Today marks the last day of the school year for our kids! Evan is now moving on to the 7th grade, and Sierra will become a 4th grader! Hard to believe... they are growing up so fast, and this school year went by in the blink of an eye for me.
However, that's not all..... no, we have another graduate as well. Tracie has formally finished her Medical Transcription program, and passed her final exams..... with honors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
So, it is official.... School's out for Summer!!!
OK, not actually, completely..... because Sierra has asked to go to summer school. YES, that is correct... she actually wants to go to summer school. In fact, she would rather go to summer school than to go on the vacations that we have planned for the summer!!!
As it turns out, the school is glad to have her as well..... because she will be able to develop her math and writing skills to an even higher level before the new year begins. Of course, for Sierra, it's all about being with her friends and teachers. I don't know that she understands that summer school will be different.... but hey, who am I to stop her from wanting to go to school?!?!?!?! :-)
And so, it is time to celebrate!!! We must celebrate that our kids have made it through another year of school. And we MUST celebrate that Tracie has finally finished her schooling, and is now ready to start looking for employment! :-)
Come on Summer..... we are ready!!!
And lastly, on a different note...... we are putting our home and property on the market for sale, in the next couple of weeks. We plan to downsize substantially, and financially. So, we have a very busy next couple of months ahead, as we start to pack, organize, sell, give away, etc.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
The Time Has Come.....
Well, it has finally happened. After a very long and much anticipated wait, Tracie has completed her online studies for Medical Transcription!!! This online course has taken her much longer than she ever anticipated or wanted or dreamed of, and was much more difficult than she ever had planned on it being. But, after four years of working on it, she has finally completed the program!!!
Today is a very big day for Tracie. Today she will take the final exam. The final exam is expected to take her around 6-9 hours to complete!!! She must pass this final exam in order to be done with the schooling, and to graduate the program. This is a very big day, and a very big deal. It won't be easy, as the testing process allows her to use open book and all available resources as she takes it..... which means it won't be easy.
However, she has studied hard, worked hard over the past month in preparation, and has great resources at her side. We all believe that she will pass today, and that she will be on her way out of school, and on to the work force!
Good luck, Tracie!!! I know you can do this..... you have come too far to not finish strong now.
Please be thinking about Tracie, and even say some prayers for her today..... I know she will appreciate every one of them! :-)
Today is a very big day for Tracie. Today she will take the final exam. The final exam is expected to take her around 6-9 hours to complete!!! She must pass this final exam in order to be done with the schooling, and to graduate the program. This is a very big day, and a very big deal. It won't be easy, as the testing process allows her to use open book and all available resources as she takes it..... which means it won't be easy.
However, she has studied hard, worked hard over the past month in preparation, and has great resources at her side. We all believe that she will pass today, and that she will be on her way out of school, and on to the work force!
Good luck, Tracie!!! I know you can do this..... you have come too far to not finish strong now.
Please be thinking about Tracie, and even say some prayers for her today..... I know she will appreciate every one of them! :-)
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Memorial Day Weekend... and Beyond
Here we are.... Memorial Day weekend at the end of May already. Today is Ski to Sea race day as well. In typical fashion, the weather is unpredictable. It is wet and gloomy outside as of now, but supposed to clear off and be better as the day goes by.
So many of us think of this weekend as the official opening of camping and BBQ season. Others of us are completely focused on the big event called Ski to Sea. My hope is that all of us will take tomorrow, Memorial Day, to stop and pay respect to the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Memorial Day isn't about remembering just anyone. It isn't about those currently serving, or who have served and are still living. This day is about those who paid the ultimate price for us all. This day is about honoring and respecting and remembering those who died for our freedom, for our country. We have other days set aside for paying respect to active members of service, and for those who have served and are still living. We have days for remembering loved ones who have past. We even have days for celebrating BBQ. But Memorial Day isn't about these things, or these people...... and I am hoping that anyone who reads my blog will remember that, and take some time tomorrow to simply be quiet, pay a little respect, and maybe say a little prayer, for those men and women who sacrificed all for us.
