Kristin's 1980's punk hairdo & costume......she put this whole thing together herself.
The Credit Services Department--7 of 10 of us....
Susma, Vickie, Bonnie, Chey, Shawnna, Raychel & Connie
Halloween arrived a day early in Sweet Home & Eugene!
Kristin was able to go trick or treating downtown with "Grandma" Betty as Mom had to work, and Dad is sick with the flu or a bad cold. We are blessed to have "family" here that will help out when needed. It killed me to be at work today, while Kristin was getting ready to go, and heading downtown. It's been 10+ years since I've not been there with them. Ryan of course didn't go, as he's almost 14 and too old for that stuff...and he had other plans with the big boys anyway....Skillet Concert in Salem!
I did brave the "uncomfortable zone" and dressed up this morning, and headed into work. What Susma didn't provide in the costume...Kristin embellished. She was so excited to help me get ready today, that she was awake at 5am! She was afraid I'd let her sleep, and leave without her help!
It was a fun day at work...Kristin had a blast with Betty...Bill is feeling a bit better, and Ryan is off to the Skillet Concert tonight with Robert, Charlie and Charlie's brother. It is a new adventure for Ryan....and, all in all, it was a new adventure for all of us today. 
Enjoy the pics! Too bad the flash made Kristin's hair look more off pink than it was....it was a great 80's outfit!
This week I've been struggling with a Halloween Costume for a contest at work. The theme is the roaring 20's....and I have to dress as a "flapper". Those of you that know me, know that this is WAY out of my comfort zone....I am not comfortable in a dress of sorts...at least not "flapper style"!!
My good work partner Susma helped me out by bringing in an outfit that she thought would look great...well...it does...on an 11 year old!! WAY too short for me.
Kristin thought this was the greatest thing in the world (WHO's Daughter is she anyway??!!) She is begging to go to work, and hang with the other flappers....who knew??!
SO...I'm in a quandry...what to wear...then again, maybe I'll send Kristin in my place. Wonder how she is at collecting??!!
Loving the new job...getting back in the saddle, and learning a new computer system. It's frustrating knowing how to do the job, and not being able to put all the pieces together for getting things done in the computer...but it's coming along. The biggest thing is working on melding the other 2 jobs in and keeping up with the kids school. So far, it's going OK...but tiring. The new online math for the kids is working out great. Thinking about adding the English/Language Arts as well.
Hoping the rest of the house stays healthy...Robert & Ryan have had the cold...Bill came home sick from school today...so far, Kristin & I are doing OK...airborne & a prayer!
OK...have had several comments on the new header picture. I guess I had a great one here, and didn't realize it. Several want to know where the crow is in the new picture! Sorry...he didn't hang around for the fall picture!
I try to change the header with the seasons....but, for those of you who really missed it...
Here it is. I'm also adding it down below on the side bar. Never get tired of this view....and people wonder why we live in Sweet Home! Now, if we could only make the barn invisible!
It was a beautiful fall sunrise, complete with streaks of pinks, reds and oranges across the sky above the mountains. I love to lay in bed and look at God's perfect creation (and no Bill...not you, although,you are pretty close to perfect for me) as I gaze out the window each morning. What a blessing.
I finally got out of bed, and went out on the porch to take a few pictures. The camera just never does what the eye can do, and although both pictures were taken seconds apart, look at the difference that the camera picks up. Regardless, take my word, it was very pretty!
As you can see in the picture, we had a load of wood delivered, and Robert was a madman (and a blessing) as he got the entire pile of logs cut up and ready for splitting. Now we need to locate a splitter to borrow, or put the guys to work as a splitter is certainly not in the budget!
Bill & I spent all day yesterday at the rental. We put molding in the laundry room, and fixed a few things inside, as tenants were moving in yesterday. We then headed outside to fix the big mess of termite, carpenter ant and water damage that we found in a corner. I repaired and replaced one side of the corner last weekend, and Bill & I worked on the other corner and managed to get it painted, molding up, and it looks great! We now only have 1/3 of the trim left on the house to do, and a few wood repairs and we are finished with the exception of those wonderful overhangs and doors. However, Alice is leaning toward awnings....so praying that she will allow us to do that.
Work is going well for me...loving what I do sure helps. Having great co-workers, and a great team effort is the other part. The kids are doing well with school,and adjusting to doing their math online through the school district. It's a great help to me! Bill is doing well in school...he's had nothing by good grades, and done well so far...hooray for Bill!
We ask that you keep us in prayer as we struggle to put together our work, school, home and rental schedules....pray that we get a good balance, and still have fun while accomplishing all those things we need to!
