I ran across this picture tonight and I thought I should post it to give us all a little hope. It has been drizzly, grey,and chilly. The misty morning almost cleared away tonight before it got dark. I enjoy cozy winter days, but this is the stuff I live for. Hot summer afternoons full of sunshine and colorful sunsets. I like the taste of cold ice cream, and the way a warm summer breeze feels at twilight. I love watching dogs fetch in the water and kids ride their bikes to the lake. Allyn Washington is a place that Norman Rockwell would have cherished, and I am glad that I can call LakeLand Village home. 01/18/2009

I thought it would be a good time to share what happens above the surface of Lake Washington now that I have shared with you what is found below. Hydroplane races are not new to Lake Washington. They have been going on for decades. In fact my Uncle, Dale Burnison had one that he loved to race, and it was easy to spot because it was PINK. Do not ask me why, he has always had a way of standing out. But Dale is not the point of this post.    Hydroplane racing has been around in Seattle since 1929.For years there were races on Green Lake, but now it is enjoyed during SeaFair on Lake Washington. Hydroplanes have made their home here since the 50's, and became very popular in the 60's. Now it is a large part of Seafair every summer, along with the Blue Angels, and the air show. I remember liv... 01/18/2009

When I was growing up my Dad held a bunch of different jobs, he was a smoke jumper, entrepreneur,  bulldozer salesman, job counselor for Vietnam veterans, Fireman, and my favorite...Park Ranger at Mt. Rainier. I spent the whole summer up there with him at his apartment, and spent a lot of time exploring the mountain trails, and making pets out of every animal I met. One of the coolest places we would visit were the natural hot springs. I was always amazed at how hot the water was when Silver falls was so cold. Grove of the Patriarchs is a great day drip as well. The trees are ancient, and rival the Redwoods in California, the swinging bridge to get there is a lot of fun to cross. Now there is a sign that says only one at time...it was more fun before. I was there right after Mt. St. Hel... 01/18/2009

I wanted to share a few pictures I took of an Eclipse last year. This is the night I discovered the importance of a tripod. I must have taken dozens of pictures. Here are a few that seemed to turn out. Next time I will be ready and get a lot more quality photos with my new camera.     01/18/2009

This is a great time of year when there really is not a lot to do outside to find constellations. The sun still sets pretty early, although I have to say I am very excited about it staying lighter just a little longer each day. Constellations are a lot of fun to find. It does not matter if it is just a quiet moment between a husband and wife, or an event for the whole family. Tonight I will be having the girls bundle up, make some hot cocoa, and sit on the front porch just looking at the stars. It always seems to inspire good conversation. Here is a link to find just what you are looking for in the night sky. I think it is needed since hunters and bears tend to look nothing like them when you are looking for them up there! 01/18/2009

I was curious about what went into a Presidential Transition, and here are a few things I found out... It takes 70 days from the time the new President is elected to take office But, It only takes a team 4 hours to move the President and all of his families personal belongings out of the White House- incredible. The new staff that the President Elect will need has to be hired. Ronald Reagan hired a head hunter and they had to go through over 40,000 applications. James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln had virtually no communication when they shifted power. With states already suceeding from the Union it was a tumultuous time. Bill Clinton left George W. Bush a welcome note. I wonder what it said? The hand off of top secrets is a pretty big deal. The secrets codes to launch a full scale nucle... 01/18/2009

On my last post I gave you a link to find ways to save money on your car insurance. After exploring a little further I found a quiz that will test your knowledge on basic driving rules. I plan to take it, and then give it to my husband. Although I think I have a good idea of just how well he is going to do-LOL I am sure I will run across a few things I have forgotten, and a few things I want my 16 year old to remember. You never know it may pay off...literally! 01/18/2009

This time of year I am all over new ways to save money. I make a game out of it with the kids. If they can lower the power bill by $10.00 I will buy a pizza, $5.00 I will ad movie ect. There are a lot of things you can do to make a difference. Even if it is a small change, it all ads up and you could end up saving a lot! While exploring on-line today I found a helpful sight to save money on car insurance. They have 12 tips that can make a difference on your premium. I provided a link here so you could go right there and see if any of these tips will make a difference on your bottom line. 01/18/2009

OK, I am still having fun with the Presidential theme. I thought that I would include two links to quizzes about the First ladies and their Husbands- The Presidents. It can be fun to see just how much you really do know and even more fun to stump a few people around the water cooler tomorrow. Please comment and let me know how you did! So explore your knowledge or gain some more, and have some fun with the Presidential trivia! First Ladies                                                                                                           Presidents 01/18/2009

Okay, so on with my Presidential theme. I have discovered 20 things- very interesting things...that you probably did not know about our past Presidents. One of the more intriguing is that James Garfield was not only ambidextrous, but he was able to write Greek in his left hand and Latin in his right. There are some interesting quick reading facts, so click on the link and discover something new about our Presidents. 01/18/2009

Tomorrow is a historic day for our country. No matter who you voted for we will all have a new President. Please check out a few of the funny or not so funny stories from the Past Presidential Inaugurations. From dead pigeons dropping along the parade route, to sneaking out the back door of your own inauguration party - the Presidents of the past have had a lot to laugh about.  I think Richard Nixon's stories were my favorite. Check out this LINK  and let me know which ones make you laugh so hard you cried.You got to love politics! 01/18/2009

