time me...

Hello!

So!  Where were we?

Let's start with Garret.  At school he is working on brushing his own teeth and folding laundry.  ...2 things I do for him at home so I guess I am now officially an enabler.  Shame on me.  He just got new shoes and LOVES the new Star Wars movie.  Right now he's in my bed humming himself to sleep...

Brenda, after seeing the new Star Wars, declared it TERRIFIC and AWESOME, then said, thru happy tears, that she would NEVER watch it again.  (She did once more as she transformed a barbie into Rey.)  Her obsession lately is "girl pop" and if she likes what she hears, she'll most likely let you know that "this is her jam".  She is currently forcing the cat to do a "face-swap" photo...

Suzie still can't decide how to spell her name but she's got everything else figured out.  ....Except for a few concepts she brought up in the car yesterday.  "Mom?  How does a baby hole close after the baby comes out?"  (This was after we talked about Darla, one of our cats, having kittens)  She is glued to the tv right now.  Wild Kratts.

Mike?  STAR WARS.

Me?  COOKIES.

...Caught up!

Christmas noodle poster

Brenda, all on her own, raided my sewing closet (she's not supposed to without me) and sewed a heart onto one of her old shirts.  She whispered to me, asking me to hide it for Suzie, for Christmas.

Then, later while eating spaghetti, she gave her noodles voices.  

.

..

...They were begging for mercy.

A week ago she dressed for church in a green dress with red leggings.  Then, digging thru the Christmas craft box, she made herself a candy cane ribbon headband, a santa-ribbon belt, and pinned her favorite little stuffed animal to her front.  Because he loves Christmas too...

 

Speaking of church, while sitting in a class, Brenda suddenly exclaims "IT'S SOOO LONG!".  Luckily I was able to smother her halfway thru the sentence, but nearby folks chuckled and seemed to sympathize.

**This is just your friendly neighborhood reminder that Brenda is the arc in my eye-roll, the snort in my laugh and the Tim Curry in my Oscar.**

...Wanna see a Christmas present I made her?

I'm thinking a poster print.  A BIG one.

Pooh test

So apparently, when searching online for the Winnie the Pooh personality test, it is very hard, nay, impossible to find something that's printable.  Even then, most of them are more about emotional issues and the various medications needed...

Come on!  This is sweet, innocent, childhood nostalgia!  Let's have some fun with it!

I recently volunteered to prepare a personality test for our church dinner activity.  The plan was to have a simple test at the tables, for fun conversation, then use the results to form groups for Family Feud.  The Winnie the Pooh would be perfect!  But after spending endless time searching online, I donned my doctor hat and wrote one myself.

It turned out cute and, knowing there must be others out there, searching, yearning...  I figured I should share this-

disclaimer- Even with my hours of online study, I am not a doctor.  I know nothing.

I am mostly Tigger, with a bit of Pooh, according to this most professional test...

So go ahead and print this!  Have fun!

You're welcome all you similar searchers.

And I have no rights to Pooh stuff.  ...Is this legal?


P.S. I left out other characters because I'm lazy and because these 5 were the common 5 in all the online tests.

By it's fruits ye shall know October.

A couple hours ago I swore off dairy.  I've done this before, but this time I didn't reward myself, 6 minutes later, with eggnog.  I think I'm winning.

Brenda's barbies were included in the Halloween festivities.

Mike is suddenly way into 70's music.  Don't get me wrong.  It's great.  ...but not like him.  I mean, what's next Mike?  Are we dabbling into the early stages of a mid-life crisis? 

Suzie draws cats on things like dogs territorially pee on trees.

I've been watching 'Dear Genevieve' on Netflix and sometimes I'm a righteous snob thinking "People put too much "need" into expensively decorated homes" and the rest of the time I'm just an everyday snob thinking "I need an expensively decorated home". 

another Halloween/birthday party success!

There's a stray cat and her 3 kittens living in the bushes across the street.  Brenda didn't hesitate to name her Darla and claim her as Shawn's girlfriend.  I am starting to see my future as a crazy cat lady and I'm not hating it...

Halloween parties for adults are a grand idea.  Hillary and Donald approve this message.

Mike just came in, read over my shoulder and said that my first couple sentences don't make sense.  I'm going to stay true to my inner self, follow my bliss, abandon the reigns of my beautiful soul, and other profound mumbo jumbo, and just let that crap land where it may. 

I will do something for Mike, tho.  He wanted me to mention our new endeavor.  We are now podcasters seeking FAME!  So, if you are curious-about or interested-in boardgaming we'd love for you to ignore our horrific grammar, broken up with nervous laughter, and give us a listen.

Here's the link


And now, one last picture.

the opposite of a "duck face" should have a name....

lipstick

As little-brother Tyler and I cruised past Milt Nomad Falls we texted big-brother and sis-in-law, Colton and Lora, building the excitement of our arrival.

Big brother, being far too shrewd to be fooled by autocorrect, recognized Multnomah Falls right off the bat.  Probably picked that up from my sweet drive-by shot, eh?

