Headed for an early bedtime

I am sooooo tired. Was up till almost midnight last night, finishing the writing for my National Board Certified Teacher recertification. Stayed at work till almost 6:30, and then dropped it off at the post office on the way home.

I'm done!!!
(I hope. If I don't pass, I'll have to redo it next year.)

Here's one more photo of sweet Olivia, just before I took Katie and Bryan to the airport.

Thank You for the Visit

Mom and Dad, I so enjoyed your visit. Thank you again for making that l-o-n-g drive from Colville to Oregon City, and thank you again for staying the extra day for the book launch. I loved having you in town.

Darling Maddy and Olivia.

Our Camassia ramble.

Wildflower meadow..camas lilies and clover.

Bumblebee on the job.

All dressed up!

Waiting for the Book Launch to begin.

You'll be in my prayers tomorrow, for a safe and uneventful trip to Colville. Thanks again for coming to Oregon City!

One more day...

Mom and Dad,

Julia gave me your phone message that you are staying over Saturday night so you can come to the book launch and hear my "author" reading!

Thank you so much!

I know it is a sacrifice for you in both time and finances. I am thrilled that you will be able to stay until Sunday. Thank you thank you thank you!

Great Galloping Goats!

Had a great gallop today. Lots of photos on The Skinny.

Working on grading papers, Sunday School lesson, thesis ideas in the masters program, paperwork for National Board recertification.

Eric & Polly are in Seattle today, taking teacher tests. I'm sure they'll do fine.

Sure looking forward to seeing you next week! Love you sooooooo much.

We Got Our "Green Fix" Today

Dad used to say he liked to go hiking when you came to visit from California, because it gave him his "green fix." Well, we got our green fix today! We had a great hike on the Eagle Creek trail. It was supposed to be 6 miles, but because we walked a little further on both ends, I think it was closer to 7 miles.

The beautiful Eagle Creek trail.

So much water everywhere.

I love the light on the talus slopes.

Ta dah!! I couldn't resist playing on the rock.

After all it was our play day!

What a happy day! We had so much fun.

Mark's knees did not hurt at the end - he says he wants to go again!

(I think our yoga class is helping us in sooooo many ways.)

More Subaru Adventures

Uh-oh. Check my other blog for today's not-so-fun adventure with the Subaru. (Don't worry, I'm fine, and so is the car.)

Poor Cheryl Haynie had a worse day than me - slipped and fell on her hardwood floor yesterday morning, and broke her leg! Ouch! Right in her own house! She'll be on crutches for 6 weeks, but at least it's not a plaster cast; it's one she can take off for a bath.

Other than that, everyone is fine. Mark has more energy every day, says he might even feel good enough to go for a hike with me on Saturday. He had a follow-up appointment with his urologist today, and his blood tests continue to show that he is cancer free. Yay!

I met with my professor this afternoon to begin the process of developing my thesis project for my master's degree in writing. That will take several terms, but I'd like to get started now, so that I can do some of the writing over the summer. (I was on my way to meet with him when I had my little misadventure.)

Woo Hoo!!

While paying bills tonight...I paid off the Subaru!