Gratitude Friday

I'm in Goldendale, WA with my daughter Jen for the weekend. (Goldendale is 2 hours east of Portland, OR.) Starbucks' Christmas Blend will be brewed in the morning and then it's your choice of a Starbucks' drink in Portland. You can shop with us at IKEA and Craft Warehouse!!! Fun girlfriend stuff!! Here's my gratitude list for the week:

1. A day off on Thursday, even though I didn't want a day off! I was able to relax and get some things done that really needed to be completed, including a dr appt.

2. Another wonderful doctor who listens and show compassion. (We think I have a stress fracture in my foot and I needed help getting back on all my meds in order to stay healthy!)

3. Worship Night at Life Center North on Thursday and friends that prayed for my foot! A song from last night is Lincoln Brewster's All To You -- "I've searched and came up empty, This world has nothing for me, You are my One and Only. I'm living my life for You and I'm giving everything to you. Not holding back, from every part, I'm giving it all to you!"

4. My car behaved all the way down to Goldendale. The transmission sounds like it's going out! ARGH! But on a very positive note: It was a beautiful night to drive down here, following the Columbia River and coming over Satus Pass. The stars were super bright and the crescent moon reminded me of the pillar of fire that the Israelites followed in the desert.

5. Friends from all over the world who lift my heart and spirits by their emails! (and for friends in Spokane who continually show me love!!)

Looking forward to hearing your gratitude items, too~

The End of the Starbucks Day....

...didn't end the way I thought it would, with those muffins and soup. Nope! Dinner ended up being leftover cooked by Mr. York!

My dr appt was at 2 pm, I got to see my dr at 3. (I'm giving grace here because I definitely want her to spend time with me and I only have three medical problems! I'm thinking that internal medicine drs definitely need longer patient/dr time!) She checked out my foot and said that I either have a stress fracture or that long word that sounds really strange. I had two choices: wait a few days for a referral to come through for a civilian x-ray or go out to the base for an x-ray there. I chose the latter. HOWEVER, I didn't realize the x-ray image gets read at Travis AFB. Tomorrow is a down day for them so there's only one radiologist working! I still have to wait to get the results back. "WAIT, WAIT, WAIT".....I'm starting to hear a theme here. I probably won't get the results til Wed and then we'll see what the dr has for a plan of action. Stress fracture means a boot for six weeks AGAIN....the other problem (I'll find out what the medical term is) gets a different treatment. I'm probably going to get orthotics, too, for my shoes.

Soooooooooo, I really did end up at the base at 3:45. I was able to get two new prescriptions for the meds I haven't been taking (It was TRUE CONFESSION time at the dr office!), had my foot x-ray'ed and then I got to wander into the commissary & the BX. New earrings for me, raw hide bones for Jen's dogs (b'day present!), a few more groceries that I didn't buy at Safeway, and one Almond Snickers bar for the ride home. I got back home around 5 pm.

Church worship night was on the calendar for tonight. I went by myself because Mr. York's tummy wasn't feeling well. Before I got there, I treated myself to another Venti non fat, extra hot vanilla latte at Starbucks! The worship night was amazing! However, imagine this! I am sooooooooo sleepy that you'd never know that I've had two of these lattes today, plus a pot of Starbucks Christmas blend. But....my heart is content with knowing my tummy been blessed with Starbucks today!

Tomorrow, I'm teaching Special Education all day and then it's off to Jen's house for the weekend! I'll try to post my gratitude list, too. Have a great weekend, everyone!

A Starbucks type of day!

My teaching job for the day got cancelled so I didn't have to get up early this morning. However, the Beagle Boys thought differently!! I was up at 4:40 with them and shoo'ed them out the back door for the morning piddle. Afterwards, they snuggled in under the covers for about 45 minutes until David got up. After they had breakfast, David put them back into their crate and I got to go back to sleep til 7! Woohoo.