As for today..... Ski to Sea!!! My brother, Brad, is competing today with his team from Lynden Door. The "Doorknobs"........ recreational division. This is Brad's first race, and he is riding the 42 mile road bike course for his team. I am excited for him, and hoping that he has a great ride, lots of fun, and that he does well. We will be at Riverside Park to await his arrival when he comes racing in to hand off to the canoe team. Afterwards, we will help Brad get back to his place to clean up, and then head to Fairhaven to see the race finish, and enjoy the festivities and celebrations of another year of racing this great event. I raced last year, and am out for this year...... but, I miss it already, and am thinking ahead to next year!
As we head into this final week of May, our schedules our crazy busy for the next 6 to 8 weeks. We have some big things to get done around the place, fast, so we can get our place on the market for sale. I have already been listing things on Craigslist, and have sold a few items. We have a ton of clean-up to do, organizing, and getting ready for some big garage/shop/yard sales to clear things out as well. I hauled a big load of scrap metal to Z's recently, and got $130 in cash. I finally managed to get the field fence all cleared and repaired, and finally super hot with electricity...... those dang cattle should be staying put from now on!!!
Grammy & Papa will come up with their motor home at the end of this week, and will be here on into July, when we head east to Ellensburg for the state baseball tournament. I am very much looking forward to having their help, inside and outside, with getting our house all spruced up and ready for sale. Curb appeal, and maximizing what the market will bear for us, while spending as little as possible. I have a list of projects to work on... and many of them are labor intensive. I suspect that the month of June is going to be gone before I even know it.
In addition, it is time to start working once again on my health. My physical and mental health have been shot for some time now, and it isn't a good thing. I worked so very hard to become healthy and happy, and I loved where I had gotten to. I was happy, and I was happy with myself. And then I had to take on that second job.... and things fell apart! It was a long and painful six months, in which time I went backwards physically and mentally. I have been in a major slump ever since, and have struggle to get going again. Not being a part of a fitness club has hurt bad, and I haven't had time to ride much this year. Excuses have been the death of me, and it is time for change. I am tired of being unhappy with my body, and my level of fitness, and my unhappiness. I am so very hopeful that I can make big changes in the month of June!!!
June..... baseball, baseball, and more baseball. Getting the house on the market to sell. Getting my life back in order again. Getting back on my bike again. Working on home improvement projects. Selling off as much as we can. Spending time with Grammy & Papa.
So many of us think of this weekend as the official opening of camping and BBQ season. Others of us are completely focused on the big event called Ski to Sea. My hope is that all of us will take tomorrow, Memorial Day, to stop and pay respect to the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Memorial Day isn't about remembering just anyone. It isn't about those currently serving, or who have served and are still living. This day is about those who paid the ultimate price for us all. This day is about honoring and respecting and remembering those who died for our freedom, for our country. We have other days set aside for paying respect to active members of service, and for those who have served and are still living. We have days for remembering loved ones who have past. We even have days for celebrating BBQ. But Memorial Day isn't about these things, or these people...... and I am hoping that anyone who reads my blog will remember that, and take some time tomorrow to simply be quiet, pay a little respect, and maybe say a little prayer, for those men and women who sacrificed all for us.
As for today..... Ski to Sea!!! My brother, Brad, is competing today with his team from Lynden Door. The "Doorknobs"........ recreational division. This is Brad's first race, and he is riding the 42 mile road bike course for his team. I am excited for him, and hoping that he has a great ride, lots of fun, and that he does well. We will be at Riverside Park to await his arrival when he comes racing in to hand off to the canoe team. Afterwards, we will help Brad get back to his place to clean up, and then head to Fairhaven to see the race finish, and enjoy the festivities and celebrations of another year of racing this great event. I raced last year, and am out for this year...... but, I miss it already, and am thinking ahead to next year!
As we head into this final week of May, our schedules our crazy busy for the next 6 to 8 weeks. We have some big things to get done around the place, fast, so we can get our place on the market for sale. I have already been listing things on Craigslist, and have sold a few items. We have a ton of clean-up to do, organizing, and getting ready for some big garage/shop/yard sales to clear things out as well. I hauled a big load of scrap metal to Z's recently, and got $130 in cash. I finally managed to get the field fence all cleared and repaired, and finally super hot with electricity...... those dang cattle should be staying put from now on!!!
