Happy Father's Day!

"No need to search any further...you're the one!"

The glue's still wet on the card I whipped up this morning...I screen captured the Google search page...pasted it into Word and added 'World's greatest dad' (sooo original).  I printed it up on card stock and added the phrase, 'No need to search any further...you're the one!' to the inside. It may not be profound...or witty...or pithy...or, well, fill in the blank, but it's sufficiently nerdy to bring a little smile to my particular nerd.

This is what I made for Steve...I blogged about it at Help Me Hanna.

It must be Monday...Three Tales.

I got up a little extra early this morning (4:25 am) so that I could spend a bit more time on my seminary lesson.  I had some things that I had printed up that needed cutting out, and I wanted to make up some scripture mastery stuff on the computer (the final verse of the final scripture!!!). I got everything done, drove to seminary and just as I was parking I realized that I had left all that hard work...at home. Aargh.

After I got home from seminary, Steve called me...he had forgotten to take the lunch that Andrew had prepared for him.

Steve told me that he had a little extra time because his boss had to go home - he had forgotten his laptop.

What's up with today???

It's that special time of the year...maybe.

So.  Steve is in Japan for the week.  The good news is that his cell phone works there - so it doesn't cost anything for me to call him.  The bad news?  Umm...figuring out when to call him. Japan is one day ahead, but seven hours earlier.  Let's do the math.  Right now, plus twenty four minus seven (10:20pm[here] + 24) -7 = 3:20pm tomorrow afternoon[there].

My problem?  I was always better at addition than I was at subtraction...and frankly story problems just aren't my favorite thing.  Which is why I called Steve this morning at 8am. (8am[here] + 24) - 7 = 1am tomorrow morning[there].  Sorry hon.

Hawaii 5-0

We're back.

I can't say that we had a relaxing vacation - but we did have a heck of a lot of fun. 

Now it's time to get back to work and rest.

Last Hoorah of Summer - Part I.

Our vacation didn't start off well at all.  Nope.  Nathan and Rebekah left a little while before us...and Nathan got sick.  Throwing up sick.  Throwing up a lot sick.  Too sick to drive - so Rebekah did.  They were heading straight to Rexburg via Ontario/Boise...the rest of us were heading to Wyoming via Spokane/Missoula...by the time we knew how sick Nathan was our paths had diverged and we were hours away from each other.  The best we could do was to tell Rebekah to drive as far as she could and find a motel...

...in the meantime...we were having troubles of our own.  Our battery light was going on and off at random.  We took a long lunch in Spokane and Steve had the battery and alternator tested.  They were fine...or so we thought.  As soon as we crossed into Montana, Steve handed over the driving to me.  The van kept flashing the battery light for increasingly longer periods of time - but I didn't worry about it much - we'd just checked them, right?  A little while past Missoula we started to have other, more worrying symptoms.  The turn signals stopped working.  Then the windows...in fact the whole electrical system was acting weird - on again, off again.  And then we started to loose engine power...on again, off again.  The speedometer was flatlining, then would come back with a burst...I finally pulled into a tiny little town (Drummond).  There was a nice gas station/mini mart and not much else.  Steve and Andrew experimented on the van - and removed all the non-essential fuses they could find.  We couldn't really stay in Drummond - if there was a problem with the van, which there was, there was no place to get it fixed...so off we went. We took it as a good sign that the van started right up - yeah, that was great for a few minutes, then all the problems came back with a vengeance.  The van died right at the exit for a rest stop - the boys all hopped out and pushed us to the parking lot. 

Let's go back to that morning, before we left the house.  Steve was on the phone, making us late...he was talking to a AAA representative.  He signed us up - with the extended towing package - which covered towing up to 100 miles.

Now, back to the rest stop.  Steve calls up AAA and they arrange to tow us into Butte - 60 some miles away.  That is wonderful - it's getting on towards dark and the rest stop we're at is not a busy one - very few people stop at it.  Which is a problem.  Why?  The tow truck driver can only take two passengers.  That leaves three left over.  We eye every car that stops...hoping for someone with room for 3 passengers - but it seems that it's all families on vacation - with full cars.  Aargh.  Finally - just before the tow truck shows up, a man stops by to use the facilities...and he's got a king cab pickup truck...and he's alone...and he's going to Butte.  Alex, Danny and I ride to Butte with the nice stranger while Andrew and Steve go on the tow truck. The van gets towed to an auto repair place - and we get dropped off at a hotel.  Now we have another dilemma.  It's Friday night and the repair shop doesn't open until Monday.

We managed to rent the last available car from Enterprise - it was a red Chevy HHR (think PT Cruiser).  We dubbed it the Clown Car.  We were able to get nearly all of our luggage stowed in it  - which was a minor miracle.   None of us could move an inch - except Steve, who was driving...the rest of us had stuff tucked under us, around us and on top.  Not comfortable at all...but we did it. 

Next: Farewell Butte, Hello Wyoming.

Have Sawzall, Will Prune

They talk a lot about deforestation in the rain forests.  Sure, but what about closer to home?