I'd been puttering around the house til about 9:30 (the morning has gone by SLOWLY!) and then I decided that I DESERVED a Starbucks treat! Since I still owed a Starbucks card to my 100th post gratitude attitude winner, it was the perfect opportunity to get that, too. (It's in the mail today!!) I hadn't been to Starbucks in awhile, partly because of no extra money and partly of being so busy teaching. It was nice to go in, browse, order a few things and take the first sip of my Vanilla latte. YUMMMY!

I also took the time to go to Safeway to get a few groceries. Because I wasn't teaching out on the base today, I decided to shop in town instead of going to the commissary. I didn't need a lot and I did buy healthy. (Mr. York will be happy, though. I bought him Chocolate Chip Mint ice cream.)I'm going to make blueberry muffins in a little bit, put on a pot of soup in the crockpot and settle in for a nap.

The dr's is the next stop for today. I think I might have overdone my training for the half marathon -- cuz my right food hurts really bad! -- so I want to see if it just needs more rest or I do, in fact, have a stress fracture again. I'll be major bummed if I do. I was being careful to not add too much mileage too quickly, but I know I was doing some intervals at quick speeds and it's right in that spot I noticed the pain. After teaching all day on my feet, it really bothers me. Ho hum.

Here's my treat for the morning -- my venti non fat extra hot vanilla latte and a yummy cinnamon roll. In the bag are two mugs....one that's a clearance "12 days of Starbucks" and a fancy red one that's perfect for Valentine's Day. Mr. York will say "Great! just what we need, another mug or two!" I think we can have about 30 people over for coffee before we need to wash any mugs. And that's what's in the upstairs cupboard. I'm not sure what's hidden away downstairs. But the coffee pot is almost always ready to go so if you're in the area, stop by for a cup of coffee!


Time to let the beagle boys back in. I think Klaus is out with them, too. He got left out there earlier and he was not happy to have spent time outside in very cold temps! Sorry, kitty.

Happy Thursday, everyone! Be thinking about your gratitude list....it's coming up tomorrow!

"Arrrrrooooo!"

That's beagle talk for "have a WONDERFUL day!" I'm on my way out to teach 3rd and 4th grade in one of my all time favorite classrooms! The beagle boys thought they might just be going with me today...nope, they're on their way to the crate in the basement, but they're looking cute for you!!

Happy 23rd birthday, Jennifer!

A Girl and Her Dogs

Today is our daughter Jen's 23rd birthday!! She's teaching Spanish at a high school five hours away from us so we didn't get to be with her today. We did call her, texted her, sent her flowers to her school and thought about her all day! I will be traveling down to her house on Friday to spend a girls' weekend together. She has a new craft place in the Portland area to share with me. Fun, fun!


The black and white border collie mix is Manchas (Spanish for "Spot") and Melody is the beagle puppy in Jen's arms. Melody is Dieter's and Ubu's mom and looks much like her beagle boys! The picture is a few years old but this is what a typical night at our house would look like if Jen was home. Hanging out on the couch with her dogs!

Happy Birthday, Jen!! We love you~

The Beagle Boys!

Dieter and Ubu

The Beagle Boys snoozing...Ubu says "No more pictures!"

Project 365 update!

Jan 19 Ian's new computer toy

Jan 20 frost on the cherry tree

Jan 21 Whitworth University on a very cold afternoon

Jan 22 a bit of spring inside my house

Jan 23 guest teaching classroom

Jan 24 Bear Paw Camp's view of the Pend Orielle River

"Oh, that my steps might be steady!"

Today's title is taken from Psalm 119. I read it this morning online and was challenged by this one line "Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set." I feel that I am going so many different ways these days, still trying to figure who I am, what I want to be when I grow up and frustrated because things I want aren't happening! I'm not sure I'm doing a very good job at anything. The verse was a good reminder for me to just keep a steady walk and my eyes on Him.

“You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me."

Psalm 119:4-8

"Party Like A Rock Star!"

1 Samuel 2:2 says "There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one like you. And there is no rock like our God."

