Veggie Build

Today Terry and I got my new vegetable garden built. It turned out perfect. We bought the lumber yesterday and worked on building it all morning. Then, we ran into town and bought a 50/50 mix of top soil and compost. We got 3.5 yards of soil and it sure did make the back of the truck sag. We hauled in about 12 wheel barrels of soil into the garden tonight before calling it a day. We still have soil to move and I can't wait until the weather gets a little nicer so I can start planting.

Getting the Lumber

Before

Terry putting in the last screws

Almost done just need some soil

Buying Local

With the failing economy, I have tried to become more aware of where my money is going. I want to be more responsible with my spending and support local or US business whenever possible. My mom and I made a New Year's resolution to not by any products made in China for a year. So far, to my surprise, I have been able to keep this resolution. I have found that most products that are made in China, I can find an alternative product. For instance, I wanted a case for my camera so it doesn't get scratched since its home is in my purse. All the camera cases were made in China. Terry and I then shopped some more and were able to find a PDA case made in the USA that works perfect for my camera. Not only did I not buy from China, I also was able to support the United States. Perfect!

Now, I am focusing on buying our food locally. I would rather support a local farmer even if it may be slightly more expensive. We have been buying the majority of our meat from a local butcher shop where the meat is grain fed, free-range, has no steroids and from a farm in northern Oregon. And, as of today, we are getting out milk and eggs delivered (yes, delivered to our doorstep) every other week. It isn't that much more then buying from the grocery store and the milk is organic, and the eggs are free-range and not bleached. I also like the idea of supporting the local farm that delivers and will purchase other necessities from them as needed. They deliver everything from cheese and yogurt to ice cream and cookie dough.

I also have started my seeds for the vegetable garden I have planned. Terry and I hope to work on it this weekend. My plan is to build a fairly large garden on the south side of our house where there is currently gravel. My ultimate goal would be to get a rain barrel next to the garden for watering. Last weekend, I started my broccoli, cabbage, peppers and tomatoes indoors. I have plenty of starts peaking out of the soil already and hope to share the extras with my mom and friends. I am excited to grow our produce this year and hope the growing season is better then last year. It will be rewarding to eat our home grown vegetables knowing they are pesticide free and hopefully save some money during the summer.

I hope I am not sounding like too much of a hippie. I am just excited to eat healthier and keep pesticides out of our bodies. And, I love the idea of doing my part to support local businesses and farms. My plan is to purchase as much as possible from the United States since it is an easy way for me to do my part in helping the economy.

Denny Creek Run

On Saturday, Terry and I loaded up the Jeep and headed to Denny Creek to go on a snow run with our 4-wheel drive club, the Timber Tamers. We got amazing weather with blue skies and just a slight wind. It was very pretty on the trail with a creek running on one side that it was hard to believe that we were actually on a trail between east bound and west bound I-90. Everyone had a blast and we can't wait until our next run. Now, here are some pictures which I know you have been waiting for.

To see all the pictures I took, click here.

Valentine's Day Weekend

Terry and I had a nice weekend away. We left right after work on Friday and headed to our cabin on American Lake. We packed up the Jeep and as I was merging onto I-5, I got pulled over. Great, just how I wanted to spend the weekend! Luckily, I just got a warning for no mud flaps.

We made it to the cabin and unloaded our stuff and then decided to go out to dinner at Black Angus. Grandma had given us a gift card and we decided to go a day early to beat the Valentine's Day rush. Dinner was good and afterwards we headed back to the cabin with no harrassment from State Patrol.

On Saturday we woke up to sun. We didn't have any plans so decided to take the day slow. We headed over to the main part of Ft. Lewis and walked around the commsiary for a while. We thought bowling would be fun, but the bowling alley on post was closed for renovations. Oh well! We also went to the MWR and checked into boat rentals for future summer trips. That night we decided to head up to Club North for some drinks (otherwise known as Club Chub). We thought walking was safer than driving.

The club was fun and we quickly found out why it was referred to Club Chub on post. We had a few drinks and then decided to have walk back to the cabin. Soon after we started back, a MP pulled over and asked if we needed anything. He was nice and ended up giving us a ride back to our cabin. Once we got back, I laughed about getting pulled over one day and the next ended up in the back seat of a cop car.

Terry woke up sick on Sunday. Luckily, it was also raining and to our surprise, there was a TV in the cabin. We spent most of the day relaxing in the cabin. On Monday, we had to head home. We stopped on the way home and picked up Zeus and then came home and unpacked the car. We had a nice weekend and would do the cabin rentals again since they were very reasonable.

Weekend Weather

I saw this headline today and loved it! It's from a paper in San Jose, CA; which is close to where Terry and I moved from when we moved to Washington.


South Bay weekend weather forecast: Think Seattle!
By Lisa Fernandez

Mercury News
Posted: 02/13/2009 06:39:41 AM PST

No, you didn't dream those raindrops pounding on your rooftop last night, and you didn't wake up in Seattle this morning.

The wet weather we're experiencing right here in the South Bay is ours for at least five more days, according to the National Weather Service.

There's even a 90 percent chance of a thunderstorm today with highs in the low 50s. There's a chance of showers from Valentine's Day all the way past President's Day.

Ironically, Seattle's weather forecast reads more like a day in San Jose: partly sunny all through the weekend.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11697189?source=rss

Weekend Getaway

I am getting very excited about our plans for this weekend. Terry and I rented a cabin on the shores of American Lake in Fort Lewis. The rentals were VERY reasonably and I am definatley excited about having a long weekend with just the two of us. We will have no phones, no computer and NO DOG. We don't have anything planned for the weekend but will be bringing our bikes and possibly some fishing gear. I can't wait until work is over tomorrow so we can head out.

Quick Update

On Friday, I went in for a laparoscopy. Terry and I have been trying to have a baby, and since it hasn't happened yet, the doctor wanted to do some testing. The doctor's thought I may have endometriosis and wanted to do a dye test to make sure my tubes were open. Previously, my blood test came back normal so she moved onto the next typical cause of infertility which is tube blockage and endometriosis.

The surgery went well and I felt great on Friday night. I got more sore over the weekend and today am fine except for where to two small incisions are (one in my belly button and one about 6 inches lower). The good news was that there was no endo and my tubes where open. I was a little disappointed since I was hoping if there was endo and they were able to remove it, it would increase our chances of pregnancy. But, really, I couldn't have asked for better news. I was very glad to hear my tubes were open and at least we do know now I am healthy. Thanks for all the prayers!

There is one minor concern though. My doctor said she did find a small red spot that she took off and sent to have biopsied. I asked where, and she just said we would discuss it more in my follow-up that I wouldn't remember anything she told me at the time. She didn't think it was anything to worry about, but how do you not worry when someone finds something to biopsy? I will be anxiously awaiting my follow-up on Feb 24 and, until then, will continue to pray and trust in God's plan.

D-Day

Today I am going here:

To have something like this done:

In hopes of someday having one of these:

Wish me luck!

Walker Valley Work Day

On Saturday, Terry and I headed up to Walker Valley OHV to do some trail work with our 4x4 club the Timber Tamers. The club had committed to hours to help with a grant from the state and we wanted to do our part. Once we got there, we were assigned to help build a new sign for the DNR. I put up some before, during and after pictures from the day. It was cold, but a lot of fun.