far as I've gotten. Maybe that's far enough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoKZp_xu8EN1Jwm9AZrJ4On_5pSraF4OneSzKE0MWqURpnHA45CKCqZPFjAXU2Z-75aTmWp7fgBbcueBdwzk3x7MqNZH_fGGljEEvYDCr4QKT-l6ZWauaYB5CH4WEpb7jo6560Oomrku4/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoKZp_xu8EN1Jwm9AZrJ4On_5pSraF4OneSzKE0MWqURpnHA45CKCqZPFjAXU2Z-75aTmWp7fgBbcueBdwzk3x7MqNZH_fGGljEEvYDCr4QKT-l6ZWauaYB5CH4WEpb7jo6560Oomrku4/s320/IMG_1522.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-28698230316887591332012-07-25T15:33:00.000-07:002012-07-25T15:33:05.624-07:00I'm Back, and I Brought a Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LbqwkMRNDwq8P7pV7ZEWVfs5YKrDDaok3AyOgu_OvMDWaR52zCaPWkvMgbuiT-vTOR3-r__EKuRAGt4NgGEBauWR9D1PtymQnNZbB6wC-dtaStYMXSM0HQ9jFVhN2YOV4S3mhwjYqAgm/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LbqwkMRNDwq8P7pV7ZEWVfs5YKrDDaok3AyOgu_OvMDWaR52zCaPWkvMgbuiT-vTOR3-r__EKuRAGt4NgGEBauWR9D1PtymQnNZbB6wC-dtaStYMXSM0HQ9jFVhN2YOV4S3mhwjYqAgm/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Coral was born in November and I have been enjoying this mother-gig. No pithy quotes today, so don't get your hopes up. I just wanted to reassure you that things are well and are getting better each day!nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-3719227828600494182010-06-07T10:51:00.000-07:002010-06-07T10:59:28.035-07:00A Break in this Infernal Summer RainA few weeks ago, when the sun decided to visit our fair, soggy land, we went for a walk in a park that used to be a Walnut farm which used to be the site of one of the first missions out here. To get to it we parked on one side of the river and took a small ferry to the other side. It was a beautiful day and we took along some snacks since the 1.5 mile round trip walk was so exhausting.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R72uaBKNbbjgSbI9DM1Nyk7AS4TJJQ3lapiInz3IwfZi9E-DZxASzx1incNBtiZ14A9hP2h1tSOlNh13o_iAgesfiPeJSPptBs5kSwYo5Ql8jyAEWnC52SYNc5mNGHAJpDoyxwD4rQ_z/s1600/DSC06678.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R72uaBKNbbjgSbI9DM1Nyk7AS4TJJQ3lapiInz3IwfZi9E-DZxASzx1incNBtiZ14A9hP2h1tSOlNh13o_iAgesfiPeJSPptBs5kSwYo5Ql8jyAEWnC52SYNc5mNGHAJpDoyxwD4rQ_z/s400/DSC06678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480091946032565330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3-4LGxEVIRBL08oLtOAYOQkGAWVCd5ByNnn15o7XN8WfQwd13GahtiCgQXrYCF413PLl7yjQluW9XWZiPdbZoeCSdICLPnLzneV5sSIhs3SFnF2yaZBFOr8ayp55qEqy83zfKl5YIOG0/s1600/DSC06682.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3-4LGxEVIRBL08oLtOAYOQkGAWVCd5ByNnn15o7XN8WfQwd13GahtiCgQXrYCF413PLl7yjQluW9XWZiPdbZoeCSdICLPnLzneV5sSIhs3SFnF2yaZBFOr8ayp55qEqy83zfKl5YIOG0/s320/DSC06682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480092420616181986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbFRoekaziFB5r1azw3Ck86eZTUF7Km67FBM31J_6MaOjX9sIOwxL08ERXDjcL78jyJWYqeA55WxZfam9vwf4tj1M5XwktsK1HWCEDk7s3GioZrIWAP7MILdi4Y0KwEPVcEJjvE2077YR/s1600/DSC06683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbFRoekaziFB5r1azw3Ck86eZTUF7Km67FBM31J_6MaOjX9sIOwxL08ERXDjcL78jyJWYqeA55WxZfam9vwf4tj1M5XwktsK1HWCEDk7s3GioZrIWAP7MILdi4Y0KwEPVcEJjvE2077YR/s320/DSC06683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480092624697025842" border="0" /></a>nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-32626264373704812012010-04-27T20:42:00.000-07:002010-04-27T21:05:52.895-07:00"Some people call it a one-night-stand but we can call it Paradise"Oh Duran Duran, your songs are pretty good, but your lyrics suck.<br /><br /><br />Below is something totally unrelated. Thank God.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqlqSqVmfTUH52_7IP4t88s1mK2UKHrdzl1LP5swZYsbE-I6xsDuYxsa9nfR6h5sCZKubGPm1UFxfErLsyWQ-OekiWuo5QgkTDPsI7Vy_SmES-jUYNETGv1R1YLgWmu4tHwWVELrMk7NH/s1600/viewer.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqlqSqVmfTUH52_7IP4t88s1mK2UKHrdzl1LP5swZYsbE-I6xsDuYxsa9nfR6h5sCZKubGPm1UFxfErLsyWQ-OekiWuo5QgkTDPsI7Vy_SmES-jUYNETGv1R1YLgWmu4tHwWVELrMk7NH/s400/viewer.