Settling In....

Today was SUPER hot. The thermometer on the back porch read 103 in the shade! Official temps were 108 here in town. At 12:30, it was still 80 degrees on the back porch with the misters on. We did put the air on in the trailer, but it did cool down enough for sleeping...providing we run the fans at full tilt!

Kittens crack me up! They have finally become quite comfortable....and were playing Bathtub Raquetball this morning. It was hilarious to watch them run from side to side, one end to the other wacking a ball around. They did this for more than 15 minutes this morning!

Bill took off for the parsonage we are working on.... it was 85 in there when he started this morning at 8am. Makes for a long day when you're sweating before you start! I headed off in another direction with the kids...dropping Ryan off to put together a table for Grandma Alice, and do some small things over there for her...and dropping Kristin off at the library for their last week of summer program. They may have awards next week...not sure.

After Ryan was finished...he headed to the barber, and we picked up Kristin, got some lunch, and left Ryan at the library for his program (they are in seperate groups due to age)....and then back to the parsonage.

After lunch....Bill & Kristin were rolling from one end of the living room to the other...it was so fun. It was then that I realized that Bill was SUPER happy....and had been all morning. I asked him if he was headache free...he was!! Praise God!!

We worked until around 2:30...picked Ryan up from his program and headed home for showers, and to LAY...since it was 104, and way too hot to do anything. We did sleep for about an hour & a half...and poor Bill woke with a horrid migraine. So, thankful for a headache free morning for him....just wish we knew what it was that gave him the headaches, and wish they would go away.

UH OH--A DOG.....

We headed out to dinner again, it's just too hot to cook, or even try to eat in the house....so we hit Skyline in town...and everyone had a nice 'cool' dinnner!! After getting home....Robert headed to bed really early as he has to go to work at 6am (getting up at 4...) to beat the heat. So, trying to be quiet...we head to our room, to get some computer work done, and the kids came in to play with the kittens. They have been so much fun to watch play. I am SO thankful that we got two. They are getting used to seeing the dogs...and even watched the dogs tonight....with a "magic" line between them. Bandit seems to think that if he's on the tile in the bathroom, that the dogs can't get them! Chelsea is dying to get aquainted...and they layed 2 ft apart tonight, just looking at each other. While that was going on...we couldn't find Zorro. He had ventured down the hall (PAST the two dogs in the hall) and found Kristin's room. He hung out in there until Kristin brought him back to our room saying he was being pesty, and not letting her sleep!! We are gaining headway with the dogs & kittens...plus the fact that they are now willing to leave the confines of the bathroom!

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Finally heading to bed...it;s now 80 in the house, and 75 at 1am. Hoping for a good snooze, and a cooler day tomorrow! 90 is going to seem like cold!!

HOT in Sweet Home!

Kristin & Robert in Foster Lake....

Kristin & Robert....

Robert & his gal Missy...

What a HOT day it was. It was supposed to be a high of 101 today...but we topped out at 107 I believe. Temps are a high of 107 tomorrow...hope they're not off another 6 degrees tomorrow! If so, hope it's the other direction!

Bill & I got up early, and got some things done around here, and then headed out to the parsonage at 8am. We worked until we were soaked, and the house was 95 degrees inside!!! AHHH>>>HOT!! We came home, showered, and it was too hot to do anything but nap! We slept and when we got up, Robert had brought Missy home. They were all visiting in the basement where it was cool, and I was trying to get our bedroom straightened up. Since we moved a desk in for Bill, I've had some piles that I haven't figured out what to do with yet!! I eaded downstairs, and Robert was getting ready to start supper. Being it was so hot... (87 in the house), I suggested we all head out somewhere air conditioned for supper. We hit Mr Lucky's....and for those of you in town or around town that are looking for a good place to eat...this is it. The food is awesome...the prices reasonable, and the service is incredible! We've been there twice now, and the food has been top notch both times. I would expect nothing less for the future. Chicken strips are the best I've ever had, Ryan had fish, that we sampled, the fish & chips was outa this world! Missy had a wrap, Bill & I a coffee house sub...all great. It's on Long street...(the 2nd street running paralell to Main Street on the right, heading toward Sisters), near City Hall, the post office & library.

