Tuesday, July 29, 2008

An Unusual Encounter in the QFC Parking Lot

I have been a little preoccupied with packing and preparing for the big move so I haven't written for awhile-- for that, gentle reader, I apologize. But let me tell you of an odd experience I had today. I ran to the store for milk and watermelon--the two summer staples of the Gale Family. I also picked up some "trail mix"--no sugar, no salt because I have been eating only fresh, unprocessed, pure and natural foods of late. (And I have lost TEN POUNDS--but some of that might be because of all the frenzied packing and cleaning and hauling of huge amounts of heavy stuff to the D.I. trailer). If you want to see what changed my life go to: originalfastfoods.com. Wow-- I really got off on a tangent there.

So, as I was heading to the car, a young man was walking toward me. I went into full alert. (A little known fact: my Dad taught me karate when I was a wee lass and I have an automatic response to someone approaching my personal space--just a warning--don't ever sneak up on me unannounced. I can't be responsible for my cat-like reflexes in the face of perceived danger!) But, back to the guy walking toward me. He began to talk: "I feel awkward telling you this but my car broke down and I tried to call someone but I can't get ahold of anyone. Can you help me? Even just some change would be great." I observed him closely as he talked, simultaneously sizing him up to see if I could throw him on the ground and beat the living daylights of him with the large watermelon I had in my arms, if necessary. He was clean-cut and well-dressed, tatoo on right side calf, some redness in his eyes.

I faced him and looked him in the eye and replied: "I have read about people like you scamming people for money-- are you lying to me?" "Oh no, my Grandpa lives up on the Lewis River, I am from around here, I just need help-- I can't get my car started..."
I said, "My husband is out of work and we have 5 kids that depend on us for food--if I give money to a scammer, I'm taking food out of their mouths."
I put my groceries in the car and then I took a dollar out of my purse. He had started to walk away. I said, in my firm, no-nonsense Mom Voice: "I'm giving you this because I believe in the Bible and it says 'Turn not away the beggar', if you are lying to me, let God be the judge." He looked at the ground and mumbled a thank you and walked away.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Seth's Excellent Adventure

Here are a few pictures from Seth's recent trek through the Olympic Peninsula...let us all take a moment and gaze with awe upon the beauty of this amazing place we call the Northwest.

The sun sets on a long day of trekking through rain forest, climbing cliffs and shlepping through swampy sand.
You may not be aware that stairs like these grow naturally in the right conditions in some wilderness areas of the Great Northwest.

"I shall forge ahead and make a trail through this wilderness-that others may follow!"











Thursday, July 17, 2008

Dreams Can Come True

It looks like we will soon be moving to a cabin in the woods, with a river out front. The seller accepted our offer and we are in escrow! So barring any major malfunction, we will be moving in a couple of weeks--maybe sooner. The bats living in the woodstove pipe are just a minor inconvenience--we will politely ask them to leave before we light a fire--oh and there were a few unidentified carcasses in the crawl space. Luckily too small to be human. Oh and I'm soooo glad I didn't have to crawl under there to look for dead bodies...one more blessing to count!

I'm going to try to share the link with you so you can see our new place. Wish me luck!
http://www.visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer2/viewer.asp?t=1556101&sk=22

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Are Wii Having Fun Yet?

For Family Night activity we all gathered 'round the Wii to have some quality time with the Wii Fit. We had all tried it a few times so Dad wanted to have a turn. You have to have healthy self-esteem to do it in front of others because it tells you your fitness level in huge graphics and print right there on the screen. Well, Dad went through the whole testing and got the verdict. Then he decided to do some yoga. Who would have thought yoga could be an entertaining spectator sport? He was doing 'The Tree' and the avatar trainer said in her creepy voice, "You seem a little shaky." (Dad had fallen off a few times) and Dad yelled, "You'd be shaky too if you were obese!"

"This is the night we've waited for, always a treat we have in store. We love each other more and more, with every family night......."

Shayla Again





























These pictures were so cute-- I was afraid to try and post them on her b-day after my traumatizing experience on Shane's but I think I am ready to try again!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Happy Birthday Shayla!


Shayla is 14 today! I asked her if she felt any different: "Do you feel older? Taller? Smarter?"

She replied, "From what I've seen of teenagers, the smart factor actually goes down for a few years." Amen, sister, amen! (Although--I would never say that about my own children. Maybe it's just the 'common-sense' factor that drops.)


Dinner Conversation

Last night at dinner, Seth was complaining about how much his back hurt. I said, "Oh, from carrying that pack on your 50 mile hike?"

Seth: "Fifty-FOUR mile hike!"
Me: "OK, fifty-FOUR miles."
Seth: "I need someone to rub my back"
Sam: "There is no way I am touching your back."
Seth: "If you want to live, you will rub my back!"
Sam: ::contemplating his options as his life flashes before him::
Seth: "Actually, you haven't LIVED until you've rubbed my back!"