Grammy & Papa will come up with their motor home at the end of this week, and will be here on into July, when we head east to Ellensburg for the state baseball tournament. I am very much looking forward to having their help, inside and outside, with getting our house all spruced up and ready for sale. Curb appeal, and maximizing what the market will bear for us, while spending as little as possible. I have a list of projects to work on... and many of them are labor intensive. I suspect that the month of June is going to be gone before I even know it.
In addition, it is time to start working once again on my health. My physical and mental health have been shot for some time now, and it isn't a good thing. I worked so very hard to become healthy and happy, and I loved where I had gotten to. I was happy, and I was happy with myself. And then I had to take on that second job.... and things fell apart! It was a long and painful six months, in which time I went backwards physically and mentally. I have been in a major slump ever since, and have struggle to get going again. Not being a part of a fitness club has hurt bad, and I haven't had time to ride much this year. Excuses have been the death of me, and it is time for change. I am tired of being unhappy with my body, and my level of fitness, and my unhappiness. I am so very hopeful that I can make big changes in the month of June!!!
June..... baseball, baseball, and more baseball. Getting the house on the market to sell. Getting my life back in order again. Getting back on my bike again. Working on home improvement projects. Selling off as much as we can. Spending time with Grammy & Papa.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
'Tiz May......
Yes..... that is correct..... not a single post for the month of April. Why??? Here's why.....
The first nine days of April were absolutely, completely, wonderfully and amazingly awesome!!! We weren't here..... we were in Maui, Hawaii. Oh yes, and it was so very, very, very, very good!!! So good, in fact, that I can't stop thinking about it, and can't wait for our next trip over there. I can't believe that I allowed 45 years of my life to go by without ever going to Hawaii.... that was plain crazy!!!
The rest of April, however, pretty much sucked for me.... and for my family. After returning from Hawaii, my immune system must have been knocked down a bit..... because when I returned to my first shift back at work just a couple of days later, BAM!!! I ended up sick with a most nasty respiratory virus. This was so bad that is knocked me down hard for the next two weeks!!! The only blessing to come along with it was the weather...... the weather was terrible, so it made it easier to sit in my recliner day after day after day, completely miserable. And then, as I was getting about half way through it..... BAM!!! I gave it to Tracie and both kids!!! Oy vay, that pretty much wrapped up the month of April for us!!!
But alas..... we are all healthy now, and April is gone. May is here, and it has come with the most wonderful and beautiful weather this year!!!! Sunshine and warm temps, with the rest of this week getting better and better!! :-)
So, we are back into life once again here. Spring is in the air, and we are busy with baseball and softball games. In addition, everything has come to life all around our property..... and so, my days are filled with endless work once again. Mowing and weed whacking, pulling weeds, spraying weeds, cleaning up debris from the winter months, and trying to get things under control and looking somewhat nice around here. In fact, I need to try and get things spruced up even nicer than I normally would, as we (apparently just I) have made the decision to try and sell our house and property.
Yes, you read that correctly. It was a good run. It was a good try. But, the reality is this..... we can't afford this place, and we can't manage this place. Our lives have changed as the kids are growing. We are getting busier and busier, giving us less time here, and less money to spend around here. Quite simply.... I can't keep up with this place, and we haven't made any real forward progress in the 7 years we have lived here. I am ready to admit defeat and move on. And so, with spring and summer approaching, it is time to try and make this place presentable to the right buyer, and it is time to place a for sale sign out front.
So, if you know of someone who is looking for a 3000+ square foot home, with a 40x60 barn, a couple of smaller outbuildings, and 12 acres of land...... send them our way!!! :-)
For now, off to get the kids ready for school. Then to start working on cleaning up the place a bit..... as a realtor is coming by this morning to take a look and help us come up with a fair market price.
The first nine days of April were absolutely, completely, wonderfully and amazingly awesome!!! We weren't here..... we were in Maui, Hawaii. Oh yes, and it was so very, very, very, very good!!! So good, in fact, that I can't stop thinking about it, and can't wait for our next trip over there. I can't believe that I allowed 45 years of my life to go by without ever going to Hawaii.... that was plain crazy!!!