Ever wonder what the homes we will be selling,and living in will be like in the not so distant future? So have I. Living in Washington State gives us an opportunity to see from time to time just what Bill Gates is up to. He has a residence on the shores of Hood Canal in Mason County, as well as the home you are about to view in nearby Medina. On this video tour of his home in Medina you can see how he, and his family lives, and all of the cool gadgets that one day will be common place in our lives too. I have provided a link if you would like to view this incredible house, and hear a little bit of the history that went into making a historic home. 01/17/2009

 This is the time of year that I get inspired to try a few new colors around the house.First I go to the store and search for the perfect new color. Then it is back to the house with all of the samples to tape them all over the- paint worthy walls. After a lot of staring, and badgering my husband to tell me what he likes, it is off to the store to gather all of the needed supplies, including the dreaded blue painting tape. After what feels like hours of taping off doorways, windows, outlets and everything else, it is time to splash on some color. It goes on quickly, but it is not over just yet. My stomach turns with anticipation... as I pull back the tape for a payoff on all of my hard work. Then I see it...Paint Drips, Smudges, and little misses and oopses. That is until now. I just fo... 01/17/2009

Have you ever gone on a long vacation only to come home and see your house in a whole new light? You see things from a whole new perspective. You notice the scent of a plant flowering in the room,or a cluttered corner, or how bright the kitchen looks with the sun beaming in. You may even see your house the same way a prospective buyer would see your home if it was on the market. This leads me to my point, when you are getting ready to sell your home it PAYS (literally) to have an expert come through your house and see it with a new set of eyes. They can point out places for a new coat of paint, decluttering, or freshening up that you could easily overlook, just because you see your house the same way every day- day after day. If you are thinking of selling your home, and would like a fr... 01/17/2009

Every now and then I like to plan a little weekend trip for the family to get to know the wonderful State of Washington that we live in a little better.There is a lot to see and do around here. When I was a kid one of my favorite parks was Gas Works park. I also enjoyed a trip to the Bonneville Damn, the Space Needle, and North Head light house. This summer my husband and I explored the Ape Caves made by lava tubes down by Mt. St. Helens. traveling around the state we have had a lot of one of a kind adventures, and great stories to share year after year. I have included a link for you to click on so that you to can explore Washington State in a whole new way! 01/17/2009

This summer it was hot. It was one of the few weeks in the year that we actually plan our days around the temperatures outside. I was really excited about the weekend, because it was going to be just my husband and I, and I wanted it to be memorable-the sky was the limit. What ever we wanted to do was available for the agenda. So the first thing I did was go on-line. I wanted to find an activity that we could do together, not just an air conditioned movie theater that we both sat next to one another in silence as the screen rolled scene after scene by and told us when to laugh and cry.How is that making a memory? That is when I found the Ape Caves. I made a list of the necessary items, and went to the store to get some hiking food, and batteries for the flashlights. The site recommends ... 01/17/2009

I thought I would write a post about some neat little places to visit in Washington State. North Head light house in the South West corner of the State is one of our favorites. I have included a link.The State has made the light keepers residence available for overnight stays. This is one of the best places for watching storms. Cape Disappointment is known for being one of the windiest spots in the state in-fact they have had winds so strong that it blew the instrument measuring the gust's speed away. After one of the historic storms you will want to make your way to the Pacific Ocean's edge for beach combing. There is no telling just what you will find.You can also take a walk down to the Lewis and Clark interpretive center and visit historic Fort Clatsop. There are many things to do a... 01/17/2009

Ever wonder what to do an a bright sunny Saturday? Consider a trip up to Mt. Rainier. It is about a hour or so drive from my hometown - Allyn, Washington. It can be a great little Stay-cation. I provided a link to the National parks sight. With so much to see and do you are bound to find something that will interest you. The web cams make it easy to see the weather conditions and the web site offers many different ideas for enjoying the marvelous mountain. Check it Out. 01/17/2009

I could not believe the label when I saw this blue ice cream in the store. It was bizarre! So I had to buy some. It was great once you got past the bright blue and with every bite- I found myself searching for the elusive cookie bits. Kind of like seeing the cup half full. You know that good stuff will happen and you notice it more if you are looking for it already. So as I was on-line today and I stumbled across the Baskin Robbins website. They were unveiling new flavors, and even offering a free scoop on your birthday. I thought I would provide the link, so even if your day looks a little cloudy, you still might find some delicious cookie filled ice cream in it somewhere. 01/17/2009

I wanted to share something a little more personal. No business, no work, just for a minute :) Aside from the hustle and bustle of the stressful career of a real estate. There is one little thing in my life that just helps with the problems of the world. He doesn't care about the economy, or how much fuel costs. None of it matters. He is just happy to see me whenever he gets the chance. This is my Yellow Lab Danner. He goes with me whenever he gets the chance, and is always proud to be by my side. A little about him. He LOVES swimming at the Allyn Pier, or any body of water for that matter. He is known by all neighbors within a mile radius. He loves to visit and say hi. A lot of residents in Lakeland Village know him, and love to play with him Sorry for the bad picture.   What is it tha... 01/16/2009