Now, if you didn't have cute babies - or grandbabies to have on your Christmas card, which of these pictures would you vote for to be on your card?? I need help with a possible picture for next year's Christmas card. And who would be better judges from those of you out there who make the best comments!! Picture 1,2 or 3 - or keep working on it??

And does it look Christmasy? Or must I do some cropping?

Or should this just be one picture in a collage of pet pictures? So many choices - and only 11 months to decide.....

Thanks for your time, consideration, and comments.

ps. If I can figure out how to upload a video, the question of if Marie snores will soon be answered for all!!

Here is Junie B. with her new haircut and christmas bandana. She thinks she looks cute.

Here is Junie B. with her blue face and pre haircut look. The groomer was amused with the blue look.

This seems like a good reason not to ride the stationary bike today.

right outside my bedroom sliding door. Hopefully it won't land on my head when i open the door to greet the day!!

Just a little snow on the deck. Hello Bea!! Are you snowed in??

Gracie and Junie B. will soon be starring in their own movie - "White Dogs Shouldn't Dig in the Dirt!" See previews below.....

Mom celebrates at the wedding on Whidbey Island.

Gracie being naughty - she is now going to training.

Walking the girls is a challenge - leashes tangled, tripping the walker....

Gracie is a real charmer.

Junie B. - likes to help with the chores.

Gracie and Junie B.

Well, it's official. The girls are Junie B. and Gracie. They are starting to look at me when I use their names, so hopefully they will each learn their own. My cousin Sally was able to get a pretty cute picture - which I have posted. Gracie on the left and Junie B. on the right. They are sitting beside their favorite posing stump. They are pretty sure they look cutest there.

I think the naming prize will have to go to Shelly - last year's teaching partner - who suggested that I pick names from something that I enjoy. I enjoy children's literature and the Junie B. Jones chapter books seemed the way to go. Another prize goes to Nancy's teacher friend - who found the name Gracie for me out of the book - my books are still in boxes in the garage and I couldn't remember any of the other kids names in the book. The third prize goes to Brooke - her names made me laugh right out loud. Thanks to everyone for all of the great suggestions....

Trying out these names

Please help me decide if these names roll off the tongue. Junie B. and Gracie. They come from a children's series of books called Junie B. Jones. She is a Kindergartener who is quite a pistol. Always in some kind of trouble. One of my girls has a personality that reminds me of her - always into something. The other name is a friend of hers in the book. Quieter and a bit more in control - just like my other girl. If you haven't read any of the Junie B. books, you should - they are good for a laugh or two. Please try out these names in your mind and let me know how they feel to you. It isn't too late to change, although the trainer who came to work with us today started calling them that. And by the way, she said the girls were VERY SMART....... not to sound like a proud parent or anything...... More pictues later....
Let me know about the names.

My new puppies need names

Puppy naming contest - with prizes.

My two new Havanese puppies need names.

Havanese are in the toy family - and come in all colors - mine just happen to be white - the perfect color for a farm dog don't you think?

They need names. The breed comes from Cuba if that is any help at all.

I am not a good namer of pets, so am requesting help. Brooke asked for help naming her little girl and now I need help naming my two little girls.

The prize has yet to be decided - it might be two cute puppies if we don't adjust. Just kidding - they are already remarkably well behaved.

I would like to have a sunset vote

1
2
3

Which sunset picture is the most beautiful? Please click on them and then vote for 1,2 or 3.

Bella Beach - relaxing and fun

Erica, Mom, Bea, Nancy, Judy
Mom and Bea - excited to go wave hopping.
Why not make a circle of feet on the beach??
Mom wanted a picture for Tom - at Tillamook
Wow - the sea lions were amazing....


We enjoyed a pleasant and relaxing week at Lincoln City - Bella Beach actually. The weather was pleasant - not too hot and not too cold. The house was lovely and the beaches were pretty. The surrounding towns were interesting with lots of things to do and see. Nancy, Erica and I spent the entire week. Mom, Bea, Jeff, Linda and Judy were there from Friday night until Monday. We ate well, slept in and just enjoyed relaxing. Please enjoy the pictures....

Back to the blog (sounds a bit like a movie title?)

Here it is September already and I haven't blogged in ever so long. So much has happened - we have been to a reunion without posted pictures, we have been to Bella Beach - same scenario - and school has started without me - no pictures there.