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465029364201727634" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a little something that I did with a friend from church. We were charged with creating a wine label. We are going to slap it on some bottles of wine that a winery in these parts agreed to sell us sans label. Yep, that's right Presbyterians drink. We are arrogant bastards, but at least we have liberty in Christ. Good thing God's grace abounds, because we sure use a lot of it. Let me know if you want a bottle. I'll bring it over and help you drink it.<br />Love,<br />Me<br /><br />P.S. the vines were actually changed to a dark olive green and the grapes to a dark purple, so don't be disappointed when I arrive at your house with a bottle that has a more Mediterranean feel to it.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-41833903800967794722010-04-07T10:11:00.000-07:002010-04-07T10:14:32.016-07:00You're the Best AroundI found a website whilst reading a magazine at work. It is veggietrader.com<br /><br />I love it. It is fairly new so there aren't a lot of listings, plus we are just emerging from winter so not many plants around. It's great though, for summer when you have a gazzilion apples or cherries on your tree and maybe want to trade them for garlic or some cold, hard cash.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-60296356000149365672010-03-29T21:50:00.001-07:002010-03-29T22:08:07.381-07:00The Wind was a'howlin and down came the rainIt's been stormy here these last few weeks. February gave us so much lovely brightness and warmth. We were all drunk on the early sunshine and sweet weather when Oregon's usual spring gusts and drizzly dark days jolted us back to stark reality like a disgruntled neighbor spraying us with their lawn hose when we already had a headache and were sleeping it off in their soggy lawn. Damn you, Oregon. We were all just trying to have a good time.<br /><br />My mom and I went to Boston 2 weeks ago. I was jet-lagged the whole time and possibly under the influence of New England. I felt a bit fuzzy and disconnected with my normal daily life, or "reality" while I was there. We were there for a family funeral so things seemed meaningful and meaningless at the same time. I got to see some family that I had only met once or twice though and that was a wonderful part of the trip. I didn't do much sight seeing. I kept telling myself that I would be back later to do all that. I'm so glad to be home. Everything is better at home. Home's traffic is even better.<br /><br />Oh Oregon, I love you and I despise you at the same time.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-48336237035356112982010-03-09T09:56:00.000-08:002010-03-09T10:13:23.685-08:00Empty Out Your PocketsSometimes I forget how unusually disdainful I am. Matt and I went to an estate sale on Sunday in a small town near us. The old victorian home had been owned by an older widow and her children and grandchildren were facilitating the sale.<br /><br />First, I was annoyed at how much of a rag-tag operation it was since nothing was priced and it was a haggle for every old porcelain dish. I got over that pretty quick though when I got some silverware for 10 cents a pop since I told her I would buy them all.<br /><br />Next, I was browsing the deceased woman's amazing collection of cardigans when I came across some odd looking ties. They were all tied, as if they had just been loosened from around a neck and then neatly hung together on a hanger. I looked at the yellowed tag that attached them all and read in tiny cursive "These were grandpa's ties."<br /><br />I wanted to grab them and show them to the woman's children/grandchildren and say "Didn't you see this? These were your grandpa's! He tied these knots! She wanted you to know" Then of course I realized they were the ones liquidating all of their mother's belongings at a dime a piece. Akward...