Christmas in Washington

It is much warmer here, which means Christmas is more enjoyable when it's warmer. Ben took the whole week off after Christmas. We haven't ddone much but watch movies. Makinze and Valerie keep us entertained daily. I built some shelves fro Rachel in the basement for storage. She has canned a ton of garden vegetables, very impressive. Ben got a Mosin Nagant yesterday. We are excited to take it for some target practice. 

Birthdays Abound

December birthdays take a front seat at Christmas time here and in Alaska. Tallia/ Will/Chad/Augusta and Fran. Feliz Navidad everyone!!! Two celebrations in one month, damn right!!!

More Pics of Sweet Baby Tallia

These are the photos I took at the hospital on Tallia's actual birthday.  I wanted to post them sooner but, well, you know how that goes.  Anyway, she is such a beautiful baby!  I can't wait to see her again.  FYI...  I hope to be visiting soon! If that is OK.

Tallia and Dad

Mom and Dad experienced their first day and night at the house as parents. Baby kept them up a few times last night. Chad is trying to catch up on his sleep.

Tallia Presley at a glance

 We got to see Tallia for a short time. She is very cute, alert and from my observation has a bit of an attitude. She knows how to stick her lower lip out if she is annoyed. Great work Cristy and Chad.

The Brothers 3

Together again being crazy.

Remember These Kinds of Halloweens?

Ami loves Halloween, and he couldn't wait to trick or treat for real this year.  He picked out a bear costume (thankfully, it was warm!) and we made it around the block, but he was COLD by the time we got home...

Okay-not so funny, I guess!

I will sign up tomorrow-Wednesday, Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving. None of you need to worry about it anymore. Done deal. I will get my chips or coins or whatever they are called and everyone can feel happy and fulfilled.  I will post my progress on this blog. I hope to get kudos from all. Haha! And, best of all, this is free and you all do not have to worry about any of this anymore. I get it. I am a mess. I will stop being a mess. The end.

For those of you working on my upcoming intervention, just a little input from me. Save your pennies kids! Betty Ford is just so dated, so really old-school. It is, however, just $27,000.00 for a 30 day treatment.

I really think like I am feeling the love from Passages Malibu, however. Very modern, new, progressive, and for a whopping $88,500.00 for 30 days, I do believe this will be the one that works. Just a thought.........

FIRE CREW

I just finished my husband, Ben Walters, first book.  I read the final proof before it is actually published and for sale.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not an avid book reader.  I like to read magazines and blogs.  Simple, short, and to the point.  Instant gratification!  I maybe read 1 – 4 actual books, all the way through, per year.  I start many books but lose interest quickly, unless they are outstanding!  Ben tries to get me to read books all of the time.  Like my mother and my sister, he reads more like 1-4 books per week!  Also, when I find an outstanding book, worthy of finishing, I will have an extremely hard time putting it down and will have it devoured in a couple of days.

 I read Ben’s book in two days.  And would have finished it in one had I not absolutely needed some sleep so I could make it through my next 12 hour night shift at work.  I am beyond proud of this work!  I am proud to say I am married to the person that wrote it!  It is so candid and so much Ben!  He is absolutely exceptional in getting across the way he felt in all the moments of his life at the time.  It made me envious of the people that got to have all that fun with him.  Ben makes you feel like you want to be there too.  Oh man, if only we were eighteen again!

 If you are reading this, it is now available for sale on Amazon.  All immediate family will receive a copy of it for Christmas (Moms, Dads, Granny’s, Grandpas, Sisters, Brothers, and Offspring, and Step-offspring). So please wait for us to give, or send, one to you.  If you cannot wait I guess you will buy one from Amazon and we will also send, or give, you (a signed) one too. Whatever!  Beyond that we really cannot afford to give it away to everyone.  I am sorry! I am especially sorry because it is that good!

Like a Phoenix From the Ambulance Ashes...

I have been pondering for a while what car I would like to restore if it ever fell into my lap. I had a near-purchase experience several months ago with a 1977 Toyota Celica. The price was wrong, the budget was tight, and let's face it, it was puppy love. A high school crush if there ever was one for an automobile. You see, it had been a long time since I've been able to fabricate alongside my old man, and in the time that I've been away, I've developed an itch. I know what you are thinking, so let's get it out in the open, "seriously, a Toyota?!" It is important to interject here that, yes, I do have standards. My list of automotive interests includes many relevant cars ranging from the cliche (1965 Ford Mustang GT), to the muscular (1968 Chevy Camaro), to the unattainable (1971 Plymouth Barracuda). In the heat of passion, I felt that the Celica was the Juliet to my Romeo. This seemed to be the piece of me that had been missing all these years. That is, you see, until my friend Craig('s list) open my blind eyes. It was not loyalty to the Celica name that had drawn me in, it was the was that she masterfully imitated everything that I love about the muscle car generation. Her three bar tail lights that reminded me of the iconic mustang tail lights; the long, low fastback, reminicent of the prowess of a Charger.  Fortunately, by the time I had enough money to purchase a project car, all I could see were the Celica's shrinking tail lights.  I say fortunately because there was a new girl moved in just down the street and I heard that she was looking for a new owner.  On Craigslist I found a 1973 Datsun 240Z.  She looks like she has had a rough past, but with some TLC, I think we will have a bright future together.  THANKS CRAIGSLIST!!!

More toys to remember

        

I know Tara collected Mighty Max miniatures. What about Polly Pocket and Mon Chee Chee?

TOYS TO REMEMBER

I was just thinking about Christmas, being the owner of two kids and all. I was thinking about childhood toys. At first I was on a quest to find some cool vintage toys, I liked playing with, that maybe some of these new humans would like. Then I remembered, especially after seeing the kind of dough people think these things are worth, you can't push this stuff on these new kids. This really cool stuff that we cherished so much, they probably will not. And then we would just be disappointed in them. Plus there really are a lot of really cool toys these days!

First Photo: "Dolly Pops" Sooooo Cool. Good church toy. Loved Them!

Second Photo: "Moppets, Moppets, Moppets Secret Dollhouse" Do you remember the song? Definitely one of my favorite toys!!!!

P.S. Do not think I do not remember all of the barbies. But they are their own subject! They cannot be lumped in with the likes of these one hit wonders!

Tara, do you remember those Hello Kitty and My Melody dolls we had that were sort of like paper dolls, but made from that flat puffy plastic? I spotted some puffy plastic stickers, but not the dolls. Maybe they were just a dream. Let me know.