D & P Smith

More Harleys join the family

2010-07-18T13:17:00.001-07:00

Well what started out as a Harley for Don, has now turned into a Harley for Patty. We decided that the 2005 Harley Sportster XL883C would become my bike and Don has purchased a 2010 Harley Heritage Softail Classic. He is thrilled to say the least and would ride non stop, it is a very nice bike. I have had the Sportster lowered, new handlebars added, engine guard and windshield put on. It is more comfortable now, just need a different seat. This one causes numb butt very quickly.
Last Thursday Tara also aquired her first Harley, a 2010 Harley Sportster 48, looks "bad". She is slowly starting her riding career as I did, around the local streets etc.

2010-04-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

Time for another update!....Seems winter never came this year. Only a few colds days and nights and that's it. No snow to amount to anything at all, nothing that ever accumulated on the ground just trickled down a few times and melted.
We are in the middle of a much needed bathroom remodel. It is our main bathroom upstairs and as no one really saw it but Don and I we just kind of ignored how ugly and worn out it had become. Finally we just bit the bullet and began. Don gutted the room and then we have had a plumber come in and put in a new tub, rearrange some plumbing to put in a pedestal sink, was able to move the toilet 3" back towards the wall. (it sat out at least 4" from the wall) electrician rewired some switches, added a fan and light bar over the mirror, sheet rockers came, we just finished painting to day, so electrician can come back and do his finishing, I think now we wait for the guy who is going to do some kind of stuff around our tub area. I painted it two different colors a brown and a greenish turquoise. I really like it, think it will look good with all the white in there.
Well another bit of news is that I bought my husband a 2005 Harley Davidson XL883C. It was one of our son-in-laws bikes. Was able to TOTALLY surprise Don. Eric took it over and put it in the garage while we were at bible study and when we came home and Don pushed the button to raise the garage door....WOLA there it was, he was speechless. He got his permit so he can ride it around, but we both are going to take a three day motorcycle course and if you pass the course you automatically get your license. I am seriously thinking of getting one also. After I take the class I will know for sure. Don is just loving it. One evening he took off to go show one of our friends, Lance Gordon, and Lance has a bike too, so they took off together over to Erics, and then all three took off and rode around for awhile. Had a great time!!!! So enjoy seeing him enjoy his new toy. Beautiful bike Eric took mint care of it, only had 872 miles on it.
Kids are all doing well. Tara continues to be unemployed at this time. It's been over a year now since she got laid off. She keeps hoping the County will start re-hiring and she can get her old job back. They will be going to Hawaii in May to attend a wedding. One of Taras school friends.
Chad and Lisa survived all the cutbacks and are doing very well at there jobs. Lisa is getting the baby bug, but ....Chad not so sure yet.
One of the worst things that has happened is that my house cleaner has injured her ankle and is out of commission for and unknown length of time. I can not clean my own house!! So, I hired Tara this last week. Don't think she was to excited, but the money talked when you are on unemployement!!!
Well at this time photos will not load so will try later.

2009-08-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

I see that I have forgotten how to use this site, as I have several spelling errors and I did spell check but it didn't apply the changes!!!!!

SURPRISE SURPRISE

2009-08-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Well I bet you never thought you'd hear from me again. I must say that I have been totally distracted by Facebook!! much quicker and broader. Well I must say that a lot has gone on since I last wrote in 2008!
Both of our kids have had there first anniversays. Tara and Eric had theirs in February and Chad and Lisa in May.
Tara is currently not working, she was laid off in December from her relatively new job at the county in District court. Lisas has had to lay off most of her employees but has managed to survive herself. Chads company had many lay offs but because Chad is specialized he was not able to be bumped by others and lose his job. When he first went to work at Sierra Pacific he took his own time and trained on this gianourmous crane thing. It's huge and runs on tracks and moves logs allover the place. Don and I are quite secure in our jobs as we both have been there for quite some time. Although the county itself is suffering very badly.
In May Don began experiencing what we thought were "flu" like symptoms.....wrong he proceeded to be hospitalized for apendicidus. He has recovered very well from that. They had not yet burst, but Dr reported that they were big and ugly. Quite a quick little surgery, three small incisions. Thankgoodness for excellent insurance... out of $32,000, yes thirty two thousand dollars for a very short stay we got a bill for $75.00!!!!!
We have enjoyed kayaking on Lake Quinault in the month of July with Tara and Eric. It is such a clean lake. We have discovered though that in the morning when we put in and the lake is so flat like glass that it seems to always change about 11 and gets windy and wavey. Our last trip was the worst, probably 2 foot white caps and strong wind. You felt like you were paddling and getting no where, and you were at times.
Lately we have experiences some scorching hot weather for here. Thankfully it did not last very long. Hit 101 or so one day, 105 just a bit east of here in Elma.
We are getting ready to replace our "perfectly good" cyclone fence with a wonderful
6' wood fence. Am looking forward to the privacy and landscaping the back yard.
My wonderful friend Sue, who up and moved to Tennesse, came for a visit and we totally redid my flower beds, added "yard art" and many new plants, one being a fig tree. Am anxious for it all to take off and fill in. Next year should be beautiful.
Well I best stop as I need to head to Aberdeen and get steaks and veggies for Lisa and Chads family BBQ sunday night at Erics. We will be celebrating their 25th birthdays. They are only 1 week apart in age.