<br /><br />My next thought was to buy them but the idea of haggling over these still-tied ties that this woman obviously wanted someone to remember made me sick. I know we can't keep everything and it is just stuff, but I'm still trying to figure these things out.<br /><br />Meanwhile, here is a set that I arranged from the silverware I bought:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42325098"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-1_a8Aeh5vm_nKhD44RgcJtY2hMZfGRQFBDl-6Kh-oaeRBCIZGCaxSsivPe-S6r42IuqMvvUigjMis4SUvolssNM7Lrf_66UXc_YiQJq8ei-4IKdiWYihGe1UNW7RV_JcckpXD3Hf6Pz/s400/il_430xN.128959213.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446697789429205858" border="0" /></a><br />Now you can all be disdainful of me. I'll allow it.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-4368053767344915172010-03-08T23:40:00.000-08:002010-03-08T23:51:34.843-08:00She appears composed so she is, I supposeIt seems like I've seen Karaoke in a lot of movies and shows lately. People seem to have a lot of fun drinking and singing like they are at American Idol try outs. I still hate it. I always spend nine tenths on the time searching for the best song and then I remember the 10 minute guitar solo and just give up. I'm not about to go-go dance for 10 minutes with an air guitar. Nope, not gonna do it.<br /><br />As far as things I don't hate go... I'm ordering 6 furry baby chickens tomorrow. I believe out here in the country they are referred to as "chicks". Growing up in Eugene, I learned that's what the sorority girls at the U of O are called. It must be the constant squeaking noise that they both make.<br /><br />Back to the chickens, I'm getting two green egg layers, two brown egg layers and two white. I've narrowed it down that far. There are maybe 20 breeds to choose so it's a bit daunting.<br /><br />Come over in 5 months. I'll make you an omelet and you can marvel at my impressive collection of colorful pet chickens.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-80317788850001131302010-02-12T08:29:00.000-08:002010-02-12T08:36:41.277-08:00For those who don't know...Friday is the start of my weekend. I usually get up at the same time to get some coffee and drive Matt to work. This morning as we were shuffling around the kitchen doing our morning routine, I got the part of the dance where I stare, bleary-eyed into the over-stuffed fridge looking for milk or cream.<br /><br />No milk. No cream for my coffee. Not even a smidge of dairy products to secretly steel from a housemate just to dress my coffee.<br /><br />Then I remember that the fridge in the pantry is hiding some Bailey's Irish Cream. Mmmmm.... I love days off.<br /><br />So today is the first day that I've consumed an alcoholic beverage before 8am.<br /><br />I may have opened a door that can't be shut!nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-88236975702328945632010-02-05T10:26:00.000-08:002010-02-05T10:37:29.673-08:00Garden Time!I had to work at an office across the street from the hospital yesterday to fill in for someone. It was slow as molasses but I made good use of my time. I created this publish-worthy garden layout. I made a ruler our of an index card and measured out each row to scale. The only thing I didn't draw to scale is the dog...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOfIXjBp_hriAbG9eIkPQYwr_jRmrwMZHTKuRJ8NznploUl2J_eMKpmLiXDA1jDc1MkiR1DJxTO88xWiU2Eg3jY7kZwhNF97wr7VyffrChwAxN518c1iGi6Nzz6lSjwcezzI74gaxZEwt/s1600-h/Picture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOfIXjBp_hriAbG9eIkPQYwr_jRmrwMZHTKuRJ8NznploUl2J_eMKpmLiXDA1jDc1MkiR1DJxTO88xWiU2Eg3jY7kZwhNF97wr7VyffrChwAxN518c1iGi6Nzz6lSjwcezzI74gaxZEwt/s400/Picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434830296974175346" border="0" /></a><br />This is what my garden will hopefully look like around the start of June. I mixed some short lived greens among the squash and tomatoes since they are slow growers and then need TONS of space later on. I will most likely be able to feed all of McMinnville on this garden, so feel free to stop by mid-summer for some free produce.