Well we've managed to spend a good part of income tax return finally.

On Tuesday our hot-tub-in-a-box arrived.  We really wanted a hot tub similar to our old one, but there price has gone up a LOT.  And we are cheap skates.  We had our hearts set on one, but had pretty much decided it wasn't happening. And then I ran into a hot-tub-in-a-box product.  I researched it a bit, showed it to Rob and we purchased it.

It took a while to heat-up.  But its sooooooo nice.  Yeah not as fancy as what we had before, but this works, and its so good on our back.  Rob loves to  climb in it after he runs, and we've both missed the us time in it.

What is it?  Its actually rather similar to one of those liner swimming pools you can purchase.  Its a bit better quality then the cheap ones at Walmart, rather like the one my parents had.  Which my dad still has.   But it does have a nice wood panel support case on the outside, instead of nasty plastic.  And then a plastic liner on the inside, and the heater on the outside.  Its not 220, but 110, which meant we didn't have to move our 220 outlet as where our hot tub currently is we hated. (Its a long long story as to how it ended up where it was)

Anyhow it was very nice to climb in there last night.

Cause we had spent most of the day in town spending $$$$.   We have lots of fix-it projects we've been wanting to do.  And we spent $700 at Home Depot for the supplies for most of them.  Poor Rob.  He hates shopping, and this trip was on him.  We ended up with four different carts, and two Home Depot guys helping us load.  *snicker*

Projects are more shelves for my desk area.  The armoire that holds my school stuff is dying, and inadequate, so we are putting shelves there instead.

Drywall to replace the panels that Samuel has broke over the course of the last 4 years.  Yeah he had to pay for those out of his own pocket.  He labored for us, and will also have to help fix it.  He was quite helpful yesterday loading wood, etc.

A new bathroom faucet, and a new kitchen faucet.  Both of which have issues for varying reasons.  We were going to get a bigger kitchen sink, but they were quite expensive, and I didn't find what I wanted.

So a God thing happened.  And our head elder at church has several in his back yard we can choose from.    So that takes care of that. 

Oh and cement board to replace the skirting that the flood and the great dane puppy broke.  That stuff was heavy--which is why we ended up with two Home Depot guys.  We were rather a spectical standing in line.  *snicker*

None of the projects are super exciting--but they do get our house for-sale ready if need be, and exciting in that they get things looking much better.

We were bummed as one of the things on our list Home Depot didn't have anymore, so we're looking around for that.

The last time we were there they had this beautiful butcher block wood, but it was $45 a sheet, and we needed two to replace the plywood on my desk Rob built me.  They were so pretty, and we both *knew* we would get them with the tax return came.

But darn it they don't have it any more.  *growl*  So I'm looking around to see if I can find something compareable.

So the next few weekends will be dedicated to Rob's puttering.  And our house will start looking a bit better when we're done. 

I'm headed to Olympia again tomorrow.had to make up a practice due to our flat tire, that was last week, so this is our official second practice in February.  No matter what it comes down to it comes down to the fact that we've left the Peninsula to go somewhere at least 5 hours away every weekend for a month.

Ah well such is life.

When I was sharing pictures I forgot to put this up of our brief stop at Kalaloch on the way back from baton last week.

Kaylin took it of us.  We stopped just as the sun was setting.  We knew it would be a brief visit, but it was so nice and warm, we also knew we had to do it.  It was the best part of the day.  Running around on the sand, watching the kids climb all over the driftwood.

Good morning

Its a soggy morning, was a soggy day yesterday.   Okay a showerey day.  It just rained HARD.

The robins have returned much to Jeremiah's joy.  He loves watching the birds, and taking notice of there return.

Saturday however was beautiful.  Bit brisk, but a gorgeous day to walk the beach.  We walked the beach around to those rocks you can see, and then we all climbed them.  Even me.  LOL  It was just beautiful.

We of course had to find treasures.  Jeremiah was quite mad at the first beach cause his current treasure is beach glass.  "This is not a beach glass beach, I wanted a beach glass beach."    So...it was so nice that we went to a beach glass beach afterwards..  ROFL

There's my monkeys up on the rock.  You can see approximately how high it is by looking at Rob's arm on the left side.  He was standing on a big rock to help Jeremiah.  Who wasn't as eager about the rock climbing as some of them.

Samuel on the other hand climbs the rocks like a monkey and makes me nervous when I watch too closely!  He was taking this seaweed and throwing it like a lasso, and then pulling it back up. 

