Only in Haines, Oregon

Sign Outside the Haines Mercantile

Here's a Closer Look.  Notice Anything Odd?

Cute little plant that was delivered  from a 4H club and a reminder of the Haines Yard Sale

Have you ever been to our little town?

Heavy emphasis on little.  Maybe 300 people?  One grocery store, two restaurants/bars.  Post office.  Cute city park.  And the Haines 4th of July Rodeo.  That's it!

We are on the Anthony Lakes Scenic Byway.  Traveled by lots of out of towners, tourists. Goes right by my house.

Yesterday was our big community wide junk garage sale.  LOTS of people came through! 


Asaragus.  Really? 

The kids and I joked about it all week! It's actually a hard word to say when you are playing around.



I've been tempted to sneak over with a sharpie and insert the letter P.  Might just do that today.  The real 'test' will be if I can correct the sign that is inside the store,  in the produce section - also misspelled, but with e's.

Such a rebel.

National Scrapbook Day - A Card for one of the Studio Calico Challenges

My take on Lisa Spangler's Studio Calico Sketch - version 2

My first take at the sketch.  I just didn't like it!  So dressed it up, above.

Lisa Spangler's Sketch for a Studio Calico NSD Challenge

OK.. So this little card?  Took forever! 

In actuality, it probably didn't take all that long, but with my Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (the kids diagnosis, not a physician, mind you) and my tendency to get sidetracked with:  having to tidy up my scraproom before starting anything (which includes dusting, going through product, etc), then doing laundry, making lunch, snacks and dinner, and answering the beck and call of my kids? 

Yeah.  It took all day for me to get this accomplished!

So, there you have it. One card made for today's festivities for National Scrapbook Day.  Via the Studio Calico blog.

And of course, I used my Studio Calico Card Kit for April.  That would be 'Spencer'.

Thanks for looking!

My Mother Lied to Me... Again

Oh lord. 
So... my birth mother lied to me again. Is it any wonder I have trust issues?  They go way way way back.

She called me up saying she is part of some 'Cancer genealogy study' and had sent me a big old long email and wanted to know if I got it.  No.  I changed my email.  So I sent her my new email address so she could send me the long explanation.  Did she send it?  No.  Result? She weaseled my new email address out of me. 

(All part of the process of my divorce - new home, new address, new name, new email, new job, new life)

So, instead, she proceeded to ask me the details about my surgery.  Trying to make the connection between me and her and the supposed genealogy issues.  Fishing.  For what happened to me.  And this is how she operates.  Big ol' fake story to try and get you to divulge information.  Which I did.  On a certain level.  That all the tests came back negative.  Whatever.

She creeps me out.

Then she started in with the 'where are you working' questions.  I managed to steer clear of the actual names and places.  Why?  Because she will stalk me!  And call me at my work!  Which is work!

This is the mother that called one of my employers to tell them how much I deserved a raise.  When I was in my early 20's.  Without my knowing.  My boss/coworker/friend told me.


Oh lord. 
The therapy I should be paying for right now.  But instead I purchase scrapbook supplies. 
And adult beverages.

Driving Lessons

Sami - 15 years old and behind the wheel - on the Anthony Lakes Highway

Sami doing ranch chores - feeding her goats

Jake helping out - he rounded up Sami's goats - stinkers

At the ranch headquarters - lots of room for a new driver

Leaving the Ranch and heading to town

This week we have been learning how to drive my car.  I say 'we' because both kids are getting behind the wheel.  Why?  Two backups are better than one, and it just seemed fine to teach both.  Or, I am a glutton for punishment.

No, we don't have driving permits, yet.  Sami is 15 and Jake will be 14 on May 17th.  Sami went to take her permit test but failed.  That one very last question!

The kids drive quads and tractors and dirt bikes on the ranch.

They are good at driving when you own the road and you don't have to share it with anyone else.  And they both can operate a clutch.  My car is an automatic, the shifter is busted, and it's a strange concept to them to 'count' which gear you are in. I think it's a good learning experience to try and know what gear you are in!