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-36743177148750846232010-01-27T20:59:00.000-08:002010-01-27T21:16:09.597-08:00Vacation 2010!Matt and I got back from our vacation over a week ago now but due to a mysterious illness, I have been unable (or unwilling) to post until now.<br /><br />We had a great time in LA and San Fransisco. All of our hosts were incredibly gracious and so much fun to see.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUvzn_-RvfQ7vBuVHjRgxx4sVGYjn3rIBiG2D0vToR23jqiYPrKpBg0u2oBQWMtWBiUs56j1rHpfxszxCGs3yrAkGyEc6l5Mu4cQQQICxNU9sSqknu4QxY-I6KTZjlMMkg-N11LtoBbgl/s1600-h/la.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUvzn_-RvfQ7vBuVHjRgxx4sVGYjn3rIBiG2D0vToR23jqiYPrKpBg0u2oBQWMtWBiUs56j1rHpfxszxCGs3yrAkGyEc6l5Mu4cQQQICxNU9sSqknu4QxY-I6KTZjlMMkg-N11LtoBbgl/s320/la.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431651485535947650" border="0" /></a><br />Our first stop was a quick overnight stay in Sacramento at our friends house. We had breakfast with Diana and then took off for LA so as not to be late for the party at Jacks in our honor. The theme of the party was Under the Sea but Jack failed to notify anyone, so no sea horses were present, nor sea shells. That is why there are no pictures included here of the party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8Hc8pNbRDDoOpdvoTN1VO9-s7j781j0sJXGDxNWf5Pumo4lmD_VWT4zVGesuhHrPxbhdlYYz5bvt2dtul2YsV5TSC4Hvn-JuChMvfRxnv6DGs_KzPfwaMHqTxsDdyd-S1JzQ2-tKXCcO/s1600-h/llo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8Hc8pNbRDDoOpdvoTN1VO9-s7j781j0sJXGDxNWf5Pumo4lmD_VWT4zVGesuhHrPxbhdlYYz5bvt2dtul2YsV5TSC4Hvn-JuChMvfRxnv6DGs_KzPfwaMHqTxsDdyd-S1JzQ2-tKXCcO/s320/llo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431651832219642610" border="0" /></a><br />In LA we also got to see the beautiful, the elusive, the graceful Lo Green. That was sooo good to spend time with her after about 5 or 6 years of life without her. We also Saw Everett but I was unable to get a photo of him where he wasn't making an obscene gesture. Although he was, as usual, the life of every party.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWCvIT_BArL3PkpPywyQO97Z09ioNSTnMb0foQo7AFjavOjTu9rlciVvus8vf4qnExC7gYDPXYjMAxLWDbuoijNXFGoclQt0QUa5JReA-z6X6BO9BF8pcKk6pa2JfVtj_MfhmULYOVIY-/s1600-h/sf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWCvIT_BArL3PkpPywyQO97Z09ioNSTnMb0foQo7AFjavOjTu9rlciVvus8vf4qnExC7gYDPXYjMAxLWDbuoijNXFGoclQt0QUa5JReA-z6X6BO9BF8pcKk6pa2JfVtj_MfhmULYOVIY-/s320/sf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431651982674255378" border="0" /></a><br />After our festivities in LA we drove up the coast to San Fransisco to visit Phil and Nish! or Phil and Moto, or Phil and Bethany? It was confusing. The drive was rumored to be spectacular but we were listening to an audio book of Ender's Shadow and I don't remember anything except the story and the little shack that we stopped at for carrot juice.<br /><br />San Fransisco was awesome. Nish got us passes for the MOMA and I got to see some amaaazing abstract expressionists' work. I was so inspired to take up painting again that I came home and painted a layer of paint on a canvas already!......................................... more photos to follow....... standby..........nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-83201654332817278532010-01-06T08:53:00.000-08:002010-01-06T09:08:43.383-08:00Allright, Allright......I've been thinking of posting for a while... feeling like I should...<br /><br />Same with the laundry...<br /><br />I don't feel like I've been home much lately. We were in Eugene for family festivities for Christmas, then again on New Years. Then there was our spur-of-the moment visit to Portland to see Steve and Holli and Saturday night. I think that is what I want to post on.