Girl's "Fun"

It was a rough night last night. Yuuki, our beagle, was sick much of the night. Stacia woke up and missed Arielle...and just as I was drifting off at 0330 Michael and the boys got up to drive to Mom Mary's.  I put Yuuki in her kennel at 0445, woke Stacia and put her in our bed...and we slept in!  I told her we'd sleep in as long as we wanted! Almost never happens around here.

I'm very careful to guard family time from volunteer hours in this season. It's a lesson hard learned.  Thus, it would be typical with so much of the family gone for me to fill the hours with LOTS of PWOC work - and I have lots to do - it feels never ending at this point. LOL

But here it is - first there were 9 Gherkins. Five Gherkins left home. Arielle went to Mexico. The boys are helping Michael. That leaves one Gherkin at home - and I determined we'd spend our two days alone well......in keeping with my summer vow to "live life fully present" so we slept in until 0800. Then we streamed Garfield for an hour and watched and cuddled.

Finally, I made smoothies and an omelet for Stacia.  I did 1.5 hours of PWOC while she worked on school. We had lunch and left for base.  We did another .5 hour for PWOC - maybe a bit more - a shopping trip and delivery.....

So far a great day....but now....well, it's a terrible psychological load when one believes they are having a mammogram and discovers the night before that it is a pap instead. Just sayin.  I knew I couldn't take Stacia HERE....and Cynthia took her. Wow. They had a great time.

First - Michael, she corrupted your youngest daughter with her CATS. LOL 

Then they got cold drinks at the Shoppette and went to a park.

Meanwhile back at the doctor's office I put the gown on three times before I decided which way it was supposed to be worn.  The unthinkable happened - humor at the annual exam - the LIGHTS went out.  I said, "Great mood lighting, when does the music start?" ::snort:: The great news is  she assured me eventually I WILL go through mentalpause and  with the tests she did today I only have to come back every 5 years and these stop at 60!!!! Good news indeed - only two more to go - and if I'm in Japan I won't have one at 55.  And the mammogram - next week.

I caught up with Cynthia and Stacia. They were having a blast. I was happy to have guilt free time to talk with Cynthia. I realized today - I have FRIENDS here now! This is a good thing.

Our next item on the agenda was dinner. We added to our cultural experience by eating at the Linda Walmart. We observed one very loud family with adults who treated their children rudely. AND we observed one very quiet family - who each set down and pulled out there phones and ignored each other - all five of them. I could tell Stacia was processing.

Now, many do not like Walmart. It is well documented that Walmart gives me hives....BUT Walmart is 7 minutes from my house. The next closest stores are 30 minutes.  Walmart is also very good for our budget. We had a few items to pick up which would have spoiled in the car if I bought them before the doctor's appointment.....and it's across the street from the Burger King - Stacia's choice of dinner.

Walmart is also where I get my gel nails done - ask for Cathy. Stacia has been missing pedicures. We haven't done this since we left Japan. We did it - it was only $20 instead of Y30,000.   See those massage chairs - MY WORD. I turned it on and it compresses and SQUEEZES hard and I was doing o.k. until it socked me in the bum! Stacia wanted none of it.  These folks are Vietnamese....they were a bit rougher than we are used to - but we love our toes.

The last item on our agenda was to buy a couple of clearance summer dresses. It's in triple digits and they are putting out fall stuff. Gotta love it. 

It's been a good day. I've had fun with Stacia and realize how much she CRAVES time with Mom....and how much she LOVES to talk....and I've learned she's very wise....

I'm not "going there" on the spank/don't spank war...but MY GOODNESS....we watched a mom repeatedly slap her son's face and then yank him out of the cart and wail on his bum. He was screaming, "Stop spanking," at the first slap.  He wasn't doing anything we could see to warrant such punishment...the gal a couple aisles over was much naughtier. Again, I watched Stacia process.  

"Mom, do you think she realizes  how she treats her children is how they will treat her grandchildren?" Good words for all us parents to ponder. 