And sitting above us we had several of these fellows.  This one got startled when Jamari yelled for kids to look at something right underneath him.  I guess he thought Jamari could eat it LOL. 

It was such a gorgeous morning.  One I can hold close to me for a while of the bleh of winter.

Good morning

Its a frosty morning outside, but clear.  We have had a lot of clear days.  Clear COLD days.  Yesterday was gorgeous.  The perfect day to go to the beach.  Except we were all exhausted and needed a down day.  So we took it.

Zeria had a blast at her sleepover.  Rob went to pick her up at 9:30, after dropping us at Sunday School.  And she said.  "I'm having the best time I've had in forever, can I Pleeeeease stay."   He snorted at her, and let her stay.  We picked her up after church.

I was just impressed with all of it.  I liked the movie choices they watched.  Buddies, Space Chimps, and two others of a similar nature.  They ran all over the girls property exploring, and just generally had fun.  Just as we got there apparently their was a spat between two of the girls.  But they'd been together a long time, and man that is just the age of spats.

All in all we were thrilled for Zeria that she got the opportunity. 

Of course she's was among the walking dead the rest of the day.  Didn't want to take a nap.  Didn't want to admit to exhaustion.  But could barely move.  LOL

Today is a brief reprieve in busy.  Tomorrow we have to run to Port Angeles and have a meeting with my dad's Correctional Officer, and his Counselor.  This is to determine wether we can get chaperone status so my dad can visit.  Its a irritating day to have it, due to Rob had to take vacation time, and I have baton in the afternoon, but it was all "they" had available.     So we'll bow to there whims.   I'm absolutely NOT looking forward to the meeting, matter of fact I've rather buried the whole concept of having said meeting in the very back of my head.  But I guess I'm gonna have to take a big girl pill, and go regardless.

Good News;  We finally get to get out of the house this weekend and go to a baton lesson and baton meet.

Bad news;  Flat Tire

Good News;  Good Spare

Bad news;  Rob put Spare on backwards & it went flat too...please don't ask me how you put a tire on backwards.  I've changed my fair share of tires and I didn't know it was possible.

Good News;  We have a wonderful neighbor who rescued Rob and I when I was attempting to take him to work.

Bad News;  We had to be rescued...and we will not be going to the baton lesson as we had to get up at 6 am to do that, and we got the flat at 6:30 at night.  No fixy until at least 9 am.  Never mind the whole get a tow truck to haul car to shop as we don't have a second working vehicle to haul tire to shop.  *growl*

Good News;  I learned how to crochet tunisian knit.

Bad News;  I learned slightly wrong and it kept getting really wide on one side.

Good News;  There's really good videos available to stare at and figure it out.  And I believe I finally figured out what I was doing wrong.  And its such a beautiful stitch.  Its crochet done with a long hook, and it looks just like stockinette stitch.  So pretty. 

We'll end with the good news.  Tomorrow we'll find out if Rob did damage to car when putting on tire backwards.  *growl*

Wait good news.

I have a nice warm bed that I should be in.  I'm going, honest.  *snort*

Its very hard some days to take my kids seriously.

Jeremiah was quite proud of himself yesterday afternoon.

He sat down in the snow for a minute to catch his breath.  When he stood up he said.

"Look mom I made a butt print."

Okay then...just what I always wanted to know.

Samuel came out at 9:15 this evening.  Kids once sent to bed *know* they stay there.  It is a major major no-no to come back out.  Sickness, nightmares are the only reason you can come out...and the occasional relocation of a blanket.  But this needs to happen within the first five-ten minutes after they've gone to bed.

Anyhow.

Samuel comes out and says.  "Mom, I can't find um, I don't um..."

"You forgot what you came to say didn't you."

"No, I didn't."  He says smiling sheepishly.

"Mom, I can't um, I need.  Oh I forgot!"  He says with irritation and headed back to his bed laughing at himself.

He is rarely rarely one of the night visitors so I gave it to him.  Besides he was entertaining.  *snicker*

But not as much as butt print.  I told Jeremiah it rated right up there with the time I told Samuel not to play the piano with his butt....(he was 2.5 at the time.)

I guess there's a lesson I'm supposed to be learning.

I'm just not sure what it is yet.

It snowed today...about 2.5 inches so far.  Who knows what we'll wake up with tomorrow.

