Family

Centralia Deli, Steak and BBQue...

 A couple weeks ago our daughter-in-law Debbie called.  Progress on her new restaurant was coming along and she had a couple of ideas she wanted to share with me.  We've been so excited to hear of her new plans and following long distance. 

Debbie and her friend Tim purchased an empty restaurant building.  It needed gutting and new everything.  The previous owners went out of their way to destroy whatever they couldn't remove.

 They've spent every spare moment, when not at their jobs, working on wiring, plumbing, drywall, and new outside siding.  Only in the past week or so has Debbie finally left her job at the Deli she owns with her sister in Chehalis. 

This phone call was an invitation.  Debbie shared they were going to have the interior of their restaurant depicting several hobbies and lots of antiques.  Debbie asked if I would come over and help with the interior decorating.  She wanted an eclectic look without too much clutter.  I was flattered.  Debbie purchased a ticket to work with my schedule and the planning went forward. 

Last Friday night I flew to Portland and was met by our oldest granddaughter Andi.  We drove to Centralia and spent the rest of the evening, into the wee morning hours at the restaurant. 

Saturday we spent another long day working.  I refurbished some old light sconces into a new life.  After the employee orientation, I took the paperwork and created spreadsheets and a database of employee information as well as some publications to entertain her younger visitors.

We cleared the dining area of tools and equipment for the carpet and vinyl installation.  We moved boxes out of the kitchen for the installation of the kitchen equipment.   The FRP was installed on the walls of the bathroom after the tiles went down and the windows were trimmed with the rough-finished boards to compliment the rough hewn cedar poles in the dining area. 

This restaurant will be a little of both of them.  We will use fire equipment for the entry way (both Tim and my stepson Rex were firefighters).  One corner of the restaurant will share Tim's love for skydiving.  There are Harley Davidson prints.  Tim has a collection of farm implements used to decorate around the 'yard'.   The barstools at the counter are made of saddles.  There is memorabilia from the local town and many antiques to finish off the bare spots.  Debbie and Tim have 12 bee hives.  There will be a corner of the waiting area called "The Honey Hut" where Debbie will share beekeeping books, hive supplies, brochures and fun bee decor.

Honestly, when I arrived Friday night I could not imagine the restaurant being ready for the opening on July 10th.  The progress, just during the two days I was visiting, was amazing this weekend.  It's all coming together. The kitchen equipment is being installed this week as well as FRP on the kitchen walls.  The walls in the dining area will be trimmed out with more cedar planks.  Soon the booths and refinished tables will be delivered too. 

I am so confident the opening will be a huge success.  We are looking forward to our first meal when we come to town on our way to the coast the following week.   We are so proud of them all! 

Saturday with Someone Special...

Today I felt productive. However, my 'to do' list was set aside with the visit of my favorite 3 year old and his daddy, who were out for a ride. His momma drove to Utah to pick up her niece. I think our two guys were lonely.

Matthew mowed our yard and then I watched Tate while he drove over to mow his own yard. Matt had to take the seat from the back of the jeep to load the mower. Tate and I took full advantage of the setting to sit in the shade, eat Otter Pops and watch the world go by.

Tate loves to use my iPhone for some of the game apps as well as the camera. Awhile back Papa and Grammy were babysitting one morning. I gave Tate my phone to play a game while we dressed and brushed our teeth.

Trying to maintain some modesty with our grandson in the room I quickly tossed my pj's in the hamper and dashed into the bathroom. As I enter the bathroom door I hear this sweet little voice say "Cheese Grammy". I panic and then think - how bad could it be.

When I finally regained control of my phone I took a moment to check out Tate's work expecting a dozen pictures of the dog and cats. Chalk one up for digital photography and the delete button. Our darling grandson had a great shot of my least favorite feature disappearing into the doorway revealing my efforts at modesty were lacking.

Here is our Saturday together - from Tate's point of view.

Summer - Finally...

We finally were able to enjoy sunshine and summer like temperatures.

Saturday Taten and I were invited to a 4 year old birthday party hosted by a coworker. How special for Gramma Deb to get to show off her young charge and watch him play with other 2-4 year old boys. He only hesitated for a moment when entering the bouncy house - which was actually shaped like a train engine.

I was warned to be watching but Tate only gave the birthday boy a side glance while gifts were opened. He commented about one of the Thomas the Train items received but seemed content with another drink of his punch and some more watermelon. He even remembered his 'please' when asked if he wanted a birthday hat while eating cake.

I just love watching little guys interact. As things were winding down, Tate joined Orion and 4 year old Mason in the bouncy house. They giggled and squealed, all anxious to show their bouncing tricks.

Sunday the weather continued to hold out for us. Mike employed the brawn and brains of our sons to slide our patio cover from the rotting wood siding to the roof above, where it was reattached. We are starting the preparations for the long awaited house painting. Much to our dismay we have several spots of wood rot and water damage - all which seemed to have appeared just this Spring. We've got a contractor scheduled to come make the repairs and new rain gutters ordered to be installed prior to the painting which is on the calendar for mid-July.

I know it's probably something we could manage over time ourselves but with Matt & Krieg's schedules, and Mike's recovery, it's just not something I want to worry about. It wasn't easy but we've been putting money aside for the past year for this project.

We wound down our weekend with tritip dinner, corn on the cob and fresh salads, shared with the kids (less Erin) on the patio outdoors. Matt & Brit brought over their 'corn hole' game (aka bean bag toss) and relaxed away the remaining daylight hours in the back yard.

We'll get to do it again in a couple weeks when Erin comes home! I really cherish moments like this together.