FLOODING IS WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING

around our parts.

Bus photo from Statesman Journal

This school bus was on it's way to our middle school. Luckily, there were no injuries.

Our house is fine but we had flood waters 6 feet from our shop and that was super scary. Thankfully, the waters receded from that part of town and we didn't have to sandbag. But unfortunately, people we know are affected from this flood and it's heartbreaking to see reports on the news. Please keep everyone in your prayers!

TOOTH-ACHE /ˈto͞oTHˌāk/

Noun: An aching pain in or near a tooth.
A resident at our lair is hurting. Thankfully, it will be over shortly.

I'M NOT MENTIONING ANY NAMES,

but someone is sad that it isn't his birthday.It's hard being three.

OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN MOURNING

the loss of Jeff. A husband, father, son, uncle, cousin, grandson and nephew to a family who loved him dearly and misses him.
There have been many tears, hugs, sleepless nights and through reminiscing we have found glimpses of smiles and even laughter. There are never ending stories of this great man who loved his family, life, joking and teasing.
Over 1000 people came to pay their respects at his viewing Sunday evening and it was an amazing sight to see how many lives he had touched in only 44 years.
Monday there was a beautiful, touching memorial service and he was buried by the snowy mountains he loved.

Jeffrey Cole Young

1966-2011

We love and miss you Jeff.

Until we meet again.

I KNOW I'M GETTING OLDER BUT

in my mind, I'm still young and still invincible. Tragedies happen to others. Not our family. The deaths I have experienced have been with grandparents, and albeit sad, they were old and can be justified.
When I was 17 I lived with my aunt, uncle and cousins. They are my second family. They are not my aunt and uncle, they are my other mom and dad. My cousins are my brothers and sister.
Tuesday I got the worst phone call of my life. One I thought I wouldn't hear until we were "old". My cousin is only 44 and had a heart attack at work. He is leaving behind a gorgeous wife and four beautiful/handsome children. He loved his family so much, was a hard worker, loved to hunt, loved life, had the funniest goofy laugh that you just couldn't help yourself to laugh with him and was the king of teasers. 44 is too young to be called back home.
I know we believe families are forever and I know we will all see him again but the pain in my heart is so painful, I'm wondering 'why?' and my heart is breaking for his wife and children, his mother and father, brother and sister. They were all best friends.
I'll be with them soon, to hug them and cry with them. I wish I could take away the ache and pain of torn hearts.
Hug your family tight. Tell them you love them. We forget we are not invincible.

EMAILS

I'm behind. Really behind.
Oh dear.

14 DAYS OF LOVE - DAY 11

This day was a bust for the 14 Days of Love. I made some yummy morsels for the grandparents but I accidentally burnt them.

Mr. LaLa has that nasty achy cold going around. The wee-est has it too. So sad.

We tried a new recipe tonight for dinner and it was fun cooking together. A hummus, falafel pita with cucumbers and tomatoes. When I make it again, I'll take a photo of it's deliciousness.

Tomorrow, I'm going to ace the grandparent treat.

IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ME

I've been a resident in Loserville and I keep thinking I'm going to move.
I haven't but I'm working on it. I'll have moved on by NEXT Christmas and my list will read:
*Family photo - check
*Christmas cards - check
*Sweet treats for friends and neighbors - check & check
*Christmas shopping done before Christmas Eve - check
*Laura has her groove - check

DON'T JUDGE ME

Never mind, go ahead and judge.
Have you ever had your heart drop in your stomach when you came to a realization?
That's what happened to me last night and I'm so depressed!
I was thinking how happy I am that we are finally getting a Trader Joe's in town. That's when it happened. My heart in stomach, so sad for me realization was that I can no longer eat my very favorite item they sell due to my newly developed allergic reaction.

photo via ambrosialove

It's a sad, sad day for me and my taste buds.
And so sad that food puts me into a depression. It's okay to judge that, I know it's ridiculous.

DEATH IS DIFFICULT

and when it's unexpected it's even more so. I can't even imagine.

Larry and I went to a memorial service today. An incredibly beautiful service where the chapel was overflowing with people who had come to show their respect and support for the family.

Bear Lake, Summer 2008

My heart is breaking for my dear friends and their family.
I admire their strength during this very difficult time.

SOMEONE IS LUCKY HE'S CUTE...

Thank heavens for Magic Eraser for the walls and baseboard - the couch on the other hand, we're still working on it....

OUCH!!

He's okay, just sore, scratched and swollen... The moral of the story is: while helping move and tear things down at the barn, if you decide to jump through a paint booth wall.....DON'T TRIP.
PS - Do you think that would have happened with mom there?
Probably so, and we'd have captured the trip and fall.....

SOMETIMES OWNING YOUR OWN

business is great and sometimes it's the pits....
Dear tear ducts,
I wish I had control over you.

Dear DQ,
When you see me, please refuse my service. My hips and chubby cheeks thank you in advance.

Dear City,
I'm really a.n.g.r.y. and frustrated with you. You're lucky I'm not the Incredible Hulk or you'd be in big trouble.

Dear silver lining,
Please appear soon.

SOME OF MY MAN CLAN

and I got crazy splotchy, inconsistent sunburns due to expired sunscreen....
Boo hoo for us.
That will never happen again....

I'M MOURNING

the loss of my little camera.
I dropped it yesterday and it didn't survive.
It had survived worse tumbles but this one was apparently too much.
Boo hoo for me....

IT'S A SAD DAY IN OREGON

for small businesses. Unfortunately ANOTHER tax increase was passed....

Image found here

It's not easy being self employed and getting more and more difficult.....