This was wash cycle #1 with double soap. 
Needless to say - these went through the wash again.
May 27, 2009
You call this clean?
While going through all the dry cleaning that was delivered we discovered the blankets still smelled like smoke. I decided to rewash some of the blankets. I don't think dry cleaning is the best method for removing smoke residue from stuff. Each time I went to open the lid of the washer the senses were assailed with the flavor of charred mountain springs.
May 23, 2009
Fun Times
The other day Tom brought home some candy lips for Chandler. She was quite impressed and they have quickly become a favorite
We took a family outing to Lowes to get an idea on kitchen layout. We gave the kids the camera to keep them occupied. This is one of the results...
Friends whom we will greatly miss when they leave for Chicago. We are excited to see how God will use them to further His kingdom. We love you guys! by the way...we were playing a game - hence the hats.
On Tuesday the clothing from the kid's rooms got delivered. We get our Dry cleaning from Culver City. Can you believe that every single dress up piece was cleaned and pressed. It is now all hanging in Chandler's closet.
I took the kids on an outing today. A photo shoot to get some nice shots of them. Why go to an overpriced studio where the people don't care and make lame faces to try and get you to smile rather than what you want to do: wince? when you can go local and do what you want. We did get some funny looks going hiking on a trail loaded with a garmet bag, extra pair of shoes, and a large camera bag.
I took the kids on an outing today. A photo shoot to get some nice shots of them. Why go to an overpriced studio where the people don't care and make lame faces to try and get you to smile rather than what you want to do: wince? when you can go local and do what you want. We did get some funny looks going hiking on a trail loaded with a garmet bag, extra pair of shoes, and a large camera bag.
.
May 21, 2009
A Soapbox
I don't often get on the soapbox to 'rant' but today I am.
Today I received yet another email asking for prayer and money for some little kid with a terminal disease...and if I forward the email the provider will give the family money for each person it is sent to. Come on people! are you really that naive as to think that it works or that the companies handle their money in such a fashion? Why does it seem that the Christian world is so easily manipulated when the words God, love, cherish, help, and any sweet bible verse is added to an email? Sweet kittens and gay angels are not going to make you godlier nor do anything else but tug at the heart strings of guilt. Do you feel that you have 'done your good deed for the day' by forwarding it? Christ calls us to be wise - this 
behavior is not wisdom.
Paul warns the church that there would be wolves among the flock waiting to prey upon the unsuspecting and that we need to take heed. Granted, he is talking about false teachers. But this can also be remembered when it comes to other areas in our lives. Christians are to be WISE, to be CAREFUL, to be MINDFUL. Proverbs is full of these warnings, yet we ignore them and forget to be as shrewed as the serpent.
God is greater than the things that happen on this planet, yet we forget that and place him in a cute, cuddly box that is only pulled out when we feel the need or are desperate to have Him do what we want. We are His creation to do His bidding not the other way around.
OK, I'm done. I'll get down now.
Why is it that people are so gullible as to believe every sappy email that comes down the pike? Then have the sappiness to forward the stupid thing on to everyone they know?
Today I received yet another email asking for prayer and money for some little kid with a terminal disease...and if I forward the email the provider will give the family money for each person it is sent to. Come on people! are you really that naive as to think that it works or that the companies handle their money in such a fashion? Why does it seem that the Christian world is so easily manipulated when the words God, love, cherish, help, and any sweet bible verse is added to an email? Sweet kittens and gay angels are not going to make you godlier nor do anything else but tug at the heart strings of guilt. Do you feel that you have 'done your good deed for the day' by forwarding it? Christ calls us to be wise - this 
behavior is not wisdom.Paul warns the church that there would be wolves among the flock waiting to prey upon the unsuspecting and that we need to take heed. Granted, he is talking about false teachers. But this can also be remembered when it comes to other areas in our lives. Christians are to be WISE, to be CAREFUL, to be MINDFUL. Proverbs is full of these warnings, yet we ignore them and forget to be as shrewed as the serpent.
God is greater than the things that happen on this planet, yet we forget that and place him in a cute, cuddly box that is only pulled out when we feel the need or are desperate to have Him do what we want. We are His creation to do His bidding not the other way around.
OK, I'm done. I'll get down now.
May 18, 2009
Talking + Wine = Tables
On Saturday we took a family outing to find our perfect refrigerator and stove. After several stores and reading lots of reviews we still haven't decided. Argh! But, thankfully the Lord knows the perfect ones so it will indeed happen by the time we move back into the house. After we left the last appliance store we noticed a furniture store across the street that will be closing its doors. We decided to wander in - Polo and Leather in the store name automatically means I have to go in. While there, we found a piece that will work as the dining table. Later that evening we took my Dad back to get another opinion. After a two hour conversation with the store owner about everything from Argentinean politics to work ethic - interspersed with talk about the table and chairs, all while sipping a glass of wine, we bought 2 tables and 8 chairs. Yes, two tables: a small side table and the dining table.
