of what has been keeping me from blogging. I'm sorry (again) for my lack of communication with you all, but I promise, I have been
very busy. (First, here's a cute picture of Pumpkin)
I'll work from the present, backwards.
I just returned home from California last night, just in time to throw a Body Shop foot spa at my mom's house. Yes, that's right, I said "Body Shop". You're reading the blog of one of the newest recruits to The Body Shop At Home. But I won't tell you about that just yet, my first story will be about my trip to California.
My sister Tara (from another mother), had her first baby this last week. I've been planning all along to take the lengthy trip from Moscow to Paradise, California since this last fall, but I had no idea that I would be informed of the time of departure at four in the morning. Tanley, my other sister, gave me a jingle only hours after finishing up a late Friday night movie... I actually told her to go without me! But she wouldn't let me go back to sleep (thank goodness too, I would've kicked my own butt when I actually woke up!).
I can't even believe I made it in time for little Willy Q's entrance to this world since it took a fifteen hour drive to get there. Poor Tara was exhausted from being in labor so long. In the end after a speedy c-section, we all got to meet the little man the fuss was all over.
Here's Daddy Q holding the little Willy Q just moments after his debut.
While Tan, Jed (Tanley's fiance) and I were down in Paradise for a few days, we took some time away from the hospital to take their dog, Noogie, and Tara and Q's dog, Mona for a walk along the flume. It was gorgeous! Bright green moss, orange salamanders the color of the fall leaves on the ground, the calming ripple noises of the water flowing through the flume... It was magical.
... I guess those photos are still on my camera, so you'll just have to take my word for it till I get them uploaded.
One thing that has been keeping me very busy is a new job. Finally I am back in the world contributing to society... I was offered a graphic design position at
MaryJanesFarm. I am so excited to be using my degree and I didn't even have to move to a big city to find work. How lucky am I? My family can't even believe it... having a degree in art and all. My dad used to joke that I had a degree in basket weaving. Honestly, I think it would've been pretty sweet if I could have taken a class in that. I love baskets!
Just today I talked to MaryJane about what kind of work this summer holds for me. We talked about her
bed and breakfast and huge garden. It looks like I'll get to play in MaryJane's garden and even help with the bed and breakfast. I don't think she knows that I've dreamed of putting up little yurts up around my property and creating my own little b&b... This'll be great experience figuring it out what it's all about!
So back to more pictures...
I'm sure you've all noticed the quality of kitchen appliances going downhill over the decades. Last year my mom's toaster went "tummy up" and she had an impossible time finding a good toaster for under $60. In the end she settled for a plastic $15 toaster and has been complaining about it ever since. She says it doesn't get hot enough to toast her bread and takes so long that she just ends up with dried out bread by the time it pops up. Well, imagine my dismay when my prized vintage toaster, fabric covered electric cord and all decided to start burning my bread. Not only was it sexy and built to make it through a bombing, but it used to toast my bread perfectly every time with no fussing. I couldn't just toss it in the trash, I had to try to revive it. After spending four hours tearing it apart, twisting together some elements, wiring in a new plastic covered cord, and figuring out where the sixteen wires that fell out of it went, it works like a charm now. I
love my toaster.
Okay, the night is wearing on and it's getting late for me. I'll have to wait for another night to tell you the thrilling stories of the other appliances in my life. Lucky for you.
More to come soon.
