Window Worm

A couple of weeks ago, the Young Women in our ward held a fund raiser.  For a certain amount, a group of them would come to your home and complete 2 tasks in a 20 minute time frame.  Knowing that I don't have time to do everything and wanting to help their fundraising efforts, I signed them on to wash my windows.

In the few months we've lived here, we have determined (thanks to neighbors) that our home was unoccupied for about 16 months by the time we finally moved in.  And before that, it was a rental for a while.  Needless to say, my windows certainly needed the bath.  I won't describe in detail the state of the window tracks/sills, but suffice it to say they were living entities of their own--possibly toxic (at least in my mind).  Not wanting to allow the Young Women anywhere near the science experiments growing beneath our windows, I decided to tackle the project before the girls came.

I started upstairs--and really, it wasn't too bad.  I thought it was going to be a lot worse!  And when I headed downstairs, I realized how much worse it was going to get.  When I went to clean the family room windows, I found this curled up in the corner of the window:

I was convinced it somehow wormed its way onto the house from the overgrown plants that used to be right outside the window.  (We removed them over a month ago.)  I immediately texted Ryan and said, "There's a huge WORM THING in the corner of the window!" and then I discreetly asked what he planned to accomplish when he got home that night.  His reply? "Lots on the agenda.  You can do it!"  Right.  I cleaned all of the other window tracks downstairs before returning to this particular family room window.  The creature was clearly dead, but I was well-armed with rubber gloves, an old mechanical pencil (for removal), and a Ziploc bag (to prove to Ryan how GROSS it was--and what I trooper I was for removing it myself).

I psyched myself up and started the removal process.  I wondered if it would just crumble when the pencil touched it.  But, when I actually pushed the pencil between the folds of worm, it was much softer than I thought it would be.  I almost freaked out and quit the whole process.  But ever so slowly, with my eyes closed, I lifted the worm up and out of the corner.

It was about then I saw this worm for what it really was: a brown hairband.  All of that worry for nothing.  I started laughing and texted my husband, "Turns out the worm was a hairband! Still laughing."  I popped it into the Ziploc, (still wearing gloves--you never know where that thing has been!), for proof--along with the pics--that it really DID look like a worm!

Fabulous Fourth

It all began on Friday afternoon...after joining the masses in holiday weekend travel, we finally arrived at the Cottage just before dinner time on Friday.  (Good thing, since we were bringing part of dinner.)  We hung out for a bit and ate dinner and then left the kids with Nana and Papa while we headed out on a date.  After a short drive, we ended up on the beach to watch the sunset.  It was quite windy and cold, (typical of the Pacific Northwest coast), but it was wonderful to snuggle with my hubby and enjoy an uninterrupted conversation with rolling ocean scenery.

Saturday, we took the kids to the community 4th of July celebration.  Our kids bounced themselves crazy in several inflatable bounce houses.  I asked if I could join them, but I wasn't allowed.  (Bummer.)  After they rode the kiddy train, we headed home for lunch and naps.  Once the kids were asleep, we left the kids with Nana and Papa again, (They were lifesavers this weekend!  I SO needed the break!).  My brother-in-law and his girlfriend introduced us to geocaching.  What a BLAST!  I'm totally hooked. 

That evening, we roasted hot dogs in the fire pit and then headed to the beach for fireworks.  It was still cold and windy.  While conditions have been comparable in past years, this year was much windier than ever before.  The kids, (especially Clayton), weren't too impressed with the blowing sand.  The girls spent their evening with pillows and blankets in the back of Papa's car.  I love that we can (legally) let off our own fireworks here.  And, this year didn't disappoint.  By the time we left, every inch of me was covered in a fine, dusty grit.  Thank goodness for hot showers.

Sunday, we enjoyed the local ward.  And, I enjoyed connecting with my college friend.  Seems like 4th of July is our once-a-year time to catch up.  Last year, (we hadn't seen each other for about 10 years), I was pregnant--and Clayton was born about 5 weeks later.  This year, she is pregnant and due in about 6 weeks.  Who knows what next year will bring?