After a great supper...we headed for a drive around the lake, and a stop at Lewis Park. Kristin wanted to get her feet wet. When we got there, it appeared that Kristin, Ryan & I were the only ones really interested...so Kristin saidi we should go...with a pouty face! Robert picked her up, and the two of them ended up in the lake. She in her dress, Robert in his shorts!! He really has become like a big brother to both kids....(too old to be our kid though!) Ryan joined them, and I enjoyed the nice water on my feet. It was the perfect temp for swimming.

The kittens are doing great. They spent the night in the bathroom, with the door open, and the dogs sleeping in our bedroom. They did not venture out, and would hiss when a dog even moved. Our dogs are curious, but scared of how they act when they go near...so have given them lots of space. Mr. O'Malley (the cat) has not even given them a second glance.....too funny. He used to come in the bathroom in the morning when we got ready--but he steered clear this morning!!

Bandit was missing(or so Kristin thought) this morning...she found him all curled up in the sink sleeping (I know...ugly 1979 sink!)

Nothing like hanging out, and having your brother lay on you!

Watching Bill shower like it was a movie!!

When we returned from the parsonage, and showered...the kittens were so funny...they sat on the toilet seat and watched like it was a movie!! They finally ventured from the bathroom today when we napped (Bill pulled Zorro into bed with us). Afterward, while I was trying to clean our room, they romped around the bedroom exploring...always with their eyes on their safe haven....then bathroom. We are making progress.

Later in the evening, while the kids were hanging out in our room, playing with the kittens, Bailey came in & layed down....Zorro was VERY attentive (makes for a nice picture) and they were OK with them being in there as long as they were on the bed. When Kristin left...they wanted back in the bathroom...so she seems to be a comfort to them. As I type, Chelsea is laying in the threshold of the bathroom/bedroom, and although they hissed at her, they are just now watching each other. Chelsea wants so badly to greet them! She loves to chase kitties, but once they come into the house...she knows they are off limits and hers to protect. It was a great day...even though hot...tomorrow is another day at the parsonage....kids at Library program...and temps supposed to be HIGH!! Enjoy all the fun pictures from today.

Kitty Update

It's been a long afternoon...I could hardly wait for Kristin to get home!

Being it was so hot this afternoon, we found both kitties looking for a cooler spot. They've really felt secure in the kennel, but then moved on top, and one on the bathtub rail. Later...they were both sprawled out in the tub.....way funny.

Kristin arrived home around 9:30 from Grandma Alice's. She was busy telling us about the fun she had....and all the things they managed to do in the 27 hours they were together!

It was all I could do to contain myself....Bill has been fighting a migraine for what seems like weeks now, and he sent her up to our bathroom to get the icebag. This is not uncommon for our kids to get Daddy the ice bag...so up she went, with us following, and she opened the door and said "MOMMY--WHATS WITH THE KITTENS IN THE BATHROOM"?? She was so surprised...she backed out of the bathroom and was very shocked to see that we not only got one kitten, but that we got TWO!!

We thought we had sufficient "kitty stuff" in the bathroom, but apparently not, since now there is no room for us to get in to shower, or use the toilet!! The kitties are getting more comfortable, but still do not want to come out of the bathroom, and we've not let the dogs near the bedroom.

They have explored the cat tree, which is 6 feet from the bathroom door, but they scared each other...and ran back to the bathroom. They are fraidy cats!! They will get accustomed to our home, and in a few weeks, we'll wonder why we didn't keep them confined to the bathroom!!

Enjoy the pics....and yes, "Bandit" and "Zorro" are the names...they are perfect...and a compliment to the kids who named them!