Please join me at the Gaudy Gown Gala Women's Retreat, June 12-14, to be held at Bear Paw Camp just outside of beautiful Newport, WA.

Who attends this retreat? "We are a group of women from all walks of life with one common bond... a passion for Jesus Christ. We meet annually for a fun filled weekend to share our passion with believing and non-believing women."

Click on the Gaudy Gown Gala link and please join me for this fantastic weekend! Brochures and registration forms will be available soon. If you want more information, please send me an email. I'd love to tell you more!

Gratitude Friday (on Saturday)

Good morning, everyone! My Gratitude Friday/Saturday list includes:

1. continued job assignments. I have been busy teaching, from Kindergarten to 6th grade in three different school districts. I am blessed beyond belief to have such great kids to work with! I come home tired but know that it's been a wonderful day of learning.

2. a reminder that we don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know WHO holds my hand. There's an fellow MS blogger that wrote What Will Tomorrow Bring? "Those of us who live with multiple sclerosis, day in and day out, know that our abilities may dramatically change at any time. That’s the reality of living with a faulty electrical system. If there’s a “short in the cord,” the electrical message isn’t going to get through." Well, I'm not worried!!!

3. continued supply of food. We're off to serve at our Food Pantry this morning. For many of our guests, the reserves aren't there. I look at my refrigerator, freezer and cupboards and know there's food for at least a few weeks. I'm also thankful that I've been taught how to budget, create healthy meals from scratch and able to share with my neighbor in need, too!

4. my daughter, Jennifer. She turns 23 this next Tuesday!! What a joy she's been in our lives. She's teaching high school Spanish five hours away and I'm kinda sad that we don't get to be with her for her special day.

5. my morning cup of coffee! It's a hot cup of Starbucks Christmas blend (I still have three pounds of it to savor!) This morning, on a very chilly Saturday morning, it's comforting to wrap my hand around the cup while I'm reflecting on what my heart is grateful for today!

Ok, I'm making a fresh pot of coffee for you....grab your own mug and reflect on what you're grateful for, too!

Beagle Boys

Super Duper Snifferdoodles Ubu and Dieter

They're getting big! Ubu has found his voice ("arrrroooooooooooooo!") and is quick to answer any dog in the neighborhood. Dieter is still content to just listen, thank goodness.

Frog Prince

Today's Project 365 photo is of my frog prince! We bought this heavy guy in Texel (a tiny island off of the coast of the Netherlands) and he was able to find a nice little wagon pond on my front porch. However, it's very frozen at the moment. You can see the ice formation that's under the surface...it's rather amazing to see the crystals. Poor frog prince...some day his pond will thaw! (The sun is shining brightly here in Spokane and I am ecstatic to see it. I hope it stays around for awhile.) Happy Sunday, everyone!

What have you?

I always like the part of the staff meeting where the principal says "What have you?" Kinda like cleaning up house and what's left to say. It's my turn to talk! :)

Today's "what have you's" are:

• I made the phone call that was part of my homework from the series "One Month to Live". It was one of the hardest things ever. Especially since it was to my mother-in-law. I took alllll week to make the call. I finally picked up my cell phone when I was in the Safeway parking lot and knew I had one day left. (Did you know that I am a professional procrastinator?) I ended up just asking if we could start our relationship over again and be friends. I felt like she didn't like me and I've been part of this family for 25 years. She told me she had no hard feelings against me but never could put her finger on what caused us to be like strangers. I didn't go into exact details because there are definite reasons but this wasn't the time to share. I just wanted to take that first step. So, we've turned the page and started afresh. We'll see what happens in the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law arena next!


• Results from my 100th post giveaway: The winner of the Starbucks' card is JyLnC! Congratulations to you and send me your snail mail address so I can get it in the mail! Thanks to everyone for sharing your gratitude thoughts with me. I am thankful for you.