My ever-gracious in-laws offered to stay with our children again that evening so Ryan and I could head back to the beach to watch the 4th of July celebrations.  Although I LOVE fireworks, by the time that evening rolled around, I didn't feel like changing back into 100 layers of clothes and/or freezing my buns off.  So, we decided to stay home--out of the wind and out of the cold.  Instead, we watched fireworks on TV.  Not quite the same, but I still felt patriotic.  And I still thought a lot about the freedoms we enjoy in our country.  After living in a post-communist part of the world for a year and a half, I feel very strongly about the need to preserve our freedoms.  And very grateful for the sacrifices that have been made for us to remain free.

This morning, we got up, packed up, and headed out.  We anticipated a bit of holiday traffic--but ended up not encountering any.  (Although there was an Kallie-induced emergency pit stop at a Rest Stop about 20 minutes from home.)  Throughout the remainder of the day, I finished reading a great book (The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig--slow at first, but loved it!), found out I have been cast as Maude Dunlop in our stake production of The Music Man, and ripped out a few rhododendron bushes in our front yard.  And our holiday weekend is over.  Can't we have another one next week?

Out of the Blue

I have had a rough couple of days.  You know how it is when you feel like everyone is telling you that you need to improve at this or that...or that you're just not doing this or that well enough?  Well, that's how the last few days have felt for me.  I know I don't have to be perfect, but feel like I should be able to be successful at something.  It has certainly been a challenge.

But, today has been better.  Maybe it's because the sun was out?  Maybe it because I spent the day exploring the movement of the sun and learning about clouds with my kids?  Maybe it's because I drank enough water?  Maybe it's because I actually felt productive?  Maybe it's because my kids all napped?  (Although not at the same time...)  Maybe it's because I'm just tired of feeling blah?

While I'm not a fan of those blue moments, I am grateful that I have them.  They expand me...push me to refresh my perspective...and remind me to enjoy the good days. 

Memorial Day Weekend

I find it quite interesting that we spend this day to honor those who have sacrificed for our freedoms by enjoying the freedoms that we have.  Whether it's a working weekend or play, we are so blessed to have the freedom to choose to do those things. 
This weekend, we tackled several projects--some we finished, some we didn't.  But, most importantly, we made progress!  I'll just say here that I can't believe we've only been in the house for three weeks.  It feels like it's been MUCH longer--so I have had to convince myself to be patient with everything I want to do here.  One day at a time, we are transforming this place!

OK--since Friday night, we have completely painted the family room, mounted the TV, trimmed the bottoms of a few doors, made a couple of trips to Home Depot, ripped out an area of landscaping, rebunked the girls' bed, got drywall in the kitchen ceiling, and spent time together as a family.  (And, I use the term "we" here loosely.  Except for the painting and yard work, I was the lovely assistant in the projects. I know--I have the tough part.)

So, are you ready for some before and after shots? 

I'll start with the yard.  We have only scratched the surface of our yard.  We still have SO much work to do out there.  Since we were painting the family room, I wanted to rip out the plants that were blocking the light from coming in the family room windows.  But, it poured all weekend.  Until about 5 p.m. today when the sun finally made an appearance.  Once the kids were in bed, Ryan and I rushed out--and we finished just as it got dark.

BEFORE

AFTER

(This is a little hard to see because I took it in the dark.  But, you get the idea.)

OK--now for the family room.  Please note that we still have a TON of work to do in here.  We are going to put up chair rail and crown moulding...and still need to paint the existing trim and fireplace, which will all be white.  I forgot to take TRUE before pics.  (The first one was taken from our house listing.)  So, these were taken once we had moved everything into the middle of the floor.  And, I was impatient in taking the after pics, so things are still out of place in those--but I'm mainly including these so you can see the color difference. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Life as a Facebook Status

My life today has been a series of status updates.  And, since I'm not one to update my status multiple times per day, here they all are for your enjoyment.