Good-Bye's and Hello's

Today was a day of "Good-Bye's" and "Hello's".....

We met Char, the boys and her parents at Denny's today, as they were on their way to AZ. They were hoping to make Redding tonight--as travel caravanning with a U-Haul is not always the fastest. Al & Kimberlee are already in AZ (For those of you who don't remember, or know...Al was the first pastor we had here in OR and Char & Al were our first friends....lifelong friends)....and Char & the boys are on their way to meet them. Mom & Dad are helping the traveling, and will fly home once things are settled.

We had a nice visit and a good breakfast, and we said good-bye--knowing it won't be forever, as even after they moved away from Sweet Home to take another call in Portland, we still managed visits and even Christmas together in Washington at Char's folks. We just have to drive farther now....

After breakfast...we headed to Jenifer's ( a very good friend of Tracey's) to check out (OK--BRING HOME) a kitten. Bill originally said...."Why don't we wait"--but these kittens were ready, coming from a nice family, and it seemed perfect timing with Ashley's disappearance....so Bill said "OK--get a darn cat"---now you all know Bill...has to be tough on the exterior....but when we got there....he said "OK...pick two"!! It was good, because if allowed, I'd have taken all four...One looked SO much like Ashley as a kitten it was tough to leave her there, but knew it was impossible, since she was staying with her Mama and her family, and not being adopted out. It took us 45 minutes, and the kittens made the choice for us, but playing with each other....there was no way we could break them up. Jenifer's kids had named the one "Zorro"--and the other "Bandit"....after watching them tussle, play & roll...it seems so fitting, we're hoping to keep those names, as the kids picked names that really fit the kittens!! Kristin is not home yet, and has NO clue there are kittens home. She spent the night with "Grandma" Alice, and they had a "girl" day today. She will be SO excited...since Ashley was technically "her" cat. Secretly I am still praying for Ashley to come home...as adding two more to our zoo would do it!!

Once the kittens get acclimated to us, the house, and the animals, I will get some pictures online...every zoo needs a picture book!!

Thanks Jenifer & family for easing some of pain of losing Ashley....we appreciate it!

Work & Fun

This week has been busy--although, I'm beginning to realize our life is nothing but busy. But such a good 'busy'...we are so blessed.

It was HOT today....here are some of the crew keeping cool, reading on the couch....Kristin has been a reading fiend with the library program. She has filled out her entire sheet, except 2 ten hour blocks...so she's at about 16 hours, has devoured 6 books this last week, and is on her 7th.....and almost done. WOW!! Good for you Kristin.

We've been working on the parsonage for our old church. The memories of the times we spent there with Char & Al are overwhelming, and even more so now that they are moving to AZ. We meet up with Char, her Mom & the boys for breakfast as they pass through Oregon on their way to AZ. Al has been there since June....and Kim joined him a week or so ago to start volleyball camp. As promised..here are some of the pics of what we are working on. There were several ceiling light fixtures that were major fire hazards....and Praise God...there were no fires. Check out some of them!



Today (Sunday--for two more minutes!), we started the morning off with Bill suffering another headache. So bad, he took some meds, and came back to bed. I assumed we were on our own for church, but I had put a facebook note out for prayer for him early this morning, and while I was in the shower, he came in and said he felt so much better. Thanks to all of you who prayed for him. The headache was not gone, but bearable for church....and a great message from our Pastor Tom. It was the David & Goliath story, and if you need a refresher like you've never had...click here, and look for 1st Samuel, chapter 17--July 26th message. It should be posted in a day or two. It will not be a waste of your time!

After the service...we had root beer floats, and then headed for home. After lunch, the usual nap (Bill still was suffering, so slept another two hours), and then we headed off to the river with the kids and Charlie--a friend from Teen Challenge.

We had a great afternoon (temps were in the 90's--not sure on the official temp), but it was a nice time, followed by a nice dinner in town. It was great to get to know Charlie better, and to spend some fun time with him.