It was a full day today! Up at 8 to make cheesecakes...as no one in our house likes cake!! At any rate, we made a peanut butter chocolate chip cheese cake--and a pumpkin cheesecake...both of which turned out very yummy!! Dad & I headed to the rental to get some painting done, as it was a beautiful morning. We got two hours of painting in, and the sky opened up. Done for the day with the painting! Bill has been suffering with a major headache for two days now. He spent 80% of today in bed...getting up at 5 to pull it together long enough for the kids party. He headed back to bed around 8 as he just couldn't do it any longer. Continue to keep him in prayer for relief. Mom & kids spent the morning "spiffying" up the house. They did a great job, and they even did windows & cupboard doors. SO nice, and I appreciate all the help they've given this week. I didn't realize how stressed I too have been with all the busy things going on. Thanks Mom & Dad...love you tons.
Kristin turned 11 on the 14th of October....
and Ryan will turn 14 on the 16th of November. Time flies!! The next birthday for him will be drivers permit time!! Yikes.... 
We had a great evening with Rod, Lissa, Brandon (Who is growing & talking like crazy), Grandma Alice & Grandma Betty, Katie & Audrie....another cutie, the O'Hara Clan, and the VonRoudens rounded out the crowd, and of course Grandma & Papa Eyie.....was the whole reason we had this in October instead of November as usual! It was a fun night of visiting, and our kids are so lucky to have such great friends and family.
Off to bed--before 1am! Only a few minutes before one, but some are better than none! Will add more pictures tomorrow...check back! Too tired to wait for the rest of the download.
Wow...I pulled my camera out today for the first time in weeks...shame on me!
Busy is the name of the game around here. Here is some of what has been going on:Kristin turned 11 on the 14th (This past Wednesday)--we celebrated by taking a trip to Sisters with Grandma & Papa Eyie. We will have a party this Saturday for both she & Ryan--so that we can save all our family a trip!
Bill is doing well in school. He's a bit overwhelmed with all that is assigned at school, along with the rental responsibilities, and all the responsibilities here at home. He has been having a lot of fun in his drafting classes, and enjoys the AutoCad he is working on. He had a great experience this week with hopefully getting hooked up to be able to set up some old Alan-Bradley robots that the school has. He worked on these same ones back in Detroit--in the day!!
The kids have had this week off of school, since Grandma and Grandpa are here, and it's really not a routine kind of week. I finally got around to checking their work this week, from last week!! Yahoo...thankfully, they are doing well, and other than not wanting to use a dictionary to do some dictionary skills (BOTH are guilty of this), we are doing well. The commitment to continue to home school seems to be there, although our schedule has changed greatly! They are willing to work independently while we are at work or school, going over the next days assignments before bed and then save what they really need help with (if they need help) for when we get home.
The new job at the Credit Union has been going very well...and they even let me have the time off while my folks were here this week. So far, I've been mostly training, but getting my feet back into the collections department in an office has been invigorating for me! This along with my other 3 jobs (Teaching Monday home school enrichment class--history & science--Working for Joe at the Dental Office, and helping with the rentals) has kept me busy....I think between the three of those not including the rental, I clocked 54 hours the first week...ugh..that didn't include rental, laundry, and food. Thankfully, everyone at home has been pitching in where needed. We are ironing the kinks out, all getting back in the groove, and acclimating to our new schedules as well as moving out of our comfort zones! Keep us in prayer as we all adjust!
Gosh...didn't take many pictures today. We headed for the coast this morning, and it started off chilly & windy, but got very warm...almost 70 over there. Very nice! No sun, but warm & no wind! We had a picnic lunch (in the truck as it was sprinkling just a tad) and enjoyed some sight seeing, of course the outlets, Depot Bay, and our favorite...Chowder at The Sea Hag for supper before heading home!
We got home around 8--watched some TV with Charlie & Robert, and then headed upstairs to get some bills paid, some paperwork done, and find the top of my desk! Yahoo!!
Enjoy today's pictures!
Here's two of my guys....on their first day of school!! Too bad Charlie wasn't here this morning..he could have gotten in on this picture too!! Notice the twin shirts...way funny! Good thing they are at different schools!
All went well for everyone today at school. Both guys have lots of homework already. Bill has a 10-10 day tomorrow. Keep him in prayer!
He wanted me to hang his drawing on the fridge tonight...I told him that's his Mom's job...so I'm sure you'll be getting a refrigerator hanging Margaret!
I start a new job tomorrow...keep me in prayer also please!
Kristin still in Ohio...feeling a bit homesick tonight. Think it might have had to do with the big thunderstorm they had last night, and then what she thought might be a black widow in the playhouse. Thanks Ryan for getting her wigged out about Black Widows! Praying that she feels better...and gets a fun day with Papa tomorrow.
