Uplifting and Lively Messages. No holds barred..
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I attempted to post pictures a couple of hours ago, and then my internet went down for a bit
All is fine now. Pictures are of me post haircut savoring a glass of Lost River Massif, and then pictures of trees, mountains and wildflowers from yesterday's hike. - Claire
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Very nice pics, Claire. Wow, I have a better feel for your terrain. Just gorgeous. Thanks for posting.
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Thanks for sharing Michelle. I do admire the families that make all the sacrifices. There is a lot involved.
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Today is my twin sisters' birthdays. I gave them each a heart, with a picture of my mother who passed in May. I am handmaking memorial pendants and small works of art this summer. It is a new direction, inspired by my mother's death. My sister's were so happy to be wearing a piece of my mother next to their hearts. I had sent one of the hearts to Texas for my husband's cousin, who lost her father recently. Last night, she told me that she wears it every day. I am excited to be able to do this for other people. In the feels today,
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What a wonderful tribute, Michelle, to both your mother and your sisters!!! I understand why they were beyond touched, and I think you have helped all of you heal. These pieces are truly works of art, and something you have a true gift for doing.
I am also moving in a new direction with my life, though not sure yet what this means. I am just doing handoff at the nonprofit, so no new projects. Yesterday marked the real transition. All those things that ate into my time and sapped my energy. I need to write a mailing for my own work.
Also need to sit on bicycle shop dude and make sure that my wheel gets fixed right this time. I did the online research over the weekend. Just a question of implementing one or more of the fixes. Because the spokes are asymmetrical, normal inner tape doesn't work. It needs something extra wide. Being stranded is the pits.
Hoping to get in a spot of jazz Thursday evening. We shall see. And perhaps a swim tomorrow evening.
Trying not to melt but decent in my place, and things outside will cool off in half an hour or so for my walk. Mussels for dinner with salad. Yum!!! - Claire
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Claire, look up sookwang tape for your wheel/tire. It can bind a book together, and sustain pounds of pressure of force. I use it in a variety of projects that I work on. Once it is on, it is not going anywhere until you roll it off with your fingernail or tool.
Thanks for the compliment regarding my latest ventures. I am getting excited about doing more with what I am learning. I sent a piece to my sister in law, who is an artist. I miniaturized a pastel of hers, printed it as a photo and used the german glass shards to highlight it. Waiting for feedback.
Today is high pollen and high mold day for us in Illinois. Can't wait until it starts dropping, or the first frost.
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Claire and Michelle -- Lovely!
Michelle, just so you will know, the title of that mental list of mine is not entirely serious -- I would not really advocate having the parts removed at birth. It is just that some needless parts can make such bad trouble.
My baby had a checkup and annual combo-vaccination today. This time he got the three-year combo-shot. He was very well behaved.
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Ice, if I could have had my anxiety gene removed at birth, or traded it for a new one, I would have.....I did not realize that you had a baby. When my kids were young, I spread out their immunizations as long as possible between shots. They received all of their shots, but there was definitely time in between.
I worked with my daughter tonight, building an calendar/agenda for school. She actually liked the one that I put together. Making progress on setting goals. Goal #1 get better and work on overall health.
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All my Little Ones have been furries. My baby -- I have only one now -- is a three-year-old cat. He has suffered much from cruel genes.
What a great agenda -- none worthier!
Yesterday I found some pictures that will show what happened about my hair. I will put them on your hair thread.
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I manage stress and my life with exercise. I don't think I would have made it through the past 20 years without a lot of exercise. On that topic, I got my bicycle back from the shop yesterday, this repair on them. Nature is always a source of joy for me.
My good deed was loaning my fan that I don't use to my neighbor who gets the afternoon and evening sun in her place, blowing hot air out. I suspect it's tons cooler there this morning than it was yesterday at this time. We have four more hot days until things cool off a bit. But just lovely out now with temps around 60. My weekend plan for beating the heat is a swim on Saturday and tubing on Sunday after my ride.
Had the most bizarre invasion of my space last night. I went to my herb garden to get rosemary and thyme for my lamb chop to find that someone had dug a hole and planted a small yew tree in it. WTF??? I removed it and placed on the compost pile. I know that it needs a bit of tending at the moment, but it's not OK to plant a tree without asking me first.
