My first Bella

This was my first bella creation. I sent this off to my bella sistah Mel & I am hoping she will get her mail before she looks at my blog. She is off visiting New York & didn't want to post this any earlier. I found a great idea on a blog to make an image holder. It has nice accordian sides and a little velcro closure. I added CTMH liquid glass on her dress and the blue of the suitcase. I also added a few bellas images I am hoping she didn't have.

I CAN SEE!! & Blog Candy Alert

My right contact came in late yesterday & I was able to grab it after work. It sure made driving easier!!! What would I do without contacts?!!!

Irina has posted a great blog candy offer. Check out her website. Some very nice cards posted!!!

Half Blind for a few days...

As I was getting ready for work yesterday & doing my hair, my bangs were poking me in the eyes. Both contacts decided to revolt at the same time. I took out the left & washed it off then put it back in. Did the same for the right one. I started to dry my hair & noticed thing were quite blurry. Some time in that first few seconds the right lens fell out & it is nowhere to be found. I searched & searched, tried again at lunch & Steve even looked after work. It is lost in some contact hole in our bathroom. I have such a strong prescription that it has to be ordered, made and mailed to the eye doc. Thank goodness I don't have to drive very far. Just to work & back (less than a mile round trip) and to Nic's school & back (about a mile or so each way). I am hoping to get the new lens tomorrow or Thursday & will be glad to see with both eyes again.

I was told my the eye doc last visit that lasik is probably not an option with my high prescription plus there even if I could have it there is no way I would wear just my coke bottle glasses for six weeks to determine if I could have the surgery or not. I am just too vain & proud of it!!! These are thick glasses & I remember all the teasing I received from the first grade on until I was able to wear contacts in 8th grade. Some scars never go away. You would think at my age I shouldn't care but that is not so. We are talking seriously thick glasses people.

Suzanne's Blog Candy

Suzanne posted some very nice Wiff of Joy blog candy. Check it out!!!

My 1st Bella Posting

Ok....I am very nervous. What do y'all think? I would like honest answers please and any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated (I won't be crushed completely, lol). I altered a composition notebook. I had seen this on the Close To My Heart billboard and created some for my open house this coming Saturday but I wanted one special for me!!! This is my second bella created, the first I am saving until my bella sistah receives it before I post it. I am having a hard time finding the right color for bellas skin. This bella has spent the summer in the sun & has a great tan.

I used CTMH papers, ribbon & the new alphabet ready for coloring or inking. I love them. The markers are from various makers.

Blog Candy Alert

Kristin has some great blog candy on her site. She is picking on Sept 15th so check it out!!!

Deck Progress

We are getting closer to the end....Steve is doing an excellent job. Notice the detail of the handrail. We both just love how this looks. My husband does great work!!! Don't look at the backyard of dirt. It will have grass next spring. We thought we could do grass this summer but it didn't work out that way.

Loreen's Blog Candy

I want to invite all of you to check out Loreen blog. She has some great blog candy.

More Blog Candy!!!

Jacqui over at Javablustamper is hosting a Blog Candy giveaway as well. Stop by and check it out!http://www.javablustamper.blogspot.com/ .

Bellaholicsanonymous.........

I have recently joinded a great group of very talented people that love bella stamps. The creations people make are just mwah!!!! It is a yahoo group. Check it out.

I would like to thank cheribella for the wonderful bella images she sent me. I received them yesterday in the mail and can't wait to get started. What a great lady. Thanks Cheri!!!! I promise to post a finished bella card soon!!! Wish me luck.

9th Grade....WOW!!!

Nic's first day of school was yesterday. It is hard to believe he is now in 9th grade and this is his last year at Kalles Junior High. Next year he will be in high school. Can you believe how tall he is???
Well he is running to cath the bus. He heard it coming up the road as he

opened the garage door. What a way to get your heart pumping. He was probably blaming me since I had to get the first picture then he forgot his shirt for football practice. GO KALLES TYEES!!!

BLOG CANDY ALERT!!!

A little bird told me that Hilmarose is giving away some great blog candy. Check this link out to enter.....http://hilmarose.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-candy-time.html. I am learning & not quite sure how to post a link in a shorter version like I have seen others do.

1st Place Team 7-19-08

Billings Electric took first place in the league and now have two weeks off to prepare for the tournament. The top two teams from Puyallup will play against the top two teams from Auburn & Kent. Last year we were the 2nd place team and we took 3rd place in the tournament. Wish us luck for this year.

SEATTLE TO PORTLAND

IN TWO DAYS

Steve & John prep John's bike

Now it is time to prep Hong's bike
And they are off!!!! Actually I dropped them off a few blocks from the University of Washington & they rode over to get checked in. Nic, his friend Kohl and I drove down to pick them up at the 2 day rider stopping point (Centrailia College) and we headed off to the new Great Wolf Lodge. Steve, John & Hong stayed the night & Nic & Kohl enjoyed the waterslides before dinner. I didn't get any pictures from the finish line in Portland but hope to order them from the rides's photographers. I can make a great scrapbook page!!!