However, in town?  A very scary place.

There are 7 miles between the ranch and my house.  And, Sami is learning how to drive in turns on a highway, and how to drive with people around you.  

She has a lot to learn about staying in her lane, especially when turning into a side street.  She almost hit a little white car in front of my house.  But, heck, this is Haines, and all the side roads are dirt or gravel and hardly anyone drives in their own lane. 

I do not like being a passenger in my own car.
Jake does not like sitting behind his sister when she drives.

It's going to be a long summer!

Our goal is for Sami to help drive when we do our July road-trip to CA.  

Wish us luck!

Grandma Marina's 100th Birthday Party

Back Row:  2nd Cousin Cathy, Auntie Alice, Cathy's daughter Catie, Uncle John.  Seated:  Grandma & Aunt Katie

Back by the door:  Cousin Paul; Front: Grandma, Aunt Gloria, Cousin Guy.  Grandma is holding her '100' napkin

Photos of Grandma

Auntie Alice - Such a hottie.  I love how she dresses! She is one amazing woman

Uncle John.  A man with a heart of gold

Cousin Bobby is behind Aunt Gloria (who looks ALOT like my mother), and Aunt Rachel's fiance is on the right - Bob?

Grandma and Auntie Rachel

Thanksgiving Weekend I went to California for my Grandma's 100th birthday celebration.  The party was on Sunday from 2-5.  I actually flew into Sacramento on Friday, after driving to Boise from my casa, and stayed with my friend Erin until the party.

Erin drove me to Milbrae for the party, and drove me to the airport bright and early Monday morning.  She did a good job of keeping me 'grounded' (I tend to panic when I am not around my kids, especially out of state, I feel 'lost' - and as if I am doing something terribly wrong if they are not with me).

It was too expensive to fly into SF.  And the weather is never ideal this time of year to drive straight to CA.  Had it been in March, I would have drove and brought the kids.  Part of me still feels guilty for going!  I wish I would stop doing this to myself, and just give myself permission to go, have fun, relax. 

Anyway....

My grandma is 100!  She didn't recognize me, and that is understandable.  It's been a few years since I have been to see my mother's family (my mother and I are estranged).  My Grandma has done so well all these years.  She was feeding herself at the party.  And she looked absolutely lovely.  I hope if I make it to 100, that I follow in her footsteps!

I am so grateful to my Aunt Alice, Uncle John and Cousins Guy and Paul for taking such good care of her.

I do regret that I could not stay longer with my family. I'm sure they thought I was rude. I did not want to talk about my divorce, and what I am doing, and how my life is, and all that stuff. 

I wanted to the party to be Grandma's.  And for everyone to celebrate her. 

On my bucket list is a visit to the bay area again, when I can take the kids, and when there is time to just visit amongst ourselves. 

For my family members, thank you for understanding.

Baby Cakes - Card

Card for Troy (click to enlarge) (Paper Smooches stamps, Basic Grey papers)

I got asked to make a baby card for a 'coworker' at the place that I spend the majority of my life at, aka, work!

So - I finally just got it done.  Not like I had time anyway.. I had a busy weekend! With lots of fun tossed in!
 Below is a chronical of the events.. don't feel obligated to read it.  This is for me, for those days when I say 'I don't do a darn thing'.

Friday night, after working all day, I didn't get home until 9pm. Jake had two basketball games (started at 5pm - they won both!) , and Sami had practice after the boys were done.  She was done at 8:30 pm. Then, I had to take her to feed her baby goat at the ranch.  We finally got home at 9pm. Another mom had texted me earlier in the day and invited me to go out!  So I did!  I was dead tired at 9pm, but did not want to be a party-pooper like the kids always call me, so I asked the kids if I could go out for a couple hours.  Their opinion matters to me.  They were tired from their day/night and watching shows and they sent me on my merry way.  I am so happy I went!  I always decline the 'lets go out scene' and just find myself being the working and driving kids everywhere mom with no life.  I did not get home until 11:45 pm.. Karaoke was involved.  I sang at the table while others got up.  It was a GREAT group of people!  Ten of us! A very nice group!

