Happy Anniversary to Us.

Have Travis and I reached a point of maturity where we no longer need frivolous gifts to celebrate our blissful marriage?


NAY! We just buy original gifts. Travis said a few days ago that he once thought that for our 10th anniversary he would buy me a wicked huge diamond with a whole cut into it for my finger (I may be exaggerating slightly). But instead we purchased a 'cheater' pump. Most couples would never dream of such a super gift together, but when we moved on the hill and turned the water on; 28psi was not cutting the mustard, literally. We now enjoy 70psi of water pressure so I can rinse the shampoo out and Travis can... well do whatever boys do in the shower... eat donuts! Just don't tell the neighborhood, because they will be knocking on our door in the morning to use this thing once they know it is just next door.

It is probably good that I didn't get a wicked huge ring, because I would have to keep taking it off while I work in the garage. This was my most recent project for a friend who worked her butt off in my yard in exchange. I once again got the better end of the deal, but also came to the conclusion that I need to purchase a dust collection system for the garage or I just may develop black lung. It was fun to build and very big. It would make a nice storage area for my ring some day.


I think they are going to paint it black. Once it gets some finish on it, I think it will look a gabillion times better. I am pretty sure it will fit at least a 50" TV (or 12 cheater pumps).


Travis once again worked his magic on the internet and found us a heating element for our dryer at 1/2 the cost the local folks wanted. The downside, 5 days without a dryer and 2 grubby kids that made cupcakes for their Dad's B-day.


The UPS guy just knocked on my door, I gotta go install the heating element so I don't have to explain to Karsten tomorrow why swim shorts make good underwear when the others are not dry enough to wear yet!

Oregon Coast 2009

This past weekend, the Stoddard clan enjoyed our annual gathering at Otter Crest. The weather was downright balmy by Oregon coast standards -- calm and sunny with temps in the high-60's. We wasted no time getting down to the beach to see what low tide had revealed.

Grandma, the budding photographer, snapped several million photos with her new fancy camera. Grandpa focused on keeping the grandkids from falling into the kelp-filled tidal pools.

Mom and Taeg' went off alone trying to find something cool, like a discarded Rick Astley album. No luck. Apparently, nobody's gonna give Rick up. They were very let down.

Karsten, Grandpa, and I journeyed way out to the perilous edge of the tidal flats and found dozens of starfish. Lesser men tried to follow our route, but they slipped on the kelp and fell into the sea...along with their expensive digital cameras and turned back (true story!).

We visited the Oregon Aquarium in Newport. Taeg' enjoyed the otters the best -- unless you consider the inanimate creatures, in which case she enjoyed the concrete dolphins best.

The highlight for me, however, was the fascinating documentary about luminescent bacteria found inside deep sea organisms. Just look at the faces of my mother and Melissa -- it's obvious they found the 26-minute video presentation just as spellbinding as I did.


Despite their brief indulgence of a nature documentary devotee, we all had a good time. We're already looking forward to next year.

Imagination

What would we do without our imagination? I don't think my kids would last 15 seconds.

If the kids get up when the sun first shines at 5am or so they are pretty good about 'sneaking' around the house and playing quietly. We usually will wake up to something that looks like this:

They are skiing.

It has been very beautiful weather lately and when I check on the kids playing outside. This is what I frequently find.

"Star command, come in star command!"

Whomever star command is, are they really so dangerous that you need double eye protection and ear protection?

The answer to the question nobody asked.

It's too hot for my Snuggie, what am I supposed to wear now?!

Behold, the Wearable Towel^TM. Hurry up and buy one before you come to your senses!

I'm thinking of trying out "Toga Style" for our office's next Casual Friday. Who's with me!