• I have continued to workout every day (2x each day!) at the gym. While on the treadmill, I have my MP3 player on and have the fast inspirational songs turned up LOUD while I'm running or walking. (fyi: slow songs aren't very good motivaters!) I wrote earlier that I'm at 172 lbs and not liking where I'm at. However, one of the songs by Big Daddy Weave talks about that He loves me just the way I am! He's ever patient, accepting me, committed to the process of making me more like Him. He loves me just the way I am, not just when I'm good enough, not when I clean up my act, not when I cross the line for the thousandth times. His grace is enough.


• Siestas Memory Team. I was sharing with Melissa about the verse we're memorizing for these two weeks. I'd told her that I've been writing down a daily verse, too, and it was amazing what I'm being shown each day. She posted this on my blog "The Word of God can really cut deep into our lives, can't it? After all, it is 'sharper than any two edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.' Hebrews 4:12" Thanks, Melissa, for sharing that verse with me! Exactly where I'm at....thoughts and attitudes.


• I think that's the bits and pieces of my brain today. Mr. York and I are headed to watch the Whitworth University men's basketball team take on Pacific Lutheran Univ tonight. It's Alumni Night so I'm excited to see friends and root on my favorite team! Go, Whitworth!!

Photo Hunt: #145 Hats

Our beagle snifferdoodles in their Bavarian hats

(not very cooperative today, either, but still cute!)

For more of this week's photo hunt, go to tnchick's website!

Gratitude Friday AND my 100th post !!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ Melody Beattie ~

It's Gratitude Friday and my 100th post! To celebrate, I'm going to give away a $5 Starbucks card to someone leaving their own gratitude comment on my blog today! I'm not sure how hi- tech the drawing will be, but I'll have Mr. York help me out. I'll draw tomorrow morning before I post my Photo Hunt picture!

My own list for today....

1. Wonderful service people who take care of my little needs! I have a broken car mirror because I hit the neighbor's garbage can with it on Wednesday (see yesterday's post for the picture!)...Lucas at Foothills Mazda is always my hero for getting my car fixed! I also took the snifferdoodles to 5 Mile Pet Clinic to get their 2nd round of shots, plus they went to Dee's Dog Grooming to have their first pedicure. Tracie at Dee's is such a caring person with our dogs and they love her lots!

2. The gym! I got on the scale yesterday and it said I weighed 172! YIKES....how'd that happen? I was this weight when I was pregnant with each of the kids. (And I'm definitely not pregnant now.) So off I've been going to the gym, truly working out with my trusty MP3 player and great music to set the pace. Last night I was there for an hour, doing weights with the exercise ball and walking on the treadmill. This morning I was there bright and early for a half hour on the eliptical. I have at least 20 pounds to lose and bunches of inches. The gym and I will become very good friends within the next six months.

3. Random people you meet. Today at the gym I met a retired school teacher on the treadmill next to me. It turns out he taught a long time ago at the school that I used to work at. Small world! It was fun to talk to him, hear about the people he worked with (some I know and they have inspired me in my teaching journey) and also share about my teaching job in Nespelem. (I shared about my love of teaching and love of missions...woohoo!) You never know who you can meet to share Jesus with!

4. A day off from work! I took today off so I could get the little things done, regroup for next week and possibly take a nap, too. Between working four full days and shaking up my body's metabolism, I'm sluggish today. Plus, it's soooo grey out today. The frost covered trees make for pretty photos but I am such a sunshine person! I'll be even more grateful when Mr. Sunshine comes out to play again.

5. Christmas cards that are still arriving in the mail! It's never too late at my house to send your Christmas cards/letters to me. :)

6. My blog friends!! What an inspiration you are to me. It means a lot to have you share your daily life with me, to know that you're praying for the things that are important in my life and that you trust me enough to ask me pray for you, too. Your comments touch my heart. I will probably be sharing even more over the next couple of months -- I'm ready to shed a few more layers of the "mask". It is an honor to call you FRIENDS!

Happy Gratitude Friday, everyone!

