day one down....

well, we got the booth set up today. Took us a little longer today so wasn't able to meet up with my cuz Eric. But have plans for tomorrow so will be great to see him.

But it was good to see the old regulars from the consumer show circuit. Makes you feel like a carnie almost.... lol Kris - so wonderful to see you for a little bit today. Will need to see you again this weekend so I can stock up on adhesive again.... Congrats on the new grandbaby. And hope the sandwich was good... Vicki, Jennie and MR - I sure miss you girls at these shows. I have so many wonderful memories of our trips together. Of course, Terri is here though.... Guess it was ok to see her. lol

Well, should finish my mudslide and left over dessert from last night before calling it a night. Have a good one!
Laura

hello from Valley Forge, PA!

well, I made it here last night. Flight was ok except for the guy in front of me reclined back so far he was in my lap. Seriously... So I tapped my foot on the bottom of his seat til he woke up... Ok, and yeah, I pushed on it a few times too. I couldn't even open up my book if I wanted to.

Anyway, made it here safely - guess that is what matters most.

Angie and Vicki picked me up at the airport and then we went and got Judy and Danita (more vendors and friends here) they all had been site seeing in Philly for the day. We went to an awesome steakhouse for dinner.

On our way to dinner, my cousin Eric called. He had just gotten home from a day in Philly with the family. He even was talking about his drive home on 422 and had to take a different way because of traffic. We were in that traffic! He probably passed us... Anyway, looks like I will see him tonight after set up. Will be great to see the family.

Well, today is set up day so better finish getting ready.
Have a great day. It was 93, overcast and MUGGY!!!! when I landed yesterday at 4:30pm.
Til later then...
Laura

I am hittin' the road!

Well, besides what is in the laundry, I think I am packed... If not, oh well....

Tomorrow am I am heading to Philly, PA. Going to work the convention with Boxer Scrapbooks in Valley Forge. I am hoping to see my cousin, Eric and his family too while I am there. They live 20 minutes from Valley Forge. And maybe even go to a quilt store. I was there this time last year and went to a very cool quilt store, bought some things, never did anything with the things I bought yet, so it should be time to check it out again and get some more things...


4:45am is going to come very quickly so I better see how many more loads of laundry I have before I can head to bed.

Have a nice week.
Talk to you more soon.
Laura

PS - Shauna, I had such a great time Saturday. The movie was so funny (some parts I could of probably not seen) but it was good to just laugh. And then just visiting at Borders was great. We need to do that more often....

change of plans....

well, got a call at 7am this morning from Lucas. He was having some issues at camp and needed to come home. So off to Fort Stevens I went...

Came across one of the scouts on the bicycle ride. They were doing a 15 mile ride today. Then shortly after that, I came across Lucas and Jake loading Jake's bike in the back of a pickup. Apparently Jake has grown out of his bike and was having a hard time with the ride. So took them both back to camp to get their things and head back for home, with both boys....

We made it home after a short visit to Les Schwab in Seaside. My service tire monitor light came on - ok, what does that mean??? The guy checked the tires and put some air in and we were on our way.

But made it home in time to help Tom replace the kitchen faucet. Finally - no more dripping faucet.

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day!
Til next time....
Laura

home alone for the weekend....

Well, with Tom that is!!!! The boys are off for the weekend on a boy scout camp out. (I couldn't convince Tom that he really wanted to go...) So tonight we got the boys off and then went out to dinner at Red Lobster. Oh so good. Had wood-grilled halibut and king crab legs - oh so yummy. Been watching too much Deadliest Catch, I guess. Really wanted some crab. And I usually cook myself crab when the guys are all gone so it was nice to actually have some one cook it that knew what they were doing.... Then we did a little grocery shopping. I can't remember the last time Tom and I were in the store together. It was kind of nice to have him bag the groceries for me and load them in the car - but I still drove the cart!

So sorry I missed your call this afternoon Shauna. I would of loved to sneak off to a movie. But think we were packing up the boys at that time. So will be fun to meet up tomorrow and see something funny... Some laughs are always good medicine.

Well, sounds like we are watching Ice Road Truckers here tonight... Have a nice night.

Til next time...
Laura

wii gonna be gettin' fit around here....

Yesterday I received a check - finally - for a job that I did in January and February. So on our way to the pool today (OMG- who told the old men of Beaverton that it was ok to wear speedos??? Today was a record for how many of them could get into a crowded pool in a 1 1/2 hour time period...) Anyway, on our way to the pool, we stopped at Game Crazy to see if they had any wii fit in stock - nope, so went across the street to Game Stop and they did, so I bought it for the boys. Apparently it is a hit... They have been wii-sizing since they got home from the pool. Thinking I may have to try it too, but might just have to wait when no one is home....

So tomorrow, going to take some more of that check and buy myself a new suitcase. Airlines have been hard on my bags past few trips so time to replace before jetting off to Philly next week.