I need to get a few pounds off, not surprising since I was under such terrific stress for most of the past year. But won't tackle immediately as it's so wonderful to be enjoying this summer. Just wonderful. - Claire
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Oh, girls.... I woke up from a nightmare, and decided to tell you what happened last night. My son, who has had the cough along with me, came in the house covered from head to toe in hives. My daughter came in with a sinus headache, and needed a breathe right nasal strip (so we are twinning). My son knew enough to take himself for a steroid shot at our urgent care walk in clinic. I guess the doctor's eyes got big, when my son took off his shirt and asked for a shot. We have been through this before during ragweed season, when it was hot and humid. I smothered him in calamine pink lotion, which also should have helped. He has a turquoise "joe dirt" style mohawk (rebelling before graduate school this summer), and a red bumpy angry rash. My son is a character, so you just have to appreciate how colorful he looks right now. In a few weeks, when grad school starts, the turquoise mohawk, willed have been mowed down, and a corporate look emerge. Oh,....... to be young and colorful.
It is 63 degrees right now, like a cool autumn day. So many seasons, in 24 hours in Illinois.......
P.S. My kids went to private schools for grade school and high school. They had to have regulation hair length and color. Both of them have had fun with their hair during college. My son grew his out and donated it to Wigs for Kids, my daughter died her hair purple. It has been quite a hair journey, in a short amount of time. Getting all of our jollies at once!!!! And that, is how we roll......
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I love purple hair...on anyone..any age
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I had fun with color during chemo. Since I went the cheap route with wigs, I had two, identical except for the red streak in one. It was fun wearing it around.
Hives are the worst, and hopefully, all is calmed down now. At least not poison ivy which lingers in this weather. A scourge I don't miss.
It's delightful here at the moment, but will be very hot later. I am hoping for a swim, perhaps the new swimming hole in Duvall. Then the building picnic. I will bring my own beer with a name guaranteed to spark conversation
Off to work. Looks like I will have a market research consulting project in a couple of weeks. Can't wait. But next week is mainly play with amazing vistas and a fair amount of physical activity. Can't wait. Especially, now that I have a cooler which I acquired yesterday. Should be a hoot camping.... Promise pix. - Claire
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Do you think God knows, when your hands are really full? My hands feel pretty full, but yesterday they became a bit fuller. My daughter, husband and son, along with relatives were having fun on our land/range/ranch. My daughter was chopping wood with an axe, and it fell and cut her leg in two places. She had to have 15 stitched, tetnus shot and she was terrified and shaking. The facility that we went to, did not have anything to calm her down. They were going to give her benedryl, and asked if she could have a piece of an anti anxiety drug. They said yes, and I happened to have one in my purse (for panic attacks), and gave it to her. It definitely calmed her down and they were able to do the stitches. She is in pain now with just motrin to help. I am going to piggy back some tylenol in a bit, and see if that will help. They put her on a strong antibiotic as well. It is so hard to see your child in pain and she is such an amazing teenager (for a few more days). She heads to Lalapalooza with 8 others on Wednesday, so prayers for my baby to recover quickly...
Hugs to all.
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Oh no!!! I think your daughter is through the worst, Michelle. Which is the shock resulting from the two cuts. Or at least, that's how things seem from this end. I think she'll be just fine.
I am washing sand out of things. It's hot here, and I got in my bicycle ride just in the nick of time. Way too many people to do tubing as planned, and they had exhausted the rental tubes. I will shoot for a Friday for this adventure when the crowds should be a lot thinner, and it will be more fun. Someone nearly slammed into me, and I was WALKING my bicycle.
The sand is because I went swimming in the river instead. I still got to do "floating down the river" - just not on a tube. Especially since I got caught in the current for a bit. I was fine, but had to maneuver more than I planned. I would have been fine in any event, but might have needed to do some extra walking barefoot, but fortunately avoided that. Anyway, there was a sandy beach, so sand everywhere. I was in my tubing clothes so had shorts and a shirt on. I didn't care what anyone thought. Car will be next on the de-sanding list.
Ate my fill of blackberries for the first time. Yum!!! It should rain towards the end of the week and if so, they will be delish at least well into September. I am amazed that anyone buys blackberries here as they are just everywhere, and free for the picking.
I need to help a neighbor with a computer software upgrade, bus think I will sneak in a nap first. - Claire
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oh no Michelle! Hope your daughter heals up quickly and is pain free even faster. I have a cut on my leg from moving furniture. No stitches needed but I’m STILL whiny about it. But nobody will listen. lo
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Daughter, son and his girlfriend are off to Lalapalooza, along with 400,000 other people. Yeah. My house to myself. Hubby is playing cards, and I am chilling with my dog. Been working on getting rid of some of my daughter's thingsthat she no longer wants, dropping stuff to goodwill, finishing up antibiotic!!! I took dinner to a friend of mine that had a reworked double mastectomy a couple of weeks ago, and stylized some of her designer clothing for photographing. That was fun. Looking forward to August. Today is my two year mammogram anniversary where the spiculated mass was found. We have had cooler weather and I have been enjoying life a bit more. The steroids shots have calmed down and the doxy is done. Good times.