CHRISTMAS 2008

2008-12-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed a quiet white Christmas this year. Christmas eve Chad and Lisa, Eric and Tara, Bob and Ruth were all here. My folks did not come because of weather and I think they may have also gone to Madras, Oregon with Evan and Kim. We had our usual clam chowder for those who like clams and chicken vegetable for those who don't. Eric made his famous corn bread and I made gluten and dairy free corn bread for Tara and myself.
The roads continue to be horrible here in town. If you can get to the main highways you are fine. Montesano does not own a snow plow. I would not be able to even get out of my driveway and on to the street there is so much snow piled up on the edge of the roads. It has been raining though for 24 hours so it seems pretty soft and mushy now and looks promising that I might get out soon.
Christmas Day Bob and Ruth, Tara and Eric and Russ and Linda McCaslin were here for a turkey dinner. Of course there was a ton of food. Grandpa Bob was feeling better with his broken/cracked ribs, but had an awful time when things were funny because it hurt soooo bad. But good drugs helped him out a lot! Bomi Dad was not able to come because of the weather so Eric and Tara took off in the late evening to go spend the night with him.
Well that's Christmas 2008

WINTER BEGINS IN THE WEST

2008-12-21T18:14:00.000-08:00

Usually when snow is in the forecast no one really pays much attention. But this time they really meant it. Today our special meetings were cancelled in Tenino due to the road conditions. We woke this morning with alot of snow (for us) and a sheet of ice over it all. Things began to start dripping but then about 10 or so it started snowing and has snowed all day until about 5:30. Well I finally got out of my PJ's and dug out the snow clothes bundled up and took a walk. As you can see Sadie went along with us. She was not so sure when I stuffed her in her front pack, but as we continued on she gradually relaxed and enjoyed the ride. I measured the snow in the front yard and we have 11".
Yesterday Dons dad took a tumble out in their driveway and broke some ribs. Eric, Tara, Ruth and Don took him up to McCleary to the ER and had him looked at. He wasn't wanting to go at first but called later to say he thought he probably should as the pain was very bad. The roads were awful and you had to pull over to clear the ice off your windshield wipers to be able to see. So Bob is in a wrap thing and on meds for pain. Tara took a tumble in the Safeway parking lot and she is feeling a bit sore also.
Don just said he heard that yet another storm is coming and more snow. I will probably be one of a very few that are at work tomorrow. My car is absolutely worth less with the wide tires (a girls got to look good in her ride!) so Don has been my chauffeur. I really really miss my 4x4 Tahoe. I think I'll check into some winter type tires for the Jetta.
Well the weather has given me lots of knitting time. So I'm just a few rows away from getting my Christmas gifts all knitted up. YAH !!!

It's been a long time.....

2008-12-13T20:18:00.000-08:00

Well since it was Nov 2nd I last posted I could start with Thanksgiving. All the Smiths were together at Bob and Linda's. Eric's Dad, Bomi, was there and also Lindas brother and his family, and her Dad. We had a very nice day tons of food of course. Oh the Dickey family was there too. And that was Thanksgiving!
November also brought some not so great news, Tara is losing her job at the end of the year. Budget cuts in the County, last in, first out. She is bummed as she was finally starting to enjoy her new job. I don't think she is going to actively look for another job right away. Chads job seems to be okay at this time, they cut other shifts and so now he just has to work 5 8's instead of 4 10's. He did enjoy his Fridays off.
Tonight we attended the Festival of Lights parade here in Montesano. It is an annual event. It was cancelled last year due to the hurricane. This year was very good even had fire works. It's pretty with all the lights, it was cold though and even started to snow so that made it more festive.
I got two new books. Recipe books from the Cafe Gratitude restaurant in CA. A raw restaurant. So spent alot of the afternoon today making stuff....Coconut ice cream, Marinated stuffed mushrooms, and cabbage salad. Yum
Well that's it.

PHASE ONE OF HEDDIES MAKE OVER

2008-11-02T18:49:00.000-08:00

Heddie's makeover has begun. Tonight the first layer of "Modge Podge" was applied along with my favorite coffee napkins. I could not believe that they even still made "Modge Podge". I found it at Joanne Fabrics in Olympia. I must have really wanted it because as usual at Joanne's its wait and wait and wait some more. I bought a few other things, one of them being a piece of fabric, I dreaded going to the cutting counter as it is usually slammed and you wait for a very long time, but to my surprise they were on number 43 and I was only 51. So....great got that done and headed to the check out line, yah right, I mean LINE, I looked at my watch and it was 5 minutes after, slowly creeping along I finally reached the register at 25 minutes after. The line was even longer now than when I had gotten into it 20 minutes earlier. I will say that they did have the most checkers I have ever seen working. I think I will go online the the Veterans day sale at Joannes and order the knitting needles that I wanted to go in and get that are on sale. I am not good at standing in lines, especially when I have many more errands to do.

Thank you Anita

2008-10-25T11:05:00.001-07:00

Thanks goes out to Anita for her lovely gift basket. I felt a bit guilty receiving it as I am one of the "Lurkers". But, when there was a possibility of a prize.... well of course I could leave a comment. The box was filled with all sorts of lovely goodies. I attempted to take a picture only to discover that my camera was on video. I am going to try to post it here and see what happens.

Meet Heddie

2008-10-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

Heddie has joined my knitting club and will be very use full in establishing a uniform shape for all head wear that I make. She is currently awaiting a make over to make her look a bit more appealing.