Coffee and Friends!

Good morning, girlfriends! I am headed over to Starbucks this morning to meet with my beautiful friend Polly for a venti, non-fat, extra hot vanilla latte. It's an early morning meeting because she is headed to work. (and I'm headed to the gym!) It's been awhile since we've connected and I can't wait to see her. I'm so grateful for Polly and her friendship. She's a Whitworth University 2007 graduate just like me. I absolutely could not have finished my degree without Polly and the rest of my fantastic teaching cohort! Polly and I been through a lot together and she's always an encouragement to me, even when she thinks she isn't. We're both learning to trust in Him!

Take time today to reach out to someone you haven't connected with lately...you'll be glad you did!

2 Corinthians 3-5 (The Message) says "All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too."

Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 2

Remember how I joined with Beth Moore and her scripture memory challenge a few weeks ago? It's time for the 2nd verse. I chose to memorize the same verse Beth is doing for the next two weeks.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

To learn more about the Siesta Scripture Memory Team, go to Living Proof Ministries

Join me in hiding His word in your heart!

Project 365 Update

Helloooooooooo! (said with a cheery voice!)

I haven't forgotten Project 365! I've been taking pictures and getting them labeled with the date. I just haven't been diligent on posting them each day. I've been blessed with teaching every day this week and well, I've been a tad bit exhausted when I get home. Especially since the gym and I have begun to know each other.

So here's the last four days' worth of pictures! Enjoy~

Jan. 12 Azteca with the girls!

Jan. 13 Kindergarten Quilt

Jan. 14 Broken car mirror!

Jan. 15 Inspiring words in my office!

Evaluation on Life

I still don't have a New Year's Resolution! Still thinking but doing more evaluation on the things I do or don't do. It's helped me to clear out the cobwebs in my brain and heart, plus get a little bit more organized.

I have been going to church on Sunday nights where they have been doing a series taken from the book "One Month to Live" and what really matters in our lives. Amazing study and definitely very thought provoking. I have some homework to do this week....just ONE phone call to someone I feel doesn't like me at all, but I need to call and take that first step. I need to give an "I" message and not attack. Would you pray with me on this matter? I don't know where to even begin....

Today I'm teaching Kindergarten, in the same classroom that I used to be the Instructional Asst. five/six years ago. I taught yesterday in 3rd/4th grade and knew that my heart was at peace as I was with those kiddos. I couldn't keep the smile off my face and stop giggling to myself ! I love knowing that teaching is my calling and I can't wait to get my own classroom again!

Time to get moving.....I've had my cup of coffee, did my meds (thank you to those who check in on me!) and now it's time to iron those khaki pants & finish the preparations for the day.

Blessings to you, everyone!

Project 365

Yesterday's and today's pictures for Project 365 are somewhat related! Klaus the terrorist kitten on the step, ready to attack at any moment. Not sure which non York critter made the tracks in the freshly fallen snow (sorry, Jenny, I HAD to do a snow picture today!), but interesting layout of footprints! The prints didn't go any other way but like this. Very strange!

Photo Hunt: #144 Aftermath

Aftermath: It's been very sad in Spokane to see the different businesses and homes that have had roofs collapse because of the heavy snow. Here is just one example of the ruined buildings in the northside area of Spokane:


For more of this week's photo hunt, go to tnchick's website!

January's 10 on 10

Hi, everyone! This month's 10 on 10 focused on me getting ready to go to the gym! These are the things I need to make the adventure fun and give my workout 100%. I did two miles on the treadmill and 20 minutes on the elliptical machine! WOOOHOO~ Make sure you check out the last section to read about the fantastic song I listened to today. Your heart will be blessed and you will be challenged to find GRACE!

Good for the Heart bananas!

I always have a cup of coffee before I do a walk!

The ONLY shoes my feet can handle. Love them tons!

Extremely comfortable and cushy socks!

The necessary water bottle!

The vitamins I probably should be taking ALL the time!