I finally met my goal of getting up, dressed, showered, and ready before the girls were up!  I got up early and they slept in a little.  I could get used to this.

Oh no.  The car won't start.  I should probably turn the interior lights off so my 3 yr. old doesn't leave one on again.

Thank goodness I've already met my neighbor.  And she was home.

I could spend hours in the paint department of Home Depot.

Walls are (partially) primed and ready for action!

Hmm..Not sure I like the look of Scottish Isle and Feldspar in my family room.

The more I look at Hawaiian Sky, the more I'm convinced that's definitely the color for my bedroom.  Now, if I could just get a new bedroom set and change the bedding...

I think I put a little too much basil on my Black Bean Pizza Burger.  I really love basil, but the balance was off.  (These will soon be posted on My Little Red Kitchen.)

I can actually hear the rain.  Ryan took the girls to run errands.

Baby sleeping...second coat on the walls...time to empty my brain onto the blog.

Ta-funch-a-munch

Today, I went into the Mother's Room during Sunday School to feed Clayton.  Another mom was in there with her baby and we started talking.  During the course of our conversation, we talked about going on our missions, how we loved the MTC, how our lives were when we got home, etc. 

At one point, she mentioned that she got home at the beginning of May 2003, (I got home at the end of May 2003).  It then occurred to me to ask her where she went on her mission.  When she answered, "Madagascar, " I replied, "Tafunchamunch!"  (Which means "goodnight" in Malagasi, the language spoken in Madagascar.)  She looked surprised and said, "How do you know that?"  I said, "Some sisters in the MTC told...Wait a second, when were you in the MTC?"  And then we discovered we were there at the same time!  After putting 2 and 2 together, we realized she and her companion were probably the sister missionaries that taught me that phrase.

From Provo to Madagascar and the Baltics to Covington...the world sure is a small place!

My Little Red Kitchen

Announcing "My Little Red Kitchen"!  I've decided that it's high time I started a cooking blog.  Making meals on a daily basis can be SO mundane.  I started this blog to make it a little more fun--so I can share my adventures along the way.  Check it out!  (See the button on my sidebar.)  And then come back for second helpings...and thirds...and fourths...and...

Before and After

Tell me...Can you see a difference?

BEFORE

AFTER

The Middle Drive

While we were driving to Home Depot last Monday, Kallie commented that it would be really cool if cars had sidewalks to go on.  I replied that they do--they're called roads.  After a slight bit of protesting, she finally came to the realization that sidewalks are for people what roads are for cars. 

Then, as we were heading home from the 4 hour shopping trip, she said, "Mom, I think roads should be called "middle drives."  You know, because we drive in the middle."  I was actually quite surprised by her observation--but it made complete sense!  A sidewalk is on the side and used for walking.  So, it makes sense that a road would be a middle drive.  It's always fun to be with my kids when something clicks for them!

Wanted: A New Role Model

Last night, it was Kallie's turn to give the FHE lesson.  Unless there is something that needs to be addressed, we usually let the kids determine their own topic.  Kallie decided to talk about sharing and being kind.  We read a story about some brothers and sisters who surprised their family by trying to be more like Jesus.  There have been a few opportunities for reminders in the 24 hours since last night's lesson.  One of them was this afternoon.

Today was a crazy day.  I won't go into the particulars, but the girls didn't get a nap and I was a little on the stressed side.  On the way home from the doctor's office today, Whitney and Kallie were bickering and Whitney was getting very whiny.  Kallie reminded her about being kind and I said, "Do you want to be like Jesus?"  Whitney replied, "Yes!"  And then I explained that Jesus didn't whine and He didn't fuss and cry.  Whitney seemed surprised by this, "He didn't?"  Nope.  And then she concluded, "Then I don't want to be like Jesus."