Go Fourth again!

More pictures :)

Silly blogger wont let me post more than a few at a time... Grrrr.

Yay for America!

 

Go Fourth! 2006

Happy Independance Day!
I love the 4th of July, the excitement, the parade, the fireworks, the food, and the opportunity to hang out in Longview with great relatives!
Jan, Linda, Teresa, Laura and my mom all let me paint their toes in Red, White and Blue! We were all very festive! Even the relatives who didn't paint their toes were dressed to the nines in Red, White and Blue.
Yay America!
Here we watch the Lumber show.. it was pretty impressive!


And Once again, picasa a blogger get together to frustrate me... more pictures coming soon... 

Ring Of Bright Water

I can't believe that you made me watch this movie!! All I heard from everyone that is so cute and funny! Which is true, until the last few minutes where it gets VERY SAD. The mean Evil Scotsman Chops the sweet unsuspecting otter to death with a shovel. I am shocked and horrified!!! I was having a delightful day, and excited to watch a "cute movie" but instead find myself watching a brutal murder! What a terrible movie!!! Why didn't anyone at least warn me?!?!?!

After reading the reviews left my other netflix users I found that I am not the only one who feels this way:

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful-

I have to agree with the other reviews. I haven't seen this movie since I was a little girl, and I vaguely remember the beauty of it, but now that I'm almost 40, the only thing that I can clearly remember is the horror I felt when the otter is killed. That one scene is vividly etched in my memory, and brings me to tears to this day.

11 out of 15 people found this review helpful-

Parents beware! I rented this film because the lead actors are the same Travers-McKenna duo of "Born Free" fame (which we loved). This film is about an adorable otter, but it gets cruelly killed towards the end. My 6-yr old was BESIDE herself with grief. A healthy dose of "all things die" helped somewhat, but I'm sure this film will leave a lasting sad impression on my little one.

6 out of 9 people found this review helpful-

This is a wonderful movie but I had forgotten how the otter gets killed and so I didn't prepare my daughter for it. She was real upset.

Anyway that is that, I think I will go do something happy now, like housework.

See ya'll tomorrow-ish

Extraordinary

I know this isn't the expected post- complete with photos from the delightful 60th Wedding Anniversary Party from Saturday Evening. But Something cool just happened and I wanted to tell EVERYONE About it :)
I am sitting here at work, talking to a buyer on the phone and a little bird, a Sparrow maybe, lands on my windowsill! The little bird hid behind my pointsettia for a while, trying not to fall off the sill and then flew away! I love it when cool little things happen to me :)

Well thats all for now until I am at home long enough to upload my pics!

God Bless!

Hunter Andrew Ogas Simmons

This was my new cousin, Hunter. He was born after 40 hours of labor and an emergency c-section on Sunday, June 18th, he fought for life until Wednesday, June 21st.
He was 7 lbs, 12 oz and 21 inches long.
Hunter had his momma's eyes and nose and his daddy's hands.
His feet were ticklish, and he is one of the most perfect and cutest babies that I have ever seen.

I don't think that there will ever be so much love given to one person in 4 days ever again.

I thank God for the chance to meet my cousin, but will never understand why we couldn't keep him for a lifetime.



The top two pictures were taken on Wednesday, shortly before they took him off the ventilator, The bottom photos were taken soon after he was born, before being life-flighted in a Leer Jet over the mountains to Children's Hospital.

 

My Friends are growing up...

My Dear Friend and one time Roomate, Anna Graduated the same day Laura did.
I am so glad that I managed to run into her!!! Yay Anna!!
Laura is all done with SPU.... I am going to miss my chick flick partner....
Sigh, VISIT A LOT!!!! 

The End of a Chapter

Good Luck on the Drive Home!! We are proud of you!

We are all so proud !!
Everybody poses with the newest Ferguson Family Graduate :) 

Laura Graduates..

The official moment where our very own Laura Graduates from SPU. Now if only there was somehting in the fancy folder....