As the mileage increases, I'll start drinking this or something similar.

Where the workout takes place!

The shirt with the reminder of my first marathon!

My trusty little MP3 player full of great music to get me energized!

I was listening today to the song "Saving Grace" by Point of Grace. Here's a part of the song I was touched by. Wow, who is the Grace I need to be reaching out to?

It's all about saving Grace

All about living love

Being Jesus to those He came to save

Sharing life and giving our own away

It's all about serving God

All about saving Grace.

There are countless millions just like Grace

Who need a merciful embrace

They won't believe our God is real

Until they feel His touch

Gratitude Friday list...

Welcome to Gratitude Friday and Company Girl Coffee! Grab a cup of Tazo tea today and enjoy a quiet moment of solitude at my house. Here's my Gratitude Friday list....

1. A fabulous new hair stylist!!!!!!! Thanks, Melissa, for the beautiful hair cut! I love it.

2. Warmer temperatures and the sunshine! The snow is melting and school is open again!

3. Great price for a gym so I can start training for my half marathon in March. I'm a walker, not a runner, though! (My first marathon was in 2004 and I finished in 6 1/2 hours!)

4. Fantastic friends that have a heart for God and as we plan for a ladies' retreat, seeing the awesome way God has brought us together just amazes me every time we meet! (even if it's through a conference call on a little green phone!)

5. True Blue Spa Foot Cream "shea it isn't so" -- I love having pretty feet/toes and this foot cream works wonders to keep my feet soft. If I'm not able to get a pampered feet treatment at the spa, thank goodness for this cream!

6. Our good friends, Jackie and Jim, who came over for dinner tonight and played the fun game "Mexican Train" with us. We've known them for years, all because of their youngest son floating off on a blowup raft on the lake and I saved him! They're my pick for Project 365 today~

What Influences Your Color Schemes?

Meet the new dog bed! I fell in love with the colors and decided that these are the colors I want in my craft room/office. I have spent a lot of time deliberating on how I want to decorate. The rest of the house is pretty much Americana; imagine that being an Air Force family! I didn't want this room to be teacher-ish or hodge podge. When I spotted the dog bed (ahem, the colors!) last week, I knew I had to get it for the dogs! (ok, ME!) I dragged my friend Lisa into Costco today to see it and she said it was PERFECT!! Now to see if my painting friend can come up with something to match the dog bed and the colors/designs.

By the way, the snifferdoodles love their new bed. While I'm blogging, creating or just puttering, they're content to lay on their beautifully color designed bed and probably hope I don't take another picture of them! :)

How many things have you seen and/or bought thinking this would make a wonderful background paper for scrapbooking and/or rubberstamping? There's certain color combinations I just love and after spending time today on the Unity Stamp Company's Hip Hop Thursday blogs, perhaps they were part of my inspiration to look beyond the original function of the dog bed and create something even bigger!

This week's meals at the York household

It's become interesting to feed our family. I grew up in a larger family and I learned to cook big meals. Then it was just my husband and I. There were LOTS of leftovers til I became wise in small portion cooking recipes. Add two kids...I could start doing bigger meals again! Hmm, I'm at the empty nest stage now and struggling with making those smaller meals again. I'm not fond of a lot of freezer meals because I like things fresh. Mr. York used to take the leftovers (because I'm not much of a leftover person, either!) but his new job feeds him each day. It's kinda expected he eats with the guys. Since I've been home for the last three weeks because of interesting precipitation situations, I've wanted to "nest" and create in the kitchen. Lucky for me, Ian is home for the month so I'm trying to make him some of his favorite meals & try out some new things on the boys, too! We've been blessed this week with a HUGE bag of salad and I refuse to let any of it go bad so we're eating it all week long~

Here's what's for dinner this week:
Monday -- Bubble Pizza, salad
Tuesday -- Tater tot casserole with green beans, salad
Wednesday --* pork loin roast, bow tie pasta in garlic/herb sauce, steamed broccoli
Thursday -- pork enchiladas, taco rice, salad
Friday -- "clean out the fridge" buffet
Saturday -- * Baked Potato Soup, whole wheat rolls, salad
Sunday -- Chicken cacciatore, salad, garlic bread

And my new favorite brownie recipe.... * Perfectly Peppermint Brownie (using York premium baking pieces! Since our last name is York, we love supporting this company!!)

