The siding project

When we bought this house 2 years ago, we knew the siding was "marginal" and that it would have to be replaced. This is the summer for that project. It's ironic, or we're gluttons for punishment, because this is the second siding project we've had to have done. In our Lynnwood townhouse we had an ASSessment (meaning, required to pay) to fix the defective siding installed by the builder of the condos/townhomes. We learned the hard way to never buy a townhome. Benefit from our mistake and just don't even think about buying from Sundquist or anything built by them, unless you want to get repeatedly *bleeped* up the *bleep*hole. Anyway. I guess this is pretty common of townhomes and condos, unfortunately.

Our current home has Weyerhauser siding, which is downright a defective product. It seriously flakes off in layers. Louisiana Pacific built a similar product and had a class-action lawsuit filed against them about 15 years ago. Weyerhauser company learned from those lawsuits and rallied a bunch of protection so they didn't get sued (I think, I don't quite understand it). So even though our house has defective siding, the previous owners couldn't (or just didn't) get any compensation to fix the siding. We knew this going into buying this house, and it's a good investment so it's easier to swallow than the snake pit situation we were in a few years ago.

So here's what's going on so far.

Day 1- Scrap container and Honey Bucket delivered. Also the siding and materials were delivered, apparently to someone named "Abbie Gerlock." She doesn't live here, sorry. They ripped out the deck walls which used to be solid.





Day 2- Finished deck! They added rails and slats. We will hopefully use the deck more often now!



Day 3 (day 1 of siding repairs)- Almost the whole back of the house is done! A bit of dry rot was found and repaired. The shed that had been added on looks skeletal but was done by the end of the day. We love that there's no more blue!



Dry rot See how the old siding is all layered? The project manager said it's like cardboard.




The new-looking wood square under the vent is where they repaired the dry-rot areas.

Same here, new wood under the window. In the dry rotted area the plywood easily flaked away. They said it was because of the bad caulking under the window. This is the kitchen window.




It's been an exciting and noisy week so far. The kids are fascinated with "the siding guys" and like to wave through the windows.

Bonus video (because you know you want it)! She makes car noises!

Latest Shoreline blog

Check it out here!

Bonus photos from some fun stuff we've been doing!

Library Carnival with friend Fiona

Everett Children's museum

My working husband

Bill never stops working. After a long day at work, he stops on the way home to get paint at Home Depot, then paints an entire room in one evening. He thoughtfully chooses what to do and how to do it. Here are the latest projects, the mud room and the new office.

The mud room during...
The mud room after!


The office after!


There are no "office during" pictures posted because Bill wouldn't want them broadcasted to the world. Sorry!

Holy Yummy Fish Tacos Batman!

I quickly wanted to share an amazing recipe with ya'll. I've made this a few times in the last month and it's so awesome! Check it out here. We usually skip the deep-frying to save on calories and time. Tomatoes are a yummy addition, as would be avocado or onion if you're into that sorta thing. Serve with Heidi's potato fries, a side salad and you're golden!

Fries- peel and slice sweet, red, or russet potatoes into sticks, then toss with olive oil (for lower fat just spray a tiny bit of oil on the cookie sheet, then spread out the sweet potatoes, and spray again on the tops - a small amount is enough), and sprinkle with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, rosemary and thyme. When they come out of the oven I usually sprinkle again with kosher salt for a little salty crunch.

Today we did something that I've been dreading for 3 and a half years. But it was time. We got Caley's hair cut. I was tempted to do it myself, but for a first-timer that probably wouldn't have been the best idea. So we left it to the professionals and Caley was a super champ at the salon. She sat so nicely and calmly, even after waiting 30 minutes for her appointment. The hair cut looks great!

Jewel eye forth part wun

I wonder if the majority of Americans celebrate the 4th of July the same way every year (get together with family, go to the same fireworks show, etc) or change it up every year. We fall into the "we have no clue" category, and usually plan our 4th ON the 4th. We went to a parade in Bothell, and here are a few shots:








More to come in "part too", where we hang out with family and friends on a boat in Lake Union for the fireworks!

Composing Compost

I just had to throw away almost a dozen eggs (because one broke on the bottom layer of the Costco 5 dozen pack and goobered all over the others and made them stick to the paper and they broke when I tried to take them out) and I'm not even mad. That's because I threw them away in my new compost can! The whole deal with groceries and gas (and everything!) getting more expensive has made me think of ways to cut corners a bit and do things the way people used to. So I'm going to get the garden ready to grow vegetables for next year. This summer I'm focusing on making the soil super healthy and planning what vegetables would work best.


