Riley and Homeward Bound

Kari had told me on Thursday that she and Riley were staying home. She with her healing "bump" and Riley with a cold. Well Riley couldn't breathe well Thursday night and it scared her. She had him at the clinic first thing. They drew blood, took x rays, have him a breathing treatment, and an EKG. They thought he might have too many problems breathing because of his tonsils being large. Kids die mostly from breathing problems or injury. So they were very careful with Riley. He came home with us but with the breathing machine and medicines. All night I was checking him. Kari was checking him and Dave was checking him. He did really good considering we had 7 hours of being at the clinic sitting and waiting. And the next day the doctor rechecked him and said he was doing fine.

We have an appointment on Tuesday to have them look at his tonsils. My guess is he will have to have them out soon. And here we going to Cali in a few weeks. But we will see. Please keep him in your prayers.

Sun - Day Two

On Tuesday Lindsey and I arrived in Yakima. Yesterday we spent most of the day in sessions at the conference. It is a conference for the WA state community college student service employees. It happens every three years and not always in the same city, of course.

Yakima is on the east side of the mountains and therefore doesn't have the clouds and rain as the west side does. The Cascade Mountains keep the clouds over us. It is much like the higher desert in So. Cali where it does get snow in the winter. There is a sign that says "Welcome to Yakima, The Palm Springs of Washington". It is more like the Apple Valley of Washington but it has sunshine at this time of year which is a Godsend to those from the west side. There are many wineries to explore like there were in California before the houses and malls went up in the Inland Empire and other places.

On one of our breaks yesterday, Lindsey and I explored some downtown shops and bought some wine. I bought a white wine from Waterbrook. Since I am writing this from my blackberry I can't refer you to the website. But all the wines in the shop were from Washington. I am not a big wine drinker but I love the vineyards and learning. I will drink small amounts but will let Dave or my company have most of it. I decided long ago with my family's history to be very modest in drinking so I am a lightweight. For others, it's ok. It's like sugar for diabetics. I am not but I have a history of that too in my family,so again, being careful is wise. I'll eat the small half of a slice of cake and not the rest. I don't feel left out from anything that way.

The coordinator's of the conference felt we all needed to laugh so the hired a comedian and for an hour we really laughed hard. He was great!

Lindsey is taking her shower while I type this out on my phone. She is impressed that I can do this. She is 24 and to impress a young person with my knowledge of technology is high praise.

Talk to you when I get back on the west side. Have a good day!

Yakima or Bust

Lindsey and I left for Yakima at 2:30pm. We had to get over the pass, drop off a key to her brother in Ellensberg, and check in the hotel. A welcome speaker was at 7pm at the convention center right across the street. We walked into the lobby and there was many employees from our college there checking in. We had no idea that so many would be here too.

We headed out for dinner hoping to find a Mexican food place but ended up at The Olive Garden. We missed a speaker on wine since Yakima has many wineries. It reminds me of Southern California. It is desert with warmer weather in the spring, summer, and fall. Have you ever heard it rains a lot in Seattle? Well, it's true. So one quick way to get sun is go to the "East" side of the mountains.

Today we have workshops all day. Have a good day yourselves.

Summer Fairs Planning, Kari and The Boys, and Yakima

Road Trip?

A lot of the day was spent in planning events that will take place at the end of this month, next month, and the summer. We are planning for prospective students for the fall. Yes, the fall. I know that the weather hasn't been cooperating bringing in spring. However, my job is much like a farmer. I plant the "seeds" which are what college has for someone and why they might choose the college I work for and then in time they come to college (which is the harvest). A lot of what we do far before fall ever gets here is how well we do getting the "word out" and the number of students we might bring in the fall. I am a promote, encourage, give guidance, and a tug but I never force a person into something that they may not want (which would be a shove).

Today we spend time looking at the summer fairs we will be attending in the communities around us. Each of the cities have a summer fair. They are each called something different but they all in the word "Days". And the grand finale is the Puyallup Fair which is the big fair in the area that lasts for 3 weeks. By the time all of those are finished, I am tired of summer fairs.
What is hard about it is that they take up some valuable weekends in the summer. I believe in planning so that one doesn't feel too bad about the days we have to work on the weekend. I will get to have days off during the week which is always nice too.