<br /><br />We were taking out stuff out of the airstream and packing it into boxes to store. You must know, I loathe packing boxes to store. I am always plagued with so many uncertainties. Do I want to keep this? What the heck IS this? When will I ever unpack this box? Should I just give it to St. Vinnies and buy another toaster when I live in my own place?<br /><br />On top of all these questions, there was the maddening truth that we have absolutely no more space to store anything. Holli called while Matt and I were at the height of our frustration with our earthly possessions and offered their basement as a safe and spacious hiding spot for all those boxes of questions. Thank God. Instead of exhausting our imaginations by trying to find places for junk, Steve and Holli took us to the Cheesecake Factory where I ate my weight in wasabi crusted Ahi. I've never felt so good before...<br /><br />Then we went to their place and played with Jackie-O(my dog), Parker (their lab) and their cute little labradoodle puppy, Trumund! He is so stinking cute. Jackie thinks he's annoying but she will hopefully learn to love him since she will be staying with them for 9 days while we are in California next week!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThIlfAJuifvIqBCmW5xNIFa-HQ9rLBwhoB_OnTK0YgALQL6u04l_y2xA8kPQUv9AYkQe84kZDPt6mmNT60CeYc8SHVuE7590euiodfzRlhVjLIRxlAns2yKVZicH-8kAiflwlLWyOWTZo/s1600-h/19141_1302838816597_1399272710_30854798_6648542_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThIlfAJuifvIqBCmW5xNIFa-HQ9rLBwhoB_OnTK0YgALQL6u04l_y2xA8kPQUv9AYkQe84kZDPt6mmNT60CeYc8SHVuE7590euiodfzRlhVjLIRxlAns2yKVZicH-8kAiflwlLWyOWTZo/s320/19141_1302838816597_1399272710_30854798_6648542_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423674812258653442" border="0" /></a>nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-53428789134087579532009-12-22T08:38:00.000-08:002009-12-22T08:57:16.755-08:00Here's another post about Jackie... and another one..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrSX6MC1hct73-1UIcof6jewC7O0kMJ5RDtc13OOj7_GyrTglpQx_kj8oTxTXn6tAcyM2rHZ5t0j4EtZeeIlVd89BQshr8U9m34zSmGjn5tsPQ16fyxhWXANc2HTXvRMv8u5GQ8kYDLRs/s1600-h/DSC05866.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrSX6MC1hct73-1UIcof6jewC7O0kMJ5RDtc13OOj7_GyrTglpQx_kj8oTxTXn6tAcyM2rHZ5t0j4EtZeeIlVd89BQshr8U9m34zSmGjn5tsPQ16fyxhWXANc2HTXvRMv8u5GQ8kYDLRs/s320/DSC05866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418101447976707698" border="0" /></a><br />In case you were missing Jackie, here's a refresher on how amazing she looks.<br /><br />Matt and I spent the weekend in Eugene and Portland. My mom took us to see the Nutcracker in Eugene which was awesome. It was my birthday present this year just as it was when I was 8 years old. Oddly enough, it actually did change a decent amount since I saw it last. It was still awesome to see.<br />Then we went to Portland to Steve and Holli's where we enjoyed hot mulled wine, christmas cookies, and hours of Mario on the Wii.<br /><br />We are now ready for Christmas. Our family drew names this year so there wasn't a whole lot of shopping to do (thank God). I was busy sewing this year so I didn't really get out much. It was great to have less to go out for.<br /><br />Here's a photo of my November and December Activity:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOjA-6UoKP_WYLlnNZDevJMgh-n7zEeN5W_5nKbIHgY1E_vcsmylLTAIBl_9cD2l5KKyQla10Ht4Fg8sG1h1S5yzCKOxJFcPppu_zP8yu6m6NOVQ2LmsP9P7E0htJkd8UooxvBQcZyKCL/s1600-h/DSC06022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOjA-6UoKP_WYLlnNZDevJMgh-n7zEeN5W_5nKbIHgY1E_vcsmylLTAIBl_9cD2l5KKyQla10Ht4Fg8sG1h1S5yzCKOxJFcPppu_zP8yu6m6NOVQ2LmsP9P7E0htJkd8UooxvBQcZyKCL/s320/DSC06022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418104861667038914" border="0" /></a><br />I'm a little dissapointed that the Christmas season is over for my business, but I'm more relieved right now. I even had a crazy thought last night about possibly moving all of my sewing stuff against the wall and setting up my easel so I can paint for the next few months. Who knows, I might get really crazy and do some laundry!nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-60899260555020396842009-12-18T08:59:00.000-08:002009-12-18T14:18:30.779-08:00Addictions are the new black... right?Here is a personal blog post about me:<br /><br />My name is Brielle and I'm an addict.