I live a mile from the coast where it never snows.  Until this winter.  *snicker*

I had to cancel baton last week due to puking kids, and this week due to extremely slippery roads. 

The isolation around here is overwhelming.  And yet it seems that God wants us here, as its not exactly a great time to be moving.  And the commnity we'd prefer to move to isn't hiring...even though they usually are.

Or is there another community around the corner.

Or...is there something God wants us to hear and we're not getting yet.  I have no answers.

I just kind of feel bleh.  Of course its February, and that's hardly shocking.  February is the month of bleh.  Except usually we have Awana and basketball to keep us going.  And nothing.

So what are we supposed to be doing at home that I'm missing?

I haven't been using the computer nearly as much lately.  Which has given my kids much more opportuity to experiment.  Yesterday Rainee drew this with Paint.  No help.  She just wanted me to save the finished project.  Which I did, I also printed it out for her, and had to share it here.    I thought it was rather well done for 6 years old. 

We survived Rainee's sick yesterday she was soooooo cranky.  It was a good reason to put her in front of the computer and leave her there.  LOL 

I didn't get to go to church as we didn't feel like sharing Rainee's bug with the world.  She's feeling much better today, for which we're all greatful!

We have a mini-meet this weekend which means I have to find costumes, and tights, and head pieces, and shoes. 

When I was in Pocatello I ordered two shirts for Samuel at a costume shop and they never appeared, so I guess I get to track those down.  I'd like to just let it ride, but he *hates* what he currently has, and I agree.  

So I get to play long-distance telephone tag as soon as I think they might be in.  *joy*

Other then that staring at a wee skiff of snow, and trying to get motivated to function today.

Its been a crazy weekend.  Rob filled in paperwork on Wednesday online to declare his desire to transfer.  On Thursday morning he got a call from a recruiter asking if he'd consider Monroe.  We shrugged and said what the heck why not.

We knew nothing about Monroe, except where it was.  She scheduled an appointment for the *next* day.  They wanted Rob very very very badly.  He could have started working tomorrow I think.

But ay yi yi yi the cost of living over there is INSANE.  We would have been looking at much much much less of anything for a minimum of $100,000 more.  And we weren't in love with the area.

We drove all over following leads I'd brought with me, and the words of Shania echo in my head.

"that don't impress me much."

So Rob called and told them *before* the interview that it just wasn't happening.  At this point we'd been in the car for about 10 hours looking at the area.  Rob just wanted to go home.  But home was 5 hours away, and his family rather revolted.  *snicker*

So instead we took a motel with a pool, and relaxed.   In the morning the plan was to catch the ferry and go home.  But his wife walked past brochures and saw coupons for her favorite zoo....which we haven't been to in such a very long time.  So long in fact most of the kids don't remember it cause they were too little.  We don't think we've ever taken Jeremiah actually.

We waffled about it, decided we should just go home, and missed our exit to the ferry.  We decided this was fate, and continued in the direction of the Woodland Park zoo instead.  It was a lot of fun.  FREEZING.  But fun.  Somehow my coat got left at home, so I was numb by the time we got back in the car, but I'm very glad we went.

And pictures?  Well for once in my life time some how my camera got left on the computer desk.  So I have none.  But we did have fun.

Our favorite were the Siamang monkeys.  Who we could hear a LONG time before we actually found them.  They are LOUD.  Louder then my kids by a long shot which I didn't know was possible. 

We also got to see a mommy and baby gorilla which were super cool.  We stayed at the gorilla exhibit for about 15 minutes.  There was a juvenile gorilla and the big daddy gorilla who were having a rather hysterical debate over who got the best spot.  The kids were particularly impressed when the juvenile picked its nose.  *snicker*

We meandered home around the sound instead of across it, and ended up taking a rest stop at my moms on the way back.  She'd been waiting anxiously to hear about our Monroe interview, but wasn't suprised at our decision.  She'd done some internet investigation on real estate, and just not pretty. 

So, for now Clallam Bay is looking pretty good.

Rainee is sick.  She fought it the whole weekend, but we are putting her down today.  She is *not* going to church.  She cries when you look at her, cries when you touch her.  She can't breathe worth squat, and can't function at all.  Its time for her to get a sit and stare at the tv kind of day.

Oh and in another wacky news.  Kaylin no longer has long hair.  And it is soooooo cute.  I'll have to put up pictures later.  Rainee wants hers chopped too, but she decided that when we were in Seattle, so I'll do it in the next day or two.