Fruit season

It is fruit season again in Washington. That means for me time to drag out the dehydrator. So far I have managed to dry cherries and apricots. Now my counter is full of apples. Unfortunately this week is full of activities so I probably won't get to them until next week.

Rants, Raves, and Whatever Else

Let's just get the rant out of the way....as in a few minutes I will need to leave work to rush my daughter off to work.  I am so frustrated with my daughter's manager!  There... that's it!  Why?  You may ask.  For never once looking at her availability form.  You see, the pool has this nice form that you are to fill out letting the managers know your availability so they know who to schedule to work and who not to.  Time and time again Bonnie has been scheduled to work on days she is not available.  This morning being one of them.  She was originally scheduled to work from 8am to noon today when she is NOT available because she is Driver's Ed classes.  She gets out of class at 10am but left the 10 to 12 slot open for driving practice with the instructor.  Last Saturday she was scheduled to work the whole day when she had written on the form she was not available because she was to be in Olympia for their parade. 

At first, Bonnie figured that she would just get a sub and everything would be okay.  She has learned that getting a sub is not that easy.  Finally, on Friday of last week she had to confront her manager on whether or not he had looked at the availability sheet and found out he has NEVER looked at it!!!!! NEVER!!!! 

Okay...breathe....sigh....

So here we are today.  She informed her manager that she could not make it in at 8am but would be in as soon as her class was over.  That means, she is gonna try to get out of class early, I have to leave work, and we have to rush there all because someone is not doing there job. 

Rant over....


Raves....I am making money$$$$ ...I don't know if that is a rave or not, but so far I have been able to sell items for my brother-in-law's Sports Liquidation store on Ebay.  It is not a whole lot of money yet, but I am working out all of the kinks and supposedly this winter I should be doing a lot of business selling skis, boots, snowboards, etc.  It is fun to hear the cha-ching alarm go off on my ipad informing me I just made money.  lol....I might even start putting my own stuff out there like all of my leftover homeschool supplies.

Whatever else...Not much else.  The fires here in Washington have been big news.  Unfortunately, the news broadcasters keep leading people to believe that Leavenworth is on fire and closed to travelers.  NOT true!  Our house guest told us that her hometown newspaper in Olympia stated that Leavenworth was on fire.  We are not!  Yes, there is a fire in the Tumwater Canyon  and Yes, a section of Hwy 2 is closed but you can get in and out of town and the fire is not threatening to us.  We don't even have smoke and ash anymore.  So feel free to visit.  In fact, it is raining today. A nice gentle rain.  The fires in our area should be out soon.

Times up...gotta go get the girl....

Todd

I love this picture!   I am so glad Todd got to go on this mission trip.  It has had a huge impact on him.

More fire photos

It is hard to capture the awesomeness of the sky as the fire was raging through the canyons last night.  I could not get enough of the eerie beauty of it all.  Looking north towards Plain the sky was orange/brown/black as the fire roared through the heavy timber. From the south the sky was crystal clear and bright blue.  It was amazing.  Ash was raining down us and still is this morning. 

 

The setting sun filtered through the smoke. 

On top of Ski Hill.  The wind was carrying the smoke towards Peshastin. 

Standing on our street (Burke) looking up Ski Hill. 

Downtown Leavenworth.  Smoke plume rising over the east side of Tumwater Mountain as the fire was moving towards Spromberg Canyon, River Road and Ponderosa Estates in Plain.  The First Baptist Church has been made into a Red Cross center. 

The sun this morning. 

Smokey Leavenworth

It is fire season.  Smoke is filling the valley as a fire rages 10 miles up the highway.

The Impact....

We got home somewhere between 1:30 and 2am this morning from the airport.  Todd talked the whole way home and after we got home til about three in the morning.  I was surprised when I got up this morning to find Brian downstairs watching cartoons.  He had already fixed himself breakfast and was "eager" for the day.  He wanted to know if and when he could head off to camp at Camas Meadows.  He wasn't too happy when I said that I didn't think it was wise for him to go today or even tomorrow.  A half hour later he was sound asleep in the chair.  sigh.....

I left both Todd and Brian sleeping and came into the church office.  There really isn't anything to do here.  The bulletin is up to speed for next Sunday and church bills are paid, so I am catching up on facebook and blogging. I will probably head downstairs and begin setting up for a memorial service that is scheduled for Friday. 

As Todd and Brian process the events of these past few weeks, I am praying for Spiritual guidance for Todd as he has many things he wants to implement in our church and improve on in his pastorate. I am also praying for my teenage son to let the Holy Spirit work in his life.  To submit to God's authority and let Him be in charge.  Right now, he is still fighting for control.  I guess that is typical of a 14/15 year old young man, but I am eager to see the day when he totally surrounds to his God and Savior.

Camas Meadows Bible Camp

Junior High

 

Todd and Brian should be in Chicago at this very moment....I can't wait to see them.

Todd and I were able to have our first real conversation yesterday over Skype when he was waiting in the Korean airport.  I can tell that he has been deeply impacted by this mission trip.  Don't worry, Mom, he is not wanting to go over seas to be a full-time missionary.  Although he would like to go back in two years when GMI has another short-term mission trip. He, however,  has been reassured that his place is here in Leavenworth as a pastor.

 

Later today, Bryce and I will take off and head over the mountain to pick Todd and Brian up. 

Todd said he has over 700 pictures on his phone, so I expect I will be sharing a lot more with you over the next week.  Until then, here is a final  picture of the EXITE team with the Filipino pastors and local volunteers.