<br /><br />There is a reason that I don't smoke. Actually there are a couple. My Da has spent the better part of his life scanning peoples hearts who have smoked and it's not a pretty sight. My Mama always said that I came from a long line of addicts so be careful. I tried, Mama.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgl9qnHGOrUF72ieeh_lET-Hm8DAjtDA94NEostiQYz61DOqYyF03lcQ78sjDTWekxtklJtHiaSGx_bopKocYeTo3V5dxhroxy_D0X4v5dNHqyocc_c4f68y4JJtm0frfsa2xd_tipyN4/s1600-h/stop-smoking1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgl9qnHGOrUF72ieeh_lET-Hm8DAjtDA94NEostiQYz61DOqYyF03lcQ78sjDTWekxtklJtHiaSGx_bopKocYeTo3V5dxhroxy_D0X4v5dNHqyocc_c4f68y4JJtm0frfsa2xd_tipyN4/s320/stop-smoking1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416623024018988402" border="0" /></a>So I don't smoke. I actually think that if I did take up smoking, I would never stop. Not even if I wanted to more than anything. If you popped open my coffin at the end of my life, you'd see me with a pack of cigarettes. Yeah, so I don't smoke.<br /><br />In place of that addiction, I have chewed my nails for the last 20 years. So bad that at times I needed band aids. Now THAT is a nasty addiction. I finally, and perhaps in honor of my 26th birthday party last week, have stopped chewing my nails. I still nibble a bit here and there but between Matt helping me and working around people who have the black lung everyday, my nails are no longer on my endangered species list.<br /><br />Here I'm talking myself up a bit so that I can fall so hard. There are a few other things that I'm addicted to like coffee (not a big surprise), black licorice... And now I have one more thing to add to the list. HBO's sordid vampire series, True Blood.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4DFek0_csIG7rXw56L5PcmkuWN37hb0KIp5EzIRcJFTwMBpOggn9huly47h7-3g_0Cv0gJRdRbR0-vOIKx2nFMXFnYxr5pI0Xz7UEiYE_6cAk7-N2ohM60d_yhk62WNKCBTlwyvgrDbz/s1600-h/true-blood-20090902010210258-000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4DFek0_csIG7rXw56L5PcmkuWN37hb0KIp5EzIRcJFTwMBpOggn9huly47h7-3g_0Cv0gJRdRbR0-vOIKx2nFMXFnYxr5pI0Xz7UEiYE_6cAk7-N2ohM60d_yhk62WNKCBTlwyvgrDbz/s320/true-blood-20090902010210258-000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416624611490732978" border="0" /></a>I'm not proud of this, nor would I recommend the show to anyone(one last thing in my defense, at least it has REAL vampires in it!). Matt and I got it on DVD from the rental place and watched the whole season in 2.5 days. That was a week ago and I can't stop thinking about it. When I was at work, which is usually crazy busy, I would just stare at the computer screen during down time and think about the show. A few times when I was snapped back to reality I realized that I had goose bumps. I can't sleep, I don't want to go out, I keep googling season 2's DVD release date and here's the worst part: I watched the actor's interviews at the ComicCon on YouTube. I may need to just check myself in to an institution. Thank you all for listeningnokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-54489426644724629232009-12-14T09:14:00.000-08:002009-12-14T09:23:12.981-08:00Christmas is getting closer!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34594116"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtZ3IrViKwEg3KLs4-VTVsUD6w1S3R1cUds8yjbMiEvyBK75LR_UQrqSUdZkVm7gjz_gFe-PI_AL2DoKY4VD5yrTacHKcQlBhR3nORfs51PiICh9h-x0cqTpwZkLLCZZLJ8Atl_Y34hwg/s320/il_430xN.102780987.