The rest of April, however, pretty much sucked for me.... and for my family. After returning from Hawaii, my immune system must have been knocked down a bit..... because when I returned to my first shift back at work just a couple of days later, BAM!!! I ended up sick with a most nasty respiratory virus. This was so bad that is knocked me down hard for the next two weeks!!! The only blessing to come along with it was the weather...... the weather was terrible, so it made it easier to sit in my recliner day after day after day, completely miserable. And then, as I was getting about half way through it..... BAM!!! I gave it to Tracie and both kids!!! Oy vay, that pretty much wrapped up the month of April for us!!!
But alas..... we are all healthy now, and April is gone. May is here, and it has come with the most wonderful and beautiful weather this year!!!! Sunshine and warm temps, with the rest of this week getting better and better!! :-)
So, we are back into life once again here. Spring is in the air, and we are busy with baseball and softball games. In addition, everything has come to life all around our property..... and so, my days are filled with endless work once again. Mowing and weed whacking, pulling weeds, spraying weeds, cleaning up debris from the winter months, and trying to get things under control and looking somewhat nice around here. In fact, I need to try and get things spruced up even nicer than I normally would, as we (apparently just I) have made the decision to try and sell our house and property.
Yes, you read that correctly. It was a good run. It was a good try. But, the reality is this..... we can't afford this place, and we can't manage this place. Our lives have changed as the kids are growing. We are getting busier and busier, giving us less time here, and less money to spend around here. Quite simply.... I can't keep up with this place, and we haven't made any real forward progress in the 7 years we have lived here. I am ready to admit defeat and move on. And so, with spring and summer approaching, it is time to try and make this place presentable to the right buyer, and it is time to place a for sale sign out front.
So, if you know of someone who is looking for a 3000+ square foot home, with a 40x60 barn, a couple of smaller outbuildings, and 12 acres of land...... send them our way!!! :-)
For now, off to get the kids ready for school. Then to start working on cleaning up the place a bit..... as a realtor is coming by this morning to take a look and help us come up with a fair market price.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Hawaii
Tomorrow late afternoon, we will be in Hawaii.... Maui to be exact!!!
We have never been, and this was all planned quickly, just four weeks ago. I was very blessed to have been able to rack up 72 hours of overtime at the BFD last month, and so the money was available for us to go somewhere for spring break.
After having an extremely difficult and disappointing past six months, I was desperately in need of getting away. I have been so down and depressed, both due to the long winter weather months, as well as because of working the second job every day I wasn't at the BFD. My overall healthy had suffered greatly.... physically, mentally and spiritually. It was time for me to get out of my funk!!!
I quit working at Westside Pizza! I earned a substantial extra income last month through the overtime! I was already thinking about going somewhere sunny and warm and tropical for a week, just to get away from home and recharge! So, I booked us a trip to Hawaii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
And so, tomorrow morning, we will leave our house at 6am. Uncle Brad will go with us, and we will head to SeaTac to catch our plane. Grammy & Papa will meet us in Hawaii, as they will fly out of PDX.
Eight days in Maui!!! In a 4th floor condo, right on the beach!!! In a most beautiful location on the upper west coast!!! The weather forecast is for 79 to 83 degrees every day we are there, with lots of sunshine!!! Sun, surf, sand..... rest and relaxation..... good food and good drink..... no worries about home and life!!!
I am SO looking forward to this trip. We have NO agenda. Our only big adventure for sure is to take a day trip out for snorkeling. Other than that, we plan to lay back and play it by ear, one day at a time, one hour at a time!!! We may do a lot, we may do very little...... but the goal is simply to be very relaxed and very happy!!!
ALOHA!!! :-)
We have never been, and this was all planned quickly, just four weeks ago. I was very blessed to have been able to rack up 72 hours of overtime at the BFD last month, and so the money was available for us to go somewhere for spring break.
After having an extremely difficult and disappointing past six months, I was desperately in need of getting away. I have been so down and depressed, both due to the long winter weather months, as well as because of working the second job every day I wasn't at the BFD. My overall healthy had suffered greatly.... physically, mentally and spiritually. It was time for me to get out of my funk!!!