Congratulations Laura!!!! 

Memorial Day Part V

This is what it is all about.

The men and women who have fought for the liberties that we as American Citizens are priveledged to enjoy. To every man or woman who had defended us in the armed services and to all those who will, to every man, woman, child, mother or father who has greived over the loss of someone they loved because they believed in America.
May God Bless you all. 

Memorial Day part IV

I think I will let the pictures do the talking for a while.

Enjoy...

 

Memorial Day part III

Teresa and Laura place flowers

The Various graves, for those of you who could not be with us in body, but were with us in spirit, Thanks for the flowers!
 

Memorial Day Part II

This is in parts, simply because The computer and I are not that well aquainted.

Here are the beautiful flowers, ready to be taken to the graves.
The Ferguson clan, minus Jan who is holdign the camera.

We placed flowers on the graves of all of those who have gone before us and whom we remember fondly, either in person or in memory from stories. 

Memorial Day, part 1

Our Trip to Oregon began on a rainy Saturday afternoon, we were loaded up with flowers from the grandparents and ready to go. We arrived at the cemetary to find that we were not the only ones to remember loved ones this weekend. There were many flowers and families. I guess the only sad things were the few undecorated grave sites from long ago....

As odd as it may seem to some, this trip is quite enjoyable, it is looked forward to by everyone even though the heart of it is just a little sad. Today we spend time remembering those who some of us have loved and some of us have never met, but who went before us and taught us the things that are the center of our lives.

I know that is in part the training of these people that have made the Ferguson family the way it is today, Loving compassionate and strong. A group of people to be proud to call friends.











Happy Memorial Day. 

Baby Quilt! It took about 30 minutes to get one picture to work so it might be a while before I try posting any more...sorry its crooked, the computer is really not my friend any more 

Stupid Computer, Happy Life

Hey all!
I know I promised pictures, and I still hope to post them, it just that my technology is conspiring against me. A While ago we started having difficulties with our internet and discovered that it was being caused by our anti-virus program, so we got rid of it. Well, now our whole computer is acting weird and the internet is REALLY slow. So I am pretty sure that the computer has a virus of somekind. Meanwhile it won't let me post any pictures, because the blog picture program won't work. Grrrr.
Other than my computer life is WONDERFUL!
The Ferguson's started my birthday celebration this last weekend, Grandma Ruth made me the most delicious dessert in the WORLD!! Luscious Dessert, aptly named, might I add :)
I am looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend, it is always so much fun. My class is finally getting close to an end.. just one more reading and required movie to watch, then the test for that, then there is an extra credit movie I can watch- with no reading required so I will do that in an attempt to boost my grades and then the Final, yikes, but then I will be DONE!!
I finally finished the baby quilt I am making for my cousin's baby, I took a picture of it, but I havn't been able to load it yet due to the afformentioned technical difficulties. I will try to remember to bring it down this weekend to show off :)
Holly is doing pretty good, but I bought her more bunny food and she doesn't seem to like it, which has me pretty concerned because there is nothing she likes more than to eat. So I might have to try a different brand and see if she likes it better. She will still eat her treats, so I don't think she is sick, she doesn't doesn't seem to appreciate the new food.

That's life in a nutshell, we are going up to Dan and Joy's tonight to celebrate Jonathan's new job!! So that will be fun. Jonathan has promised me a dance night next Wednesday so I am very happy, he won't have to work the next morning and I can suck it up. LOL
Dan and Joy have a new dog, he is a miniature pinscher and kinda cute for a little dog, unfortunately he is taking a while to get comfortable around visitors. His name is Macchiato, or Mac for short.
That's it for now!
May God Bless your day!