Ryan is doing dry land events/swimming 3 1/2 hours each day, working on school, and helping with rentals when he can. Everyone is BUSY!
Stay tuned.....we're busier than ever...and it's about to get more so!!
It's been two weeks today that Kristin has been gone...wow, do we miss her!! She does a lot of talking, and is a busy body around here...but wow, has the house has been quiet, but I'm ready for her to come home. She has a little less than two weeks left...and wants to spend as much time as she can with her Big Papa.
For those of you who don't know...Kristin has a very special relationship with my grandfather, who is 90 years old. It is a joy for both him & her to be able to spend some time together.
As we were sitting around the fire with my Aunt & Uncle just three short weeks ago--speaking about my Grandfather--Kristin came to Bill & I and asked if she were to give us her savings, and have an early birthday & Christmas gift...she'd love to have the money to go see her Big Papa. She stated she did not want to run around seeing everyone, but to visit for a long time with Big Papa. SO...with the help of Cec & Rudy--Kristin's birthday wish came true. They took her back to Ohio with them, (the bonus was visiting some great state & National parks as they camped across country) and Kristin gets to spend some time with her Big Papa & Grammy...who she loves to be around. She was given the opportunity to go to Michigan early to have some other fun...but she stated that she never knows when she might get back to Ohio...and being Big Papa can't travel anymore....she is committed to spending as much time as possible with him...and will fly back with my folks on the 10th of October.
In talking with her this last two weeks on the phone, she has matured so much.....the first week she was homesick....but this last week has been such a blessing for her to be able to fulfill her wish for her birthday. I think we can probably swing some Christmas gifts for you Kristin...but hope you are enjoying your month long birthday gift by spending it with your Big Papa & Grammy.
Thanks to Cec & Rudy who have hauled her across the county (LITERALLY!!) and helped fulfill her birthday gift! Thanks to Mom & Dad who will see her home safely...and spend some time with us too!!
For those of you in Ohio that wish to see Kristin....she will be at my Grandparents until approximately the 5th or 6th, and then those of you in MI can catch her at my folks on the 7th or after....but call first, since she wants to see her Grandma & Papa Richards before she flies home too. Thanks to all for understanding and honoring her birthday wishes.
It's been BUSY!! No pictures to post, but news to share--
Bill has all his classes for the fall term and will be attending Chemeketa College in Salem Oregon and as of this morning, things still weren't worked out. Thankfully, God is in control, and we just hang on for the ride. Bill finally dropped the math class that wasn't working out (we tried to make it work out--but God said--no Bill...this is what you need to do..wait til next term and take what you really need...), and he was able to add a communications class. He has 12 credits, and has a full boat on Tuesdays, going 10am to 10pm, and back again at 7:30 on Wednesdays--but Monday & Thursdays are light...and Friday's are off!! Yahoo! Our new motto:
I was offered (and accepted) a position with Oregon Community Credit Union in their collections department. It is 20-24 hours per week, with no Monday's, so I can still teach home school science & history, as well as continue my work with Joe (the dentist).
With Bill's schedule, and my schedule, we should be able to continue home schooling, and the kids are committed to do their part while Bill returns to school, and I hold down a third job to make the ends meet in the unemployment, which actually now is trade act payment, since Bill gets paid while he attends school. We will keep you posted on how things go.
In the midst of all this...we are trying to beat the rain with painting the final rental that we have to finish. Once it's done, the outside work is pretty well squared away, with the exception of 4 new doors, and some overhangs (which will be a challenge). Once those are done, we move inside for the 1951 retro renovation!!
Pray for our sanity the next few weeks as both Bill & I meld into things we haven't done in years...school or work in a collection department.
Our weekend started off after Bill’s appointment with TAA. Being his program of study is closed, with no openings….he has to once again, either find a school close enough with his approved program of study, or change his choice of schooling program—all by Tuesday afternoon. Frustrated, he decided to make some calls while we traveled.
We departed around 11am, and had a beautiful drive to Central Point where Roberts folks live. We set up the 5th wheel in their field, had a great chili supper, with fresh okra. It was AWESOME! After supper, we headed off to the James Taylor concert. We were amazed, since we’re used to Pine Knob outdoor venue’s in Michigan…where it takes hours to drive there due to traffic, an hour to get through the gate, and then fighting the crowd for a blanket seat. The whole two hour experience takes 10 hours! Now, our James Taylor scenario: We arrive at 6:00 at Sonic across from the venue, meet up with Tom, Sherry, Hannah, Dave, Diane & Mike, and at 6:30 we arrive, park, pick up Ryan’s ticket at Will Call, go through security, and are on our blanket by 6:45—15 minutes—incredible….bummed I could not take my camera in, but did use Bill's cell phone for some fun people pictures. 