Well have a nice evening!
Til next time....
Laura

Finally some good news....

Tom received an offer today from McAffee (the computer virus people) and he accepted. This is great news and he is very happy. This is a job that he really wanted. So he is going to take Jake on their long hike around the Sisters mountains after I come home from my trip to Valley Forge, PA and then start work on the 11th of August. Oh wow - such a relief!

Til next time...
Laura

need a chocolate fix?

You will have to try this... I was reading through my friend Mary Ruth's blog and found this recipe. Asked the boys if they wanted me to make it. They had no idea what it was - but they were all for it. So easy to make and so super yummy... I think I made it in a pan that was too small though - it spilled over in the oven. But MR - you are right, a little vanilla ice cream would of have just topped this off perfectly...

(Sorry - there was no time to take a picture of this one!)

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

3⁄4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
3 Tbsp cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1⁄4 tsp salt
1⁄2 cup milk
1/3 cup butter melted
1 1⁄2 tsp vanilla
1⁄2 cup sugar
4 Tbsp cocoa
1⁄2 cup brown sugar
1 1⁄4 cup hot water

Heat oven to 350. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk, butter and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Pour into a 9 inch square baking pan. Stir together remaining sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa. Sprinkle on top over batter. Pour hot water on top. DO NOT STIR. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes. Garnish with whipped cream, walnuts, or vanilla ice cream.

that is it from me for tonight.
til next time...
Laura

actually made cookies...

I made cookies yesterday for the first time in I don't know how long. Just needed something sweet and since they were oatmeal - they are healthy right? Turned out pretty good and of course the guys gobbled them up. Did manage to get some in the cookie jar though.

So thought I would share the recipe.

Oatmeal Crispies

Cream together:
1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar

Add and beat well:
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Sift together and then mix with sugar mixture:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Stir in:
3 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Form dough into long roll on covered cookie sheet with waxed paper. Chill thoroughly and slice into 1/4 inch thick slices. (I tend to slice mine about 1/2 inch) Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10 minutes (a little longer for thicker cookies) in a 350 degree oven.

Well, Jake is having a friend over this afternoon, so better finish up my house chores. Then it is back to working on some projects for work.

Oh and my nephew Travis - turned 21 years old yesterday!!! Happy birthday, Travs. Wow - 21! Today I think he is celebrating by going to the new Batman movie, if he didn't go to the midnight show already. Huge Batman fan. Anyway, I am very proud of the man you have become - happy birthday.

So til next time...
Laura

oh - found a lost post....

I finally downloaded my pictures off my camera and found this one of the frame that I made for Scott. Scott works in Pre-Press at Hot Off the Press. A very nice guy. So thought I would share with you. Scott says, Dude, all the time. So I had to work that into the frame. Sorry for the glare... Such a proud daddy and an adorable little girl.

Laura

remembering...

Today was a day of remembering July 14, 2006. Not especially the day, but of the wonderful man that lost his life that day. My good friend, Angie, lost her dad that day. Angie and Vicki (aka Mom)are more than friends to me, they are like family. And their world was changed forever on that day. It doesn't feel like it has been 2 years. Just unreal. I still feel like Mike is going to drive up in his old brown truck with stories of his fishing adventures. Mike was a one of a kind man. Not really sure any words I can write would give him justice and fully explain who he was. But I feel like he is still here. When I go to work at Boxer, it just feels like he is standing there laughing at me because the tape is crooked across the boxes and I need to add a second strip. Or when we are working a booth at a convention and I am having trouble snipping the zip ties to take down the grid wall, Mike would of shown me some kind of trick to make it easier and at the same time, he would of been making fun of me. Mike loved his family and would do anything for his friends. Everyone was his friend. He is so greatly missed. Ang and Vicki - you are amazing. I admire your strength and know that I am always here for you whenever you need anything.

Hug your families and tell them you love them. You never know when they might be taken away from you.
Love always,
Laura

from our house to yours...

Well, that time again. Feels like many days have gone by and time for a catch up....

We had a nice quiet day on the 4th. Tom and Jake went to hike the Nature Park and then they spent most of the afternoon at the shooting range. Lucas and I did a couple errands. We have been collecting our cans and plastic bottles for the recycle refund. Well, this is all and all a good idea.... Until - you go to Freddies and they only take the brands that they sell. So Lucas went in the store and came out with 25 cents... So we go to Safeway then because the remaining bottles we have are their brand. Well, after a few bottles, the machine is full. So Lucas then comes out of the store with 35 cents! Wow - this is really becoming so not worth the effort.

So we ended up at the grocery store and got some things for bbq-ing burgers. We swung by another Safeway on the way home and finished off recycling our bottles. At the end of it all, Lucas had a whoppin' $1.70! It only probably cost me $10 in gas to go to the three places. He may just have to find another way to raise funds... He is saving for a guitar. Pretty proud of him so far though. He is not my saver. Jake - he can save money. Lucas - not so much. But he is up to over $13 now so he is off to a good start.

