Time Flies

When you're having fun.  Or not.  It's been a busy few months, filled with some good things as well as some not-so-good things.  Let's talk about the good things first, shall we?

Lots of baseball.  Games, practices, laundry.  It's where we spend most of our time right now.  I knit, the kids play.  The weather has been kind to us this spring.

Driving practice.  Crossing our fingers that Madeline will pass her driving test next week.  Did you know that you have to take and pass a written exam before you can even schedule your driving test?  And then you have to wait several weeks, if not months, for an opening at a DMV that offers the test.  Except in Baker City.  You can take your test there anytime.  Really.

Madeline has started a new, "real" job. She is working at the local pharmacy.  She is hoping to save up some money, travel, and take a few classes at the community college in the fall.

Planning, expanding, and planting the garden.  Just about my favorite thing to do.  And tossing around the idea of keeping cows. Thinking about planting new fruit trees too.  I'm like a farm(ish) girl.

And now, the not-so-good stuff:

Family health issues.  Bill's dad was diagnosed with cancer.  (He's responding well to the treatment.  So well, in fact, that his personality has reemerged, unscathed)  Bill is recovering from a yet-to-be-determined illness that caused a frightening series of heart arrhythmia.  Lots of tests and doctor's visits after spending several days in the hospital.  This is especially hard for someone like him who has never been unwell.

Brand new plumbing in the house.  Maybe this should be classified in the "good" section.  It IS lovely to have fully-functioning pipes.  Paying for it was, however, painful.

A misbehaving well that will probably continue to misbehave.  Also not a fun way to spend money.  Why can't I ever spend it on something fun or extravagant like a trip to Disneyland or a new car?! Maybe even just a new bike?

There's probably more, both good and bad, that I could share, but this gives an accurate representation of what we've been doing.  I'm afraid if I give too many more "good" examples people will be crazy with jealousy to have my life.  And conversely, if I give too many "bad" examples people will pity me and arrange for my transport to a "safe place."  

But in the end, it's all good.

Linn County Pioneer Museum

     Yesterday afternoon we embarked on an adventure.  This time we headed south (but only after stopping in Lyons for driving treats) to Brownsville to visit the Linn County Pioneer Museum.  Here's the link:

http://www.linnparks.com/pages/museums/historymuseum.html

     The weather was warm and sunny and there were lambs by the hundreds in the fields along the route.  We only sighted one bald eagle this journey.  Sort of a let down from the 8 we saw last year about this time.  I would love to visit Brownsville another day and enjoy a bit of antique and yarn store shopping.  Probably without Sarah.

 The original seat from the Brownsville train depot.  See Grandpa in the background?  Grandpa and Grandma Jacoby met us for the tour.  

 A genuine covered wagon that made the trip across the Oregon Trail.  One of 3 originals still in existence.

 Hmmm.  Looks a little familiar.  

Sarah liked this perambulator.

This was a model wagon that kids could pretend to pack.  Sarah played with this for a long time.  

     This is definitely worth the trip, though little kids won't be too entertained by the museum.  I think we all came away with some new knowledge about Linn County.  After all, isn't that what museums are for?

Silver Creek Falls

Is that what it's actually called?  Or is it just "Silver Falls"?  Hmmm.  I need to check into that.  Either way, we headed up to the park last week, with Grandma Pennick acting as chaperon, to enjoy the beautiful weather.  I'm sure I hadn't walked the falls since Jon was a baby.  It was a good day for an adventure.

 First view of the falls.  I am loving the new (don't know how new they actually are as I haven't seen them before) fence/barricade.  Feels much safer.

 Under the falls.

 In a "cave" of sorts.

 Just before the foot bridge.  Funny side note:  There was a warning sign and a temporary barricade that we walked over to get to this point and Jon was certain we would all perish or be arrested for ignoring the warning.  He's rather uptight.

 Jack walking over a fallen log, across the creek.  Crazy.

 A "castle" made from an old stump.  

 Just a pretty, little spring on the side of the hill.

Evidently Sarah did not win the race.  That would explain the face.

