Have you ever had a day like this?

Today is such a busy day... a scout activity after school, a violin recital for Amy, Football practice for Ben, a Soccer game for Spencer, Pack meeting for Joey and then hallelujah pick up Bruce from the airport at 9:30!!! So because the day is so busy after school with no time for regular household chores I have to work really hard now to get ready.
Hurray the laundry is all washed - unfortunately there is no place to sit in the family room as there are clothes to be folded and put away on every couch. The dishes from breakfast are still on the table - it is afternoon now but I am waiting for the dishwasher to finish washing last nights dishes - I forgot to turn it on last night I even got the soap in it.
I went downstairs to find Amy something to wear to her recital ... I walk past the bathroom there are towels on the floor as usual... can't blame the kids there is no towel bar in there... ok, so I have had the remedy for awhile now -no time like the present, plus it will cover up the ugly door.

Ugly door!

I quickly measure the board on the door, cut it, sand it and spray paint it white. I don't wait long enough for the paint to dry so I make a fingerprint on it and also get paint on my fingers. I guess that proves who did it and the paint on me can remind me for hours or days how productive I was. Ok, finally done it looks pretty good... won't my kids think its great!!!...won't my husband be glad I did it instead of asking him!!!.... Wow I'm wonderful!!!

Pride goeth before the fall!

I used the wrong end of the board that I cut. This is too short to fix the problem of the ugly door. It needs to be as long as I carefully measured. It has to go from one side of the door to the other in order to have something to screw it to to be sturdy - I knew all that...

How could I be so dumb?...

Oh well I didn't really have time to do that anyway today- too busy you know.
I know I'll put this on my blog- maybe someone can relate...
Chips and salsa sounds good maybe I'll have some of that too...
I think I'm too busy today to start again I guess I'll just read some blogs.....
maybe when Bruce gets home I'll ask him....

I think I'm too tired to ....

Have you ever had a day like this?
Me too!

Parents Wish

My sister sent me this site in an email I'd like to share it. This makes me think of my dad.
Click here to see the video

My Dad Reino Kolu

My Dad has been at Orchard Cove since February of this year. He is 79 years old born on April 29, 1929. He has had Parkinsons for over 20 years. He now suffers from dementia as well. He always was a hard working man who never missed work. He worked at two papermills, one in Minnesota and one in Oregon. He worked on the Dew Line in 1959. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, gardening, raising sheep, raising kids, and service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He built 3 homes and could fix anything! Dad was always the friendliest man in any circle. He would shake anyone's hand and talk to them. He had a wonderful way about him and could always put others at ease and make them feel welcome. Dad is a first generation Finnish American. His parents were Hjalmar and Bertha Kolu. He grew up on a farm in Northern Minnesota. His first language was Finnish. His sister's name was Esther. His brother was Eino.

Labor Day

My daughter Becky, her husband Chris, their son Sam, my daughter Amy and I went to see my Dad at Orchard Cove today September 1, 2008. He told us a fun story I have titled

The Great Escape!

Video Transcript:

You know this is the darndest place --

you can lay in that bed right there and you couldn't get out.

You can lay in that bed right there and what?

You can't get out. You're stuck in there.

From there to there and you are that far from the wall

and you can't get at that switch. I escaped once.

You escaped once. Where'd you go?

The office.

Down to the office. Did they bring you back?

Yeah they always bring you back.

(Bold comments are Dad and italicized comments are Sandy, Becky or Chris)

Some times he likes to ignore me this next clip is called-

Don't talk to me!

The Little Boy and the Old Man

by Shel Silverstein

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."

Said the little old man, "I do that too."

The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."

"I do that too," laughed the little old man.

Said the little boy, "I often cry."

The old man nodded, "So do I."

"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems

Grown-ups don't pay attention to me."

And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.

"I know what you mean," said the little old man.

I love my Dad and want to thank him publicly for the many things he taught me and the great example he has been to me.

Thanks Dad

I Love You

Minnesota Memories

I grew up in Minnesota and spent hours climbing
and playing under giant pine trees.
I used to pretend I lived under the tree.
It could be anything and I could be anywhere I wanted to be.


Pine-skirt memories
Once-upon-a-castle dreams
Found in needle trees

Five of my multi-talented, musical, athletic, wonderful, cute, energetic... Kids!!!

Cameron singing one of my favorite songs-"The Pipe of Peace"
He is 18 and available. He wrote the music and lyrics for this song.


Amy is a huge Hannah Montana Fan. She is 6 years old.
In this clip she is singing "Nobody's Perfect" with her own choreography!!!


Joey who has decided he wants to be called Joseph
at the ripe old age of 10 demonstrates his skill on the drums!!!


Joseph, Amy and Cameron together for the
first time singing and playing "A Horse With No Name"
(Remember this is their debut!!)


Joey and the boys dunking each other at the Farmington pool!!


Spencer is 12 and a daredevil.
He says "Mom watch this Dead Man Dive!!!"

Ben is 14, he can do it too!!! Don't miss the Flip-Flop at the end.

Bet you can't do that!