APPLE PIE

2008-10-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Tested out a Raw Apple Pie on all the kids Saturday night. They all claimed they liked it. Chad said the crust was better than regular crust. I like it and proceeded to eat the left overs today!

In No Particular Order Wedding Pics

2008-09-20T00:03:00.000-07:00

2008-09-19T23:43:00.000-07:00

Wedding pictures

2008-09-19T23:24:00.001-07:00

Anita these are just a few pics for you!!!!

NATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY

2008-09-19T23:09:00.001-07:00

Well leave it to Eileen Dickey to find an ocassion to have fun. Little did we know that it was a holiday today. But, a few of us that had been informed gathered at the Dickeys to celebrate and talk like Pirates.
We feasted on Pirate Pie, Shark bites, Seaweed salad, Pigeon legs, Bilge rat stew, Hard tack and more. All went away from the table completely satisfied.
Don and my art work was thanks to our wonderfully talented son in law Eric.
A fun time was had and we wonder which holiday we will celebrate next. I'm sure Eileen will keep us posted.

Roses Everywhere

2008-09-03T23:06:00.000-07:00

Well I waited impatiently at work today worrying about IF the roses would come. I had ordered them from two different places on line and they are overnight shipped from South America straight to your doorstep. Just as I was getting ready to make a call or do something I turned around and there he was Mr. FedEx himself. Two big long boxes, one with Midnight black roses and one with Movie Star Orange roses. 300 in all. So then the problem is what to do with them. You don't want them to open up to much so you can't keep them in a warm temp, but they all need to start drinking to pretty up so you have to cut each stem under water so no air gets sucked up the stem. They are in the garage tonight, we just finished snipping the ends and de-leafing and de-thorning them. Not to bad it's only eleven o'clock!!
Tomorrow I meet my friend Kathye and we head out to another Kathy's and get greenery for the vases. The vases go on the tables and will consist mostly of greenery and a few (3) roses. Friday the plan is to make all the bouquets and bouts, pack up all the supplies and head to Olympia for set up and rehearsal with a pizza party out on the lawn.
I really feel like things are going along okay and that maybe it will all come together in the end. I really am looking forward to taking off the next week and relaxing in eastern Washington.
I am adding a few pictures this time. A few of tonight's rose party and a couple of just fun "green Juice" pictures. I love my new juicer. I put all kinds of greens and stuff in my juice. The one picture is my "green" juice and Ezekiel 4:9 bread with avocado squished on top, YUM
Well I am going to go soak in an Epsom salt bath to hopefully help my aching muscles.
TATA for now.

Just a word or two...

2008-08-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

I see that I have not posted for a huge amount of time, but I also see that I am not alone. After checking out my few other blogger friends and seeing that there is nothing new there either I realize I must at least write something because it is so disappointing to go to a blog and see the same ole stuff!!
It is about one week till Tara and Erics wedding. I believe all is in order at this point and will remain that way as long as the flowers that I have ordered show up next Wednesday and Thursday. We have assigned tasks to our helpers and times to be here and there, the cater has been notified of the count, the cake maker has been paid, the photographer is set and we keep checking the extended weather forecast to see if it to will co-operate for the day.
I haven taken on another part-time job for Fire District #5. I am now the new secretary. It should be a piece of cake, 4 hours a week and one monthly meeting to attend. FD#5 has had the unfortunate experience of a VERY bad Chief coming in and literally destroying the district and financially about broke them. The new interim chief is a great guy and is trying with all his might to get them back and going again, but as in all public business his efforts are never good enough to please all the people. But with the government accounting that I have it will be real easy for me to just step right in and start paying the bills and I have been asked to help prepare next years budget. So I look forward to getting started after the wedding and our little vacation we have planned.
We are taking off on Monday after the wedding for a week "camping" at a KOA lodge in Pomeroy, Wa. I just want sun and relaxation. We hope to visit our good friends Ron and Rochelle Anderson in Walla Walla and also Bryce and Emily Olson in Pendleton, OR.
Of course we will be taking Miss Sadie Mae with us!! She enjoys a vacation too. Besides we would miss the little fur ball anyway.
I recently had been advised by my Dr. to juice, so I got a really nice new juicer, and I head to Olympia to get my organic produce to use and each day I have my lovely "green" juice. It really does taste a lot better than it looks. Some days it doesn't look to drinkable to some people.
A couple of our good friends have had some mishaps lately. Russel McCaslin was hospitalized for quite some time with a HORRIBLE infection and I mean HORRIBLE. We did not see it at its worse but he is a very very lucky man to have gone to the Dr when he did. It ended up being Mersa, which if you don't know what it is, is a very bad infection that just kind of rots away the flesh. Tara had a small experience with it last year and it grows like wild fire and feels like fire. Russ is doing better but is now feeling the affects of the massive doses of intravenous antibiotics he had.
And then there's Larry Smith who had a little mishap and broke some ribs and bruised his lung, so he's gimpin around a bit. But you know he can't set still for long but the pain tells him to chill out.
Don continues to work on his shoulder exercises and wish that it was all better NOW!!!
Not much else that I can think of right now. Our kids and new spouses are all doing fine. Chad and Lisa stop by every once in awhile, and I see Tara and Eric usually every day at some point as we all work for Grays Harbor County.
Tara and I have hope of a garden next year at her house. Eric says okay as long as he doesn't have to step foot in it!!! So I am thinking that we need to get it tilled up this fall and toss some compostings on it to get it ready to plant next year. But we will see what happens.
Well I guess I had better head to bed, I see that it is 11 o'clock!!!