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415141942885295378" border="0" /></a><br />December always goes fast. No matter how hard I try to prepare, it races past. I've been trying to get some of my sewing into shops this year so that I have more fronts that I am selling on, but it has been fairly unsuccessful. I did a good job of stocking up my online shop, which seems to be going well, but it always takes longer to tag things and deal with the logistics of consignment. Then you have to worry about it getting stolen or mangled or dirty. I'm not sure it's worth the trouble right now.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-14974082545707531772009-11-27T10:00:00.000-08:002009-11-27T10:16:10.231-08:00Family Weekend With Hues of TurkeyWe are having a spendid time in Eugene with my family. We spent the entire day yesterday cooking, eating ,talking and relaxing. We only left the house once to go for a rainy-day walk.<br /><br />Jackie usually sleeps 17 hours a day but after all the festivities yesterday, she's planning on a solid 21 today. I'm not sure how that math is going to work out but she seems confident.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-50952141416997802122009-11-13T06:44:00.000-08:002009-11-13T14:41:31.135-08:00A Whirlwind of AdventuresWe had a great time in Sacramento last weekend. We got to explore the local food and fare with our friends whom we were there to visit. We were also introduced to the local wine sub-culture of Port lovers. I'm not sure that I'm ready to get initiated into the lifetime club, but it was enjoyable. (I'm not that into sweet things. That's my excuse)<br /><br />Things are still clipping along with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ponyup">my flatware sets</a>. I'm enjoying the holiday season picking up. I don't know if I will be as busy as last year, but I'm sure a lot more prepared.<br />Speaking of which, I made a little appearance on a cool handmade-promoting blog: http://lilithevy.blogspot.com/<br /><br />My father in law is visiting from the other side of the country so when I'm not at work, we are going on small adventures around the area. Unfortunately, it is raining. I say unfortunately not because I feel unlucky that he is visiting during our usual, reliable 9-month stretch of rainy season. I mean unfortunately because the poor guy has never been to Oregon when it has done anything but rain.<br /><br />I promise that Mr. Sun does occasionally visits us.<br /><br />We have no sales tax, isn't that enough for you?!<br /><br />So our next adventure is to go down to Eugene for a night to see some of my side of the family. Maybe the Sun is hiding in a nook down there and we will get a glimpse of it.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257689248586943308.post-58764890934120478372009-11-02T21:30:00.001-08:002009-11-02T21:43:08.993-08:00We are far too young and clever...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vrkLf3vE-8L3WaspT1iWBy9upsxvQxcA1AucRNZTaoBEDKPZWtLA9MBNbqPFndqyNAzYhF7Agjxzp2HewmYZssfLZLmhOS0_u6zR8mttKEtbubEBu5YGml6tvqWTutbKhMd8NsjoWX3I/s1600-h/DSC06070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vrkLf3vE-8L3WaspT1iWBy9upsxvQxcA1AucRNZTaoBEDKPZWtLA9MBNbqPFndqyNAzYhF7Agjxzp2HewmYZssfLZLmhOS0_u6zR8mttKEtbubEBu5YGml6tvqWTutbKhMd8NsjoWX3I/s320/DSC06070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399745771556463074" border="0" /></a><br />So, Jackie was a skunk. Or she was a dog with a make-shift cap and leg-warmers on. So she was Paula Abdul. No, no, she was a skunk.<br /><br />She looked pretty cute, even though she hated the hat. I took her to the local feed store where she was photo'd and immunized for a discount because she was so cute. mmhmm, looks ARE worth some green.<br /><br />Matt and I didn't really do anything officially Halloweeny. I got some good work done that day, walked the 4 miles with the skunk from downtown back home, and then made pumpkins bars. Some friends called at 6pm and asked if we wanted to go out for dinner so I braided my hair and put on my best Wednesday Addams outfit and Matt pulled out his old standby costume, the butler, Lurch. It was a good time.nokomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010249582167824165noreply@blogger.com1