Kristin finally had her night with Grandma Alice tonight...they ironically showed up for supper in the same place we were (although Sweet Home doesn't have that many choices!!)--and they have a whole day of "Grandma/Granddaughter" fun planned.

Check out the fun pictures from today....enjoy!

Basement Bathroom

Hi all....

It's been awhile...we've been pretty busy helping Alice with her rentals. It's been great fun working together and this last week has been especially fun, as we're working on the parsonage for Fir Lawn (our old church). We spent many years having fun in that house when it was home to Char & Al. I will get some pictures to post this week.

As for the kids...Ryan is still swimming...and helping on the rentals where he can. Both kids have been participating in the summer Library program. Kristin entered a talent show they had, and wrote a story for it. We were so proud....she did such a good job. Both kids did oil paintings this last week....they are AWESOME!! The guy that teaches also works with the kids in the schools....and he is amazing that he can teach them to paint like this in two hours!

Kristin's painting....


Ryan's painting....

Kristin is also doing the summer fun in the parks...she just went on a survival hike Thursday. We got info for a family backpacking trip we hope to take. It's a free trip, sponsored by several businesses in town, as well as the forest service. What better way to learn?!! This week is a covered wagon trip the kids will take. I can't wait to see that!! They will actually travel by wagon several miles..and get a feel for what it was really like! Hmmm...maybe they need some parent help! Both are also active each week in the youth group at church. We stay busy, busy, busy!!

Robert got the tile in the bathroom laid, and grouted. Waiting for sealing now....then we can move on with the finishing (oh yeah, in our spare time!!) Thanks Robert!!

The bathroom has taken a back seat to the work Alice needs done. However, we get paid for the work we're doing for Alice. We are SO thankful to her for the help. We've been able to put away $ for the things were were worrying about...taxes and insurance this fall, and are hoping to put away a few back up house payments and maybe even the spring insurances. It's those things that are tough on unemployment. We've been able to keep to all our commitments, and it feels so good that God is so faithful.

On a side note...I am applying for a position with the library. The opening is for 25 hours a week, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday every week....ironic, huh? My days off!! School group on Monday, Joe's on Wednesday, and don't need to start until 11am....still time to school the kids. A perfect fit, if I get the position. This will fill the gaps while Bill returns to school. Pray for God's will for me in this endevor. He knows if it's a good fit, or if it will be too much for me.

Have a great week....hope to be able to keep more current on the posts!! YOu can always also see some of what we are doing with church, at that web site....www.lccevents.blogspot.com or follow the link on the right. We stay pretty busy there too.

More Than Busy...

You know that feeling when you have been going at Mach 3 for the entire day, and feel you did not accomplish one thing? That was us on Thursday!!!!! We intended to be around the house to catch up on all that has fallen behind. Bill had a project for the church to work on, and we were to head out early to buy supplies for that and then hang out at home, and get busy. Needless to say...plans changed!!
The kids had an opportunity to go to Triangle Lake with the Youth Group from church (Check out the LCC EVENTS LINK in the right sidebar of our page) . So, instead of two trips to Albany, we decided to delay our supply pick up until the kids got dropped off at 10:30. We headed to Albany, dropped off kids, got supplies at Home Depot, and then headed to Bi-Mart to pick up 20 gallons of interior paint that Alice ordered for the rentals. We got to Alices, and found that one of the rentals had a toilet issue--and those can't wait...so off we went to deal with that. Thankfully, it was a nice clean rental. Nothing worse than being around someones toilet that is not clean! I am learning to have bleach cleaner with us at all times!!

We then headed to a friends who was having problems with her computer. This was planned, and we were looking forward to spending some time with her, as it's been a long time since we've seen her. I got to spend about an hour before I had to head out to pick up the kids. To save our Youth Pastor a trip back to Lebanon, I stopped at the church, picked up his van, drove to Albany, picked up the kids and the church van, and headed back to the church to drop off "The Bus"!! (It's a 16 passenger van, and it's LONG!). We headed back to Betty's to pick up Bill, and finish up her computer...and before we knew it, it was 6:30. She was gracious, and took us to dinner....it was a nice afternoon and evening, and we enjoyed it a bunch.