We found TWO bottles of Jone's Cream Soda left from months ago.....we're going to enjoy and stream a GIRLS MOVIE tonight! 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

FUN DAY

It seems I blog better when on vacation. ::grin:: 

Tuesday was spent on school, preparing for Wednesday and doing LAUNDRY after our lovely 4 day weekend. 

Wednesday was 12 1/2 hours outside of the house. The kids were troopers. We left to set up and serve at PWOC. We had lunch with a friend  - a working lunch for my friend, Stephanie and I. We continued to talk through her position in PWOC and the upcoming Fall Rally.  Then I rushed up to a 1.5 hour meeting with the PWOC Chaplain - Michael.  Yes, I DO schedule time to talk women's ministry with him - or it takes over our home life. It doesn't seem fair for him to work a 12 - 13 hour day, come home and have an hour of PWOC approvals and editing waiting at the door. ::snort::   

Wednesday I got a chapel key - the first one I've had in two years. I'm truly off the shelf now.  I also went shopping with two friends, Maria and Cynthia for an upcoming Chapel BBQ/Town Hall.  Unfortunately, we ended up a few minutes late for Family Bible Study - but we made it. We talked about walking in the flesh - enlightening. Next week we'll get to Walking in the Spirit...and I will enjoy that focus. 

Today? PWOC Monday seems to have migrated to PWOC Thursday. I'll have to see if that is consistent Beale thing. I must plan for this. There were a lot of dangling ends to tie up - and many I didn't finish. I just called it quits for the day - reached my daily volunteer hour quota. 

I worked on some PWOC stuff, then did some school with the kids. They had an option of lunch at home or with the S Family. They seemed to think the choice was fairly obvious! 




Who can feel too terrible about volunteer work when it leads to an afternoon with Rachel and her kids??!  Always great fun for all.....I think Zach and Nolan may have had the most fun in the pool. 

While the kids played - Rachel and I talked PWOC publicity/promotional material. It's time to get orders in before the end of the fiscal year and the freezing of our fund during the change over. ::grin:: We worked on a tri-fold, we wrestled with a t-shirt order, we looked at banners, lawn signs, brochure stock, business cards....I really am taken with the idea of a car magnet....I can see it on the back of the 15 pass van....."Follow Me to PWOC."   No, we won't order any from the FUND - but I may just have to order one on my own. LOL  I think we did other things but  my brain began to freeze up.....Rachel assures me SHE took notes and knows just what she needs to do and I don't have to do a thing at this point.  WAIT - I remember -  I do need to write some text for the brochure - tomorrow. 

Lest you worry that I'm not taking time for self-care....I simply couldn't resist when Joy brought Chicka Chicka Boom Boom out and said, "Gamma, read?" Or maybe it was "Gamma, READ!" In any event - it was time for a break anyway!  I read it to her once and told her I needed to get back to work with her mommy....but Stacia reportedly read it another 7 or 8 times. 

We grilled for the kids. Michael and I had salads and melon.

The boys and Michael packed - they're going back to Crescent City tomorrow. There were a few more chores they wanted to do for Mom Mary. Alex is worried about leaving Stacia and I being alone.

And NOW - I'm on Skype with these two.....more later. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Avocado Quinoa Salad (Vegan)

Stephanie had a quinoa, avocado, cucumber salad yesterday and it looked yummy. I went looking for a recipe tonight. This is good - I have no idea if it tastes the same but I'm about to title this one "Steph's Quinoa Salad" in our family lore. LOL

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup (250 mL) quinoa
• 1 cup  (250 mL)  diced cucumber
• 1/2 tsp  (2 mL)  salt
• 1/2 cup  (125 mL)  diced red onion
• 2 large or 3 medium ripe avocados, diced
• 1 cup  (250 mL)  diced sweet green pepper
• 1/2 cup  (125 mL)  chopped fresh parsley
• Dressing: I use 1/2 of this - as I don't like my salad very "wet"
• 1/3 cup  (75 mL)  lemon juice
• 1/4 cup  (60 mL)  extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp  (30 mL)  red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp  (10 mL)  dried mint or 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano
• Few dashes hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 tsp  (1 mL)  salt
• Pinch pepper

Preparation

1. If not pre-rinsed, rinse quinoa in fine sieve under cold running water. In medium saucepan, bring to a boil with 1-1/2 cups/375 mL water. Reduce heat to medium; cover and simmer until water is absorbed, about 12 minutes. Fluff with fork. Let stand covered for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix cucumber with salt; let stand for 20 minutes. In separate bowl, soak onion in cold water for 20 minutes. Rinse cucumber under cold running water; drain onion.

