wine club

I received an offer online for a no-obligation-after-first-order wine club through my credit card and thought I would give it a try. It's a mix of California wines and wines from around the world that were hand-picked by "experts." It ended up being $6 per bottle of some (apparently) really nice reds (most regularly around $15 each). There are two of each of most of them, so I will be bringing some wine to Sandpoint! 

It came with some "wine guidelines," so I already feel more like a wine snob. (o: Because the next order is $140+shipping for only 12 bottles, it no longer is worth the price to me, so this will be it. 

When the FedEx guy came, he asked, smiling, as I signed for it, "Are you a non-intoxicated person over 21 years old? You look like it," and then he put the 40-lb box inside my door. (o:

Well, I HAVE always wanted to own my own drill...

Writing instruction manuals is just like planning for teaching: it's always dangerous NOT to assume that the students you are teaching or the person following the directions are clueless. Writing or teaching every little step does matter. All this to say that I was maybe a little over my head installing my own car stereo speakers with the not-so-overly-detailed directions.

I bought a couple of car speakers online from Crutchfield, who is known to offer equipment with free installation guides and equipment for your specific make and model. So, thought I would give it a try. It was a little rocky and things took much longer than they should have and probably was not quite installed in the most professional way. But in the end, I triumphed! Success is mine! I now am owner to some new cool tools (yes, wire stripper and drill included!)! I have learned lots of lessons! That learning cost me my time, but can there really be a price put on learning?

Finally got the door off. I will tuck this information
away for future reference.Never know when you need a
great hiding place for loads of cash.

I have some mad crimp cap skills now.

 

Had to jerry-rig my door open. I couldn't disconnect the plugs to the automatic windows and now glad I didn't try--if those had broken, $$$$.

Final product! Go me.

Now, just have to do the other side. I do not anticipate any problems, since I encountered all of them on the first side.
One never knows, though...

camping

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to go camping with some friends near Florence, OR, which is about two hours away from Corvallis. We had a BLAST! It has been many, many, many years since I've camped in a tent (was it church camp?), so it felt like a new experience. The campsite was nice and did have an outhouse, at least (whew!). (o: Below are just a few photos.

Where we camped (driving on our way there)

My friends, Kirby and Megan Sand, have two adorable children:
Jefferson (4) and Cora (15 months)

Some friends of the Sands also camped with us with their two adorable 

3 1/2 year old twin boys, Gabe and Jared

Our campsite 

 

A lot of our fun weekend was playing in and jumping off the dunes

Megan with Cora

 

Kirby

 

 

Can't wait to go camping again! 

idaho fun

can't get enough

 Drew, 6 months

Brenden, 1 month

It's not quite a fair comparison, but I see only a few similarities between the boys. It's amazing they are so different! One common factor: CUTENESS!

it's baby time

Tomorrow is the big day. I'm sure I will have LOTS of pictures to share of little Brendan Michael, so stay tuned! Preparation has already begun for Operation: Baby Day, which will commence tomorrow at 0700. Checklist: fully charged camera with hundreds of pictures at the ready--check; vocal warmups for optimal baby cooing--check; hand stretching exercises for the proud aunt to receive many congratulatory handshakes--check. It's going to be exciting!