I quit working at Westside Pizza! I earned a substantial extra income last month through the overtime! I was already thinking about going somewhere sunny and warm and tropical for a week, just to get away from home and recharge! So, I booked us a trip to Hawaii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
And so, tomorrow morning, we will leave our house at 6am. Uncle Brad will go with us, and we will head to SeaTac to catch our plane. Grammy & Papa will meet us in Hawaii, as they will fly out of PDX.
Eight days in Maui!!! In a 4th floor condo, right on the beach!!! In a most beautiful location on the upper west coast!!! The weather forecast is for 79 to 83 degrees every day we are there, with lots of sunshine!!! Sun, surf, sand..... rest and relaxation..... good food and good drink..... no worries about home and life!!!
I am SO looking forward to this trip. We have NO agenda. Our only big adventure for sure is to take a day trip out for snorkeling. Other than that, we plan to lay back and play it by ear, one day at a time, one hour at a time!!! We may do a lot, we may do very little...... but the goal is simply to be very relaxed and very happy!!!
ALOHA!!! :-)
Friday, March 22, 2013
Birthday, Weather, Cycling, Kids, Hair.....
Today is the day..... my day.... my birthday..... my 45th. Don't feel any different, other than being about 20 pounds heavier than I wanted to be at this time. Tired from being up at work, and getting up early. Disappointed in the weather, since I had plans to ride today. But alas, it is still my birthday!
The weather is crazy. The forecast had been for today to be nice, and dry, just on the cool side is all. However, so far today, we have had sun and rain and snow and hail.... and it doesn't show signs of great improvement that would lead me to getting my riding gear on! :-(
Good news, the weather is supposed to be much better tomorrow, and I don't work!!! So, letting go of the dream to ride 45 mile on my 45th birthday..... putting it off for one day. I will go for my ride tomorrow, and maybe will be able to convince my brother, Brad, to go along with me!!! :-)
My kids are amazing and awesome!!! I love them so much, and they most certainly love me!!! They spent 2 1/2 hours working together last night, to make a most awesome Happy Birthday Daddy sign for me, which they had hanging on the side of the house for me to see when I came home today!!! It is awesome. I posted a picture of it to FB, so you should be able to see it for yourself. I can't wait to get my hands on both kids, and give them hugs and kisses like crazy!!! :-)
Hair..... that is the hot topic around here this week. We were supposed to get Evan's hair put into corn rows two days ago..... but, long story made short, it didn't happen. Instead, we are heading back to Bellingham Beauty School today at 3:30pm, for Evan to be used by the head instructor, as she puts on a class for her students on how to put in silky dreadlocks!!! Yes, that is right.... Evan is going to get the dreads that he has wanted for so long now!!! I will post photos this evening...... not sure at all what he is going to look like.
Anyway..... since I am not riding today, and Tracie and the kids are at school.... I am heading into B'ham to meet a fellow friend and firefighter, for lunch at Coconut Kenny's, and a couple of pints at Kulshan Brewery. :-)
Just 10 days away from being in Hawaii...... and that will be how I celebrate my 45th birthday!!!
The weather is crazy. The forecast had been for today to be nice, and dry, just on the cool side is all. However, so far today, we have had sun and rain and snow and hail.... and it doesn't show signs of great improvement that would lead me to getting my riding gear on! :-(
Good news, the weather is supposed to be much better tomorrow, and I don't work!!! So, letting go of the dream to ride 45 mile on my 45th birthday..... putting it off for one day. I will go for my ride tomorrow, and maybe will be able to convince my brother, Brad, to go along with me!!! :-)
My kids are amazing and awesome!!! I love them so much, and they most certainly love me!!! They spent 2 1/2 hours working together last night, to make a most awesome Happy Birthday Daddy sign for me, which they had hanging on the side of the house for me to see when I came home today!!! It is awesome. I posted a picture of it to FB, so you should be able to see it for yourself. I can't wait to get my hands on both kids, and give them hugs and kisses like crazy!!! :-)
Hair..... that is the hot topic around here this week. We were supposed to get Evan's hair put into corn rows two days ago..... but, long story made short, it didn't happen. Instead, we are heading back to Bellingham Beauty School today at 3:30pm, for Evan to be used by the head instructor, as she puts on a class for her students on how to put in silky dreadlocks!!! Yes, that is right.... Evan is going to get the dreads that he has wanted for so long now!!! I will post photos this evening...... not sure at all what he is going to look like.