We had lots of time to visit with friends. We did realize that Diane really does have a husband....even though she does not have Michael McDonalds autograph!! We visited, and sorry, no pictures of Hannah & Dave....Hannah would have killed me had I used the one I took. They were there, just no proof!!James Taylor was incredible…he did not keel over on stage as some thought might happen! I found myself singing along with everyone else, amazed that here I was, hanging with James Taylor for an evening. He is still worthy of having Ryan’s middle name after him!! We hope for another opportunity in the future to see him. The coolest concert experience ever! Robert wanted to beat the rush out of the parking lot, so while they were playing the last song….we split…and headed to Taco Bell to satisfy some hungry bellies. Had a caramel apple empanada—it was awesome!
On Saturday—we did some visiting with Robert’s folks…then headed to downtown Medford to Blackbirds, which was a fun outdoor, sporting goods, tools, hunting and automotive kind of store. Afterward we headed to CK Enterprises, which was a small store, PACKED with “stuff”—it was quite an experience!!
We headed up Hwy 62 towards Crater Lake…and stopped at Phil’s Frosty in Shady Cove for lunch. It was the coolest burger joint….great food! Next stop was Natural Bridge on the Rogue River. 
We had a great time up there, and enjoyed walking the path, and seeing the Rogue River Gorge 
as well as the living stumps….it was a great day!
Back to Robert’s folks for supper of corn on the cob, steaks, OKRA & potatoes…followed by home made butterfinger Ice Cream…yummmmmmy!!
Had a nice evening, and to bed early.
Sunday was a beautiful morning….church with Robert’s folks, and then on the road home around 11. Met Harry & Flo in Sutherlin for lunch, and arrived home around 3pm. Great weekend…..lonely drive….check out the photo’s below…and you’ll see that even though there were three others in the truck with me….it was pretty quiet!
Monday evening, we tossed around the idea of heading over to the coast to do some camping.....Tuesday by 1pm, we were on the coast with two trailers, and a very neat campsite. It took some doing, but we managed, and it was well worth it!!
Bill was suffering a migraine and a neck ache...so Cec, Rudy, Ryan, Kristin & I headed off to see some nearby things. We visited the Yaquina Bay Light House, walked on the beach, and went to old town Neport to visit the sea lions. One of them was pretty upset, and kept barking something about a crock? We headed back to camp and put together a great chili with fresh bread...YUMMY!! We enjoyed a nice campfire, and headed into bed around 10pm. Pictures from Tuesday...both Rudy's & my cameras.
On Wednesday, we packed a lunch, and headed South down the coast to Seal Rock to enjoy the tide pools there. Bill had his TAA meeting on the beach, and it looks like things are a go, since she told him to register, and get his classes. Praise God!! We enjoyed tide pools, watching the pelicans, and then headed up the coast toDepot Bay to get some Clam Chowder base, check out the Whales, and then head down the coast to Cape Foulweather. We also visited Devils Punchbowl, and saw a whale really close to shore....so close, he gave us quite a show. It did cloud over, but never rained on us. Yahoo!
Thursday, we headed North up the coast and did the Three Capes Scenic drive. It was another beautiful day....and we had a blast playing on the beach, having lunch at a neat gazebo, and enjoying the company of one another. 
We visited Cape Meres Light House, and the big Octopus Tree there as well. We of course ended the day with Tillamook ice cream, and a tour through the cheese factory! Back to camp for supper and another nice fire.
Friday was a lazy morning, complete with eggs, bacon, sausage & toast for brunch. Afterward, we enjoyed the rest of our campfire and headed home. The weather was great the entire time out, and we were certainly blessed with safe travels, good times, and beautiful weather. Thank You Lord!!
After arriving home, both Bill & I hit the computers. I to fill out an application, and Bill to register for school. I no sooner sent my application, than I received a call--and have an interview on Wednesday. It's a part time position...collections (go figure) and hopefully, will fit our schedule to allow for homeschooling, teaching and still allow me to work for Joe....if not, then it may not be for me...but praying if it's God's will, that it will happen. Bill was discouraged, since most of his classes are full, and he was unable to register until he was approved...which just occured. Please keep us in prayer for God to guide us through this.
Kristin's 1980's punk hairdo & costume......she put this whole thing together herself.
The Credit Services Department--7 of 10 of us....
It was a fun day at work...Kristin had a blast with Betty...Bill is feeling a bit better, and Ryan is off to the Skillet Concert tonight with Robert, Charlie and Charlie's brother. It is a new adventure for Ryan....and, all in all, it was a new adventure for all of us today. 
Enjoy the pics! Too bad the flash made Kristin's hair look more off pink than it was....it was a great 80's outfit!