Saturday:  Two more basketball games, that started at 10am, but I had to get Jake to the school by 9:15am. He was late - because of all of us wanting to sleep in!  After the games, I took Sami to the ranch, again, to feed her baby goat.  One of her girlfriends came along because Sami decided they were going to go see that new vampire movie.. and it's not like they can walk to the theater, which is 10 miles from my house. I was the driver.

Jake and I saw Skyfall (LOVE!) while the girls saw that darn vampire movie. 

After the movies I took the kids out for pizza.

Then, 'dropped off' the girlfriend (near North Powder - 25 miles from the movie theater) which was a 25 minute drive and took the kids to the ranch.  Their dad was on his way home.

Saturday night I got home at 8:30 pm.  I crawled into bed and read 2 pages from The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

So, today, was my lazy Sunday.  I took my sweet a** time getting things done around the house.  But when I look back on the day, it seems pretty darn busy!!!  This is how the day went: 

• Picked up all the branches that were littering the yard from last night's windstorm.  An older cowboy walked by the house - he was feeding horses.  Said our hellos.  What a great way to start the day!  But I was dressed silly - in my running tights.  Ha Ha.  Nothing like having tight tights on to scare away the men folk.
• I reset the Christmas lights timer so the lights aren't on as long in the am
• washed bedding, rotated my top mattress
• got more sticky stuff off the floors from when the cat got stuck in the spider traps - I keep finding sticky stuff
• did my recycling - took 3 big plastic trash bags full and get this.. I still wearing my running tights, a funky hat, and absolutely no makeup - and wouldn't you know it - another handsome older cowboy decided to pull up - horse trailer and all, he was actually wearing spurs when he got out of the truck, and  he did his recycling too!  I was mortified. I caught him checking me out (probably laughing to himself)  but, he made my day.  I love handsome cowboys. 
•  After that, I went to explore the area for a run.. I drove up a hill by the dump and hiked/ran up coyote peak.  It was about 30 degrees.  Darn cold! After all, there was ice on the car.  Later I got to thinking, that if for some reason I were to fall off that damn hill, the only thing people would have found in my car would have been a Western Horseman magazine that the cowboy gave me.  With his name and address on it!  Tee hee.  No purse, no id, no phone.  I wasn't very smart, now was I?
• Came home, made a big fat breakfast of potatoes and eggs and re-fried beans
• took a nap after my big fat breakfast
• woke, cleaned the refrigerator out of food I have not eaten, did dishes, put some honey on the stove to de-crystallize
• Then, made the card

Ta da!  That was my lazy Sunday!  Seriously.  I did take my time doing all those things.  

Have a great rest of the weekend!
I'm going to be dreaming about older cowboys.. I tell ya.  I love living where I do!

25 in 25:Day 2 and Journaling Cards Challenge

Can you spot the journaling card?  It's the inner most layer, with the mini white dotted border

It's Day 2 of 25 in 25 of  Teri's Challenge.  I made a Thanksgiving Card, using a Pink Paisley journaling card from the Amber Road collection.  Can you say hoarder?  I had two complete sheets until I cut into them in the wee hours this morning!

This card is also for the Journaling Cards Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

Card Recipe:
Cardstock, ribbon, button, stamp (acorn from Country Blessings Set), ink:  Stampin' Up
Patterned paper: Crate Paper, Pink Paisley
Journaling Card: Pink Paisley
Rafia.

That's it sweet peeps. It's past my bedtime and it's been a very long day.  I made this card between the hours of 5 and 6 am, then went and worked at my day job all day long (after a commute over the mountain with icy roads), and just got back from Sami's Soccer Banquet Dinner.  

To say it's been a full day would be an understatement!
And, I am ready to crawl into bed with a very good book.  Now that's how I like to end a day!  Bliss.

Thank you for visiting!