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Finally, back on my regular dose of Tamoxifen, after 10, then 14 days of an antibiotic. Ran my sister around today, picking up brand new giant garbage bins from a major waste hauler. She has to go through both my mother and father's things, and some are not good enough to donate. We decided that she would place the items, that are not usable, into 2 90 gallon solid waste bins, and recycling into one 90 gallon bin. Those will be picked up every week. Helping her figure out the basics and what her needs are going to be in the future. She took care of my mom for 13 years. She has dogs and cats, that I am highly allergic to or I would help her. Good times.....
Tomorrow, I get my hair lowlighted, as it totally faded out from the sun and heat....every day is getting better. Looking forward to August.
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Feeling so much better on my regular dose of Tamoxifen. Today is gorgeous and we have 40,000 motor cycle riders here from all over the country in town this weekend. The are amazing and great for business. Going to see Denzel in Equalizer 2 with dh, kids are at lalapalooza for 4 days. I seem to be able to focus much better, the futher away I get from taking the doxycycline and getting steroid shots.
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Hi everyone,
Back from my latest adventure which included taking in an art exhibition in Seattle, camping for 3 nights at the John Wayne Waterfront Resort, a trip to the Pacific Coast at La Push, swimming in Lake Crescent which is glacier-fed, a spot of hiking on Hurricane Ridge (you drive up), and the Tour de Lavender metric century yesterday. This is my absolute favorite ride.
I am home cleaning up and recovering from all the excitement. An absolutely grand time. Pictures follow. - Claire
Starting out yesterday: view from the Discovery Trail of the Olympic Mountains.
First lavender farm.
View from a coastal estuary - lovely new byway for the ride.
Looking the other way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca towards British Columbia.
Lavender farm in the mist which never did quite burn off.
More lavender.
Hurricane Ridge from sea level.
Celebrating a glorious ride….
View of the coast from on top of Hurricane Ridge.
Upland meadows.
More coastline.
Mount Olympus with glaciers.
Pacific ocean. I found the waves a bit formidable.
Lake Crescent.
More views of the coastal rocks. I thought they were fascinating.
Sol Duc River estuary.
Proof I did the deed.
View of Sequim Bay from where I camped….or rather the view from the marina side.
Getting my culture on.
Glorious view of Mount Rainier at sunset on the ferry ride back.
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Hey, Claire, thanks for the "proof" because you know we would not believe you swam in the rivers, streams, and lakes. They must be pretty clean, ours are murky green/brown. Lovely, lovely pictures. Some friends of mine were in Pike's Peak in Seattle, throwing fish around. Is that something that happens regularly?
The kids returned from dustapalooza in Chicago, hacking and coughing up dust balls. With 400,000 attendees in a big park downtown, smoking who knows what, I am sure the air was thick. My dd took her antibiotic with her and almost did not get to take it in with her because of security risks. I heard a young kid, 16 years old, was unresponsive and passed away on Sunday night. I really don't know how drugs would get smuggled into a place, where the screening is so precise. Maybe they need drug sniffing dogs on the premises next year.
I am enjoying time with my bff - best furry friend - Sylvester, my mini schnauzer. We have had a very quiet weekend and he seems content with that.
Hugs to all my girls....hoping that your summers are glorious.
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Claire, so La Push is a real place? I thought it was just in the Twilight books. Daggum. I’m gonna have to make a trip across the USA so I can see Seattle and find La Push!
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We have had TWO days of sunshine! (Gasp!
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Oh yes I do swim in rivers and lakes here. I repaired to the swimming hole I discovered a bit more than a month ago with a friend. Who knew that it is only 5 miles from where I live. Just delightful and great fun.
They are extremely stringent about pollution most places which is why you really can swim here. What's good for the salmon makes for wonderful swimming.
I am going to NYC about a month from now on a business trip. Still finishing up nonprofit work, but I have truly moved on.