Sunday, July 13, 2008

A Shiny Example

We had an amazing lesson in Relief Society today...Kristen Brittain taught so that is to be expected. The lesson was on sharing the gospel and she asked moms of missionaries who are currently serving to share some experiences their missionaries have had. Cameron Cox is serving in Samoa, Jacob Hager is in Brazil, Justin Hill is in Georgia, Kyle Clegg is in California--Vietnamese speaking, and Carissa Clive is in Kirkland, Ohio. Jacob Hill has received his mission call to The Provo Utah Mission and he came in and talked about his brother Justin. He said, "As many of you know, Justin isn't the sharpest crayon in the box! But, I want you to know that his mission has changed him in many ways. He was kind of quiet, but now he speaks out boldly to teach people the truth." Then he told of Justin and his companion riding their bikes down the road, and Justin had a strong feeling he should turn down a road-- but it was a dark road in a sketchy neighborhood. So he turned and his comp was worried. Soon they saw a man coming toward them. He said, "Are you Christian?" Justin said, "Yes we are!" and the guy said, "My mom needs to see you." and he led them to his home. There they met his mom, she had received a pass along card and was waiting to hear from the missionaries. Jacob went on to say he wouldn't be seeing his brother for three years because their missions overlap. But he couldn't wait to see his brother again and hug him and thank him for being such a great example for him. Through a letter, Jacob Hager told of a young man who joined the church but couldn't afford the bus fare to get to church on Sundays. He was walking over an hour one way to get there. The members pooled what little money they could spare to get him bus fare. Then a man in the branch offered to help him get a used bike from the bike repair place he ran out of his garage. What a fantastic example for us--our lives are pretty easy! They all had amazing, spiritual experiences and then she ended with a story from Carissa Clive. She and her companion were teaching a woman who lived a pretty rough life. She loved what she had learned about the Savior and really wanted to be baptized. Carissa asked her if she could make the commitment to quit smoking and be ready for baptism and she said "Yes, because I want to be shiny like you!" Carissa said, "What do you mean?" She replied, "When you come in, you shine and the light from you shines all around-- I want that too."

Friday, July 11, 2008

Seth Gets Back Tomorrow!




It's hard to believe our little Seffers is 16 years old! He has been gone all week on a 50 mile hike with the Boy Scouts. It's been a little quiet without him here...he has a witty sense of humor and also teases the younger siblings ...a combination that keeps things stirred up all the time.




Here's a little Seth story to cheer us up until we see him again:


After one of his crazy projects, Seth left a box cutter out on the lawn in the backyard. I asked him to go pick it up and make sure it was put away safely. Later, I asked him if he had taken care of it and he said, "Yeah, I put it away but there are blades all over the lawn out there."


I started to scold him about leaving those blades out there and the danger and foolishness etc . when he said: "BLADES OF GRASS! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Monday, July 7, 2008

Happy Birthday Shane!




















Today is Shane's 10th Birthday-- one whole DECADE!
It's not easy being in the number eight spot but he will always be my baby! (I know, I know--you are NOT a BABY!)

















Hope you don't mind all of this blank space.....





Yeah-- it just goes on and on and ...

















.................on.



That's because I scanned and uploaded all my pictures -- and then I had the Audacity of HOPE
(Thank you OBAMA)-- to think that I could move my writing around...just a little...not much.







And then, suddenly ALLLLLL of my pictures disappeared---POOF! Just like that. So I patiently re-uploaded all of them. BUT strangely enough the space where they had been refused to disappear.





I'm pretty sure there is a LAW OF PHYSICS that covers this mysterious phenomena.
Scott? Spencer? What do you think?


ARE WE THERE YET? ARE WE THERE YET? ARE WE THERE YET? ARE WE THERE YET?ARE WE THERE YET? ARE WE THERE YET?



NOT YET HONEY-- We'll be there soon!





Sooooo... how was your day? Did you do anything interesting? We celebrated Shane's birthday
at Red Robin. He was hoping they wouldn't recognize him from the last time he was there. It was
during their GRAND OPENING. He had a little too much root beer and tossed his cookies all
over the back of some poor guy's chair and then christened the new restaurant by puking again
on the way out. Luckily, I wasn't with him -- the Stanchfield's had been kind enough to take him
and Sam out for dinner that night.






Well, we're getting closer. That wasn't so bad was it? Just a total waste of space and a little reminder that I don't really know what the heck I'm doing.





OK here we are-- the bottom is in sight. It was lovely taking this little tour with you. Have a nice
day!










Buh-Bye!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

YOUR MOM...

...Fell in the RIVER! So we all went to see THE CABIN that we've been wishin' and hopin' and dreamin' about for the last few days. I thought it would be nice to show the young'uns the trail down to the swimmin' hole. (I know-- that's WAY too many missin' "G" letters) Well in an attempt to cross a little inlet I grabbed a branch that wasn't as sturdy as it appeared and I fell backwards, flat on my back, into the river! We all got a good laugh out of it and I squished around in my wet clothes for the rest of the tour.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Overheard

Shane: We have soooo many bug bites.
Sam: Yeah-- way more than anyone else.
Shane: What the heck!
Sam: Well, we haven't had a bath for a week. Bugs like dead things...and we smell like death!
Shane: YOUR MOM!
Sam: Loves you.
Shane: And you too.
Sam: True that.

Happy Birthday Scott!

 It has been awhile since I updated this little family scrapbook on the internet. I like to pop over here from time to time and look at our ...