We got home and while I unloaded the truck, Lucas laid down. The couple errands wore him out. He is starting to feel a little better but sure gets wiped out.... He was out on the couch through dinner and through a movie. We woke him up for fireworks though...



But while Lucas napped, Jake and I ran to get some fireworks. Hit the buy one get one free stand. Got a good selection. Sure do miss the good fireworks from Washington. Oregon fireworks are basically fountains.... So we got $40 worth of fountains...

We had a nice bbq for dinner and I made a cake. I found a recipe on Mary Ruth's blog called Three Leches Cake. I changed it just a little bit and came up with this.... Didn't realize how crooked my stripes were until I posted this picture.... I made a white cake mix. Then after it was done baking, I poked holes in the cake and poured a mixture of 1 cup milk, 1 cup condensed milk and 1 cup evaporated milk. The warm cake soaks up the milk mixture for an extremely moist cake. As the cake cooled, I sliced strawberries in half and washed up some blueberries. When the cake was cool, I covered it with cool whip and added the strawberries and blueberries. Then I put the cake in the fridge for a couple hours. It was very good. So easy to make and loved the fresh fruit. Just seemed like the perfect dessert for Independence Day.

After dinner, we rented a movie On Demand. Weird movie... Ended with Tom and I looking at each other and saying, "that's it? Weird ending...." Then my little Pyro Jake lit off the fireworks for us. Not sure what it is with fireworks, but kids love them and they make us Moms nervous... There were so many fireworks going off in our neighborhood, that there was just a haze of smoke every where.

But it was a good day.

Saturday, was a day of running around. A guy wanted to meet Tom in Vancouver and buy his motorcycle. Well apparently neither of them actually checked that this DMV place where we were meeting was actually open... Got there - closed for the holiday weekend. So then it was on the phone with information and everyone I knew with internet access to try to find the next DMV that could possibly be open. Finally found one and it was on the other side of Vancouver, actually down the street from where we used to live. So off we went. Got there shortly before they were scheduled to close - to find out that since Tom couldn't find the title, this transfer needed to take place in Oregon. So back again to information. They could only give me a phone number for a DMV that doesn't have personnel that answers the phone on saturday and their automated service didn't list the hours! After an hour of frustration - we decided to just try on Monday. But don't think Oregon DMV's are actually open on Mondays... Anyway, we drive home, I happen to swing by the Renewal place just down the street from our house to see that they were open til 5pm!!!!!!!!!!!! So call Tom and he was home already and checking online for what he needed to do...

After awhile, we were sitting on the couch talking about the lost title. All the different places that it could be. Tom said that he did something "clever" with it and then could longer find it. So I started asking of the different places.... Finally I got to - Is it in your stacking boxes where you put your mail? He goes to look and there it was..

Jake and I decided to go to a movie. We went to see Wall-E. Cute movie.

Tom emailed the guy that he found the title and the deal was finalized about 8pm. The guy came from Woodland and bought the motorcycle.

We ordered pizza for dinner from Hungry Howie's - close to the house, thought we would give them a try. Oh my gosh - the worst I had ever had. Not ordering from there again. Then they messed up the order so called them back and they sent another one. Still wasn't any good...

Today we went to the Nature Park and walked. Tom and Jake went on their route and Lucas and I took ours. He identified his 10 items of nature for a requirement for scouts and we just had a nice walk. Guess I will have my first thing to sign off on in his scout book! After we got home, Lucas assumed his place on the couch and took a 3 hour nap. He is feeling good to be out and about, but it takes its toll. Now he and Jake are out on their bikes.

I have a project I am working on for work but it is just a mellow day at home. Hope you all are having a great weekend.

Til next time...

Laura

Happy 4th of July!!!!

There is something about this day that makes me think of all those that work to protect us. Those that are fighting to keep us safe. The soldiers, the police, the firefighters, the coast guard... And of course those that have lost their lives doing their jobs for us. So waves those flags high today and be thankful for those that continue to protect this country and remember those that gave the ultimate price of their lives for us... Thank you!

Lucas update....

Well, he started throwing up last night about 11:30.  So I stayed up with him til about 3 when he finally fell asleep.  Tom woke me up at 8:30 to say they were leaving for the doc's office.  Jake was still asleep so I stayed home with him.

Now Tom and Lucas are back.  His temp this am was 103.  He has pnuemonia and strep throat.  So now we need to get some antibiotics and keep pushing the fluids.  Doc said we should see his temp going down over the next three days or so and cough getting worse because he has alot of gunk in his lungs to get out...  Poor guy.  What a way to spend the start of his summer vacation.  

So we are going to be having a quiet day at home for the 4th this year.  Tom and Jake may do something to get out of the house.

That is about it from here....  

Laura