So this week I went to Walmart and got some trash cans and a small flip top garbage can for under the sink scraps. I drilled some holes in the big cans and layered lawn clippings, garden soil and kitchen scraps and stirred it up and watered it. This whole week I've looked forward to cutting up or peeling vegetables and putting the scraps in the can under the sink. I'm such a nerd! I was even excited that I got to throw the dozen eggs in the can. Hopefully it will work and we'll have bunches of tasty vegetables in the spring and summer next year.

We're Golden

Ecclesiastes 9:9 "Enjoy life with your wife, all the days of this meaningless life."


We've been married for 6 years. 6 years on July 6th means we're golden. Hopefully we'll be able to celebrate our actual golden anniversary in 44 more years! Bill pulled a fast one and stealthily planned a night at The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, Oregon to celebrate. I grew up in Astoria, but spent very little time in Cannon Beach so it was fun to be a tourist for a bit. I never understood the draw of Cannon Beach until now! Beautiful views, cute town, so romantic! Pictures to come. We had a very relaxing time, and although I didn't have to get up to take Caley potty or nurse Amelia, I still woke up at 4am a little disoriented. Thanks to Mom and Dad Bales for watching the girls! We hope you are caught up on sleep by now!

my SUPERSTAR wife

Ok, she's a superstar regardless, but last night she totally blew me outta the water. She went running last night and came back 90 some odd minutes later and had run 8.3 miles!!!!! I'm talking Mukilteo hills running. Addie, that's amazing.

I'm not worthy!!!!!!

Graduation

Last Thursday was Caley's playgroup "graduation." I feel silly calling it that, because it's not really graduation as much as just a time to hang out with awesome friends and celebrate the last year of learning. Playgroup started almost two years ago when I suggested to some friends that we start some kind of preschool group for our kids, most of whom were only 18 months. Actually the youngest at the time, Lenora, had just turned 12 months. I had just graduated (haha!) from the Master's program and all the preschool curriculum stuff I'd learned was fresh in my mind, and I didn't want to let all that learnin' go to waste being a stay at home mom. I can't believe I thought it would go to waste! Even without playgroup, I've used what I learned in school more than I thought just having kids. I guess that just shows some areas I've struggled with and where God is growing me. But I digress...

Anyway, we had the first playgroup in September of 2006, with about 7-8 moms and their kids. The theme was transportation and I put tape on the floor for circle time and with great detail planned out circle and small group. It was pretty fun! And since then it's grown into something great. The moms took turns planning and leading the activities this year and did a fantastic job! We covered topics from food to transportation to jobs. We met at my house about once a month which made me enjoy it so much more, just being a participant. Less stress is always best. :) We learned Bible memory verses and it was a nice break to hang out with friends.

Next year it will likely look quite different because the kids are getting older and several are attending preschool and generally lives are getting busier. I'm excited though to have had this year of learning and look forward to what this group becomes. So here's to playgroup! Thanks everyone! I love you!


Here's what playgroup looks like at our house, during "free choice." Caley likes to choose to pretend to be 15 and at the mall looking at boys with her friend Fiona.

Naptime?

Sometimes I think that Caley doesn't need an afternoon nap anymore, but then this happens in the evening while watching a movie.

Pray for Oprah!

Okay, that's a weird title, but it's true! We should pray for Oprah, that she would see the real truth about Jesus. Oprah calls herself a Christian, but is mistaken about who the real Christ is, what He did and why he did it. She does not believe that Jesus came to die for our sins because we needed him to, but that he came as an example for us. She is, in essence, the pastor of one of the largest churches in America! So many people follow her and her beliefs. I occasionally watch her show, and am in no way saying people shouldn't, but it makes me sad watching it, because she is so lost and needs Jesus just as much as the next person. My women's bible study was discussing this lately, and how cool would it be if Oprah followed Christ and all of her loyal followers in turn did the same. She has so much power in the media, and people really listen to her. It's not an unreasonable request--look at what Jesus did to Paul who was like the Oprah of his time. Saul became Paul, maybe Oprah can be Orpah, her original name? Maybe that's a stretch but it'd still be cool.
On a similar note, how awesome would it be if we all prayed for people in power, like actors, newscasters, presidential candidates regardless of party affiliation? Nothing is going to change in the world, there will be sin until Jesus returns, but it can't hurt to pray to help more people see and know Jesus!

