Halloween

I know this is late and out of order,but here are our Halloween costumes. Bub was Brobee, the little green one, from Yo Gabba Gabba. Soder was Mr. Clean and I was a dust bunny. I was originally going to be Mrs. Clean and wear a bald cap, but when I put it on instead of looking bald I looked more like a condom head, which I thought was not the best look for me! So my dust bunny costume took me, literally 30 minutes to do. I was way proud of myself an very happy to get to eat my hair that much! I loved it!

You can take the girl out of the ghetto....

Ok, so I am not really from a ghetto, at least not the typical kind. I was raised in a small town in Utah that has 2 stop lights and one grocery store. It was on the wrong side of the freeway when it came to high school, so I like to think I came from a Utah- ghetto. I am actually proud that my family was resourceful (I think that is ghetto talk for economically challenged.) We weren't poor, but we weren't rolling in money. When things broke we fixed them, or let me rephrase, my dad fixed them or jerry-rigged them to work again. My dad was so good at repairing things that during my life at home (roughly 22 years) we had ONE vacuum and only two lawn mowers.(when we bought the second lawnmower we actually all stood around it and got a picture with it, like it was a new car.) That is what I have inherited. I love to jerry-rig things to work, especially if it saves me money or I can get a SCREAMING deal on it. (I hate to pay for things to be fixed, seriously it is one of my biggest pet peeves.)

When I found that I loved to take walks with the baby and the dogs, I also realized that there was a certain weather phenomenon that happens up here all the time, rain. I went online and looked for a rain cover for the stroller and to my shock, they wanted almost $50 bucks for it. I found the stroller/car seat on sale for around $100 buck so I was NOT going to spend half the original cost for a piece of plastic to keep it dry. I would sooner use a garbage sack to keep the baby dry. Since I didn't really want to look like a hillbilly with a hefty sack as a rain tarp, I decided to go look at a local gently-used kid store to see what they had. They didn't have many choices, but one of them that I figured would work was a mere $3. I figured for that price I could either make it work or it wouldn't be that big of a financial risk if it didn't.

Today, I got it out and hooked it up to the stroller. Why yes, those are pipe cleaners holding it on. And yes it did it's job and only looked a little hokey. And yes, my dad would be proud!

Soder's big adventure.

Catch of the day

My husband isn't the most sporty of men. He would prefer a day of video gaming to hunting. I have never known him to join any actual sporting event, such as a basketball game or softball game. I fear that he isn't very inclined to play or participate in most active things. But on Sunday, he had the option to go and enjoy a day of fishing with my brother-in-law and Dad. They had a great time, even though they only brought home one fish. (my dad was the lucky fisherman.) It looked like a great time. Definitely a lot of testosterone was on that boat.

Father's Day Celebration, belated

This weekend our adventures took a busy turn. We started out at the XXX Burger joints Chevy only car show. (I am a Chevy girl through and through and told Travis that this cute little 1960 red corvette would be a great gift for his wife when we make our millions.) It was a beautiful day and just the right temperature to meander around the cars. My dad was in town (along with my mother, of course) and he loves car shows. He has been a mechanic for the last about 40 years or so, and he loves to look at his craft. I have been drug all over the western United States and have seen all sorts of car shows. I used to hate going to them but now I find that I actually enjoy walking around and seeing all the beautiful cars that the owners have taken such good care of.
After the car show, we took my dad to Dick's Burgers. (seriously the best burger joint around and the best value.) We then headed to the Center for Wooden Boats. It was fun, but I wouldn't classify it as an actual museum. It was kinda just about 8 boats in the water with plaques explaining what they were.
After that we took a short drive around Lake Union to my favorite, Gas Works Park. My dad loved it there because you could watch all the boats and water planes landing. I think he would have stayed there all afternoon. (I know I would have been happy to if only the wind was a little less and my baby was a little more tired.)
It was a great day to celebrate our "Father's day" with my dad. I think he had a great time and we got to see a bunch of stuff we haven't seen yet. Happy Father's day Dad! (even though there is no way he will ever even see this post... he only knows how to find Bejeweled on the internet.) :)

The truth comes out....

For years, my dad was a mechanic in his own business. (he sold his building in 2003 and has been semi-retired ever since). One of his good friend/old customers came across a couple of reviews for his business.  They were on the website for the NPR show, Cartalk, under their Mechanic's File. On that page, they have recommendations for "great, honest, hard-working mechanics."  I am so proud of him and the business reputation he created for himself over the years. Way to go, Dad! (oh and by the way, I am happy about the fact that someone else witnessed the fact that my dad wasn't happy about fixing my car!) :) 

Actual Quotes from the reviews: 

Moto, the only mechanic working at Moto's Car Care, is the only man I know who will not only help you when you call him at home on the weekend, he does it with a smile and a cheerful laugh (unless of course you are his daughter, then the laugh sounds a little bit more like a grumble!) He is the only person I know who will take you under his wing and make you feel welcome in his shop (there are about 5-6 older retired gentlemen who happen to be his better friend. They hang out at coffee and they go out to lunch.) He is not someone who will rip you off, (I know this because his favorite motto is What goes around comes around!) Everyone thinks that he is the greatest there is (even the local paper, The Standard Examiner, said so if you don't believe me!)

--reviewer #26626, 2001

I hate getting my car repaired. In the past I have come away with the vague feeling that I got taken advantage of because of my ignorance. Not so with Moto. He is extremely honest, once simply tightening a loose bolt for me when that was all that was wrong. (No charge of course.) I have no hesitation in recommending his shop. My only complaint is that he does not (ironically enough) work on Japanese cars.

--reviewer #28377, 2001

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday, Dad.  Thanks for all that you do for us through the year! I hope you have a great day. Thanks for always making us laugh and keeping us in line at the same time!  We love you! :)