Don't Know What You Got, Till It's Gone!!

Yep great music lyrics and so true to what my past week has been. We lost our power last Thursday for 2 hours. I thought that wasn't so bad. I was just feeling the chill of the air when the power came back on that day. I figured I was doing pretty good since my brother in Seattle area was out of power for several days. So then Saturday came along and the power goes out again. (again during laundry) This time it's out for 5 hours. The kids went outside and played, we had sandwiches for lunch, then we played card games/board games. Just as I was laying down to take a nap from all the excitement of the board games, the power comes back on.

Then we get a phone call that night from our neighbor. We can't hear him on our phone. He calls Lynn's cell phone to explain that our phones don't work. So something must have happened when the power came back on because our phone was working before the power came back on.

Because it was Saturday, they would not fix our phones. So we waited until Monday. I called Monday to say our phone didn't work. I got a "ticket" number. They say it should be fixed by Tuesday morning.

To make a really long story short. We just got our phone and internet back 10 minutes ago. I guess this happened to a lot of people in the area. I feel kind of back for the poor phone people and PUD people who are working so hard to get phones and power back to so many people. BTW, we did have our internet for a few days but it also went out Yesterday. What is sad is that I was getting withdrawals from not having the internet after 1 day!!! I guess I best do something about that. However, I am so happy to be back among the internet living!!! :)

Snow Daze!!

This is day 3 of no school for the kids because of the snow/ice. Wednesday it snowed a lot. I will include a picture. We got between 12-14 inches. Then it started the freezing rain. When you live in the Columbia Gorge, you get freezing rain and wind. At least with the freezing rain there is minimal wind!! It's just very slick outside. Here is a picture of our pour trees. They are so weighed down with the ice. We have had a few limbs break off. Lynn's comment "That's one way to trim the trees." It scared out dog half to death. She barked at that limb for quite awhile, thinking the THE SKY IS FALLING!! The kids have fun trying to walk on top of the snow because of all the ice. Samuel is the only one light enough to actually do it. What is interesting is our fat dog is able to do it too. I guess she isn't that fat after all if she can walk on top of the snow. :)

At least we have power. A couple days ago we had 2 hours of no power. It was just starting to get cold in the house when the power came on. I hear my brother in Seattle area has no power and hasn't had it all day yesterday and into today too. He is a lucky man though, he has a generator and heater. We are very blessed indeed to have power.

Now to get the kids busy with their chores! Have a safe and warm day.

Finally Snow!!

Yup that's right. It is snowing right now. This very minute as I am typing. I am actually glad for the snow. I was getting really worried about the fact that we have had very little moisture this year. The down part of it is, I'm suppose to go walking with my girlfriends this afternoon. I hope they don't cancel on me. As long as it's not icy we should be fine. Walking in the snow will be fun.

I also apologize for not writing last week at all. I am trying a new cleaning schedule. So every morning I am to be cleaning. In fact, I should be in my bathroom cleaning right now. I decided to take a few minutes to write before I began. The house is much cleaner. At least I am working on that. I keep rearranging things though. The kids are going nuts. Everyday Benjamin will walk in first and say where did the ___________ go? Then he searches until he finds it. Or he says "so you moved that over there??" I think that I am becoming more organized and they think I have OCD. In fact, I heard Britni ask her Dad if I had OCD!!! hehe!! Little do they know that this is actually helping me make it through the January Blahs!! I haven't had any depression this month. I go walking outside with my friends, twice a week. I have been working on a "couch to 5K" plan. I am really liking it. Even the pain!! And I am staying busy!! That is a big help right there.

We had a different type of "goal" lesson last night for FHE. Lynn gave the lesson and asked each of us to write down our hopes and dreams. I have quite a few. Lynn told everyone that he is sure that "tile" will be on my list!! hehe!! It was but put in a general basis of renovations to the house. Benjamin's was the saddest I think. I don't know if he was embarrassed to write anything down or if he just couldn't think of anything. I will have to take him on a Mommy/Son date and find out for sure. All he wrote down was to have better handwriting. Which is a great hope and dream and an achievable goal. The other kids talked of good grades or straight A's. Going on missions or going to the temple. Fulfilling Priesthood duties, etc.

I had down first thing to have our kids go on Missions and marry in the Temple. then I had that I want to be a Temple Worker. Lynn was surprised by that. I don't know why. I thought he knew that one. Travel with my husband and friends, go on a mission with my husband, renovate the house, and have eternal life with my family.

Lynn's was kind of sad also. His main goal is To get out of debt!! Then to donate to lots of causes like humanitarian aid and pef and etc. To have his calling and election made sure and live eternally with his family. That was it. Nothing for the right now. Nothing temporal. Maybe I should take a hint and not care about the house renovations. But I really want carpet that hasn't been spit up on!! Is that too much to ask for?

Anyway the one thing that all the boys did not put down was "BE AN EAGLE SCOUT" Daniel is close. He's a Star Scout right now. Our problem is that we don't have the resources and leaders to get the kids through the scouting program.

So last night was very enlightening to say the least. AND it is snowing even harder now. Best check my e-mails and then get to cleaning that bathroom. Enjoy your day.

This is Winter???

Yep, I can hardly believe my eyes when it's sunny out and no snow or wind and it's January. It makes me really scared for what is ahead. If we don't get more snow in the mountains we will be in drought big time. Not to mention we will all be burned out of Goldendale with the Forest Fires!!

However, on the brighter side, I am loving being able to go out walking/jogging in the mornings. Yep, one of my goals this year is to go from the Couch to a 5K. So I am doing it. Today was day 2 and I am feeling it. Mainly because I am also doing 10-20 minutes of Crossfit exercises. I am determined to get in shape and hopefully lose some weight along the way.

I am making Britni's birthday cheesecake right now. I'm a little worried though, it doesn't look right. It's the best cheesecake recipe ever!! I have made it several times yet it still doesn't look quite right. I hope it tastes good.

I am also loving Pinterest. It's an online bulletin board where you can get craft ideas, recipes, quotes, DIY projects and etc. I have so many projects I want to do right now. However, I should probably finish the ones that I started first before I begin some more.

Well, All the family is doing well. The kids have started Basketball again. They are so much like their Daddy!! Have a super winter day. :)