25 Years!

(7/1) I met the grands up in Anacortes and got to go out on on their boat. We tooled around the islands and stopped at Blakely Island for ice cream. Dad and D joined us for dinner at Anthony's to cap off a wonderful day.

(7/2) I worked from home today. This afternoon we went to my brother's house for dinner and cards. We played a game called Reforest, which Dad had pitched in for the Kickstarter. It's really fun! You build up your forest canopy in order to win. I will play more strategically next time now that I'm more familiar with it. Suffice to say I did not win.

(7/3) My office was closed for the holiday. We had a whole lot of nothing to do on the calendar with the exception of J's appointment in the afternoon, so we bummed around for most of the day.

(7/4) I distributed medicinal cheese balls to make the Independence Day pyrotechnics a little more tolerable for the doggos. I still had to break out the noise machine during the worst of it. I didn't even watch any fireworks this year, but Dad drove D to Snohomish for their annual fancy drink + fireworks viewing. They even encountered a woman out riding a horse, who was completely unconcerned with all the booms.

(7/5) It's C and F's first anniversary today and they came down to borrow the Mustang for the day. After they left, I went up and spent the day with Nanan. It was fun to get updates on the kids' adventures throughout the day! They went to the Reptile Museum and took a long drive.

(7/6) Dad and I had work today. Me from home and him from the office. 

(7/7) I worked in the building today. D took apart the X-Box he bought the other day and it's going to be a lost cause. He's so bummed. Pizza night helped a bit though.

(7/8) We took C to dinner at the Net Shed for his birthday. We feasted on some amazing seafood, after which they brought out a birthday cookie and sang to him, and then we forced them to come home and have cheesecake. 

(7/9) I worked from home today and Dad worked at work. I had a dentist appointment to prep for a crown and was feeling super ouchy this evening.

(7/10) I worked from home today. Dad and D made a run to IKEA and came home with a bookshelf and an entertainment center to hold all of D's game systems. 

(7/11) We enlisted J's help building the new entertainment center and plant bookshelf. J told me he was gonna lock in while I went plant shopping and try to have everything all done by the time I got back. I took my time, found a few things that needed to come home with me, and he was almost finished by the time I returned. Now I just have to figure out where all my plants are gonna go! 

(7/12) Well today was not the relaxing Sunday I had hoped for. J woke up in a foul mood and it spoiled my morning. But I did rage clean the front room and have a huge stack of books to take for donation. 

(7/13) I worked from home today and Dad had the day off. I made breakfast burritos for the crew ~ one of the bonuses of working from home!

(7/14) I worked in the office today and they're doing construction on our floor. There was a scheduled fire drill, which they decided to do an hour early, and not have us evacuate, but then sent out a survey to see if we participated and how it went. Work ended up sending us home by 9am because of all the fumes from next door. What a morning! 

(7/15) I had the day off today. J had an appointment this morning which ended in sushi. D hadn't even woken up and said I jump scared him with a sushi text. This afternoon, I ran up to visit Nanan and to take C grocery shopping.

(7/16) We had a crazy storm blow through this afternoon and the thunder had poor Noodle shaking. Dad had to work this evening so I got caught up on my trash TV by my lonesome.

(7/17) I worked from home today and Dad had the day off. We had a pretty uneventful day, which I definitely don't mind on a Friday! 

(7/18) We had a fun day today! The kids came with us to Radwood (80's/90's car show). We wandered around and then headed over to the LeMay Museum. It's been a loooong time since we went! And we had a late lunch at the Black Bear Diner before heading on home.

(7/19) Dad and I had the day off together. We took the Casserole out to the Muse for coffee and then went to the Everett Farmers' Market. We got a flat of berries, which I turned into crumble later. We drove around Snohomish, got a smoothie and a sammich, and then wandered back home. 

(7/20) I worked from home and Dad worked at work. Sarah and I snuck a walk in this morning on my lunch break. 

(7/21) Bleh! It was a hot one today! The dash read 94°F when I was on the way to pick up our pizzas on my way home from work today.

(7/22) I went up to Nanan's to meet the plumber again. They couldn't determine where the water is coming from, but they opened the ceiling up in the downstairs bathroom so hopefully we can figure it out.  C has been working so hard on beating back the blackberries at the house. It looks amazing now! 

(7/23) I worked from home and Dad had the day off. He scored some new tires from Marketplace, only they were in Bremerton. He had a long day of travel, but the twins' car has new wheels now!

(7/24) Dad and I worked today. I got my crown--for the queen I am--and everything feels so much better! 

(7/25) I'm taking care of Sarah's mom's animals and her horse Ted shook me down for his treats this morning. The citronella I had in my hand splashed all over my shirt. I felt like I could smell it all day, but on the plus side, the flies left me alone! Tonight when I tried to drive out there, I hit traffic from every direction and had to crawl my way there and back. 

(7/26) We had a lazy day at home, aside from a couple of runs out to take care of the animals. Thankfully, there was no traffic this time! 

(7/27) I'm on vacation for the next two weeks. Dad, D, and I went for a drive. We went out US 2 and to Beckler River. We got out and explored a bit before heading to Zeke's for lunch. Cass got a pup cup and the rest of us got lunch. We grabbed some cherries and honey on the way home. It was a tasty afternoon! 

(7/28) I met up with my coworkers to go on our office outing today. We took the light rail down to Seattle and rode the Sasquatch ride and then had lunch at Von's! It was the perfect temp out and we had a great day dinging around Seattle. 

(7/29) Today is our 25th anniversary! We took the Mustang out to Leavenworth, shopped, and enjoyed some pastries. Then we drove over Blewett Pass to the fruit market in Thorp. We had a fantastic dinner at the Snoqualmie Casino, but not as spectacular winnings (a whopping $0.63 between us). We capped off the day sipping on some Scotch in the back yard.