The concept of establishing a relationship with the person you are purchasing from is not unheard of in the rest of the world. While we can and do purchase things quickly by choosing the item then slapping the money on the counter this method does leave a lot to be desired. The glimpse into the 'Old world' style of making a purchase was so much fun and has opened a door into a possible friendship that may continue beyond just Wednesday when the purchase will be complete and the tables are delivered.
The concept of establishing a relationship with the person you are purchasing from is not unheard of in the rest of the world. While we can and do purchase things quickly by choosing the item then slapping the money on the counter this method does leave a lot to be desired. The glimpse into the 'Old world' style of making a purchase was so much fun and has opened a door into a possible friendship that may continue beyond just Wednesday when the purchase will be complete and the tables are delivered.
April 16, 2009
The catch up
Our routine has been established and life is 'back to normal' though we are not going to be back in the house for some time. The Abatement is over and the bids are coming in for the construction that needs/wants to be done on the house. We are taking full advantage of the 'vacation spot' that we are residing at. The heated pool and gym room are visited frequently.
The camera was sent in for diagnostic test, etc and has since been returned to us 'fixed'. Thankfully the guarantee is for 2 years so if anything goes wrong in that time period it will be replaced. It appears to be fixed and I am thankful that it is back in our possession. Why does it seem that when you have the camera you don't use it as often as when you don't have it but find you NEED it?
Last weekend we went hiking down a trail that is quite near by. The kids enjoyed hearing the little frogs croaking, climbing hills and trees, and picking Lupine for me. Toward the end of the trail we came across a 'shrine' to a little mut complete with picture, planted flowers, and a solar powered light.
We couldn't help but stop and of course take a picture.
The past few days have been filled with test prep and SAT's. Two days of 'bubble filling' and sitting still for long periods of time was taxing. We needed to get out! So, today we went hiking in Malibu with several friends. The kids (of course) had a ball in the frigid waters. Initally they were told to just roll up their pant legs, but after slipping on the rocks and falling in - it didn't matter. Harrison enjoyed jumping off the large rock. He even gave a few older boys instructions on how to go about doing the same. All the boys came home with tadpoles the size of golf balls. Five of them became personal pets. I would put them in the tank with the fish, but I think they may eat my fish.
The camera was sent in for diagnostic test, etc and has since been returned to us 'fixed'. Thankfully the guarantee is for 2 years so if anything goes wrong in that time period it will be replaced. It appears to be fixed and I am thankful that it is back in our possession. Why does it seem that when you have the camera you don't use it as often as when you don't have it but find you NEED it?
Last weekend we went hiking down a trail that is quite near by. The kids enjoyed hearing the little frogs croaking, climbing hills and trees, and picking Lupine for me. Toward the end of the trail we came across a 'shrine' to a little mut complete with picture, planted flowers, and a solar powered light.
We couldn't help but stop and of course take a picture.
The past few days have been filled with test prep and SAT's. Two days of 'bubble filling' and sitting still for long periods of time was taxing. We needed to get out! So, today we went hiking in Malibu with several friends. The kids (of course) had a ball in the frigid waters. Initally they were told to just roll up their pant legs, but after slipping on the rocks and falling in - it didn't matter. Harrison enjoyed jumping off the large rock. He even gave a few older boys instructions on how to go about doing the same. All the boys came home with tadpoles the size of golf balls. Five of them became personal pets. I would put them in the tank with the fish, but I think they may eat my fish.
March 16, 2009
The Camera
It is offical: The camera is Dying
We thought that the camera had survived the smoke and was working properly. Since many of the post fire shots had been during cloudy days we didn't consider the 'washy' look to be anything more than the days' atmosphere and lighting. But, with the major use it got over the weekend and a comparrison shot the evidence is clear.
Picture taken last summer:
Picture taken on Saturday:
We thought that the camera had survived the smoke and was working properly. Since many of the post fire shots had been during cloudy days we didn't consider the 'washy' look to be anything more than the days' atmosphere and lighting. But, with the major use it got over the weekend and a comparrison shot the evidence is clear.
Picture taken last summer:
Picture taken on Saturday:
Kid's Birthday Party
The kids had a great time at Scooter's Jungle with their friends. The kids were flying down the slide, chucking balls (and I mean chucking), and devouring candy like it was candy.
February 24, 2009
House Update #6
The A-Team has finished the lengthy 9 day job of pulling out, measuring, photoing, then cataloguing each item that came out of our home before placing it in trash bags or wrapping it in plastic and loading them on trucks. The back yard pile is gone - not even the rocks that were underneath the pile were left. What is left: blackened, scorched ground that slightly resembles the surface of the moon. Standing to the side of the area is the apple tree that has decided to blossom.
The next task for them - wiping down walls and scraping the ceilings. The next task for us - reading through 40 pages of listed items, figuring out the purchase date of each one, and the rough idea of what was paid for them. This weekend the content adjuster will sit down with us Friday-Monday to do just that.
