Iris Explosion!

I know this isn't an iris, but it IS my huge bleeding heart! NO, not literally! But this is the HUGEST (it's a word I'm sure) bleeding heart I've ever seen, and it's mine! It must like this location. The colors aren't very vibrant in this picture, but it's beautiful!



Then there's the iris'!
I've never seen iris' this tall or this big before! They have exploded in my back yard! They are the most beautiful I've ever seen! I'm just happy they'll be here for Memorial Day so I can take some to my dad. He always loved iris'.

IT"S HERE!

Jake has been called to the Washington, Kennewick mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

As you can see by his face, he is VERY excited! And as his mom, I am relieved he is going somewhere safe. Meaning, safe from the extreme violence that is going on in other countries. I am also happy that he is going somewhere I lived before! Ok, so I lived on the Seattle side, but it's still in Washington...

Now comes the preparation of suits, ties, shoes, etc....

It's funny because Sam and Jake are deciding what movies they need to see and other things that need to happen before Jake leaves. Go for it boys! Who knows what changes will happen while Jake is on his mission!

We're taking it one day at a time, and lovin' every minute of it!

Oh Mighty Buddha!

Back to the Chinese restaurant we went last night. I love going there just to get the fortune cookies! Here's the latest in our fortunes for the future!

Randy - You shouldn't overspend at the moment. Frugality is important.

Kari - You will enjoy doing something different this coming weekend.

Sam - You will be reunited with old friends before the month is out.

Jake - Soon, you will receive pleasant news.

Tifani - The project you have in mind will soon gain momentum.

Tifani said of hers, "What is momentum?" It was hard for me not to answer, "Something I don't have!" But I explained the truth of it to her.
Good food, good company, good night!

No, I don't know these people. But I was thinking about St. Patrick's Day and wanted a picture, so I went looking online. When I saw this one, I knew it was "the one". I mean, what's more Irish than guys wearing green plastic hats, green Marti Gras necklaces and drinking dark green beer? And look at those happy girl's with them! Green sprigs of something in their hair. You can't tell me those are fake smiles! (Don't look at the camera! oops...too late) And they are just too excited to drink those green drinks! That's why not one of them have lip marks on their glasses! Yes, this is a true scene depicting St. Patrick's Day! And what's with the green balls in the background?

Ahhhh....now this is more like it. Ireland is a beautiful country!

I understand about the parties and festivities, and I like those too, but I like the real more than the fake.

So Happy St. Patrick's Day and enjoy a bit o' the luck o' the Irish! And kiss the Blarney Stone while you're at it!

Fire!!!

This is my oven. Innocent looking isn't it? But looks are deceiving!!

This morning, I decided to clean my oven. It's a self-cleaning oven, which means, once you start the process, it takes an act of Congress to stop it! I had made two cheesecakes over the weekend and the butter used for the crusts decided to let loose and leak all over the bottom of my oven. So after that, everything I tried to bake came out with a.....shall we say.....smoked butter flavor. Not the best addition to ALL dishes. Now comes the fun part. I thought, "Ok, I'll start the cleaning process this morning so I can use my oven later today if I want to bake something."....

I wish I had a picture of what actually took place. You, as the reader, will just have to picture the scene. I decided to get online while the oven cleaned. As the oven reached it's highest temperature for cleaning, I noticed something flicker out of the corner of my eye. To my shock and great surprise, there were FLAMES in my oven!!! They were shooting about 3/4ths of the way up the oven!! I thought I had a fireplace for a minute! Then reality struck and I remembered, "I don't HAVE a fireplace!" I didn't quite know what to do, as I've never experienced that before, so as I was deciding what to do, the flames were gone! It lasted about 20 seconds, but that was 20 seconds that my life flashed before my eyes as I envisioned my oven exploding and how I was going to have to explain to our landlords that it really WAS the ovens fault! "Honest you guys, the oven changed it's mind because it wanted to be a fireplace!" The house was so full of smoke that my eyes stung! So I had to turn off the heater, open the windows and turn on the fans!

As you can see, my oven is ok now. No explosions. No more fire. Everything is fine. And I think my heart has returned to its normal pace.....

I'm Puzzled!

Ever notice when a puzzle is put up, it becomes the center of attention? So I got this puzzle from one of Jake's friends. He doesn't care for puzzles, and he knew I love them, so I got it. I started putting it together, and low and behold, it's a hit! Everyone that comes into my house just HAS to stop and try to fit a piece or two in. But it doesn't stop there. Pretty soon, a chair gets pulled up to the table and the pressure is on! The exuberation when a piece fits is exciting!

The entertainment aspects of a puzzle are unmatched. It's always fun just to sit and watch those who put it together. AND, it's so hard to pull yourself away once you get started! Can you say addiction?

So far Samuel has been at it for about an hour. He's completed quite a bit! In fact, I think I'll go join him now.

And........drum roll please.........its complete!!!! Except for two pieces that are missing........ Not a bad looking puzzle though. Very nostalgic. Time for a new puzzle!

It's New and Improved!

Yes, it's true! As you can see, I have a new look to my blog! I have a Fairy Blogmother that knows her way around blogs better than I do and she found this for me and helped me put it on my blog to give me a better blog! Oh thank you, thank you dear Fairy Blogmother!



Now......how do I get indoor plumbing on this ship.......