3. For dressing, in small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, oil, vinegar, mint, hot sauce, salt and pepper.

4. In large bowl, combine quinoa, cucumber, onion, avocados, green pepper and parsley. Mix well with dressing.

Notes: This is more dressing than I will use in the future. I didn't have mint or oregano but had fresh basil and subbed it.  Not sure why all the soaking - I didn't do the full 20 min but will next time. Found this at Fresh Juice.  I'll be checking out more recipes here in the future. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We're Home

We are home.  The washing machine is humming, the trailer is ready to go back to storage and some of us are taking much needed showers.

I am looking forward to a SLOW week....June was crazy and here we are in July already. I need to safeguard time to make real connections with friends rather than racing from one project to the next.

It also dawns on me  we should be counting our summer school days now that we are in a state which cares about such matters. May as well get a head start on our upcoming year. ::Grin::

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Work Day

Yes, we ARE still in Crescent City - but today was a work day. Mom Mary wanted us to weed out the kitchen garden - she estimated 10 minutes to do the job. Oy vey - we should have taken a look at the spot last night. ::snort:: 

It was a pleasant surprise to find Krista's blog updated with stories of their Mexican adventure. Today was the first day we'd heard from the girls. I also got  a text from Joy, missionary to Mexico. They'd visited the orphanage today and said the three Gherkins were doing well. 

We began our day with the much anticipated camping breakfast: waffles, sausage, bacon and hash-browns. No - Michael and I did NOT eat all that grease  meat...but the kids sure enjoyed it. 

Over at Mom's we went to see what this quick kitchen garden job would entail - WELL - she wanted to come watch and so we FIRST had to cut a path through this area. I didn't take a photo first but there was no space between trees, blackberries and such....we made a path.

Blessed to be a blessing - she'll learn

Nolan started to work cutting branches that were touching the house...

The kitchen garden....um....this was made more difficult as Mom wanted Michael to be "selective" and not just go at it with the hedge trimmer....

Hours later - 4:00 p.m. to be exact....

This is evidently a mulberry tree - I always mulberries came on  bushes....it made a cave....but Nolan and I decided to cut it back....way back.....even though the wax-wings really like to eat the berries....

Michael helped with a stubborn branch....

LOOK - we discovered a RIVER behind the tree - and a neighbor too. 

Mom G was a good sport....I know she really didn't like having this many folks chopping away....but there needs to be much more....and we did get the kitchen garden done....

Michael turned us loose at 4 p.m. to go enjoy the river. It had been nearly torturous to work on such a bright sunny day with the river in sight. The cool water was soothing to all our cuts from blackberry and rose thorns! 

Michael took Stacia and I across the river in the boat. Arrow (neighbor's dog) loved playing and swimming with us. The boys swam over. Yuuki found herself stranded on the other side of the river and proceeded to whimper and howl. Nolan went to rescue her with the row boat, a kayaker stopped to try to help her too.

Our big swimming event was the loss of one of Stacia's teeth - not the one we really, really WANT to come out - but still - a loss.

The boys and Michael are spending the night on the beach. We helped them gather wood and delivered their sleeping bags, s'mores and hot dogs to the beach. Stacia and I are going to enjoy a girl's night in the trailer. We started with dinner....and I made her a s'more in the microwave....Hmmmm...she ate it - but I made another one....

This girl loves her s'mores! 

We're going to cuddle up and watch a movie on the laptop.....tomorrow we'll head home....we NEED to find a river near our home to visit....it makes the 100+ weather so much nicer to live in.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Beach Combing in Northern CA

We simply cannot believe the gorgeous, sunny weather for TWO days in a row! We woke up, had a bite of breakfast and headed for Crescent City. The beach was lovely. Fog  - but no wind - and warm. 