After the park, we drove on to Silverton to check out the chocolate store.  Here's a link:

http://www.silvertonchocolateboxshop.com/

Oh. My. Heavens.  This place is amazing!  After nibbling on some treats, we wandered into a few shops, got a coffee, then headed to.......

McDonalds!  

That was the hit of the day for the kids.  

Granola

 Here's the recipe.  The friend (and neighbor, I might happily add) I got this from is amazing, people.  Just last week she tracked an elk (uphill, through the woods), made the kill, gutted and hung the darn thing, then processed it herself.  Oh, and did I forget to tell you that she's 22 weeks pregnant?  And a Mama.  And a teacher.  And an amazing cook.  There is nothing this gal cannot do.  She's my hero.

Do yourself a favor and make it.  I added some extra cranberries, unsweetened coconut, and cinnamon to my batch.  I also substituted raw honey for the maple syrup.  While it was baking, my house smelled so good.

The Flu

And what we've done with it this past week.

Jon, then Sarah, then me.  Then Jack.  Now Madeline, though she seems to be getting off easier than the rest of us.  It starts with a day of feeling tired, proceeds into chest congestion, moves on to 24-36 hours of a 102 degree fever with horrible aches and chills, then ends in general malaise, coughing, and cold symptoms.  I've been sicker before, but not in many years.

We spent lots of time watching Netflix.  Too much time, probably.  I think I cruised through 26 episodes of Ugly Betty in 3 days.  I couldn't sleep at night so I just watched TV.  Have you watched that show?  It's funny.  No one seems particularly hungry so cooking (or lack of it) hasn't been an issue.  Fudgesicles, oyster crackers, and toast.  Oh, and lots of tea.

I did have to run to town on Friday morning for a Dr. appt. and to pick up a few groceries.  Don't worry, I only shopped at Winco and I figure after 4 days without the fever I was still probably healthier than most of the people there.  I used my hand sanitizer before I touched the cart (you're welcome) as well as after.

Funny thing:  After seeing all the hype on the news and in the papers about this "deadly flu season" I called our local Dr. and asked if they'd like us to come in and be tested for the flu in order to help with the CDC's tracking of this year's strain.  I was trying to be a good citizen.  I was basically told to toughen up, drink plenty of water, and leave the office alone.  So much for trying to help.

Hopefully we'll be ready to venture out into the world again this week.  The little kids were excited to start swimming lessons last week but had to put it off until now.  If the rain subsides I believe there will be plenty of outside time too.  We're all a bit stir crazy by now.

New Year, New Crap.

My washing machine is dead/dying.  The plumbing in my house is becoming questionable, at best. So is the septic tank and drain field.  The water that comes out of my well looks like milk.  My car is quickly nearing the 200,000 mile mark and has an unidentifiable oil leak.  My thyroid is still out of whack.  My kids are not perfect. My chickens have lost their feathers and are no longer laying eggs.  There is an old, rotten tree that leans precariously over the garage.  I think there are mice in the attic.  And probably bats, too.  I just spent $506 to replace a cracked filling (the day before Christmas.  Ho, ho, ho.).  I spent 2/12 hours on hold on the phone today and never did get my questions answered.  My dog eats other animal's poop like it's a delicacy.  There is never enough food in my house, or so I'm told.

After reading all of that, don't you feel better about your life?

Some people make resolutions for the new year.  I don't.  Instead, I like to chose a word that best expresses my goals for the upcoming year and offers inspiration as well.  This year I have chosen a few words to consider:
1.  Why?
2.  Seriously?
3.  Poop.
4.  Now what?  ( I know this is more than 1 word, but a small phrase is appropriate too)
5.  This sucks.  (See note on #4)

Seriously, though, my word for 2014 is "hope."  But it's my prerogative to change it if I see fit.

Here's a picture:

 I think that Sarah is biting Jon and Jon is trying to choke Sarah.  Good times.

Jon's bomb.  Found in the field across from the house.  Really.

Cider Party!

We invited friends and family for a cider making party.  Hot dogs for dinner and s'mores for dessert.  A clear night and a warm fire.  The best kind of Autumn celebration.