Last Saturday I spent the morning wandering up and down Commercial Ave. with my mom and her long-time friend, Kris, looking for great deals. Each July Anacortes shuts down the main drag and people haul their junk out with the intent to sell it to other community members.

I struggle with the whole bartering part, but after hearing people finagle, I was able to find some great deals. Of course I made the rookie error of buying a few things just because I thought they were cute or cool, not thinking about the purpose of each item.

I’ve been holding off on my yearly purchase of new flip flops and I was thrilled to discover the booth of the local skate shop because I scored new flippies for just five bucks!! I also got a new coat for $5 that still has the $99.99 price tag on it from the same booth.

There aren’t always screaming deals at Shipwreck Days. I saw one woman trying to sell something for double the listing price on the Value Village tag still attached. I had the greatest time walking around town seeing old friends and checking out the junk, some of which turned out to be my new treasures.

Last night Barry and I had dinner with my family at Phil and Genevieve’s house. It was so much fun to be with my family, I haven’t been in Anacortes for months.  We sat on the porch enjoying the last of the sun that came out talking, snacking and admiring P&G’s new homestead. Exactly what I’ve been dreaming about.

After dinner we busted out Settlers and I was attempted to accomplish #24 on my 30 Before 30 list. Izak built the Longest Road and after that we were doomed. Phil, my dad, and I had to work together to fend him off. So, still I am left with #24 on my list. We laughed so much together, I have really odd, funny, men in my family.

Spring Break 2009 has officially begun!

When it snows, I typically yearn to be at my parent’s house gearing up to go sledding or hunkering down to play games. This is the first snow that we’ve had at HBHQ and I’m feeling quite cozy and down-home happy.

We were left with a fairly large woodpile when we moved in and it is finally coming handy. I found myself bundled in a random combination of pjs and one of Barry’s extra large ski coats this morning strategically piling wood outside our door in order to ensure fewer trips to the woodpile.

I have countless childhood memories of making such trips in and out the door to fill the wood box with my family…. loading one another up and hoping that each load would be the last.

If The Most Beautiful Fireplace in the World was getting used, my dad would take on the wood-getting and fire-building himself to make the a-fore-mentioned raging fire. The stones stay hot for days and it is best to lean up against them if you’ve just come in from the freezing weather.

Now, we don’t have stones that heat up and we certainly don’t have The Most Beautiful Fireplace in the World, but I am my father’s daughter and I have made a raging fire.

Excuse me, while  I go enjoy it.

Midge and Mac ended up coming out and we took a walk around the property…WHAT BEAUTIFUL COLORS!!! I love my grandma Lowman for about a zillion different reasons, but one of the reasons that I love and adore her is that she dresses like me…or rather, I dress like her. We are both always FREEZING, so bundling is a MUST.

When I hop into her hot rod, she’s always got it toasty and she even shares the heat with me. When I ride with My Man, I have to keep his internal thermometer in mind. I usually can take the hint from him that it is too hot when he rolls down the window and starts peeling off clothes.

Anyhow, Midge and Mac came to visit and we trotted up, down &all around.  Eventually we ended up in the neighbor’s field to watch Barry demonstrate his baseball skills. I too tried to show that I’ve got an arm that can throw….I promptly threw the ball in the middle of the ‘no-throw-danger-grass’ zone. Of course, right?

I think Midge got warmed up laughing at the dogs sprinting and my dog thinking that she was part of the game. Who knew a pug could run so much?

Once I hit the Elvrum Ranch, My mom and I took a  walk around the gardens and property. I instantly noticed how healthy her apples looked in comparison to the ones on our tree. What does she really do to her plants/gardens? Eventually we were joined by Midge and Genevieve. It took them nearly 2 hours to get from town to my parent’s house due to the Oyster Run.  Luckily, Genevieve made a delicious cherry pie in honor of the debates and we were able to chow down. I love Obama Pie.

The next day I spent my time holding/loving adorable babies. Erin and Suzanna both have babies that are a few months apart and we introduced them. They weren’t too interested in conversing yet, but more into being held, nuzzled & changed. We spent much of our time talking about old times and what we are up to now.

Erin lives in Colorado and so I hardly get to see her. I’m so glad she was up for a few days and that I got a chance to meet Mara. She’s got Erin’s eyes, Karl’s hair and is beautiful as ever. I wish those Wolfswinkels would move back to Washington already! Suzanna has already granted my wish and moved back to the PNW. Her son Carter is relaxed, talkative, and very squishy. I’m trying to convince Suzanna that Carter dress up as an Olympic Weight Lifter for Halloween. Both Carter and Mara were so sweet, aware and adorable.

A trip to Anacortes would not be the same without my dad playing with the dog pound or a walk to the mail boxes with my mom. Eventually everyone parted ways and I made my way back to Edmonds….time well spent, I tell you.

While in Anacortes I had an opportunity to hang out with friends that I rarely see. Kara had a party in my honor and did not disappoint from start to finish. From crab, salmon and a special version of Know-Yr-Own to a late night with lots of laughs, many memories were created. (KXPX, anyone?)

At one point we were floating around Trafton on The Party Barge (Yes, The Party Barge) turning circles and screaming as if our lives depended on it. It was a flashback to my childhood and I realized how amazing all my friends are. (I’m lacking pictures from these hours….they would’ve been good ones. Lara, Deb & Nicole took over and manned the PB (Party Barge in case you are wondering) like sailors.

Cora and Chaya are troopers to the extreme. They showed up a bit late because Chach had to work and so they didn’t get to get on The Party Barge when the rest of us piled on. Needless to say, C&C showed about the same time us Party Bargers had figured out how to steer and were happily floating in the middle of the lake. Did that hold back my wonderful cousins back from enjoying The Party Barge? Nope, not the Glass sisters!! After yelling back and forth across the lake they (They meaning Chaya, as there was only one paddle, Cora sat in the front of the boat deciphering our shrieks from the Barge.) canoed out to the middle of the lake to join us. I’m sure all the neighbors loved listening to a bunch of 20 somethings (okay, we’re mostly closer to 30) squeak, squawk and bellow to our heart’s content. Thanks to Shirley who provided us with her house and Party Barge.

Beyond being on the lake at Shirley’s, we had a fabulous night. Many, many stories. Not many are blog appropriate. (one word: Tiffin) I’ve realized that it is easy to go on vacation or do something super fun and exciting, but coming back and typing about it is a whole different thing. Once I attempt to write about the Oregon Coast, New York or gardening with my mom, I become acutely aware that I am no longer on vacation or doing the thing that made me want to write about it in the first place. That said, I’m off to do something else.

Everything went really well for my mom’s hip replacement, but it was kind of surreal to see my mom, whose nickname is Fidget, in the hospital. I had the opportunity to see her hip joint, which looked like a small bald alien head. She’s been plugging away with bone rubbing on bone, ouch. Queen Janet is home now and doing awesome!! Nurse Sydney nursed her though the rough, tough times. Notice the crown?

My mom was not the only thing getting wacked back at the Elvrums’ North home. My parents are having a bunch of trees cut down to increase the amount of sun light that hits their porch. It doesn’t look as shocking as I was expecting, but the loggers aren’t done yet, so it could be a significant amount.