We headed home to get some things done before bed...laundry, tidy up and get some work done for the Dentist. I managed to get about 75% of my work done, and saved the letters for the morning.

Friday started at 6:30 with coffee and collection letters! Bill was working on organizing tools for our day and getting things lined up that needed to be done. Toilet was first on the list and off we went at 8:45. We got there to find the repair that we had done the day before had actually seemed to work (loose fitting--we were praying that we'd not have to tear the toilet apart!) and we continued to fix a bathtub valve that needed replace.

Now it's about noon on Friday, and after running for parts for the valve, replacing it, cleaning up, and getting her bathroom back together, we head over to what was supposed to be our job for the day...an empty apartment. Our task was supposed to be some minor repairs (light fixtures, closet door adjustments, etc.) and to replace the vinyl in the bathroom. Finding two layers down, we start ripping up the vinyl, and find out from Alice, that the carpet can not be deep cleaned as we hoped, but needed torn up as well. (Tenants had a dog they weren't suppposed to, and it was not a good doggie!) We the proceeded to rip up the carpet (VERY NASTY), and finally went to pick up Ryan to help us out. He was not thrilled, and was hard to keep motivate, but we did get the job accomplished with his help.


This is really CARPET...looks like dirty cement!

We arrived home around 6:00, and unloaded the necessary items from the truck. The rest will stay for tomorrow. Robert arrived home around 6:15, and he & Bill hit the basement bathroom immediately, and worked on laying tile. They worked until 10ish...ran out of tile, and then decided they needed to make room in the garage for an auto repair scheduled for Sunday. Needless to say, Bill (and I'm sure Robert) is DEAD tired. I accomplished the blog & posts for our church web site....and also some work for the Dentist...more in the AM. Don't want to fall behind there!!

Bill getting saw lessons from Robert....

Very excited, as the tile is looking great!! Thanks Robert! Thanks Jeremy for loaning us your saw!

Measure Twice, Cut Once

This is a rule we live by...as most of you know our front door story of many years ago. So...found caught without a tape measure today, we did the next best thing. We used bailing twine. Let me back up a bit. Most of you know that we are working for Alice this summer...and that she has rental work to be done. Let me just say, I'm not sure we are making enough. The first rental we have to do has been lived in since 1951, and this guy loved it. He did not want updates or paint when Alice offered, and only had repairs done when absolutely needed. This place is so 1950 its not funny. The medicine cabinet with the flouresant lights....that go "tink, tink, tinktink" when you turn them on, and a MURPHY BED in the kitchen. Red counters, even the cherry curtains in the windows. Way too funny. Needless to say, this place is in need of an overhaul...hence, our job! Thankfully, it's old smelling, but not horrid as I expected...phew!

We arrived this morning after going over the "stuff to do" with Alice yesterday, and wanted to make a supplies list, as we were heading to Home Depot today....now, back to my story. We needed to buy an exterior door for this place....so we needed the measurements. No tape, no worries, we had twine. We marked the string for the width, and cut off the excess for the length. Off to Home Depot we went...looking for a 44" x 80"door. Yes, that's pretty wide...and as the guy said at Home Depot...."wheel chair races through there??" We were perplexed at the size of the door, and decided that we'd better check the rough opening, as we only measured the door. So back we went. 36" with the tape...hmmmmmm exactly what is left over from 80 inches when you take away 44".....oh we laughed. Our twine worked perfect, IF you use the right end of it. SO--the opportunities this opened up for us....a 36" standard door vs a 44" special order. What a great laugh. Must be a thing with us and front doors!

And yes Bill...I love you...more than ever, because you make me laugh.