Will's Perspective

We went camping at Fort Stevens in OR a couple weeks ago. I brought Will to the bathroom and he said, "I don't want to use the girl's bathroom mom." I said, "No worries bud we'll use this one for girls and boys." He replied, "and 4-wheelers mom".

Moving to WA 12 years ago

Let me begin by saying I know now that I didn't have a clue. And yes, as you read this I am a college graduate.


Why WA? Well, Ted (My college boyfriend) and I looked at an atlas one day and started crossing off the states we would or wouldn't want to live in. I hope to find that atlas someday with its big X on California and the entire east coast. Well, WA seemed perfect because it had mountains which Ted loved and the ocean which I love. So, WA it was. Just like that. No home or jobs lined up, but with college degrees in hand, the world was ours! Excuse me while I laugh some more....


I wanted to move because I was sick of winter and the adventure too good to pass up. I can tell funny stories about being late to class because I was warming up my car for 45 min. and digging it out of snow. Then when I went up the road it was too icy so I had to slide backwards for blocks and blocks and then try an alternate route. This was not a one time occurrence, this was winter in Duluth, MN . Duluth has spectacular beauty, unmatched and untouched in many ways, but harsh winters. I was ready for a more mild climate. With no job and student loans to start paying, I figured I could start out anywhere. Why not WA?


I moved to WA in Sept. of 1998. My college friend Stephanie made the drive with me and then she flew back to MN. I recall driving out and reaching Eastern WA. I was shocked. I had been to the Seattle area 4 months prior, my first time ever to WA, and everything was so green. I really did wonder what in the world happened and was I really going to live in this dessert like environment. A few hours later, we crossed the mts. and there was the WA I was looking for.


I found an apartment in Port Orchard, WA. I had seen an add online. First months rent was 1/2 off and I was to get a new color television. It sounded perfect so I signed up.

Before Stephanie left, we visited the ocean beaches. Ted, Stephanie and myself greeted the ocean with swimsuits and beach towels. We were prepared for a nice ocean swim. The waves and temperature were a complete surprise to us. The ocean isn't warm here? Who knew?!?!

12 years later and this has become home. I am always amazed by the beauty of this awesome state. There is a never ending list of places to hike and see for the first time, and I love that. WA to my kids is home. They were born here and it's all they know. Deep in my heart, I am a prairie girl from the great state of North Dakota, but have had grand adventures becoming an evergreen state woman.

13 hens

We are chicken sitting 9 hens!

9 + 4 = 13 hens which equals FRESH EGGS GALORE!

If you read my blog you may be wondering who in the world would let us chicken sit? Well, we didn't have to submit a resume, but know we did disclose our parental mishaps in chicken care. We are on the straight and narrow when it comes to cooping up at night and so chicken vanishings are no more.

On a recent camping trip we needed to collect and lock up all 13 before we left. As I had predicted, this is an Olympic event. It took all 5 Bailey's 1 full hour, some tears and a lot of sweat to accomplish the task. Although we eventually did get them all penned up, we declared the chickens victorious. It was fun to see the personalities of each family member during the hour. Fun? Well, fun looking back. Natalie was motivated and then would cry thinking surely we'd never catch them, leave for camping and they'd get eaten. I was queen of frustration. You know those grunting weight lifter men at the gym? That was me! Ted was our hopeful optimist and Will and Lydia gave up and went in the van waiting and watching us do the impossible. Once the 13th was finally in, it was high 5's all around! We all agreed next time we leave before dark, the chickens will just stay in for the day. (They pen themselves at night, usually around 8.)

toilet seat covers

When I first moved to WA in September of 1998 I don't know that I had ever even seen toilet seat covers before, but they were everywhere here. The trend had not yet moved east maybe. My friend Stephanie and I road tripped from Fargo, ND to WA. I had no place to live, but not a worry about it. No job, but that too was not a concern. It was a grand adventure.

I recall using a bathroom at an ocean beach gas station. It was in the back which was quite frightful. Steph and I were glad to be together. The bathroom was ferocious. The door warped so it didn't close and standing water made home on the floor. We treaded slowly in our flip flops hoping the wet wouldn't touch our toes. Just the thought gave us the shivers. As we reviewed our self defense skills, sure we might make the news, we noticed the sink was coming off the wall and neighboring walls had holes and stains on them. It was the worst public restroom I have ever been in. And low and behold, no toilet paper. BUT, there were toilet seat covers in a dispenser overhead. We laughed so hard we nearly wet our pants. 12 years later, I have grown accustomed to those covers. On a recent camping trip I even missed them.

9 new visitors

We have 9 hens that joined our brood on Sunday. We will be watching these 9 hens while some friends build their new home. They are beautiful. Truly. The hen owners built an addition to our coop so there is room for all the hens to stretch their wings. Introductions left only a few feathers plucked. Crossing my beak they accept one another.

Potato Farmer

I am a potato farmer this year and I am ok with that.

It seems this year that is the only successful plant story being written in my garden. The snap peas were not properly managed. It seems I forgot their climbing ladder. The spinach was harvested by poultry at sprouting. (Twice!!) The tomatoes would need sun until Christmas to yield any fruit and the cabbage is well, dying.

Back to the potatoes. I planted 2 types. One purple and the second a brown fingerling. You may recall the chickens were continually digging these back up and I replanting them yet they've persevered and are thriving. If you've never planted and grown potatoes, I think it's a must for everyone at some point and know that you are never too old to experience it. This is my first summer planting them, but I have great memories of my grandpa digging them up in the fall with his pitch fork. I remember being shocked that the potatoes were hidden just below the surface. It's fun to make garden discoveries and I can't wait to share this one with my kids.

library fines

My local library adopted a library fine system several months ago and I am a strong contributor.

When my kids were younger, "we" frequently damaged books and paid to replace them. I was/am against the whole taping it up and pretending it didn't happen bit. Just a personal conviction for me. Anyway, I remember one occasion complaining to a friend about this taped up, simple, poorly written picture book that I now owned for like $28.00. She smiled and said, so what it's $28.00 bucks, at least you use your library. This completely changed my lenses and I am thankful for her insight into a situation I was sulky over.

Yesterday, I paid my most recent late fees and they totaled $35.10. I wasn't doing cartwheels over writing that check, but I also wasn't complaining. The library system has consequences for late returns and I obviously have discipline issues in regards to those guidelines. :) The financial support I give the library, by way of fines or damaged books, is a picture of my families use of our local library. I LOVE reading to my kids and am grateful to have access to great books. So, Timberland Regional Library System, I shall continue to strive to return books and CD's on time. Until then, I hope this fine system keeps your doors open a long time.