Steve decided it was time to tackle the aspen tree that is too close to the house.  It rubs against the roof when the wind blows, and we lost a couple of shingles over the past winter. 

Safety first!  Steve has a lovely purple rope tied around his mid-section - I think the other end was tied to the ladder on the back deck.  Let's just say I'm glad he didn't need to rely on it.  Alex is up on the roof with no rope.  Hmm...I'm happy to say they both survived this round with the tree.

Back from the Klondike.

Steve and Danny got home from the Klondike Derby around 7pm last night.  Steve was very diligent about unpacking and tidying up after himself...Danny, well, not so much.  Steve did leave one thing in the van.  I mean, ON the van.  Yeah, we still have the sled on top...Steve's hoping there is enough room (and that he has the key) to put the sled in the scout shed at our new building.  Yeah, I'm hoping that also...because I really don't want to have to store that thing.

It's a roadable aircraft.

Reserve your's now for only $10,000.  My husband is drooling.  He showed me pictures of this little prototype...and only asked me two or three times if I would let him reserve one.  Yeah, right.  I have to admit, this baby gets pretty good gas milage - and think of all the new friends you'd make at the gas station. 

I'm pretty sure it will never become a commercial success.  Why?  It looks like the engineers are also in charge of marketing.  The sign reading "It's a roadable aircraft" is such a give away.  Who wants to buy a $200,000 car-plane with a slogan like that? 

January sun

It's been a fairly wet and gloomy week here in the Pacific Northwest.  Wet enough to cause road and train track blocking mudslides.

Steve had a campout scheduled for last night with his Scouts.  He was pretty upbeat about going, in spite of the waterworks.  The rain mysteriously stopped yesterday - just before he he left.  It was clear and dry overnight and all day today. 

Sunshine on a Saturday in January in Washington?  It could happen.  And it did.

30 rocks.

It was 30 years ago, on the 7th of January, that Steve and I first met.  Inside the hallowed halls of the Wilkinson Center at BYU.  That's where the magic started.

Hooked on Traffic Cams

I have been closely following Steve and Alex's progress home from Rexburg today..through traffic camera pictures.  I looked at the roads in Idaho and Oregon...and now Washington.  If he has been able to keep up his speed somewhat...he should be nearing Ellensburg right about now.  The above picture was taken about 40 miles this side of Ellensburg.

Drive carefully.  I mean it.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adeiu...

I took more pictures, I just didn't realize I had the camera on video. 

Steve, Alex, Nathan and Rebekah left here nearly an hour ago...heading east.  East to Rexburg.  The weather is okay here - cold and overcast... but they're bound to find some snow sooner or later.  I vote later.

Steve picked up some chains earlier today...I'm hoping he won't have to use them.  I think we've only ever had to use them once or twice in the past 30 years.  Les Schwab Tires said he can return them in April if they haven't been used.  We'll see.  We'll see if we remember that we have them in April.

Re-Tardis

David Tennant - my favorite "Dr. Who"....so far.

Steve, my favorite 51 year old husband....so far.

For Steve's birthday cake, I made a copy of the Tardis. For those of you not familiar with the tv series Dr. Who, the TARDIS is the Doctor's time machine. The acronym TARDIS stands for: time and relative dimension in space. I know, you're saying to yourself "who cares?" I just want to make sure that you understand the name...and also the fact that since mine turned out pretty crappy, I christened it the "Re-Tardis" - as in retarded. Which also, strangely enough, applies to me.

Yesterday I posted about Steve's birthday and all but stated that "51" is a prime number. It is not. David knew it - his little poem in the comments was quite clever, and nicely didn't exactly say "Mom, you're sooo dumb".

Area 51

I'm getting a head start on this one. Tomorrow is Steve's birthday. Since he's almost a year older than me, that makes him...51.

Prime Number.

Prime Rib.

Prime Time.

Prime Rate.

Amazon Prime.

Prime.

He's just plain prime.

Happy Birthday to one prime piece of real estate.

My Husband's Double Life

A certified letter came for my husband today. It was from the State of Utah Department of Commerce. ??? Yeah, I was curious. Yeah, I opened it.

Here's an excerpt:

"You may continue to use the title of Doctor in front of [your] name. However, initials of DL (Doctor of Lymphology) and PMD (Doctor of Preventative Medicine) need to be changed. It is in DOPL's opinion that these terms would lead a reasonable person to believe that you are indeed a medical doctor, disclaimer not withstanding. The proposed changes are LS (Lymphology Specialist) and PMS or SPM (Preventative Medicine Specialist)."

The letter then went on to say that the State is seeking a "cease and desist order", and that if this person didn't cease and desist the State would move for civil penalties in the amount of $2,000 per day.

Ouch. $2,000 a day??

The good news is that I'm pretty sure this is a case of mistaken identity...but who knows? Steve did just spend a week in Utah...hmmm. I think I may just have to have a little heart to heart with him when he gets home.

Full Plate

Steve gets home this morning! Yea!!

Thanksgiving on Thursday, as usual.