The twins in their new outfits.

2008-07-17T23:23:00.000-07:00

Just got some pictures of Rylie and Kylie in their new outfits. They are so cute and growing so very fast.

Yet another month gone by.

2008-07-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

I just don't take the time to keep this thing updated. There has been quite a bit going on with all the getting ready for the next wedding. Lots of detail things to do.
Monday, July 7th, Don had surgery on his shoulder. He is pretty much pain in still. He is up and about with his arm in a sling. Is frustrated that he can't just move the thing around, and is a bit concerned about the "ratchety" feeling he feels when he does do his exercises. They did not find a tear in the rotary cuff, so as far as I know they just cleaned it all out of other junk. I don't really know, I only know that the recovery process and recovery time is way less then if there had been a tear.
We spent the 4th of July just relaxing didn't do much of anything. The previous weekend we had been helping Eric and Tara paint their house. It looks real nice now in the lighter color, Brown Teepee! with white trim. But, Eric reported today that some spots are bubbling up for some reason.
I have finished up a couple of darling multi colored shrugs for Kylie and Rylie Tinklepaugh. Can't wait to send them off to them.
My dear friend Ei and myself are in a constant struggle to cut the carbs. I have been ordered by my Dr. to have 20 grams a day for a week and then up it each week. Do you know how hard it is to eat only 20 grams of carbs. And then I felt like I was eating to much food so decided to count points also. I think it was a good idea because I am eating way to much now that I have started keeping track. But Ei, she is so busy that she doesn't take time to care for herself so has had a bit of a time getting going. But we hash it over quite often.
I have gotten one flower girls dress done, Rheanna's, I think that it turned out quite nicely. I have Myah's cut out, I am hoping that it is long enough. I should have cut hers out first, but I didn't have her measurements and wanted to get going so I made Rheanna's first and boy oh boy was I sweatin it for fabric. I knew that there was no more to be had and so had to shorten Myah's dress, but I still think that it will be fine. If I have to I will shorten Rheanna's to the same length so that they look the same.

Just Ramblin

2008-06-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

It is cold. They are calling this month "Junuary". Today I feel like I am dressed for winter in my new wool sweater I just finished sewing together and my boots. They were calling for snow in the mountains last night. It was like a blustery winter day yesterday.
Saturday I was in Kent for a knitting finishing class and then headed up to Kirkland to go to lunch at Dalene's. You guessed it, raw vegan. Was very good.
Check out her website, www.dalene's.com. My body just does not want to be 100% raw vegan, but it will allow me to be "high raw."
Chad and Lisa have settled into married life. They are really using those Home Depot cards to fix up their yard. They are most delighted that Chad has now been hired on as day shift. I believe he will start next week. He will work 4 days, 10 hrs a day. They are so excited to be able to go and do a lot more together instead of just passing in the doorway every evening.
Have been toying with the idea of making a dress for Tara's wedding. So, I bought some sale fabric the other day and we will see what becomes of it. It is very bright mind you, it's orange. If I don't like it I certainly won't be out much $$. Am just about done with Rheanna's flower girl dress and then will start Myah's. They are going to be cute.
Please remember that this Saturday is National Knit in Public Day. You can join our group here in Aberdeen, we will be meeting at the Popcorn Factory for the day beginning at 9:00 am. I am hoping that Ei will join me for a bit of R&R. We are hoping that the weather figures out what time of year it is and gives us some sun. There is also a new street market now in Aberdeen, so we will be able to participate in that also.
I know that everyone always wants pictures, but I don't take pictures!! I will see if I can add some to this later. As I am on lunch at the moment I do not have time to take and post them now.

More Pictures

2008-05-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

Chad & Lisa's wedding

2008-05-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well the weekend began Friday night in Hoquiam at Alexanders Bar and Grill. Everyone in the wedding party and some family met for dinner before rehearsal which followed immediately after. Alexanders is a fairly new restaurant in Hoquiam and has very good food and friendly staff. Rehearsal was done about 8:30 or so and off we all went to our places of abode.
Saturday dawned with sunny skies, I could hardly believe my eyes what a beautiful day we were going to have. Family had to arrive at 3:00 for pictures which took about 1/2 hour and then we waited while 40's era music played in the theater. The wedding started pretty much right on time and was very very nice. Several have commented to me later that it was one of the nicest weddings they had been to. Lisa will be glad to hear that when they return. They departed the wedding in an old car of some kind and headed to the reception hall in Aberdeen. The dinner served by the local O'Brien Catering was delicious. The caters themselves have many food allergies so all there catered food is cooked like they themselves where going to eat it. So there was no dairy in the mashed garlic potatoes, or in the sauce on the chicken, nor in the absolutely super delicious chocolate fudge dessert they served. They also had gluten free choices there too. So it made it really nice for those of us that can't do dairy, wheat etc.
The reception went very well, it was nice to see the big number of relatives on our side that showed up. Some we haven't seen for awhile. Lots of music and fun was had by all. I even got my husband to do a slow dance with me!!!! I had a very nice day. After a very emotional week.....which started out with the stomach flu and a slight shift in hormone levels!!!! everything straightened out and I could enjoy myself greatly. We had everything cleaned up and were home by 10:30, it took awhile to settle down before we could go to sleep but not as late of a night as I had thought it might be.
The kids left Sunday for Vancouver, WA for the night and then on to Sisters, OR until Wednesday and then possibly over to the coast and up the coast and home on the week end.
Sunday after meeting some of us that were still in town met at our house for left overs from the reception and then everyone was gone by 4:00. I was so incredibly tired I couldn't not even stay awake. It was like I was drugged.
Today, we were over to Eric and Tara's for a Memorial Day BBQ. That was a large group of Eric's and Tara's friends and co-workers, our family, and the Dickey and the Barene families.