 Now before I continue with our story, I need to distract you.

Everybody has embarrassing pictures, right?  Like, you didn't know someone had a camera and you had just shoved 8 sour worms into your mouth?  Or maybe you just caught a contagious yawn?

 Oh Macy Macy sweety-niecy Macy.  How embarrassing.  I was pulling old pics off my phone and there you were.  Caught off guard.  I'm so mean.  A lady should never be captured in such a moment.  Has your mother not taught you that yet?  Maybe you'll hate me forever, but you're doing me a big favor so pat yourself on the head...


I want company as I share some embarrassing pictures.




.
.
.
.
(hesitation)
.
.
.

TYLER AND I RAN A HALF MARATHON! 

unprepared 

sore from thought-to-be-mild previous injuries

no breakfast 

wet feet

...We set out just shrugging our shoulders and discussing Blacklist.

Just like my drive-by photography, I am equally skilled while running.
 
(Keep ridiculous Macy in mind.  I mean, good grief, that poor girl...)

.
.
.
Look at the cool tunnel!

Hey Tyler!  Let's get a running shot in front of the tunnel!

Smile!  My trigger finger's going like a woodpecker buddy!  TURN AROUND!
 
Tyler?  You want me to put the camera down?

I'm just sure this shaky picture will look sweet, Tyler.  Pose like a superhero.

Here's my superhero pose-

This is like, magazine stuff.



You look annoyed, Tyler.  Are we not having fun?

Look at the pretty view!

Well it was rough.  We whined and laughed and growled and snarked and limped and insulted other runners under our breath... 

We were DEAD LAST out of maybe 25 halfers.

...that old lady who passed us probably cheated.

.
.
...somehow.


Look!  A TRAIN!!!

GAG.

What a joke it was!


Luckily, while the run was the excuse, the real spirit of the trip was visiting these folks-

Probably the coolest older brother that I'll never stop looking up to and a SIL who well deserves older brother.  (haha, remember?  how she's too awesome?  haha!  let's never let that die...)

ahh yes.  The limp is no concern. 

Now a sister-love letter to little-brother Tyler,

Dear Tyler,

Years ago when I wrote you that story (by your request -I'm not weird on my own), I made it as odd, as random, and as embarrassingly stupid as my fingers would allow because I know what makes the two of us smile.

Alright, it's time for public humiliation.  Everybody up against the wall.

I think you said you wanted a sequel and while I may be too lazy for that just know that our odd, random and embarrassing antics are some of my favorites.

Have you ever met anyone who doesn't like donuts?  Know why?  'Cause they're in jail.

But as laughably miserable as that run was, I'd do again with you!  Next year?  But this time we say we're doing lots and lots of miles, then we run the 4 miler.  Because the medal was the SAME.  FOR.  EVERYBODY.

...MANSLAUGHTER!!!!

So let's not give up.

Even after we texted some tempting alternative exercise ideas-

I'm just not ready to let it go.

His name's Kevin, let's worship it.

So, favorite-running-partner-brother, what do ya say?

Rest a bit and we meet in a couple weeks for our favorite training run?

Who else will run beside me as we grumble about hills and quote Pinky and the Brain at the same time???

Who else knows what I'm talking about when I shout-

Did you bring a canoe, 'cause there's a river!

.
.
.
Besides.  The run has spit up a little gem.


Behold, your new FB profile pic-

And one more bit of mush.

Last thing, I promise.

-not to be too syrupy or anything but...

.
.
.
lipstick.


                                                                                     love, big-sis Lindsay

Dedicated to Karen, who may or may not enjoy her job as a state-park ranger

Hi!

I BACKPACKED THROUGH THE REDWOODS!

BEFORE THIS WEEK I HAD NEVER BEEN TO THE REDWOODS!

HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE REDWOODS?

DID YOU LOVE IT?

DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE WALKING THROUGH JURASSIC PARK?

DID YOUR NECK GET SORE FROM GAWKING SKYWARD FOR DAYS???

.
.
.
.
BACK TO ME!

THAT'S ME IN A TREE!

THAT'S MY DAD HAVING JUST TAKEN A PICTURE OF A BIG TREE!

THIS IS ME GOING HEY, IT'S ANOTHER CAVE IN A TREE!

THIS IS THE WHOLE GANG IN A TREE!


Now I shouldn't pretend that the entire trip was pure exhilaration.  In reality, 30+ pounds on my back for endless hilly miles hurt my feet.  Sleeping in a tiny tent, in the rain, without a shower ...stunk.  The spiders, slugs, blisters and sweat...  Yeah, there was plenty to frown about.  But the headaches don't compare to the reward.  23 miles, 3 hiking days, terrific company, AND the ENDLESS WONDER of the REDWOODS?  THINGS YOU CAN ONLY SEE IF YOU WORK FOR IT??? 

THAT is exhilarating. 

...Why didn't I get a picture of the bear diarrhea?