NBC BASKETBALL CAMP

Intensity Night

I had heard great things about NBC camp from several people and was able to sign Nic up this year. It worked out great with the baseball schedule (only 1 game missed). Last night they held and hour long intensity course for family & friends to watch. There were 25 to 30 stations the boys did for about 2 minutes each and they were dripping when all was said & done. This is the first camp Nic has been to where he is away for several days. He is having a blast & working his tail off. I dropped him off Sunday while Steve was riding the STP and will pick him up on Thursday. Besides great basketball skills these kids are taught, they learn teamwork, how to motivate each other, leadership & how to be a better person.

Last Night's Baseball Game...
I think I have told you Nic is 6'1" or more by now but this picture is a perfect example.




Nic is the starting pitcher for the team, but he was given the night off. Well after the

other team tying the game in the bottom of the first inning Nic came in to relieve Joe and did and excellent job.










Nic had two solo home runs last night and scored on a walk. I am having Steve take pictures for me since I am the score keeper & can only keep track of so much at once!!! Thanks honey!!

Steve's Gorge Ride

Steve and his friends Steve, Hong & Rob all went for a 40 mile bike ride along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. They started out just south of The Dalles and rode along the old Columbia highway. Check out the climb they made!!!

Except for Rob they are all, along with another friend who was unable to make this ride, preparing for the Seattle to Portland ride in July. I just found out from our dentist that the riders go right through Puyallup but they start from the University of Washington in Seattle. I told Steve he just needs to start from the dentist's office and forget making me get up at the crack of dawn (4am) to get them into Seattle. Dosen't that sound like a good idea to you?

Baseball 2008 has started!!!




Nic is ready get them out at 1st.












Taking a breather before the batter is at the plate.




This was out first official game and our first loss. We were ahead while Nic pitched the first three innings but after the switch things changed. Nic allowed only one hit and zero runs. The first game of the season was rained out (surprise). The game they played on Saturday they blasted the other team but since Steve was on his bike ride & I keep score...no pictures. Our next game is tonight.

Update on my Dad!!!

For those who did not know....my dad had to have his right leg amputated below the knee in an emergency surgery May 16th. He had been fighting off infections from his latest ankle surgery last year and with different types of medications had (thought) been given a green light. Well so much for that. One day he was fine and by the next day his foot was huge, flaming red and hurt to move at all. He went into the emergency room on Thursday evening, was admitted & they preformed surgery the next day. The xrays done in at emergency showed all bone in his foot had just disintegrated and was starting to move up the leg. That was not the case six months ago. He only had to stay in the hospital a little over a week and is now home. He is in a wheelchair at this time and after some healing he will be moving to a prosthetic leg. Which in the end will be super. He will be able to go on walks, play golf and have a much better life than what he was putting up with. My mom was just sick that he wouldn't be able to golf anymore. He seems ok in the wheelchair but still has issues. For most people they have their other leg to support them to get up, down, it & out. He on the other hand has a left knee that is in need of a replacement and will not support any weight. That surgery will have to wait a bit now. He was planning on doing it in July or August but will now have to wait until they are fine with the amputation healing & walking around with the prostetlic. In the end, a bionic man!!!! Just say a few prayers for quick healing, strength and a positive spirit. I know this is the better choice for the future. He has more to do!!!

I am also including some pictures of Nic at his track meet. What a great guy!!

Our New Deck in Progress

Wow...after a year we are starting on the back deck. I refer to the collective we, mainly Steve & I am the support staff. He is the designer & builder & I am the assistant & buyer of goods.

Our deck will end up being over 350 square feet of totally enjoyable space. We are going to add an outdoor kitchen with a nice grill, side burner & counter top. A new set of table, chairs, umbrella & lounge chairs.


This is two of the five walls that Steve built!!















We had to rent a lifter since the one beam was quite large & heavy. John & Hong helped Steve all day & Nic lifted or lowered until time for baseball practice.















Floor joists almost all in place. The trees are filling up out our backyard & it is so relaxing to listen to the birds.
















Here we are as of Monday, Memorial Day. Steve is installing the Y braces from the post to the beam. I have been painting all the brackets, bolts & nails black. The painted black look is tons better compared to the silver galvanized look. It just looks more polished.

We just have the Y braces to finish & put up the stair treads before it is time to call the City of Puyallup back out for our framing inspection. Then onto the deck boards, posts, railings, kitchen & such. When the deck is all done we will be hyrdoseeding, graveling under the deck & adding plants. I am trying to remember, but I think the backyard has been almost three years with out grass. Zoom will really like having grass to sit on instead of sand.