A few years ago when the tv show Friends was winding down, I wondered how it would end. The series is my favorite sitcom, but it's bittersweet because the six Friends are non-believers and the storylines aren't righteous and God-honoring. Monica and Chandler live together before marriage, Rachel and Ross have a child outside marriage, there's a lesbian wedding...not that if people do these things they can't be believers and God can't work in their life, I'm just saying that this is not what I want to model my life after because Christ isn't their focus. But how amazing would it have been if toward the end of the series the writers had come to know Jesus and began writing the characters in that light? If Rachel and Ross had come to know Jesus and gotten married, if Monica and Chandler had turned to Christ, if Phoebe and Joey had done the same and began living their lives the way Christ had lived His? When the final episode of Friends aired, I held out hope that this would be the way they'd go, but I was wrong. But...what if? Sometimes when watching Friends for the bajillionth time while I'm making dinner I feel burdened to pray for this actors and others involved. They are God's children too and He loves them.

Just a thought, can't hurt right?
Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God."

Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day and after church (GREAT sermon, not that they're ever bad!) we headed up to Lynden for some good old fashioned Gerlach BBQ and hang out time. And Minako got to see what American family life is like when 10 kids ages 5 and under are running around!
I kind of dropped the ball with the Father's day hoopla, and his awesome gift isn't here yet. But my faults aren't indicative of how Bill is as a father. I'm thankful for Bill. He's a wonderful husband and daddy to our little girls. He puts Jesus first, he's very thoughtful and wise.
Thank you Jesus for being our Father, and for giving us Bill!

Oh and the SUN did show up! Hopefully now it's warmer here than in Siberia. Thank you Jesus!

Who reads this blah g?

I'm feeling curious. How many people read our blah g? 3? 1? 25? I know of a couple people, but who really knows? Take 10 seconds and post a quick comment, anonymous is fine, and I'll see if we go above 2.

:)

hello sun, where are you?

This is just great.

Is it any wonder people get depressed around here? We're in the "None zone" so it's not like everyone turns to God during times of need, and we see the sun for like 1% of the time.

I hope the weather gets better soon. I'm sick of wearing sweaters.

Dramatic Play?

Today I needed to make mini egg salad sandwiches for a baby shower. Caley wanted to help but it was going to take a while for the eggs to boil, so she practiced with the lettuce on the counter. She cut it

put it in the bowl, added pretend mustard and mayo
and mixed it up.
Later she made a sandwich from the egg salad.
Yummy!

I love how everyday things turn into something fun and educational around here. In the preschool classroom that I worked in during grad school (and every other preschool class for that matter), there is a "dramatic play" area with pretend cups, spoons, etc. It takes a lot of planning and preparation to set the perfect scene. But I love how at home she just gets whatever is out and has a ball. I love watching her learn.

summer yet?

A few first shots taken with a new canon lens.

A rule to live by

Caley: "I pick my nose only when I peeking boo."



(Which she's not doing in this picture, good job Caley!)

Dear Everett Cost Cutter,

I'm not sure what to say, except I just can't quit you. Since I wrote my manifesto (for lack of a better word), touting that I had found someone else and his name was Fred, I have been repeatedly drawn back to you and you have surprised me in more ways that one. You've changed. You're more courteous. You're cleaner. You're more secure and safe. You're comfortable and my kids like you. Fred just didn't have as much as I thought he did. I went there and just got frustrated that I didn't know where things were and it seemed illogical to have certain items in certain places.

But you've changed, and I like those changes. Better brands, better prices, cleaner and more efficient. You are continually working to make yourself better, your employees are always helpful and happy to see me. At Fred's I'm just one of the crowd, and while I occasionally like some anonymity, I like visiting you every week. When I miss a week, I feel like something's really missing from my life. I'm not kidding even just a little bit. When I missed a week and my husband went shopping in my stead, you noticed. You are always kind to my kids, and give them cookies from a new box to help ease the pain of a long shopping trip. That personal attention is better than anything I could get from Playland, as great as it may be.

I know you. I love you. I'm sorry I ever doubted you.

-Addie