Milestone morning!

She made her own breakfast! DD (dear daughter) who is 10 has always wanted to cook but I'm too lazy to show her. Or maybe I just don't want to clean up the mess. But this morning I just didn't feel like cooking. Ok not just this morning, it's any morning, I don't even pour the cereal anymore. And she doesn't like cereal and we're out of frozen waffles. So I gave direction, from the couch with coffee in hand, on how to make scrambled eggs. She is so proud of herself! And she should be. What a big girl!!!

Sequim, Washington

Just returned from a great, all though too short, trip to Sequim on the Olympic side of Washington. Absolutely gorgeous! We can't wait to go back. If I can find a dogsitter we are going back this weekend. **Dogs are not allowed in national parks!** We really wanted to take a trip to Hurricane Ridge and hike to some waterfalls but we brought Ace along and couldn't leave him in the car. We tried leaving him in his crate in the trailer on Friday (with the tv and air conditioning on) but he cried and bothered everyone in the campground the entire time we were gone. We did go to the Olympic Game Farm Park that is where all the pictures of the animals up close came from. The zebras stuck their heads inside the truck window and the yaks were pretty eager too. While my kids thought it was neat I found it appalling, the conditions those poor animals live in is horrible. I don't ever want to go back there again. I would definitely skip it if you are travelling to the Olympic Peninsula, there is a lot more to see.
We camped at the KOA in Sequim. It was ok, as KOA's go. Crowded and noisy but free showers, a swimming pool and stuff for the kids to do. I plan on staying at Salt Creek Park or the Elwa Dam capmground next time. No pool but a lot nicer and cheaper too! While at the KOA we met some really nice people, I hope to keep in contact with them. Bonnie, Jim and their two daugthers. Super! A big hello to them.
We had a really great time!!! Can't wait to do it again.

My dog Ace

I love my (our) dog Ace. He is a miniature Schnauzer and is just about 1 1/2 years old. I found him while reading Craigslist one afternoon last June. The person was giving him away free and he seemed like a cool dog that would fit into our family well. So we brought him home. Only to find out he has issues, big ones. He is the most jealous, heurotic dog you will ever meet. Don't try to hug me or even shake my hand if you come over, he goes nuts. He won't try to bite you but he will cry and jump all over. Also, he has separation anxiety. At first we had him on "doggie downers" to try to get him to mellow out when we left, but we didn't like to medicate him. And it seemed we could trust him a bit more. So after keeping him in his crate when we left we started leaving him free to roam the house. He DOES NOT like it at all when we leave, even for a minute. And now he has started showing us that's he's pissed about it. We went to the movies last night, was gone about 2.5 hours. He had food and water, we left lights and the radio on for him. And when we got home Bob found that he ate my library book.

I didn't think I was going to finish it anyway, but come on! Now I have to pay for it. I wonder if they will let me keep it? Only two corners and the dustjacket were chewed up, it's still readable. BTW, it was/is The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon. Now Ace is outside thinking about what he has done. Yeah right, he is outside plotting what to eat next. He doesn't like being outside by himself. Did I mention that he is afraid of everything? Yep, just about everything. But we love him. He is cute, isn't he?

Why I don't like television (that much)

It seems that all I have seen of my husband is the back of his head since the Olympics started! Seriously, that's just about all he has done. There really isn't much else on tv during the day so he watches the Olympics. Yep, the wrestling, boxing, even the shooting. I've had enough! I don't mind gymnastics or swimming, even volleyball is ok. But this is getting ridiculous. I'm going to find the breaker for the outlet where it is plugged in!

Are you all watching the Olympics?

Normally I wouldn't be interested in the Olympics at all but this year I seem caught up in the fever. Even my kids, especially the two younger ones, are watching. Of course it makes for a late night since they don't come on until late, but it's only once every four years.
I particularly liked watching last night. It was quite an honor to watch Michael Phelps achieve a dream. We have been watching him swim every night and I had noticed that he didn't seem all that excited when he won the past couple of times. Maybe he was just tired? I know I would be completely exhausted, just the thought of taxing my body like that makes me tired. But last night when he won his 7th gold medal I was in awe. He was so happy. And when he saw the race on playback and noticed how close it was, the look on his face was priceless! I was looking at his bio yesterday and saw that he tries to respond to all of his own mail and will send an autograph if you send a sase. Better jump in quick if you want one. Michael Phelps website, mail to Michael Phelps PO Box 1734, Olney, MD 20830.
I also think, my opinion of course, that stripping athletes of their medals for being poor sports is a good idea. How about that wrestler from Sweden? “Any disruption by any athlete, in particular a medalist, is in itself an insult to the other athletes and to the Olympic Movement. It is also contrary to the spirit of fair play.” And they are not going to give his medal to someone else. Good for them! Be a good sport, you can't always win, didn't your mama teach you anything. Now go to your room and think about what you did.
The theme of the games this year is "The Best of Us", watch this (fictional) but really neat video of a happy athlete.

It runs in the family

Yesterday I was messing around here, reading random blogs and looking around, when my daughter came in. She seemed interested in blogging and wanted to know how to do it. I told her it was simple, and it is if I can do it. KWIM? Anyway, she started writing her own. Of course that just means more time sitting at the computer and less time playing outside or doing something good for her. But writing can be good right?
So check out her blog! Something Random

Just thought I would share

I know, I know, the last few posts were about my vacation in Chelan. But it was really, really wonderful so I thought I would share a few more pictures. While there I was a total bookworm and put away some of my summer reading from last year! Here's what I read, all recommended by me:

The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving

The Sweet Potato Queens First Big Ass Novel by Jill Conner Brown

Step On A Crack by James Patterson

Smoke, Murder and Mirrors by Ann Rule (the best true crime writer EVER

There were a couple others I will remember later. I did finish a great book this afternoon. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. This should be required reading in junior high. IMO
So here are the pictures, enjoy. And remember to spend some time with your family.

Party's Over

We have to go home tomorrow. WAAAAAA! Back to the grind and stuff. Even though the weather has been a bit unpredictable, lots of wind and not near as hot as they said, we have enjoyed every minute. At least most of us have. Not so sure about Skylar, but she is after all 13 and wants to be with her friends. Thank God she has her cell phone or I think she would have taken to entertaining herself with picking on her sisters non-stop. All she does is text. Also a thank you to T-Mobile for unlimited texting!
I really want to get in one more short camping trip before school starts but am not sure how to swing it. We have never been to Sequim or the Hoa Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula and I would really like to go. They have a wild animal park up there with lions and tigers and bears OH MY! We'll see...
So that's it for Chelan. Gotta set my calendar in October so I can get reservations for next year. Same time, same place, I'll meet you here!