Hello again. Yesterday tried to post and computer was not letting me, so all I got was the title!  One of these days I am going to need a new laptop!  This one is at least eight years old.  Having a great summer here in Washington,  plenty of sunshine this year.  The spring was not so rainy either, so I have been able to get the yard looking pretty good.  Little garden spot fenced off from the chickens, lots of flowers, pretty nice.  When we came back from Oregon in June we brought back the picnic table and some outdoor planters, garden swing and my lawn chairs.  so with the nice weather, we have had many chances to eat at the picnic table outside.  I feel like it is a vacation every day that the sun shines!  Cara has some outdooor water toys, slipnslide, little pool, so she can get wet and have fun in the back yard.  We have gone to the lake a few times, twice with Maddy and yesterday with Wyatt.  So great to have kids just playing in the lake having fun on a nice day!  We go to the gym every norning and she is in the playroomn while I do the water classes, so that starts our day off.  We are going to the tutor on Tuesday and Wednesday right after that, so we are done by noon.  Last week I rushed her to Everett for Theatre Camp from 12:30 to 3:30.  It was a little hectic, so I was glad we only had a 3 day camp.  she had fun, they were great with the kids. So this week, no tutoring, and enjoying the break from driving!  I am a little tired this morning, so I amn going to stop now.  Will download some photos on here once I get them off my camera.

Already July, and summer has been great!

Memorial Weekend 2013

Well, it is Memorial Day Weekend, and cloudy and misty.  Rained during the night, so pretty wet out there.  Should have mowed yesterday while it was dry, I just mowed on Monday!  Pretty and green and the rododendrons are great, mostly in the places I drive by, although I have one big bush with red blossoms in the yard.  Heather and Cara left for Wenatchee for their yearly trip to sunshine and swimming pool,  Have to keep an eye on Jenna,  she gets fed 2x day now.  Getting thinner but seems perky enough.  The cancer will get her sooner or later, at least she seems not in pain, and eager for her homeade dog food!  I was going to bring her over here for the weekend, but she is so comfy at Heather's with her dog pillow and couches to lay on, just have to go over there and make sure she has enough bathroom breaks. 
Last week I started on the HCG diet drops, so I am hoping that they take my weight down 30-40 pounds as advertised.  Following the program, doing better than I thought on 500 calories a day.  Without dairy or wheat I am not stuffed up so much anymore, which is interesting.  I sure look forward to my meat, veggie and fruit meals twice a day!  Have not even had the Melba toast or Wasa bread yet, because can't find it in the store.  Next Wed have a colonoscopy, so for a few days, no raw food and lots of liquid............first time for me. maybe the last?   We will see.
Actually, it is about time to eat, and looks like the sun might come out!  So hoping that I can get some compost added to my mini garden spot, finish the fence around it and plant the squash, cukes, pumpkins that are started under a window and ready to move to the garden.
On a side note, Thursday night the bridge on I-5 over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlingon collapsed into the river.  No deaths, three were rescue from vehicles, quite a miracle.  Now the roads going into Mt v. will be a challenge.  Don't have to go until next week, so will see how it is.  Thanks to all those who serve and have served in the Military.

Well, hard to believe that it is the last half of April, and my intent on blogging more often has fallen short!  It is spring here in Washington, and yes, it is raining today!  But there have been sunny days on and off that have given me a chance to get outside and plant in the yard.  OIn March 1 we got some baby chicks, and now they are grown into small teen-age chickens.  Moved then out from the bathroom into Jenna's old dog pen (that must have originally housed chickens)  after only three weeks!  The chicks do not stay small very long!  Yesterday I saw more chicks at the co-op and hard to believe how cute and small they are!  I am waiting for my first $400 egg, probably late July!  
Cara is doing better,  after Dr. Appt in January, started increasing Lamictal so we could lower the dosage of Depacote.  After about 3 weeks, she became hyper manic, and was hard for teachers, tutor and us to keep her under control.  Called Doctor and was able to take away one dose of Depacote in the morning.  so now she gets 125 MG of Depacote and 40 MG of Lamictal 2x day.  she seems to be doing alot better on that, and no seizures happening.  Also we are giving her two drops of Frankincense oil in the am.  Dr appt this week and she said to stay on course with what we are doing.  Originally we were supposed to increase Lamictal to 55 MG morning and night!  So, glad that we can stay at the lower dose.  She will get another EEG this summer to check the brain activity.  She is still "Cara" , but not as hyper and teachers and tutor say she can focus better now, and not quite so distractable.  She is back at Miss Augga's studio for dance class, and still at swimming lessons once a week(until mid May). Also, she goes to Girls Acheivement night twice a month at church and has a good time!  Still likes to play "school" in the afternoon,  dance around with Grandpa Tom, and play baseball inside with a dust pan bat and nerf ball!
Big news for me, I am going to go to a week long seminar for dyslexia testing and become a screener and a tutor using the Barton method.  The seminar is in Seattle mid-June, and then i will have the tools I need to help other children and parents with the same problems that we have had with Cara.  Found an incredible book called The Misunderstood Child which deals with learning diabilities and ADHD and honestly is the best read for anyone with a child in that situation.  I am so excited to have a new career for this stage of my life!  Our "cabin/playhouse" is going to be my schoolroom!  
I have been helping in Cara's classroom since January on Tuesday afternoon's and there are so many students who need extra help,  Cara is lucky to have been put into the special ed for reading and math, although the way they teach math now is really confusing to me.  tried to help some of the kids with a math test they took and they sure don't solve problems the way I am used to!  and they don't seem to "get it" either!  Will  need to learn how to help with math,  Cara has meltdowns over math problems!
Today the school is giving a breakfast for the volunteers, and then an assembly,  so will miss the pool time today. 
In February I went to Myrtle Beach when my mom had foot surgery.  It was great to help her for ten days, got to be her caregiver, cook, house cleaner, it was fun.  Also got to watch all three seasons of
Downton Abbey while I was there.  Great show!  Cara got to go to the Green Acres Daycare just up the road from us.  She loved it.  Now I have a back up place for her to go, and it helps knowing that I can take off when I need to.
Went to Baker City earlier this month and met the tenants in Balm St. and Second St.  Also interviewed potential renters for Rock Creek.  Dutch and Marna moving to Georgia in June.  Will go back when they leave and camp out in Rock Creek a few days.  Well, time to get ready for Cara to come this morning, will post more often!