I ate blackberries and took in wonderful flowers on the way to and from the swimming hole and my car. It's in the Lower Snoqualmie River, and just idyllic. Came home refreshed and ready for the evening cool down. My prawn/pasta dish and salad await. - Claire
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The "fish throwing" is a ploy to generate business, and for that reason, I patronize other fish mongers. But it does happen all the time. I also dislike being looked down on as a "yogurt dude" when I am the one paying their wages. There is a lovely butcher and also a spice shop behind the fish-throwers, so see them quite often. You can get amazing things at the butcher shop as their main business is the Seattle restaurants. (But the Farmhouse Market in Fall City also has amazing local meats and fish, plus CHEAP Yakima vegetables.)
One of the most fun things to do is shop at Pike Place Market and take the spoils home to make a fabulous dinner.
So sad about the young kid. This happens far too often. Some nasty stuff out there.
Cooking up a storm as wine dinner is in 3 days..... - Claire
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Oh, Claire, what a glorious summer....
Today, I took my dd to get her stitches removed from her "axe-i-dent" and she complained of a sore throat which I am sure is from the dirt at dustapalooza. We went to a deli for lunch and then on to Sam's Club for supplies for her student housing townhouse.
Feeling very cheerful today, even though we had rain. Getting a birthday party planned for Friday for dd, at a local Italian eatery. Goal is to enjoy the next 17 days with dd, and next 24 or so days with ds, who is off to study at DePaul for his masters at the end of the summer.
Claire, I am so jealous of all the beauty that surrounds you.
I am just green with envy....Hugs to all.....
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I am having fun playing today. DD woke up with the croup and had to work....she is a tough cookie.. I asked her if she thought she needed a shot or iv to open up her chest. Being afraid of needles, the answer was a definitive "no."
Getting excited for fall and decorating!! Today, I visited with a friend, who is a pretty successful Lularoe consultant. I styled some pieces for her show tonight and that was fun. She calls them, "clothing capsules." I am also doing a little design consulting with a wig/extension/hair piece manufacturer in LA, to develop colors that will be in demand by a graying population. Their boutiques are found in high end malls, across the country. Their hair color choices are very warm, without enough ash or silver. We will see what happens.
Back on full strength Tamoxifen and feel better. I find that remark so weird, because many people feel terrible taking it. For me, it normalizes and lifts my mood up. Plus it helps preserve my bone strength.
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Your projects sound like major fun, Michelle!!! One thing to think about is that the Color Me Beautiful seasons still apply even as we get older. Saying this because I am in your target market, and I am still a Winter. I am the one the makeup artists love because I can take vibrant color. Brown palates are a waste of money.
Brava that Tamoxifen does good things for you!!!
I am off for a swim as in the 90s here, or at least it is outside, and someone doesn't have AC. It should be cooler for tomorrow evening's dinner party. I got the pastry shell baked today, and fortunately did the rest of the cooking last night. I do have the pastry cream to make, but that shouldn't take much time or heat up the place unduly. I don't think my Seattle friends have AC either, so all will be good. It should be in the 70s by the time the sun sets, so not that ungodly for more than a few hours.
I did a run earlier today when it was still in the 60s.
Beer eggs omelet for dinner with cheap fresh mushrooms from the supermarket. Will finish the fresh beans.
The (yes, chilly!!!!) water beckons.... - Claire
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Reporting back on the dinner after dragging most of today. Had the most fabulous time with my friends, with the food I made, amazing wine, and great conversation. It was toasty out, but cooled down to the point where it was warm but just fine, even with no AC. We feasted and sipped wine until midnight.
Here are the pictures. - Claire
Last minute shopping at the market. Note the flowers and just-picked raspberries.
All ready to go in my place with proper napkins and silverware.
Amazing salad with flowers, beets, carrots, blue cheese, and dill. I added vinaigrette later.
The main event. Chicken dish with ratatouille, mixed fresh beans from the market, and the Emmer faro with mushrooms I had made earlier in the week along with the chicken.
The pièce de résistance - raspberry tarte. Had another helping for lunch today
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Claire, I just love seeing all the things that you do and food that you create!!! Congrats on your dinner party. Your food looks so impressive, magazine pic quality. I am sure that it was delish...
Yesterday was my daughter's 20th birthday party, she turned 20 earlier in the month. We held it at a casual authentic Italian restaurant and it was nice. Had about 20 people, had to add tables, etc. The food is always excellent.
The weather is warm today, but there is a hint of fall in the air and some acorn groups dropping from my tree. Is it an early sign of fall?
How about that person stealing a plane in Seattle and going for a not so joyous ride?
I meant to respond sooner, but I had so many errands this week. Glad the birthdays are behind us for now.
Hugs to all my girls...
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