Political Discussion at the Kruger House:

Just after an anti-Bill Sizemore ad aired, Tristan asked 'Is Bill Sizemore a bad man?' No, he's probably not a bad man but he writes bad measures. 'What's a measure?' 'It's a bill (this is Scott answering by the way, in non 6-year-old verbage) that someone writes and sends to the political people in Salem and then if there's enough people that signed it, it goes on the ballot for us to vote on.' Slight pause, then: 'Does he write it all scribbly or something?'. ROFL!

Halloween Costumes

Shelby wanted to be a southern belle this year, and so (in my insanity) I thought, 'that's something I could actually make for her! I spent about $9 at the Walmart clearance table, and with a little sewing, hot glue, safety pins, and my mothers (vintage 1959) lace wedding slip and borrowed straw hat, we had a beautiful trick or treater.

Tristan on the other hand was easier, yet more traveling. By the time I got around to shopping for his Clone Trooper costume, there was nothing left in Lebanon except the blasters. On our anniversary dinner to Red Robin, we stopped in at the costume store at Heritage Mall and found the last one in his size. A little more pricy than Shelby's, but everyone was happy!

We had a great time trick or treating at the Lebanon Merchants, stopped at our 3 favorite neighbors houses, out to Grandma and Grandpas for bloody stubs of gummy body parts, and then a fun time at the Santucci's visiting all their neighbors for some of the biggest candy scores of the day (and sore feet).

House Update

Whoo Hoo! I've been saying this repeatedly for almost 24 hours now! Yesterday, as I was leaving (40 minutes late) for the Harvest Parties at School, there was a knock at the front door. I opened it, purse in hand, to find an inspector taking his shoes off getting ready to come in. I had called the day before, requesting a morning inspection.

At the time I was finishing ruffles on Shelby's Halloween Costume, I was feeling stressed and rushed and beating myself up for running late. But now, standing facing the inspector, I realized that God has everything in hand, and I was running late for a reason; so was the inspector. And so, instead of a weekend wondering and waiting, we're able to get going on the sheetrock and might actually be looking at having the kitchen ready for cabinets when they arrive on the 18th.

Fall Soccer

Well, I finally bit the bullet and sign the kids up for fall soccer. A few years ago (when Tristan wasn't in school and Shelby only had half day kindergarten) I had them both in dance, which was a combination of ballet, tap and gymnastics, but I let that go after my health got in the way and the renovation/move to grandma and grandpa's outside of town forced me to make some tough choices about scheduling.

So, I know a little about soccer, but enough to enjoy watching the clusters of small bodies that move about almost in unison on the field. The exciting part is when someone breaks free and makes a play (or an attempt at a play) that has pure brilliance in it. It is so exciting to watch! Then there are the cartwheels, somersaults, grass throwing, shoes caught in the net, tripping, pileups and other interim activities which just make the whole thing a blast. Throat, prepare to be hoarse til Halloween!

Wedding photos!

It was a hot day in Southern Oregon for an outdoor wedding - most of us felt like we were melting! Eveything went off beautifully once the flowers arrived. It is a special thing to see someone you've known since the day (almost the moment) they were born start a great new chapter of their life with a beautiful young woman! Here are a few photos of my nephew Alex (Jonathan Alexander) and his bride Janis. Proud parents Brent and Bev.

just added a new background!

Twilight Saga...Check it Out!

An 'Educational' Summer

All political views aside, it is a big thing when you're 8 years old to receive a letter from the President of the United States. Plus an 8 x 10 glossy photograph, in a manila envelope postmarked Washington D.C., and a piece of cardboard. Shelby has been very interested in the political ads for the upcoming elections, and I often ask her questions about what she believes, did she like what that ad said, how they treated their opponent, etc. She always has an opinion, and Oh I'm so proud; but remember she's eight.

So early in the summer, one of our fun activities was to use every stamp that Mama had in the house to send a letter to everyone we knew. There were a few stamps left, and thus the idea of sending President Bush a letter was born.

Now, the piece of cardboard took on a significance I did not anticipate.
'After all, the President touched the cardboard!'
'Well honey, I don't think President Bush had time to actually put the letter and the picture and the cardboard in the envelope himself, address it and send it to you. Probably one of his staff members does this for him.'
'Oh! Well, the secretary KNOWS the President, and I'm SURE she's shaken the President's hand, so someone who has TOUCHED the President touched this cardboard!'
'That is true honey.'
By the way, the cardboard was on the list of items mentioned during every phone call, to Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Bev, Auntie Anne, Auntie Chris.....
The cardboard is now on it's way to George H.W. Bush's office in Texas, with the hopes it will be returned with an autographed photo in the self-addressed stamped envelope marked 'Do Not Bend'....having been touched then by TWO people who have touched TWO Presidents....and father and son Presidents at that....

Earlier today we were watching Olympic highlights, and the Marion's Carpet commercial comes on, advertising free upgrade to their densist carpet. Shelby says 'Dentist carpet is really good, because you can put it whereever you need it to be.' I say nothing. 'Mama, what IS Dentist carpet?'. My straight faced response went pretty well, actually.

New Family Members

Sunday, August 3rd.

We surprised the kids by taking them to Safe Haven Humane Society. I have taken them there several times to see the animals, check on what donated items are needed, and dream about having a pet of their own. This time, it was no dream. Dad came with us, me with the camera, and after looking at all the dogs, we went into the Kitty room, and told them it was time for them to each pick a kitten. I couldn't be happier with their choices! A boy for Tristan and a girl for Shelby, brother and sister as well. We have two healthy happy additions to our family, with all of us taking turns on the 'box cleaning duty' extricating kitty claws from Mama's lace curtains and watching them screech and skid from one end of the house (the part they're allowed in, anyway!) to the other. It is truly a joy to experience them, as well as Shelby & Tristan's excitement at having them here.

Salutations

Finally I'm taking action upon the comments made by our out-of-state/-country friends due to my deferred responses to requests to keep in touch. 'You could start a blog, you know...'

So, here it begins; a compilation of stories and updates on the internecine renovation of our home, the delights, diversions and quibbles endowed by our children, and a speculation here and there, of interest to a few.

I hope you'll enjoy and comment on what you see.