MISC....

2008-05-01T19:31:00.000-07:00

Well it's about 3 weeks until the first wedding! Lisa said tonight that they had 196 people respond that they are coming.
Last Saturday Tara and Linda put on a shower for Lisa, it was a good turn out and I believe that fun was had by all. Lisa got some nice things, one being the coveted fleece blankets that Linda makes.
Chad is working on the old Ranger getting it up and running again, with diesel at $4.45 he's decided driving the big truck to work every day is a bit spendy.
We have found the perfect "golden slipper" for Tara's wedding party to wear. Good ole Chadwick's had them. I ordered a couple pairs to see if we would like them or not and we did so ordered the rest of the sizes yesterday. Saturday we go to have another fitting and possibly pick up Tara's wedding dress. We have been working on all the little stuff. There sure is a lot to think about.
I am so ready for some sunshine and warm weather. It is making me crabby and blue. I think we may have turned the corner on winter as I haven't heard the "S" word in the forecast for awhile. Oh, "S" meaning snow not sunshine!
I have taught my dear friend Eileen to knit socks. When I left her on Sunday she had a good start on her first one. Later report is that she is now addicted to knitting and her sock is looking very good. We will have another knit-a-long on Sunday afternoon. Possibly we could look for an update about her sock on her blog???
Well enough rattling on I must pick up as you know what Friday is....house cleaner day...Yeah!

Spring Fling

2008-04-23T07:25:00.001-07:00

Just a few pictures from the Spring Fling trip. It was extremely cold that day and also we found out that it was a "Red Hat" day for a large group of elderly ladies. We asked to have our picture taken with a few of them, one being the second placed winner. She had slinkys on her hat.....ya know it was her "spring" hat!! They were also scheduled to have a wet T-shirt contest. We were a little concerned about that one, but then in small print we noticed that it was .....how far you could throw a wet T-shirt. We were all relieved at that. :-)
At the animal barns we especially liked the little goats.

Yarn Crawl

2008-04-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

What a day. Yesterday 2 friends from work and myself took the day off and headed to the Puyallup Spring Fair. Our mission was yarn and anything pertaining to knitting. Well as snow was in the forecast it was freezing cold and windy. We had dressed pretty much okay for the weather, but lacked mittens or gloves. The fair turned out to be rather a flop. Not a whole lot there. So off we zoomed to visit several yarns shops. My friend Shanda had gotten address off of a site that listed knitting shops in the greater Pacific NW. We headed up to Kent, over to Burien and down to Lakewood. TRAFFIC TRAFFIC TRAFFIC. Us country folks have forgotten what it was like to be in Seattle area on a Friday night. But I, the designated driver, patiently drove on. It was fun I refrained from purchasing any yarn as I have roughly 10 projects going and more yarn waiting!!! We got to see lots of unfamiliar territory. Especially Yorkie Yarns in Lakewood. We had to call then 2-3 times to finally get the directions right and she stayed open 1/2 longer for us as we got there right at 6 when she closed. Oh, we also went to Trader Joe's in Burien. Very good, got some groceries and munchies.
Today we awake to white ground. Come on it's April 19th. I should be out in the flower beds working, not all bundled up looking out at the snow coming down.
Well I best be getting busy as Lisa it coming for breakfast at 8. I am going to help her by sewing on a hook of some sort to her wedding dress so that she can hook up the train for walking and dancing. It's getting close, they are suppose to be coming in and getting there marriage license on Monday. Chad decided the other day that he would forgo sleep in order to build Lisa a cedar planter box. Crazy boy. I guess it turned out real nice, I have not seem it yet.
All for now....TATA

Okay, Okay I'll Post

2008-03-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Several have hinted that I never post...well what's there to post??? It is the first day of spring and I feel like I need to keep my mittens, scarves, and boots near by. It is so cold, and I am so ready for sun.
Chad continues to work feverishly on his buggy. He is attempting to have it ready for a competition on April 6th. It is looking very different than it was before. Lisa informed earlier this week that there was only 68 days left until the wedding. So that will be here before I know it. I have changed my choice of wedding garment. It's a skirt and top that I found on Macy's sale rack. I feel much better in this outfit than the original one I have purchased.
Tara is oh so happily married. We have been looking for orange flip flops for the girls to wear in the wedding. They are hard to find. We would prefer some with a bit of a higher wedge, but think we will have to settle for a 3/4" wedge. She is also starting to look for a new job. Her current job has given her tons of excellent experience but the stress level has gone way over the edge and she has had enough, plus I don't think her husband was going to be able to put up with much more either. So...we are anxiously awaiting the out come of an application that she is submitting to the District Court office for an entry level position. These do not come up often and I am sure that they will have many applications, but...sometimes it's who you know. So we are all hoping.
Saturday and Sunday I was to visit my dear dear old friend Edie Newman (90) She is in and out of the hospital with blood clots and internal bleeding. She is a wonderful person and so jolly and chipper.
Well I must get back to work.