First - let me speak of the reunion we attended in Ellensburg. It was fun, but too short perhaps. Not enough time to visit properly with everyone. The best part was mom's award of being the oldest one there - see picture of her with her award. It is also worth noting that mom and Darlene wore the same outfit and that mom didn't even know Darlene. She did have a cute new hairdo, but still looked like Darlene to the rest of us. The worst part was that it was voted (not by me - in fact I wasn't even aware of the voting going on....) that next year's would be at my house and would be a camp out. My sister Nancy - many of you know her - and I have decided that it will be a Back to Vashon Roots reunion - thus including Sundbergs, Paulsons and Ellingsens - and any other branches we can find. I actually have gotten used to the idea and am looking forward to the event. Please look for info about said reunion soon. We are thinking the end of July - how does that sit with you loyal blog readers? Please enjoy the attached photos from the reunion and check back soon for pictures from Bella Beach....

Carolee and Bill on a field trip with my students

Here is a little picture with proof that Carolee and Bill are great American retirees. They went on a field trip with my school to the waterfront and out on a boat tour of the Seattle Harbor. This is the second year they have done this, and so I award them a retiree volunteerism award. I only hope I can do as well.

PS - Sometimes this can be a scary job, but they came out of it unscathed and still smiling....

Marie with a teacher friend's baby

Here is Marie with one of my teacher friend's brand new baby. Sundberg Sunfest (a get together of teachers from my school) had a theme of Wild West this summer. It was a fun-filled weekend with no rain!!

Getting ready for the trip to Bella Beach

When I logged in today I was shocked to see that I am leaving for Bella Beach in three days. Yikes - time has a way of getting away from me. Time seems to indeed fly when you are having fun. And it seems that so far, retirement is fun. That is right - for those of you who haven't heard it through the grapevine, I have retired from teaching and am now about ready to search for a new job. Wonder what that could be? I really don't know what other skills I have, but am still young enough to learn I think. This old dog and still be taught.
Back to Bella Beach. It is time to gather stuff together and start packing the car. If anyone would like to come visit for a day or two, the house we have rented is quite large - sleeps 9 I think. We will be there from Friday Aug. 8th until Friday the 15th. While it seems quite full during the weekend, the week days seem quite uncrowded and just asking for visitors. We have heard many good things about the place, so come check it out. I forget the name of the house we have rented, but I do know it has a carriage house. So log in to Bella Beach and look for a house with a carriage house and that will be us I think.
Well, off to pack... more later!
PS Merrie - I tried to download a new picture of the cute lady, but it wouldn't download - I will try again later....

I just had to add this picture of the terrible twosome - aren't they just do cute? And don't they know it.....

They are feeling sorry for themselves because next weekend they have to get their feet trimmed and it isn't their favorite pasttime at all.

And a final good night to all....

The demand for blogging is increasing by the day

I am gaining readership by the day. It seems like quite a responsibility really. Today I will share a picture of the ducks in their new abode. Sadly, it was almost dark, so the picture isn't the best. But you might be able to tell how much more adultlike they have become. They will soon be one of the characters in the new series of children's books starring Carlo and the other farm animals. Some of the titles that have been suggested are: Carlo swings with the sheep, Carlo quacks up, The day the terrible twosome arrive on the farm (costarring the minis), Chickens - do they have to roost on my back?

There is not a definite date of release, but hopefully it will be withing the next century.

Have a great week all - we schoolteachers are down to 15 get-ups and counting. Can't come a moment too soon. After the books about Carlo will be the books about the students from room 111 - also about animals.

Good night - your friendly blogger - Cheryl

For the ladies gallery

Here is a close up for the "for Merrie" gallery.

The other picture I mention below

Here is the other picture I mentioned below, but forgot to post.

Halibut fishing

I guess I neglected to write about the big fishing trip to Port Angeles with Bob. Nancy, Bea and I went out fishing with him for halibut. I will talk later about the big fish I caught - much bigger than Nancy's. The first night we stayed in a fine motel in which the blinds wouldn't shut, so Nancy and I spent the whole night looking out to see who was looking in. Needless to say, the second night we found another motel much more to our liking. Because of the so called smooth water, I did manage to feel a little seasick (I hear you Uncle Roy)!! When the wind whipped up, the choppy seas did cure my seasickness, but didn't do much for my nerves. Now, about that big fish. Perhaps I will just post a picture of it. It might look like a dogfish, but really I think it is a halibut.

The other picture is proof that Bob got Bea into his boat.

Another picture of the ladies....

This picture is especially for Merrie - hope you're signing in Merrie!! You asked for more pictures of the ladies -and here they are......

The ducks have a new home.