(7/30) We went over to the grands' house for dinner. C & F joined us too after dealing with ferry delays and a bridge closing. We had crab & shrimp cakes for dinner and Grandma made this amazing smoked salmon dip. It was a beautiful night and we watched the sun set from the ferry on the way home. 

(7/31) We had a quiet day at home, all doing our own things. It was mostly pleasant, except for the Loaf had a tricky stomach and kept getting sick. She was finally feeling better by the end of the day, but yech. 

Done & Dusted

(6/1) I worked from home and Dad had the day off today. He scored a discounted day old orange cream pie while out on his errands, and it was just as delicious as we thought it would be!  

(6/2) I worked in the office and Dad was off. He said the boys came home in good moods and visited--without arguing--and I wondered if the school sent home the right kids! 

(6/3) Dad and I had a rare day off together. He went and got us breakfast and we got to spend a little time together before I needed to head up and take Nanan for her haircut appointment.

(6/4) It was a work and school day for all of us today. J had an appointment this afternoon and now that it's almost summer, we get to pull back on appointments! Woot!

(6/5) Dad and I both had to work and the boys had school. They're getting so close to being done! I will definitely be relieved when they are and I have one less thing to juggle. 

(6/6) I went up to Nanan's to meet a plumber this morning to fix a broken toilet. We've had them on speed dial as of late. Once the plumber was done, C and I did some work around the house and ran to the dump and yard waste disposals. We saw a mama deer with two fawns on our way back. Aww! 

(6/7) I didn't get my fill of yard work and headed out to get some mulch for the yard. I worked until my back started barking at me and then sat out back to enjoy the fruits of my labor. 

(6/8) I worked a full day from home and then hopped on a zoom for a class afterward. The class was really good, but I sure was glad to turn off my computer by the end of the day!

(6/9) I worked in the building today and Dad was off. It was a day packed with meetings, but it should at least be quiet for the rest of the week. 

(6/10) Bleh, I managed to chip a tooth and got to spend the day dealing with the dentist. Fortunately they were able to get me in & patched up, but it definitely wasn't a fun way to spend my day off.

(6/11) It was a work day for Dad and me. The twins turned in their chromebooks yesterday and are officially on summer break! Lucky ducks!

(6/12) We treated the twins to celebratory teriyaki for surviving the year. They are now in high school -- GULP!

(6/13) I did lots of yard work today. I cleaned up the beds in the front yard and got everything mulched. I somehow managed to avoid bringing home clearance roses because I really don't have the room, but I was about this close to trying anyway.

(6/14) Dad and I had a rare Sunday off together. We went up to Nanan's to have brunch with C & F this morning. We brunched out on the back deck and spent the morning hanging out. Dad and C worked on C's truck and hopefully it's fit to be back on the road again.

(6/15) I worked from home today. Shew, it is heating up in our corner of the world! And my crazy child was using his heated blanket.  

(6/16) Both Dad and I had to work today. It was pizza day though, and the kiddos were excited for that at the end of the day.

(6/17) I was off today and took the boys separately to WinCo since they are being so dang sweet to each other. Holy cannoli.

(6/18) I worked up at Nanan's while the contractors were out to install some new windows. They turned out so nice!

(6/19) Happy Juneteenth! My office was closed today so Sarah and I were able to go for our walk a little later in the morning. Dad & I thought we had the game room set up just right, but the TV took a flying leap off the bookcase so we ended up doing some rearranging today and I had to give up my plant shelf. Fortunately, the TV was okay. 

(6/20)  We celebrated Father's Day today doing what Dad loves most: shopping for cars. Dad found a new ride for the twins (who are fourteen) and arranged with C to help get it home. C & F fixed a delicious dinner of street tacos and we had a lovely evening sitting outside.

(6/21) I had the day off and used it to catch up on some yard work. D was so excited about his trip to RE-PC tomorrow that he kept wishing my weekend away. Patience, my dude! 

(6/22) I worked from home and Dad took the twins to RE-PC to look at new (to them) x-boxes. They picked up one they thought they could repair and then came home. J has been looking for new projects to earn some spending money so Dad set him up with a sawzall and had him break down our old furniture to haul away.

(6/23) Both Dad and I worked in the office today. It was pizza day, and Dad was lucky any survived. The teenagers were hungry!

(6/24) Nanan and I had an appointment in my neck of the woods today, so I ran up to get her and we came back to my house afterward. I made us all a lunch and then we sat outside to enjoy the afternoon. C offered to pick her up on his way home to save me the drive. He stayed for a bit and taught J some basic woodworking skills before they left.

(6/25) I worked from home today and Dad worked at work. J had a quick medical appointment this morning and we snuck in a quick run to WinCo before I got back to it.

(6/26) I worked from home and Dad was off. He and the twins ran errands and D found some new games to play.

(6/27) Sarah and I took a class at the gym this morning and then I came home to weed the hell strip. This afternoon, D, C, F & I all went up to meet my brother's fam's new pupper and celebrate my nephew's 6th grade graduation. Omg, their puppy is so cute! We hung out for a few hours and stopped by Nanan's on the way home. Lots of socializing today! 

(6/28) Dad and I had the day off and got to sleep in a little. We met C midday to go grocery shopping and that was our entertainment for the day. Yes, we are that exciting! Other than that, I did some yard work and got the thyme bed all weeded. Love it when it's all in bloom!

(6/29) Dad and I had work today. It was a cloudy, gray Junuary day so we mostly just hunkered down inside.

(6/30) Dad and I both had work today and we left the twins to fend for themselves.