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.

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!"

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

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!

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!"