Anyway..... since I am not riding today, and Tracie and the kids are at school.... I am heading into B'ham to meet a fellow friend and firefighter, for lunch at Coconut Kenny's, and a couple of pints at Kulshan Brewery. :-)
Just 10 days away from being in Hawaii...... and that will be how I celebrate my 45th birthday!!!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Hitting My Mid 40's.....
Today marks my final week of being in my early forties. This Friday, I turn 45 years young, and it doesn't bother me at all. The only thing I am upset about is the fact that I had hoped and planned on being in the very best shape of my life when I celebrated my 45th, and that just isn't going to be the case. Sadly, due to a very rough past five months of working a second job that I hated, and losing out on the time that I once had for taking care of myself...... well, I lost what I have spent the past several years working so hard for. I gained back about 15 pounds, and lost lean muscle mass at the same time. I am very disappointed that I am in the condition that I am now physically, and that I won't be meeting my goal for myself come this Friday. But, on the bright side, I also won't be working the second job any longer, and will now be back on track to get myself physically and mentally and emotionally healthy once again. I am confident that I can be back where I want to be once again by the time summer arrives.... and I just have to move ahead and accept that is how it is.
Yes, I had really high expectations for my 45th birthday, and those expectations aren't going to happen. I am disappointed, yes, but also happy, knowing that I am now able to start moving forward again towards being a much happier and healthier person. I need that so very badly right now.
I am so very much looking forward to going away to Hawaii the first of April, to soak up some much needed sunshine and warmth, along with an escape from day to day life here at home. I look forward to connecting again with my kids. I look forward to once again starting back into a fitness lifestyle. I look forward to just resting and relaxing on a warm, sandy beach. I look forward to having fun, and laughing, and playing. I look forward to coming back home fully rejuvenated and ready to forge ahead in life.
We have a lot to do over the next two weeks. Getting everything ready to go, shopping still for things we need, sports activities for both kids, brakes replaced on my Honda, getting our new house sitter acquainted with our home and animals, Biolife plasma donations to earn more spending money.
No doubt, the next two weeks are going to fly by. We will be in Hawaii before we know it, and that is awesome. I have been ready to go since we booked the trip!!!
For now, time to go start tearing into the Honda's brakes..... been running metal on metal for way too long. I got a day or two of work ahead of me on this project.
Come Friday, I hope to log 45 miles on the bike, to celebrate my 45th birthday. And then, I plan to enjoy a nice birthday dinner, and a couple of delicious beers.
Yes, I had really high expectations for my 45th birthday, and those expectations aren't going to happen. I am disappointed, yes, but also happy, knowing that I am now able to start moving forward again towards being a much happier and healthier person. I need that so very badly right now.
I am so very much looking forward to going away to Hawaii the first of April, to soak up some much needed sunshine and warmth, along with an escape from day to day life here at home. I look forward to connecting again with my kids. I look forward to once again starting back into a fitness lifestyle. I look forward to just resting and relaxing on a warm, sandy beach. I look forward to having fun, and laughing, and playing. I look forward to coming back home fully rejuvenated and ready to forge ahead in life.
We have a lot to do over the next two weeks. Getting everything ready to go, shopping still for things we need, sports activities for both kids, brakes replaced on my Honda, getting our new house sitter acquainted with our home and animals, Biolife plasma donations to earn more spending money.
No doubt, the next two weeks are going to fly by. We will be in Hawaii before we know it, and that is awesome. I have been ready to go since we booked the trip!!!
For now, time to go start tearing into the Honda's brakes..... been running metal on metal for way too long. I got a day or two of work ahead of me on this project.
Come Friday, I hope to log 45 miles on the bike, to celebrate my 45th birthday. And then, I plan to enjoy a nice birthday dinner, and a couple of delicious beers.
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