We started by Castle Rock

The only Sea Lion we saw all day

Castle Rock

The big takeaway for the girls and I at this spot - is to keep walking down the beach - eventually THERE WILL BE an easy access which doesn't require scrambling down rocks and through blackberry thorns.  We drove up to another access and explored the beach.

Mark of fun on the beach 

Our family is shrinking

 The tidal pools at this spot were fantastic...star fish, mussels, crabs, fish, coral, anemones and even an eel. Bre and I had a fun moment remembering an earlier trip when the older five were younger....all of a sudden Krista began screaming in the back of the car. Her shell was ALIVE and moving.  

Happy the weather was so nice for Dakota's first visit - though he did go home with a sunburn

At this point Michael drove up to the Battery Point Lighthouse and began walking back to us....we walked forward to Battery Point. We found each turned over rock had at least 30 crabs under it, there ARE tiny pieces of sea glass to be found for those who are patient enough to look, and we discovered the rocks can be slippery.

Our beach combers...

Michael is intrigued by this foundation on top of a rock

Michael caught me checking for messages- phone reception has been sketchy here and since I had four bars I wanted to see if any of the "other Gherkins" had checked in - thinking a lot about those in Mexico. 

Our next stop was the Chart Room. We had hoped to see Sea Lions, but it isn't the right time of the year. They were swamped. I got our name on the list and set down to enjoy the 40 - 50 minute wait. The rest went to explore the beach outside the restaurant.

I noted that those who came in before us were being sat. I checked to see how many more were in front of me. I'd been waiting 25 minutes. Our name was NOT on the list. I pointed this out - very nicely - with a smile - to the young gal working the front. She got mad. She pulled out scraps of paper to show my name was on none of them. I reminded her she had been creating her new chart when I signed in and had said she would put "Mike Party of 8" on the list. She obviously hadn't. I told her she had told me 40 - 50 minutes and I'd waited 25 so I didn't think it right she add our name to the bottom of the list. All this time I really was being polite - southern polite.

She then told me I was lying. That doesn't work well with me. I remained polite, though a bit tense at this point. Having sons who work in the industry, I knew I was wasting my time looking to her for a solution and she was just trying to cover her mistake.  I asked to see a manager and she told me there was none on duty. Um - holiday weekend - lines out the door and NO manager? I got her name and went to find Michael. I figured we'd eat somewhere else as the kids needed to get on the road and I'd call later - when they weren't busy to talk with the manager about having a front gal who makes a mistake, won't admit it and then accuses customers of lying in front of others - while herself lying that there was no manager in the building.

I found Michael and told him they'd not written our name down and it would be another 40 - 50 minutes. Um....he is tall, and can scowl...and brought the power of the unibrow to the discussion.  He also was NOT rude. He asked to talk to the manager. She told him there wasn't one. He responded he was sure there WAS a manager. We were led to the manager. We explained. We didn't want to be seated immediately - we only wanted her to know that the gal up front was not handing the situation in a pleasant way and we shouldn't be told we'd have to start all over and that we were lying. The manager sat us at a table that was ready to go for 9. I felt TERRIBLE that those people then had to wait.....but I noted they also gave the gal a break and I think she really needed one. The manager understood. We told her again we weren't angling for an immediate table.  When they sat us we called the others and told them to get back NOW....so they arrived winded but in time to order and get on with the day.

After lunch we ran by Mom Mary's so BreZaak could say goodbye. We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting and enjoying the river.  We caught a few of Mom Mary's stories on video.

We ended the night - once again with our shrinking immediate family - at the campsite, reading Patrick McManus around the fire, eating s'mores....even found some WHITE Reeses. We were blessed that BreZaak met us down here - and that Dakota was able to come as well! I think we fit as much family fun as possible into the 24 hours.

I'm doing my best to honor my commitment to LIVE LIFE FULLY PRESENT this summer. We've unplugged. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...