Monday, August 22, 2011
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is perhaps my most favorite place on earth. I hadn't been in seven years, and Rich had never been. Until two weeks ago that is. Yep, it is still my favorite place on earth.
My dad just got into a timeshare in a houseboat on Lake Powell, so we went down with the family a couple weeks ago to bask in the sun. I loved just being able to lie around in the sun and be lazy, or go exploring canyons, or go wakeboarding, or read, or play cards. There's no schedule at Lake Powell. You get up with the sun (or with the little kids, whichever wakes first), and go to bed whenever you feel like. It's so relaxing. And I love it.
Oh, I hope we can go again next year. Until then, Lake Powell!
My dad just got into a timeshare in a houseboat on Lake Powell, so we went down with the family a couple weeks ago to bask in the sun. I loved just being able to lie around in the sun and be lazy, or go exploring canyons, or go wakeboarding, or read, or play cards. There's no schedule at Lake Powell. You get up with the sun (or with the little kids, whichever wakes first), and go to bed whenever you feel like. It's so relaxing. And I love it.
Oh, I hope we can go again next year. Until then, Lake Powell!
Andrea's Adventure
Ever seen the movie "Hitch"? You know the part where Hitch has an allergic reaction to some shellfish? He looked like this:
I thought that was a little overdone, for the movie's sake. I didn't think swelling could actually happen like that. Turns out, it can.
Cami came to town a little bit ago, and one night she, Andrea, Rich, and I decided to make some shrimp pasta for dinner together. Andrea was in charge of shelling the shrimp, and she started to complain that her hands were starting to get really itchy, and then we noticed some hives on them. Yep, that should have been a good warning sign. But Andrea has eaten shrimp before and never had a reaction, so we didn't think it was a big deal.
We ate dinner together and then Andrea went for a run a little bit later. She gets back and pounds on the front door for us to let her in. She starts talking about how her feet are really itchy. We all thought we she was overreacting, and so Cami tells her to get into the shower and see if that helps.
It doesn't! She comes out and Rich and I can clearly see that her face has started to swell. We sent Cami to the store to get some Benadryl, and by the time she was out the door, the swelling had doubled!
We called Dr. Aaron to see what we should do to help her. He called in a prescription for her and told us what we could give her in the meantime. After giving her some medicine and establishing that Andrea could breathe and wasn't in any immediate danger, we got to work taking some pictures while waiting for the prescription to be filled. None of us could stop laughing, including Andrea. It sounds kind of wrong, but it was so hilarious!
So, it turns out that Andrea is allergic to shrimp. Probably good to know for the future.
(Thanks, Andrea, for being such a good sport about all of this! Those pictures really are priceless!)
I thought that was a little overdone, for the movie's sake. I didn't think swelling could actually happen like that. Turns out, it can.
Cami came to town a little bit ago, and one night she, Andrea, Rich, and I decided to make some shrimp pasta for dinner together. Andrea was in charge of shelling the shrimp, and she started to complain that her hands were starting to get really itchy, and then we noticed some hives on them. Yep, that should have been a good warning sign. But Andrea has eaten shrimp before and never had a reaction, so we didn't think it was a big deal.
We ate dinner together and then Andrea went for a run a little bit later. She gets back and pounds on the front door for us to let her in. She starts talking about how her feet are really itchy. We all thought we she was overreacting, and so Cami tells her to get into the shower and see if that helps.
It doesn't! She comes out and Rich and I can clearly see that her face has started to swell. We sent Cami to the store to get some Benadryl, and by the time she was out the door, the swelling had doubled!
We called Dr. Aaron to see what we should do to help her. He called in a prescription for her and told us what we could give her in the meantime. After giving her some medicine and establishing that Andrea could breathe and wasn't in any immediate danger, we got to work taking some pictures while waiting for the prescription to be filled. None of us could stop laughing, including Andrea. It sounds kind of wrong, but it was so hilarious!
This was one of the first shots that I got. She already has small eyes, but the swelling made them even smaller!
Look at the bumps!
This was about the worst that it got. The first picture and this one were taken probably 15 minutes apart, and I can definitely see a difference in the swelling! Her lips were so swollen! (It probably didn't help her feel better when Cami asked, "Can lips explode?")
Sorry that this is sideways. I wish I had gotten a better video. But this just gives you a little taste of how funny she sounded!
(Thanks, Andrea, for being such a good sport about all of this! Those pictures really are priceless!)