Kari has a very big boil in a very tender place (yes, down there). She went to the doctor yesterday but they only gave her some ointment and sent her home. But it grow more over night and today she could hardly walk and was in so much pain. She went to another clinic and they lanced it and packed it because it still has to drain. She is on pain killers because it is so painful. Which means, she is in bed and can't drive today. So, I went to get the boys and took them home with me so Kari can rest. Hopefully she will be much better tomorrow.

I got Riley in the bath while Brady ate some dinner; then I switch. Brady is in the bath while Riley eats dinner. In this house I can see them both at the same time. Brady must be tired because he went to bed without any fuss. Riley is in the next room with his PaPa (Dave) watching American Idol. I will be there shortly.

I will be going over to Yakima tomorrow probably. I am not sure because of Kari's situation but I think it will be OK. After a good night, she is to go back to the doctor to see if there is any staph infection but hopefully all will be much better. If I do get to Yakima tomorrow evening, I will only be posting by my phone. But I can see your comments.

Have a good Thursday! and if you would, send up a prayer for Kari. Thanks

New Glasses and My Version of Rissoles

My Version of Rissoles

Today I had to go have an eye exam. It has almost been three years since I last went to have an eye exam. But since Brady grabbed my glasses and broke the frames the other day, who needs a sign to know that an eye exam is in order. Mostly they are fun... like playing a game. But then it gets hard when I am trying to pick between "#1 or #2". You know what I mean? I feel like if I pick wrong I will fail and get some glasses that I am stuck with for two years. There is the puff of air in both eyes and also the drops that dilates your eyes and causes everything to look strange for hours afterwards. All and all, as far as exams go, this one isn't too bad.

I then went downstairs to pick out my glasses... not knowing what is the "cute" factor these days. So I had this younger woman that works there help me out. She claimed that I could wear many styles but I don't know... I guess so. I finished choosing some frames faster than I thought I would and I am actually looking forward to getting them next week. I don't know if they have the "cute" factor but when I think about the glasses over the years that I have worn (like the big ones in the 80's), I couldn't have done that bad at choosing something that memorable.

I decided to try to make my version of Julie's Rissoles. So I went to the store and bought all the ingredients to bring home. To me, the Rissoles I made seemed like a cross between a hamburger patty and meat loaf. I added onion, carrots, and green pepper. I created the balls and rolled them in bread crumbs. I think they tasted great and so did my family. They think it is a new taste sensation! And I think it tastes great with ketchup too! (I hope that comment didn't offend anyone from Australia. That was a compliment.)

Have a great Tuesday!

Facebook-Church-And the Movies

Sunday was a lowkey day. The other day at the meeting we were talking about who was on Facebook. I discovered that many of my consortium coworkers are online now (and they are my age). I had made a profile but had not done much learning about it since that day. I have been a bit more interested in blogging and figuring that all out.

I had come across Darylynn's blog when I was homesick one day. I wasn't really looking for a blog or anything. I just started to read about someone my age that lived where I had come from. It was winter so I was a little blue and her posts would make me feel not so homesick. I then noticed the comments that everyone was leaving and the connections they were making. This was all new to me. I had no idea that social communication from all over the world was happening.

No sooner did we update our computer, Aaron came home and had an assignment of creating a blog on Blogger for his English class. They were to do all their assignments there... the whole class. Of course, I became interested. I had just read that Denise had changed over to Blogger. I had Aaron show me what to do and I have been learning ever since.

Yesterday church was really great and I am going to read a chapter of Ephesians each day this week. There are only 6 chapters so that will work out nicely.

Dave and I went to see "Leatherheads" yesterday with George Clooney and Renee Zellweger which was a fun movie. I don't know if it got great reviews here. I guess in Syndey Morning Herald it didn't fair so well.

Have a great week... Happy Monday!

Renee's Baby Shower

Girls that we know that are other representatives of other colleges.

Renee looking at Diaper Cake from Jamie.

Trina, Ruthie, and Lindsey (who I work with).


Cupcakes... Yummy!

The Centerpiece below

The gifts: