Projects, To Do Lists and Upgrades...

For years our home has always had a "family wall". Guess that's what happens when you marry a man with a past and you are open to a united family theme. We've moved (once or twice), the pictures have changed, the locations have changed, but there is always a wall of family pictures to stop and reflect upon.

This past year I discovered the on-line bulletin boards - Pinterest. What luck! For years I've been cutting and preserving craft ideas, DIY projects, recipes, patterns, garden ideas, home plans, travel ideas... and voila... there is a world of 'savers' just like me. Except the process has progressed into this century.

I "pinned" several different wall ideas to one of my bulletin boards (you can create themes) and took down the old family wall. Holes were patched, fresh paint applied and pictures were sorted. Fortunately the only frame I had to purchase was the long 6-4x6 frame. I've been curious about vinyl letters and took the plunge there as well.

I found the center of the wall, measuring horizontal and vertical and ran a big strip of blue tape across the wall (a big step for me - I never measure). After placing (and replacing) pictures and vinyl lettering on the floor so I knew how I wanted it done, I carried the middle row up and hung them, one at a time starting with the center, lining up the bottom of the blue tape. For the row above I measured (that's twice now) and ran a second row of blue tape and hung those pictures as well. You get the gest...

How lucky for us to have so many married children. There is even an open slot for the August wedding.

The piano still holds this years more recent photos but this is my favorite "family wall".

Riley

Manhattan's Golden Sonrise - Riley

December 30, 1997-January 8, 2012

Riley is at peace. I know he's at peace. I held his head and watched him relax while taking his final breath. My head knows our family made the right decision.

Riley has spent the past two weeks laying on the same blankets in the same spot. We kept pushing water though he ate very little. His muscles atrophied. He probably had pain in his hips. He leaned and walked to the right leaving us to believe he probably had a stroke.

This is not the quality of life he was accustomed to - he no longer slept upstairs with us nor had he followed us around the house.

Yes we know. It doesn't make the heart hurt any less. We've lost a dear member of our family. But he's at peace.

2012...

January 1st. A day for reflection for many. I look back over the past couple of years and have few regrets. I faced 2010 determined to improve my physical self. This road encountered a couple of obstacles - mainly a boot and foot surgery. Recovery was slow and steady. The physical regime continues... after all I didn't get this way overnight and I'm determined it will get better and stay that way.
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In 2011 I decided to accept the things over which I have no control. It's a mantra I have been repeating to myself often. It applies to so many aspects. I cannot force people to like me or accept me and their choices do not make me a bad person. It took longer to resolve this in my heart as it involved something I've been trying to create for many years. Understanding that because I wanted it, didn't make it something others wanted, was a big step for me. It also meant moving on.

2011 was an exciting year. We reunited with the Oregon Shaws at our little slice of heaven on the WA coast. We spent time with our DIL and Grands and welcomed a new Great! I was fortunate to spend time with my folks, brother, sister and her family. I'm thankful my parents are in good health and my sister and I stay close in touch. We officially welcomed Chris into our family (as well as his parents and sister too). We tried to make time for our family and dear friends whenever possible.

I also made a decision to leave a job where I was comfortable, but unhappy, for a new position where I am challenged. I'm thankful for former coworkers who are dear enough to stay remain in touch.

Now we have 2012 upon us. I feel I need to continue the physical improvements to my half-century (plus) old body. It's for my own health after all.

I feel it's important to continue the focus on our family time together - finding ways to make memories for all of us. Especially since we have another wedding to celebrate!

AND... I will remind myself daily to accept that which I have no control and nurture healthy relationships.

Happy Birthday Riley!

In 1997 we acquired a golden retriever puppy for Krieg. We were friends of the breeders and were able to visit the litter while still living in a whelping box. Krieg wanted the name to start with an 'R'. To this day I'm not sure why but he did have a red ribbon on his neck so maybe that's where it originated.

Names were bounced around. 'Romeo' was popular but I couldn't see us standing at the door calling the dog - Romeo, Romeo where for art thou... Riley joined us in February. His AKC name is Manhattan's Golden Sonrise. Manhattan is the breeder name. Golden - duh. And Sonrise - well Krieg has always been my sonrise - an early riser and a morning person (ugh). We call him Riley, Riles, Riley Roy or Red Riley Roy Rover.

Riley has retrieved a bizillion tennis balls. He's chased after Krieg (and Matt) and a soccer ball. He's followed football passes and sat on the sidelines watching lacrosse. He's run on the beach at the Washington Coast and slept in the tents. He's lived in four different homes with us. Riley made the move cross country with us, enduring endless stops for family fun. We've walked hundreds of miles together and shared a few knowing looks. He's never liked conflict. Much like his Master. When voices were raised or horse play began, Riley would disappear to his crate or a quiet place on the stairs. But he's always been ready to greet us when we come home. Always "talking" and a exuberant wagging tail for a homecoming.

Riley turned 14 years old today. We've have no contact with the breeder family and I know one other of the little passed already. Riley has given us a couple of scares leaving us aware of his mortality. He's given us fourteen years of loyal companionship and unconditional love. It's our turn now to make him as comfortable as possible and let him know we love him too.

My Christmas Wish - a day together

Matthew & Britnee

Tate's first run

'Nuf Said...

Our newlyweds Erin & Chris

The Hubster

Engaged Krieg and Karissa

Matthew, Taten and Britnee - such a cute lil'family.

Karissa, Matt, Tate, Krieg and Britnee

Hope your Christmas weekend was family-filled!

No Cheeseheads

After Christmas we drove Erin and Chris home to Moscow and stayed overnight. We had breakfast with Erin and we headed south for home. Much to our surprise Mike was pulled over on the Lewiston grade. Apparently neither one us accurately knew the speed limit. Trooper Schwenke acquired the registration and Mike's driver license and left us saying he would check Mike's record.

Upon his return the trooper asked Mike if we were Packer fans... (you think?), showed us his Detroit Lions logo wallet and proceeded to tell us that Cheeseheads were now illegal in Idaho!

A trooper with a sense of humor! Thank you.

Happy Birthday Great-Great

Corinne Lillian Murwin Apfel

This is my Grandma. After I was born, my Mom returned to work and I spent week days with Grandma for three years. The bond didn't end there. Gram's house was where we had holiday feasts. It was where we gathered with aunts, uncles and so many cousins. It was where we had sleepovers upstairs in old iron beds and soft quilts. We dressed up in old clothes kept in a trunk on the back porch. We ate cookies and drank strawberry sodas at the kitchen table. We climbed the crabapple tree and picked raspberries from the garden with Grandpa and sat on the front porch in the rocking chairs where he counted cars. Grandma shared stories of her childhood... gypsies, circus bears and panhandlers. If only I'd thought far enough ahead to write some down as my memory fails me now.

When our daughter was born there was no doubt her name would have a part of Gram's. Despite living away from my hometown, I made sure we had plenty of letters to mail with pictures. Our visits always included time spent with Gram. When we moved back, Great-great, as she was loving called by our children, would 'watch' the kids while I shopped for Gram's groceries when we could no longer take her out. They'd listen to her stories while I cleaned her small apartment. I truly felt like our children came to know Great-great and love her like I always will.

Today would have been Gram's 109th birthday. Happy Birthday Great-great. We love you.