Well, the ducks are now out in their new home. They have a new pen - hopefully raccoon safe. They seem quite happy - eating and drinking and waddling about in a group and sleeping in a pile. Tomorrow I will post some pictures of them if i remember. They are about twice or three times the size they started out as. Please scroll down to see how cute and little they were just a couple weeks ago. And now, twice as big at least - and still cute.

Another Travis picture

And here he is with his grandma Bea and great aunt Marie.

I forgot to post a picture of Travis the other day. Here he is with his dad.

Yes, the ducklings have arrived

I have finally found some little ducklings. They are cuter than cute, and very busy. Their new home for the moment is in the huge shower and they seem to enjoy it in there. There are two pekings, two rouens, and two blue swedish. A nice variety. I think the farm is close to being complete. Bob wants me to call about some free alpaca, but I just don't know. Any feelings about that out there? I don't know how to shear them and really don't want to learn. And then there is the kangaroo issue. How does a person feel about a kangaroo on a farm - (actually a wallaby). I will now try to post a picture of the little cuties. And think about working in the garden and doing some pots.

Another Friday night - relaxing

Another Friday has finally arrived. I can't believe how quickly - and slowly - a week can pass. I really can't believe that there are only 6 weeks of school left, and 2 of them are 4 days only!! How cool is that??? Tomorrow I will plant some planter boxes - and maybe - just maybe - get some ducks. Could it actually happen? Probably not. They do seem to be in short supply this year. Wonder why the duck shortage has happened. I have candle burning - much to everyone's surprise - and am catching up on my shows from this week that I am way behind on. Better get back to that. More later perhaps.....

A busy Sunday was had by all

We traveled north to Lyndon to meet Bob's new son Travis. He is a very cute little boy and it will be fun to see him grow into a great fisherman. Mom, Nancy, Bea and I made the trip - stopping first at Judy Glein's parents in Marysville - to view her father's beautiful rhody's. Wow - he is quite the gardener. They were beautiful. Wish I have taken pictures of them so I could add them to this page. I did take pictures of Travis, so will add him to a page after I download them. Today was actually a pleasant day at Lakeridge. The growling boy had a good day - didn't growl at me even once. More about him another day.....
Now, off to bed I go - need some rest after a couple of busy days - and nights.
By the way - yes, that is a raccoon on my porch..

No ducklings again

Here it is - Saturday morning. Bea and I are up and ready to head to Port Orchard to buy ducklings. But... no ducklings again. Why are they so very hard to find this year? Other years I have seen them eveywhere - but this year??? They seem impossible to get. Can't we picture cute little ducklings in the goat pen? Quacking around, pulling weeds? A farm just doesn't seem complete without them. And who really wants to live on an imcomplete farm? Now what will I do with my day. Correct papers? Clean the house? Neither compares to putchasing ducklings. And there seems to be a bit of drizzle out there. Where is the sun? I'd better go visit the critters - they always cheer me up. I won't tell them that the ducklings are once again on hold.....

Looking at cute Travis

Travis Robert


Sonja and robert have chosen the name Travis Robert for their beautiful new son born April 30, 2008 at St. Joseph Hospital.

Birth Statistics
Weight: 8 pounds and 14 ounces
Length: 21 inches
Time: 8:35 am
Date:Wednesday, April 30, 2008



Sadly, I can't get the picture to download here - I will have to wait until I take a picture myself.
Here is the link if you want to go take a look....
http://www.newbabynews.net/hospitals/stj5/public/stj5birthannouncement.pl?babyID=h5-10516

Let's try to look at Bob's baby Travis

Friday Night - the best night of the week.

Finally Friday night has arrived. Nancy and I did a little shopping and dining tonight. The double decker toasted cheese sandwich and the yummy ice cream sandwich dipped in chocolate sauce did the trick. Then, caught the ferry right away - another good thing - and arrived home to feed the hungry masses. Took a look at Bob's new son Travis - will try to download his picture here - wonder if that is possible...... Here I go to try.

A Lazy, Tired Thursday Night

Kind of a tired night to start such a project. Blogging..... Another new adventure. I wanted to start this for a countdown to the ocean. I wonder if it will become something even bigger. I wonder if it will be a journal of life on the farm. I wonder if this could really be considered a farm. Probably not. I wonder if I would make more sense if I wait until tomorrow to write. How many days until the ocean trip? Way too many I'm thinking..... Callie and I are signing out for now and heading for the shower. Tomorrow is another busy day at school. Thank goodness that at least it is Friday..