Black Friday Seminary Bash...what was I thinking?

November 28th through December 2nd: Birthday (Cindy), Birthday(Sherri), Birthday(Sara), Birthday(Keira), oh, and Steve's Birthday (not necessarily in that order)

Christmas season....

Wedding season...

Serenity now, insanity later.

Retail Therapy

It's always a little dangerous when Steve goes out of town. He is never sure what he'll be coming home to. I have been known to totally make-over rooms...from the floor to the ceiling. It's partly a way of coping - and partly just for fun - especially when I can get a sister or two to come and help.

It's just not happening this time. I just don't have the time and/or energy...not to mention money (remember, we have a wedding coming up!) to do a home make-over.

I did have the time and less money to spend on Amazon buying books. It all started because I needed to buy a book for Danny's literature class. And then there was the "buy 3 get a 4th book free" thing...and then there were some used books that I wanted...let's just say I ended up with more than 4 books. Yeah. I think I ended up with 12 books and 1 DVD. Oops. I think I won't open some of the packages when they come - I'll let Steve wrap them up for me for Christmas.

Lonely, but not alone...

I have no idea what it feels like to be home alone...Alex is home most of the time, Danny is home most of the time...Nathan is here when he's not at work...usually with Rebekah... I don't have a lot of time when I'm the only one in the house.

Steve is midway through his stay in Salt Lake-and even though I'm not alone, I am feeling a bit lonely.

Hey Stephen...I miss you.

Secret Keeper

Who knew my husband could keep a big secret from me? Evidently my sisters suspected as much...

It all started for me on Thursday(it was weeks in the planning for the rest of the conspirators). Steve and I spent the day down in Seattle (see previous blog post). A beautiful day...but wait! It's not over yet! You can look at the details of the planning over on Steve's blog, but since I was the receiver of all this fabulous surprisingness...here is my take on it.

Much to my surprise, I loved being surprised. Not all surprises are good - but wow, was this one. Steve did an awesome job with his part of the whole con job. It didn't hurt that I love any excuse to get together with my siblings. It was amazing that no one spilled the beans...Brian and Jody, Marcy, Sherri, Keira, Tia and Suzanne...all of them here for my birthday! It almost makes me want to turn 50 again. Almost.

I wasn't all that amazed when Brian and Jody came to the door on Thursday night. Brian had mentioned several weeks ago that he and Jody might head up to Seattle for their anniversary. I told him at the time, that we might not be in town - since it was going to be my birthday weekend and there was a possibility that Steve and I might take off for the weekend. When they showed up unannounced, I put it down to male forgetfulness - I figured Brian had just neglected to call. No problem. When the other 5 siblings came in an hour and a half later...well, I was gobsmacked. My first thought (when my brain finally caught up) was "where I am going to put them all?!?" I already knew that Brian and Jody were staying in Seattle. It turned out that Sherri, Marcy, Sue and Tia were staying at the Holiday Inn - that just left Keira and 10 month old Zachary to stay with us. I had just about enough room for them.

We had our usual awesome time - punctuated by loud crying from Zac (who we're pretty sure is the spawn of....never mind). After going to the temple on Saturday we decided to spend the afternoon back at my house doing various projects. Marcy was working on jewelry, Sherri was making headbands and the rest of us were sewing aprons. Well, I was sewing - Suzanne was cutting and ironing, Keira did a lot of the pinning and Tia held the spatula (just kidding!). We decided it must be a "Super Saturday"...a "Super Sister Saturday". Next time we get together it'll be at Suzanne's house (her house is much bigger than mine). We're thinking maybe in April.

My favorite part of the weekend (besides family)? When Steve had me close my eyes while he got down on his knees in from of me and then proposed to me all over again...while presenting me with a beautiful new ring (to replace the two he cut off). Sweet.

Greek food, flowers, a troll and locks.

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The neighborhood of Seattle, that is. Steve and I headed down to the big city this morning...

Right off the bat we totally scored a parking place right around the block from Pike Place Market. We had a nice leisurely stroll through the market - it was only a little crowded. We picked up some spanakopita and baklava for lunch, bought some flavored honey to take home (we buy some every time we go...which fortunately isn't too often) and two large bouquets of flowers ( at $5 a bouquet I could have bought more...) and then we headed back to the car.

Our next stop was the Fremont Troll...we only had to cross the bridge twice to find it. It was almost a case of "you can't get there from here"...but we persevered and found it.

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks were next. We watched 3 different boats being raised or lowered in the two different locks. There was only one fish in the fish ladder, but hey, it could have been worse.

Our final stop was Top Ten Toys. It's too far away from home to go very often, and it would be expensive to take kids there - so it was nice to go while we were in the neighborhood, without kids. It leans more towards educational/imaginative toys and books...they don't have a video game section, there is no "Barbie" section, no "Hot Wheels", no Disney. After drooling a little over their large selection of Playmobil, I ended up getting Stephanie a pack of activity cards - 100 activities to do with small children in the car...hopefully it will help with their cross-country car trip coming up soon.

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.