FEBRUARY 28, 1958

2008-03-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

Well guess what I turned 50!!!! Tonight a little party was put on by my great sister-in-law Linda and my wonderful daughter Tara Khambatta. (I just love that name) There was mostly family and few friends. Don't know what happened to some of the people that we asked. I always wonder why people do not RSVP???? Oh well they missed out on good food and cake and a fun time. One of the best things....I finally got my fleece blanket!!!!!!! Linda makes these awesome fleece blankets, yah know the ones that you put two pieces of fleece together and I guess you then cut all around the edges and then tie the two pieces together. These are the greatest to wrap up in at any time, camping, when your sick, when you are just wanting to curl up with a good book and the options go on and on. Linda took the pictures for me, man pictures sure let you know that you are looking 50. I think I'll just stick to looking in the mirror because it sure never tells me I look 50!!!
Thanks to all that helped make my birthday a nice time and for not being mean.

MR. AND MRS. KHAMBATTA

2008-02-18T21:21:00.000-08:00

On Friday, February 15th, Tara and Eric were married in a private ceremony in his living room. The best man and maid of honor were the only people in attendance, well besides the judge that married them. Tara said everything was "perfect". Eric went out of his way to put special touches on the event. They then took a couple of days and went down the Oregon Coast. This picture was taken by Tara's Aunt Linda who they met up with in Cannon Beach. They are still planning to have a wedding with friends and family on September 6th. They are a very happy couple, and we love Eric very much. He will take very good care of our Tara, she has never been happier. I look forward to seeing the video when it is completed and the pictures.
So...our family has increased by one and we are happy to welcome Eric into the family.

MISC.

2008-01-30T21:07:00.000-08:00

Well Monday night we had a lovely family dinner over at Chad's fiance Lisa's house. It was in celebration of our 30 years of marriage!! It does not seem possible that 30 years have gone by. It was a join effort by all the kids. Chad was quite proud of his efforts as his sister had given him the recipe for her special Mexican soup. So, since he doesn't work on Mondays it was his job to get the soup made. Tara had made juice jello the night before in pretty stemware glasses, and Chad was to make the soup, Eric and Tara made an apple pie and a lovely spinach salad. Chad had the table all set up nice and everything cleaned up nicely.

Bob and Ruth were there also. Ruth arrived with a very swollen and oddly shaped wrist.....she had fallen off a stool that was not intended to be stood upon. Of course she did not go to the doctor. But, she did have a previously scheduled dr. appt the next day, so he sent her over to have it x-rayed and then everyone waited for someone to call and no one did. She called the dr's office this morning to learn that it was broken, and that the dr. would consult with the ortho dr. and call her back, so she waited all day again and finally called at 4:30 and they told her that she would need surgery. About 20 minutes later the ortho doc called and asked her if she could come in right then so off they went and he casted it up for now. The swelling needs to go down before they can do the surgery. So they are thinking next week possibly Tuesday or Thursday. She wanted the same Dr.May that had done Bob's knee replacements. They said that the wrist is jammed, so they have to pull it back where it should be and then pin it, the pins will actually show out of her flesh. Yuck, I am not nurse material. Then they leave those for so long and take them out and then a certain cast and then this and then that, kind of a long process to recovery. But with the cast on now it has helped with the pain. So, that is the Smith excitement for this week.

Ruth would have a fit if she knew I added the lovely photo from Christmas!!!!!!!

Ho Hum De Dum

2008-01-20T23:44:00.001-08:00

Not much happening right now. Tara has moved out of her apartment this weekend, we put the final cleansing touches on tonight. It will be nice to have her home for awhile, although I doubt that I will see much of her. Eric's house has boxes and bags and piles of stuff through out, it will take them a bit of time to sort out and toss out to get things organized.
Tomorrow is a holiday for us government workers! I will spend part of the day in Olympia at the Volkswagen dealer getting the Jetta's oil changed and recall on the headlights taken care of. It will give me time to sit and knit. :-) Then will probably stop at the Co-op for some lunch off the salad bar, maybe grab a few things in the store and that will about do it for Olympia.
Tonight I mixed up a garden burger recipe, so they are in the food dryer now and will be ready for eating soon. Tomorrow I will mix up some broccoli salad and who knows what else. I must confess that I did have a small chicken enchilda with verde sause and guacamole. Went out with Larry and Karla for lunch. Not much on a mexican menu that is "raw".

UPDATES

2008-01-15T13:55:00.000-08:00

Well the Miracle Noodles were not so Miraclely for me. The following day after eating them I had one of my "allergy days" anyone that has ever seen this knows what I am talking about, if you haven't, you can't even imagine. The noodles are made of yams, of which, my sister so kindly reminded me are on my allergy list. So off they went to Linda McCaslin.

Well we now have a date and a place for Eric and Tara's wedding. September 6th in Olympia at the Albee Gardens. The wedding dress has been ordered too. That is a big relief for Tara, so now she can start planning the rest of the stuff.

Chad and Lisa's plans continue on, they have most of the big stuff set up, now just thinking about all the other stuff like table decor, music etc.

I have just about completed a week of eating "raw vegan" style. It was a slight adjustment, but am enjoying all good recipes. It really is quite easy, just have lots of veggies and fruit on hand and some nuts and seeds sprouting and you are good to go. I really have not gotten hungry, in fact I think I am eating to much. You are suppose to loose weight, not me!!!! I might be eating to many nuts and avocado. Or, maybe I should get my bum out of the chair and excercise. Will see what happens as I learn more the balance of things. People say their bodys heal themselves very well on this eating regime.

I see that I should be back to work, so better run for now.