The apartment that we are staying in has indeed been a surreal experience. A lot like being on vacation in your home town. The children, and their friends, have taken every opportunity to swim in the heated pool. Harrison and Chandler have enjoyed the carpet too. Since it isn't found in our house, they have devoted a daily block of time each day rolling across the living room floor and playing 'Blobs'. I figure the enthusiasm will begin to wane soon.
With hearts overflowing with gratitude, all of our needs have been met. Shannon even gave us 'art' to hang on our walls (architectural drawings from one of her college classes). They look quite neat, and fit well with the furniture that is being rented.
The forced purging of our home has given us much pause for thought about what is really necessary and what collected items we really aren't as attached to as previously thought. If you have items or projects that you really haven't touched in over 3 years and will 'some day get to' then chances are you aren't ever going to get to them and they should best be given away or sold. Which leads to another topic -
On Saturday a few ladies (Thank you Mom, Dinah, and Susan!) came over and helped re-scrapbook 2 full albums. It couldn't have been done nearly as quickly without them. What I did come to realize as we were going through the books: pictures being ruined or lost isn't nearly as tragic as one would expect. The wonderful ladies weren't attached or focused on the pictures, had no memories of them, and didn't care personally about them. Though they cared for me - it wasn't because of the pictures that they served our family thus. It was their love for our family that compelled them to glorify their God in this way. I realized that the pictures hadn't been looked at since I did the albums the first time around and had the fire not happened, probably wouldn't have looked at them for some time after. Though memories are fun to reminisce about our outlook isn't supposed to be on what has happened but rather on what is to come. Striving for the prize that lay ahead, not looking back like Lots wife. Though Lot's wife did so in disobedience and the passage has nothing to do about memories of the past, I have reflected that like her consequences of salthood, if my focus is on the past I can become fixed and be of no further good. If I look ahead and run the race set before me then my life will be glorifying and I can be a vessel ready for His use.
The next task for them - wiping down walls and scraping the ceilings. The next task for us - reading through 40 pages of listed items, figuring out the purchase date of each one, and the rough idea of what was paid for them. This weekend the content adjuster will sit down with us Friday-Monday to do just that.
The apartment that we are staying in has indeed been a surreal experience. A lot like being on vacation in your home town. The children, and their friends, have taken every opportunity to swim in the heated pool. Harrison and Chandler have enjoyed the carpet too. Since it isn't found in our house, they have devoted a daily block of time each day rolling across the living room floor and playing 'Blobs'. I figure the enthusiasm will begin to wane soon.
With hearts overflowing with gratitude, all of our needs have been met. Shannon even gave us 'art' to hang on our walls (architectural drawings from one of her college classes). They look quite neat, and fit well with the furniture that is being rented.
The forced purging of our home has given us much pause for thought about what is really necessary and what collected items we really aren't as attached to as previously thought. If you have items or projects that you really haven't touched in over 3 years and will 'some day get to' then chances are you aren't ever going to get to them and they should best be given away or sold. Which leads to another topic -
On Saturday a few ladies (Thank you Mom, Dinah, and Susan!) came over and helped re-scrapbook 2 full albums. It couldn't have been done nearly as quickly without them. What I did come to realize as we were going through the books: pictures being ruined or lost isn't nearly as tragic as one would expect. The wonderful ladies weren't attached or focused on the pictures, had no memories of them, and didn't care personally about them. Though they cared for me - it wasn't because of the pictures that they served our family thus. It was their love for our family that compelled them to glorify their God in this way. I realized that the pictures hadn't been looked at since I did the albums the first time around and had the fire not happened, probably wouldn't have looked at them for some time after. Though memories are fun to reminisce about our outlook isn't supposed to be on what has happened but rather on what is to come. Striving for the prize that lay ahead, not looking back like Lots wife. Though Lot's wife did so in disobedience and the passage has nothing to do about memories of the past, I have reflected that like her consequences of salthood, if my focus is on the past I can become fixed and be of no further good. If I look ahead and run the race set before me then my life will be glorifying and I can be a vessel ready for His use.
February 15, 2009
Life at the house
As of yesterday the Asbestos Abatement Team has almost completed cataloging and clearing out the rooms inside the house. The back yard still remains. For now, the workers must go through 3 different cleaning areas before they even get to the front door. I did find it amusing that the Christmas tree is still in the house though just about everything else has been removed - I always used to mock those who didn't take down their decorations before February - no more.
The front yard is filled with enclosed dumpsters that are covered in Asbestos warning labels and are chained and padlocked shut....they really don't want people scavenging, though the back yard has been gone through by some crazy loon. With all the rain it will be very interesting to see how the team intends to slog through each of the items that are needing to still be catalogued. On Monday, when the A-Team started, they were positive that they would be finished in two days - little did they know just how much can be in one room.
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