One Short Day in the Emerald City
While the Dre was in town, she, Rich, and I took a trip to Seattle for the day to see a Mariners' game. This game just happened to be not too long after they went on a 17-game losing streak. They ended the streak a couple games before this, but our hopes still weren't too high for a win. We were happily surprised, though, when Dustin Ackley hit a homerun in the first inning and the Mariners managed to pull off another win.
After the game, we explored the city a little. Rich and I went to Seattle on our honeymoon, but we were there on New Year's Day. Everything was closed, and we didn't even get to see them throw the fish in Pike Place Market. I was determined to see them throw the fish on this trip.
We drove to and from Seattle in one day (at least a four-hour drive each way), so we didn't have time to do much. But we had fun while it lasted!
We pulled out all of our Mariners gear the night before the game. Notice the tiny Mariners cap? Andrea gave us that cap probably two years ago for our future Mariners fan. Nope, this is not an announcement. Just another Mariners item to add to the collection! I'm sure the hat will be well used someday.
We sat right over the bullpen and got to see the pitchers warming up.
Pineda, starting pitcher today
Ichiro!
After the game, we explored the city a little. Rich and I went to Seattle on our honeymoon, but we were there on New Year's Day. Everything was closed, and we didn't even get to see them throw the fish in Pike Place Market. I was determined to see them throw the fish on this trip.
We drove to and from Seattle in one day (at least a four-hour drive each way), so we didn't have time to do much. But we had fun while it lasted!
(Like) New Table
When Rich and I got married, we (gratefully) inherited several furniture items from our friend's sister. This included a couch, a coffee table, two lamps, and a kitchen table. We don't have the couch or lamps anymore, but the two tables are still ours. The kitchen table was well used and needed to be refinished, but Rich and I had neither the time nor the means to do that. It was covered in permanent pink and orange stains, so we just covered it with place mats and let it be. When we got to Spokane, we inherited some kitchen chairs that also needed a little love. Good thing being in Spokane means being close to an accomplished woodworker (aka Rich's dad). He gave us a little instruction, and then Rich tackled the table and chairs like a pro (with a little assistance from me).
I wish I had gotten some good before pictures of the table. But by the time I remembered to take pictures, we were well into the project. I snapped what pictures I could with my phone, and then started bringing my camera along.
I wish I had gotten some good before pictures of the table. But by the time I remembered to take pictures, we were well into the project. I snapped what pictures I could with my phone, and then started bringing my camera along.
This shows the natural wood color and then the color of the stain we chose. I liked the natural color, but we wanted something a little darker.
I don't know if you can tell, but the legs hadn't been stripped of the original finishing yet. That was the color of the whole table before we got to it (with plenty of orange and pink spots on the top).
The master at work. I wish I could say we worked on it just as much as he did, but that would be a lie. Most of the finished project is Rich's doing.
Oops. We thought we were done with the table but then noticed these little spots, the ends of the tracks where the table expands.
Before and after of the chairs. We considered trying to refinish the seat of the chairs to match the table, but that seemed like more work than it was worth. So we just painted the chairs entirely black. I think it turned out pretty well.
The finished product! I finally have a nice kitchen dining set. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it. And so much cheaper than buying a new set.
Petersens in Town
Last month, Rich's sister Carolyn and her family came to Spokane for several weeks. It was great spending time with them, especially Aaron who returned from Afghanistan in June. Their kids just crack me up. All of them have such fun and vibrant personalities, so it's always a laugh when they're around.
We had a fun time at Riverfront State Park with the Petersen clan. We all rode on the historic carousel, and the kids had a great time on the giant wagon slide.
On another day of their visit, we decided it would be fun to take the kids to the splash pad. Of course, that had to be the windiest, coldest day of their visit. The kids took one trip into the pad and decided it wasn't for them. Rich, Carolyn, and I, on the other hand, tested our bravery in the FREEZING cold water. Alex joined us after a little bit. The water was so cold it gave me a headache, but it was a fun time all the same.
We had a fun time at Riverfront State Park with the Petersen clan. We all rode on the historic carousel, and the kids had a great time on the giant wagon slide.
On another day of their visit, we decided it would be fun to take the kids to the splash pad. Of course, that had to be the windiest, coldest day of their visit. The kids took one trip into the pad and decided it wasn't for them. Rich, Carolyn, and I, on the other hand, tested our bravery in the FREEZING cold water. Alex joined us after a little bit. The water was so cold it gave me a headache, but it was a fun time all the same.
I lost count of how many times Rich did this. He's crazy. That was was soooooooooo cold!
We miss the Petersens now that they're gone again, but we sure had a great summer with them here!
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