Miracle Noodles have arrived

2008-01-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

Well after waiting an extended amount of time for my Miracle Noodles to arrive they came today in sad shape. But, I only had to throw out one bag. So it looked worse than it really was. I have not tried them yet but they are made from yam and and are zero everything...no calories, no fat, no protein, no nothing. So why would you eat them??? I don't know, they are suppose to be delicous when added to dishes. I understand they don't smell so good upon opening but just rinse in cold water for a couple of minutes and they say they are okay. They are suppose to take on the flavor of what they are added to. So I will add this to my new adventures in foods. I have been dabbling in "raw" food eating. So far it has been very good. Am waiting for a couple of books I ordered to get a better grasp of the whole raw concept. Most of the recipes that I have used have been from http://www.goneraw.com/ very good site. Well must go combine my soaked buckwheat with some other vegtable puree stuff to dry on the food drier and get some "crackers"

Another Wedding!!!

2008-01-01T16:31:00.000-08:00

Well in the bewitching hours of New Years Eve another child has become engaged. We are very happy to have Eric becoming a permanent part of our family. Tara could not stop grinning she has been very very happy since their relationship began. So we will be very busy in 2008. No details yet to report, but will keep you posted.

Just an update

2007-12-31T17:12:00.000-08:00

Well, the holidays are just about over and hopefully my eating habits will return to a healthier style! My stomach is in pain as I speak. I must get back on track and continue the slooooooow very slooooooow weight loss. In five short months I will have to look good in my new dress. I know I'm not the one everyone will be looking at but just in case, I have to look good. :-) I did order a dress yesterday online from Macy's, ordered 2 sizes to make sure that at least one fit.

We had a very nice Christmas holiday. Chad and Lisa, Eric and Tara, both sets of Grandparents, and Bomi, Erics dad were all here Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas day everyone except Chad and Lisa. They went to her folks. Christmas Eve I made a soup and fresh rolls. I always make soup for some reason. Then on Christmas Day just a regular turkey dinner, every one contributed something. The kids all got me pieces of art that I have come to love. They are unusual hand made ceramic pieces all useable. It is a local artist and I first saw her pieces at the Garlic Festival last summer when I fell in love with a very un-ordinary lamp that is now in my bedroom, it was a bit extravagant but......take a look at her web-site http://www.ceramicsbytoni.com/.

Don't have any big plans for the New Years Eve. The kids are all off doing there own thing so us old folk just get left in the dust. This is another time that I really miss our good ole friends Doug and Sue, ready at a moments notice to have a good time.

Wedding plans continue to be finalized. Saturday I went along with the "boys" to get measured for tuxes and then Chad and Lisa and I went and looked at the Aberdeen Museum for a possible reception site. It is going to be great. To keep with the theme of historical buildings it fits right in. The museum has quite a few displays all around the outer edge and the center is then free to be used for all types of receptions. There is a tiny theater maybe 20 people or so, they plan to use that for showing a DVD of their lives, the ship cabin display will be used to house the DJ, and they General Store display will be used to house the bar. People can roam around and look at all the displays. And...the cost was minimal. So that took care of one more thing on Lisa's list.
Well, see ya next year.

I'M BACK

2007-12-14T03:11:00.000-08:00

Well we all survived the wind storm of 2007. Life is pretty much back in order for those with out much damage. For some it has been very devastating. Don has been flying over the Counties timber properties and it is indescribable the damage that is there. They hardly know where to start with the State having all there rules and regulations that you still have to follow. Bob and Ruth ended up spending several nights with us as the area they live in was hit very hard and the power took several days to return. They did buy a generator to keep the freezer going, which they will so kindly share with us when needed. Bob, Don's brother had a "sled" boat stored at there house and it was damaged when a tree fell on it. I have not been over to see all there damage, but do know that nothing terrible happened just minor damage.
Well we know that the upcoming Chad and Lisa wedding will be May 24, 2008. They finally heard back from the 7th Street Theatre on which date was available. Lisa, little miss organizer that she is, has the plans going full speed ahead. We will look at tuxes this Saturday, her dress will be in February 8th, and she now has someone to marry them etc. etc. etc.
I have spent most of this week sick, not a fun experience. Probably just the common cold virus, but with asthma that was not so fun as it settled in the lung area. I guess I have not been sick really since being diagnosed with asthma. Had a total freak out last night as I could not breath. Had been to the Dr. earlier in the day and she started me on medicine but that takes awhile to kick in and my inhaler was not lasting very long. So, then add total panic at about 10 at night and you have a mess. But, my dear sister, the nurse....helped me through it and I was able to get calmed down and get to sleep for a few hours, thus the writing this at 3:21 a.m. in the morning! Next time I will be pumping in the "Wellness Formula" that she swears by if you are even thinking of getting sick. Works miracles.
Am wondering when I will start planning the upcoming Christmas dinners. I have not even started grocery shopping. My folks, Don's folks, both the kids and there mates will be with us for our usual Christmas Eve. Chad will then spend Christmas Day with Lisa's side of the family. Must learn to share now. But they are close by at all times to it will be okay.
Well I suppose that I should attempt to sleep a few more hours and try to go to work again today. Was in and out yesterday, but still felt kind of punk.

