A Busy Summer

How is it August already? This summer has been flying by, and not always in a good way. Dana was really sick in July, and ended up in the hospital for his 40th Birthday. We had a small get together later in the week to celebrate his birthday, and he's been recovering. Until the last few days, where he has been under the weather. Sunday we took Kaia up to camp. We pick her up tomorrow. I'm hoping that she has had a fabulous time. I'm sure I'll hear all about it on the way home. In a few weeks we are traveling to Idaho. We are renting a house in Wallace, an old mining town. We will spend one day at Silverwood, and the rest of the time we will go on a silver mine tour, and enjoy the museums and mountain air. In 26 days, both Kaia and Morgan are in school. I'm looking forward to getting back in a routine, but I'm not sure I'm ready to say goodbye to summer. How has your summer been?

Operation Send Kaia to Camp

This is the year! Kaia wants to go away to summer camp, and we are ready for her to go. Now, the hard part, paying for it. Sure it's really not that much in the grand scheme of things. However, we are trying to teach the kids that everything costs money, and you need to work for what you want. So Kaia will be selling Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough and Tree Top juices to pay her way to camp. If you would like to make a purchase, or just make a donation, please let me know!

It's been almost 3 years since this video was taken. In honor of the story in Playdate Magazine, I'm reposting this amazing video. The first 47 seconds is just the placenta, but after that, you'll see some boys.

Research for fun

It's official, I'm a geek!  I've spent months now researching a family in my spare time.  It's not even my family.  As far as I know, we are in no way related, but I still research.

I read a book called Hannah's Daughters.  I read it a few years ago, and recently picked it up again.  The book follows 6 generations of a family matrilineally .  Their stories were so real, and I could relate to the women and their struggles.  Hannah moved with her husband, father and brother to Yakima, WA.  The fact that her family had been here in my hometown, really drew me in.  The 5th generation Lisa was my mom's age.  I wondered if maybe they had ever met?  Her children were my age, her son at least. 

This book was written in the late 70's so when Grace decided the book aired dirty laundry, the author changed all their names.  She did not however change Hannah's birth date and place, or her death date and place.  I mean, who would take the time to do all the research to determine the real people in the book? 

She couldn't have guessed that in 2012, it would take me just an hour or so using free websites to cross check names and find the correct name.  She probably wouldn't know that Washington State now has Ask a Librarian, that allows you to request scanned copies of obituaries.  I knew Hannah's real name quite easily, and from there found where she was buried.  That didn't help me at all with her daughter's name though. 

First of all, Hannah had been married twice after divorcing her daughter May's dad.  Even if I knew her first married name, I knew that May had also been married.  So I had to wait for the obituary to arrive.  And after a 6 week wait, it did.

After reading her obituary, I requested her daughter May's obituary as well.  Then on a lunch break, I decided to visit Hannah.  I was saddened to see that she had the small plain cement headstone, that after only 36 years was wearing away.  But I plan to return with a flower for her, as it doesn't appear anyone visits her much.

I've started a Pinterest album to track all my findings.  I know that I won't be able to visit May's grave, as she died at the age of 100 in Pierce County.  At the time of the book's release, May's daughter Grace was also living in Tacoma.  I do know that Barbara and Lisa are both still alive, and I believe Lisa's daughter must be also, based on an Amazon review. 

This has really been a lot of fun.  It wouldn't be possible if I didn't have all the free resources on the internet, or the book to help sort out dates and places.

The Best Birthday Ever!

Those were Morgan's exact words as he hugged me over and over again after his party Saturday.  I was happy he had so much fun, and I was beaming about the best Birthday cake ever. 

If you have been reading here for long, you will know my cakes are quite often a bust. From cupcake liners that don't do what they say, to a cake that stuck to the pan.  So this year, Dana told me to hire someone to make the cake.  I contacted someone, told them what I was interested in, and nearly died at the minimum of $3 per serving.  But, in light of my past mistakes, I figured we would go for it, and just get a small cake. I sent her a link of what I wanted, and told her my price range.  Then I waited.

I hadn't heard from her in the week leading up to Mo's Birthday, and figured I'd be making my own cake.  We already had the Zombie party invites sent out, Zombie plates, and the Zombie tablecloth which read "Let's Paint the Town Dead."  So the Plants vs Zombies cake was going to be my task.  Then one week from the party, I heard from the decorator.  She booked a wedding the same day, because my order was never confirmed.  Honestly, I was relieved.  I asked a few questions from someone with fondant knowledge, and headed to WalMart.

I bought a nice Wilton cake pan, 4 boxes of already colored fondant, and those pretty cardboard squares to put the cake on. I also picked up a box of Duncan Heinz Butter cake, as Mo requested a yellow cake, since it's his favorite color.  Then my allergies hit me so hard, I thought I caught a cold.  So, what better way to relax than on the couch, watching Netflix and molding fondant? Nothing honestly, I was having so much fun.  And the end result was a beautiful and delicious cake on Morgan's Birthday.  My cost for all the supplies was less than $60, and I have enough left to make 2 more cakes.