Spirit Mountain Buffet

Once or twice a year, the model group gets together to enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet at Spirit Mountain Casino. The tradition started a few years back when the wives asked if they were ever going to get a chance to meet one another. Now the ladies are as good of friends as the guys!

Left to right: Mitch, Cecil, Dwaine and Bob (unable to attend: Bill)

Finally more gals than guys! When a modeler passes away, his family is always invited (which is why there are so many ladies this time). It is our way of keeping his memory alive!

Curiosity Has Landed

A special delivery arrived at Evergreen on Monday...the Curiosity replica designed and built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It took a minimum of 8 people to get her out of the crate and a motorcycle jack to get the wheels on. It was an exhausting endeavor but worth it! She will be on display for at least three months before moving onto the next museum.

Grandma Eileen

Sad news came in from Arizona that Hubby's grandma passed away. She had a rough couple of years between recovering from a terrible car accident and heart problems. Grandma was an amazing lady, everything a grandma should be. Kind, understanding, supportive, funny and loving. She welcomed me into her home and into her family with no reservations. She cared for me like one of her own, never missed my birthday and I always felt so loved when I was with her. I know she is one happy lady today, reunited with her Lord and family but I can't help but feel sad that I won't see her smile again.

Funny story about Grandma:

When we were still living in Arizona, we would always bring the dogs with us to visit her. Both the dogs were chunkier then and we had them on a diet. Well, we told Grandma not to feed the dogs any scraps from the table. So one night, we were sitting at the dinner table and I see Grandma feeding both the dogs. Hubby spoke up and told Grandma to stop. She looked right at him, with the most kind and sincere eyes, and handed both the dogs food. We both laughed and I can't stop laughing about it even now. She did exactly what she wanted in the kindest way possible!

Trudy and Grandma were best friends!

Lily was always so happy to see Grandma

Pictures are from her visit to Tucson in 2008

Silly Schnauzers

It has been awhile since I posted pictures of the pups.

Halloween 2012 (Lily as Bumblebee)

Halloween 2012 (Trudy as Cow)

Our coffee table is just the right size for Lily to rest her head on.

Trudy, always the princess perched on her pillows

Christmas 2012 - Trudy in Garland

Just Sittin' and Thinkin'

Hubby commented the other day that I hadn't blogged in awhile. To be honest, there isn't much to talk about. We are both working and finding ourselves busy even on weekends. Hubby is home with me a lot more and it is soooo nice that the huge project he was working on is complete. We even started watching Game of Thrones because we are together in the evenings.

Ultimately, the past few weeks have been a lot of soul searching, on my part. What do I want? What do I want to do career-wise with my life? How can I make that happen? What is my next big goal as an individual and for us as a couple? What can I start doing today that will put us on the road to that goal? Is Oregon the place to settle or should we explore elsewhere? Should we buy a home or maybe continue to rent but travel instead?

For the first time in my memory, we have the opportunity to truly make choices for ourselves that aren't a reaction to some external stimuli. We aren't tied down to one place because of in-state tuition or careers or houses or children or the Marines. The world is our oyster and we can do anything together! The freedom is both breathtaking and overwhelming.

House Hunters: Part VI

We got word through our realtor over the weekend that the bank has rejected our offer on the house. While not all together unexpected, what is surprising is that the bank believes they will get a better deal. They want full fair market value and will accept nothing less. I wish them luck, the house is nearing foreclosure and I highly doubt anyone will pay FMV for a foreclosure.

Now we are back to square one -- re-evaluating our wants and needs and trying to decide what is best for our family. 3 months spent waiting is a long time for it not to work out. The bright side is that now that we are post-holiday, the market should improve and more homes should go up for sale.

House Hunters: Part V

We finally heard some news on the house. The bank sent an appraiser out to the house to determine the condition, amenities and current market value. They determined the value to be above the amount we offered on the house. The bank than asked for a new offer from us at that value. We declined. First because it is a short sale and we have no intention of paying full market value for a short sale home. Second, because the house needs immediate repairs/replacement (exterior doors, appliances, paint, fence and carpet) and future repairs (like roof and siding) in the next few years. Third, because the house is still being taxed heavily which affects the monthly mortgage payment tremendously.

The ball is in the bank's court now. They could easily reject our original, firm offer. However, what I am sure they are considering now is: our offer is solid and definite, they could decline in hopes of something better but will they get another offer? There aren't any other offers as of today. If they don't get an offer, it becomes a foreclosure (bank-owned property), will they get more out of a foreclosure than a short sale? With the taxes on the house being so out of whack from the actual value, how will that affect the sale of this home?

So, now we wait (some more)...

My Hubby's Bridge

I was recently in Tucson to visit my family for the holidays and see some friends but I couldn't not go visit my Hubby's bridge. The Cushing Street Bridge (AKA Luis G. Gutierrez Bridge) is nearly complete, all that is left are the rails for their modern street car. I am so amazingly proud of the work my husband did on this project and it must be so fulfilling to see your work on paper become a reality. It truly is beautifully designed and extraordinarily unique! Good job, love!

Christmas Ornaments

I decided to hand-make gifts this year for my co-workers. I haven't been at the Mansion long enough to exchange gifts with those people, so this year it is just for the Evergreen crew. I made each person a personalized Christmas ornament. 

I purchased all the supplies from Michaels. The ornaments are made of a sturdy cardboard and can be found in the wood section. Than each ornament was covered (front and back) with the selected scrapbook paper using hot glue. I edged each one with ribbon (using hot glue) to cover up the seams and applied the stickers/embellishments to each ornament. Finally, I put each persons name on it using glittery stickers. Overall, I would estimate each ornament cost about $5, which is not only cost effective for a large group but also more meaningful. :-)

Evergreen Christmas Party

Hubby and I attended the Evergreen Volunteer Christmas party on the 5th. It was a very large event with almost every volunteer attending! The music was mariachi style, which Matt and I found entertaining but most others were confused by. Upon leaving, with the buildings completely lit, I shot a few photos of the museums at night. Simply stunning!

The Space Building

The Aviation Building

This one is for Bruce, his beloved Spruce Goose!

Hepcat Model

My newest RC airplane has come a long way in 3 months. Keep in mind that this isn't a kit with pre-cut pieces. Everything you see here was built from scratch and each piece was cut individually.

First was the fuselage

This took the longest because it had to be built twice. Once by me and once by Cecil who didn't have the heart to make me build it again after he dropped it on the floor and shattered it.

Than I finished the wing

Than it was the horizontal and vertical stabilizers

Than we made sure the engine mount was going to fit...

and finally I installed the fuel tank.

We still need to install the engine mount, the engine and all the servos. After that, we can cover it and fly it!

Words I Never Thought I Would Say...

I got my keys to the mansion today.

Photo courtesy of Squid Vicious

 http://www.fivezerothree.com/

A Catholic Principal, A One-Legged Marine and A Swearing, Drinking Nun

Hubby and I had the pleasure of joining one of my friends from Evergreen and his family for Thanksgiving dinner. We watched football, ate decadent food and sipped on wine. There is something very freeing about joining a family that isn't your own for dinner. There is still all the bickering and arguments that occur at family get-togethers, they just don't include you!

My friend, Joe, is the one-legged Marine, his wife is the Catholic principal and her friend SAM (Sister Ann Marie) is the swearing, drinking nun. In addition, there were 7 more guests who were either family or strays like Matt and I. Add 3 standard-sized poodles to the mix and it was one heck of a party!