WHEW THAT WAS A BAD ONE

2007-12-04T22:04:00.000-08:00

My oh my!!! Sunday night was the beginning of an amazing storm. Wind like I have never seen, the highest recorded gust was 81 mph at 2:30 a.m and that one took out the weather station so do not know how high it may have gotten after that, I know on the Oregon coast they had 130 mph gusts. We lost power about that same time. Don and I each had our head lamps, they work quite well for knitting in the dark!!!! And of course we had candles, and we have a battery latern, so we had lights. We have just this evening about 8 or so gotten our power back on. Of course just when all us neighbors got generaters. My good friend Kathye and her husband Mike seemed to come up with several and he loaned them to a couple of us but the power came on before we could get home from Olympia tonight so did not have to use it. They are saying that it could be up to 10 days before all the county is restored with power. Those of you that know what our old house is like ( 117yrs) so tall and all. Well when that ole wind hit the side you felt it. One gust inparticular was just like something just crashed into the side of the house. But we just swayed in the breeze and did not get any flying objects through windows and because we have a brand spanking new roof, we still have a roof!!! There where many shingles from places west of us in our yard. Because the weather warmed up so very much during the storm we really did not get to cold. At one point I checked the temp and it was 61. The winds lasted until Monday evening. Plenty long enough, there where still a few straggling gust even this morning. There where lines to get gas that where stretching for quite a ways, and then they where running out because there was a mud slide between here and Olympia and they where not letting the big rigs through on the detour. But the highway is open now and I see big gas trucks filling up the stations tonight. But Elma and Monte where pretty much out of gas. Aberdeen still has no power and points west of there. A main Bonneville power tower got taken out and so until that is fixed they can't really do much. Chad did go to work tonight, but Lisa and Tara have not gone to work yet. I had to go in today. It is very hard to discribe the damage it is so unbelievable. Trees are down like dominos and power lines too. 2 PUD workers where injured when trees feel on the truck. One seriously, he fell 40 feet from the bucket of the truck, they took him to Harborview. Paper said that as they cut trees out from in front of the ambulance they where falling just as fast behind the ambulance. Some of the cotton wood trees that they have planted around here look like someone just took an axe about 6 feet up and whacked them all off. Very interesting site. So a few more lights come on as each hour passes and a few more roads get opened up. I believe you can now go to Aberdeen on the main highway but not out, so have to go over Cosi Hill because Blue Slough is now closed because of high water.
Well, okay that quite a bit for now.

2007-12-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

Well we made it home from Raymond today. The rain was literally coming down sideways. It has been a very very rainy windy day. Our power has remained on but others haven't been so lucky.My goal this afternoon was to sew up the brown sweater that I had knit in hopes of having one more Christmas present done.The sweater turned out beautiful, but alas I am afraid it is going to be to small for the recipient. So I guess I will have a nice new brown sweater. Don said that it looked very nice, It's called the Central Park cabled hoodie.Lisa just called and said that they can have the 7th Street theater for there wedding, it will either be the 24th of May or the 7th of June. Chad and she are very excited to have their wedding there. Lisa was looking for uniqueness and it certainly will be. So now we have to set down and figure up a guest list. The reception will be with in walking distance at....someplace, I forgot the name!!!

Tara and Eric

2007-12-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

Well it's raining and the snow is gone. I went to town and dinked around, went to Dollar Tree!! Met Eric and Tara there and picked up a few Christmas decorations. Came home and finished decorating. I just love all the white lights that I have up. Now I am frantically thinking and making potluck food for tomorrow. Would have totally forgot to go to Raymond for Union meeting. Am making these yummy baby back ribs. You put this "hot" rub on them and BBQ sauce and cook in the crock pot. Might make a tabbouleh salad and am itching to make a pumpkin mouse pie from WW magazine.
Speaking of WW.....:-( Weigh in before Turkey day I had almost made my goal of 10 lbs. 9.6 but alas that went away after Tday and I am back to 8 pounds total. It has been a slow process but I could improve on my eating and exercising to see better results. But, I will continue to plod on especially now since the wedding is looming in the future. Don't want to be the fat mother and mother-in-law. Weird I am going to be a mother-in-law. So that means that maybe I will be a Nana some day. Not a grandma. I have already decided it's going to be Nana and Poppa! It sounds more hip!!!

Where to begin

2007-12-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess I could begin at Thanksgiving time. Don and I, Tara and Eric, and Chad and Lisa all went to Mt. Hood to the annual Thanksgiving feast at Uncle Jim and Aunt Pennys "cabin". We had not been there for about 3 years and a lot has changed in that time. Kids all grown up and there kids now the ones playing in the pond and woods. I think the thing I missed most was cousin Steve's voice. This was the first time at the cabin without him since he passed away in 2006. But inspite of that it was a very exciting time as Chad and Lisa announced there engagement! We look forward to having her as a permanent fixture in our family. No date has been set yet as they are looking for the perfect spot but are thinking possibly in May of next year.
Today we had our first snow, but it looks like that has ended now at about 2 pm and its melting rapidly. My driveway was filled with big trucks this morning as all the boys prepared to head up to play in the snow at Grisdale. I will miss all the activity that Chad and his trucks generate around here. I suppose the neighbors will be glad to see it go though. The boys are usually are very respectful with the noise and working late into the night.
Don and his brother have gone to the Tacoma Dome to watch football games all day. Oh, doesn't that sound fun.
I on the other hand have cleaned out one big messy closet and at 2 in the afternoon am still my pj's!!!! I'm just about ready to get cleaned up and venture into Aberdeen and bum around a bit.
So until I blog again.....hopefully I will remember that I started this blog. It might not be to fancy yet, but will work on that.