The starred recipes are the ones my family loves and they're new recipes! Yahooo! They didn't give me any thumbs up on the Bubble Pizza and it's probably just because of the age of my "boys" -- 21 and 47. My family is fussy in that they like their biscuits/rolls from scratch, no biscuits from a can. (That also include pancake & waffle mix....I've spoiled them!!)

Ok, off to mark off my 100 points for The Small Things. It's 10:25 pm Pacific and it's still Wednesday for another hour and a half! Hmm, to go to bed or to find something else to do in my recaptured craft/office room?

Snoozing Snifferdoodles

As I was doing computer work at the kitchen table this morning, the puppies were napping on the big dog bed. I'll have to agree with them; napping is probably one of the best Spokane activity available today!

"Spokane Under Snow Seige"

WA State and Spokane!

Where is Spokane? It's in Eastern WA, very close to the Idaho border. We're 300 miles east of Seattle!

The title is taken from NWC.com's post and you can read all about Spokane's battle with the snow/ice/slush/short tempers on their website.

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_010709WXN_spokane_snow_LJ.164d38f.html

A few excerpts:

• Spokane has received more than 78 inches of snow -- about the height of Michael Jordan -- since mid-December. That's far above its average of less than 50 inches for an entire winter. Normally about 16 inches would have fallen at this point.


• Treacherous roads are a major complaint. Many are covered with ice, heavily rutted and reduced to one lane by piles of plowed snow.


• One man was arrested by Spokane police after gunshots were fired Monday morning at a private snow plow operator who was clearing a parking lot. Police said the motorist apparently got upset when the plow operator honked his horn.


• But two women who work at the Chocolate Apothecary in downtown Spokane have found a coping mechanism. "We are surrounded by chocolate," said owner Susan Davis. "It's all good in here."

Wonder if I can get there from my house today? I think I'll stay in my safe home and work on my stash of chocolates here, plus enjoy my Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee. A perfect time to get caught up on rubberstamping, too!

Thoughts and Smells of Spring!

Here in Spokane, some of us are getting a little weary of the snow! My friend Jenny and I agree on this one thing: no more snow pictures!!

I spotted this flower arrangement today at my church while I was there helping a friend upload pictures onto her Facebook. I just stood there and inhaled the amazing fragrance of the fresh flowers. It was heaven on earth -- I have the smell of the flowers imprinted into my memory bank, perhaps enough to last til spring!

The sad thing: I had to re-enter the snow zone....yikes! We're at about 70" accumulation of the white stuff. Good thing I snapped a shot of the flowers for Project 365. It's kept a smile on my face all day long!

I found this spring quote this evening...“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” (Anne Bradstreet) Perhaps she's right! Boy, Spring is going to be one big party at this rate.

One more quote. With the thaw starting to happen in the Great Pacific North Wet (PNW), this is kinda appropriate. I'm usually not very happy with getting wet in piles of gunky slush. But I'll have a happy heart because..."Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” (Doug Larson)

Stayed tuned for tomorrow's picture. I'm going to locate the kayaks in the garage. We might need them!

Puppy vs Kitten

No school today due to the snow and ice so it was a very relaxed day here again. I'm ready to be able to start photographing something else, though, besides my pets and the snow! :) This morning I gave both puppies a chew bone to keep them occupied. Dieter decided that he would try to bury it on my bed. Well, Klaus (the terrorist kitten!) decided he wanted to try out the bone, too. It was too funny. Today's Project 365 picture is the end result, showing Dieter with his bone and Klaus not being very amused!