Sunny Days

Well life continues to be busy, I am still struggling through my class, but The Midterm is over and I only have a few more weeks to go. I am looking forward to the Memorial Day Trip and have heard that Grandad and Grandma Theo will be coming! I can’t wait to spend time with everyone :)
The Summer is already filling up with activities, both my brother and Laura are graduating, as well a good handful of birthdays, plus happy things like Memorial Day, The 4th of July and The long awaited Yellowstone Trip! Also we have decided to attend a Medieval Festival in the faire Camlann Village. I am making costumes for both myself and Jonathan, Dan and Joy are planning on coming with us and Laura is thinking about it. If anyone else would like to join us, it should be a grand time! I am REALLY going to try to put up some pictures tonight, M-W I am so busy with homework and Bible study that I can’t even think straight, so here is my big chance- an uneventful Thursday. LOL. Tomorrow of course we will be driving down to Longview to spend time with some of our favorite people!
It has been beautiful the last few days and I am hoping that this sunny trend continues through the weekend, despite the nay-saying weathermen.
Well, I suppose I rally should be working! See ya’ll soon!
God Bless

So Much to get Done and So Little Time!

So I found out that planning a wedding is NOTHING compared to being married, working full time taking classes part time and joining a Bible study, all at the same time. So far I am alive, but so busy that I have to keep reminding myself of it!

First of all: about being married: Its great!! Jonathan and I spent this last weekend together on a nice long date! We went to see Sleeping Beauty, the ballet at MCaw Hall in Seattle! It was so beautiful and the music was amazing! I have decided that I really like Ballet's.. you get great music and a beautiful story all at the same time!
Second: Work: It's going pretty well, We have our "spirit Spotlight" this Friday and the theme is Cinco De Mayo.. so I have to dress up in a Mexican Theme... not sure if I can do that as well as I did the 70's theme. We will see
Third: Class. I am taking a film class, which I thought would be interesting and mildly fun. I was wrong. I HATE it. Some of the reading I am doing has interesting information, and it is interesting to see a different variety of films than I am used to. BUT the format of the class, the amound of reading and the testing layout drives me crazy!! Each week I have to read between 40 and 70 pages, which in itself is not bad, normally I could do that in 30 mins to an hour. But in order to compare it to the movie and remember all the info I have to take extensive notes, whcih means I spend about 4-7 HOURS on the reading. Then I re-read the chapter quickly and review my notes a couple of times and watch the film then review my notes again. And still I do poorly on the test. This class is the bane of my current existance.
Fourth: Bible Study: I am really excited about this, unfortunatly is does require quite a chunk of time outside of the Wednesday meetings which coincide with my test due dates for the hated film class. Luckily we are doing it for 20 weeks instead of 10, which means, I will be attending every other meeting until class is over.
Life in General:
We got a new digital camera that I am really excited about, I finally uploaded the software onto the computer and have even edited the photos so that they look good! Now I jsut have to put them on the blog.... coming soon I hope.
My best friend and cousin is having a baby boy in the next month or so and I am making a quilt for him.... which is another thing on my plate at the moment, but I think it is going to be very cute in a rugged baby boy way :)
I am looking forward to coming down this week to celebrate Teresa's Birthday and Mother's Day this weekend!
Sorry it is such a long blog.. and that is has been such a long time!
God Bless all of you!!

April Showers

We were able to begin April with some enjoyment, while it was pouring down rain Jonathan and I headed to Longview for a much desired visit. Saturda was so enjoyable, we got to spend time with the whole family, including both sets of grandparents and aunt Linda! It was so good to see everyone again and catch up on the news and Grandma Ruths photos.
There is not a lot going on up here, Jonathan and I both continue to work, and my dear husband is still far too overworked, we cannot wait to make a change in that department.
I am beginning to look forward to Spring/Summer. Today is is very pretty but surprisingly COLD! It was a mere 35 degrees today when I left for work. Brrr.
I have lerned that Orchids are shade flowers, so now I want to go orchid shopping so that I can have a pretty flower friendly home.
I borrowed a book from Jan and it was really good, I just finished it last night, it is called Passing by Samaria. I forget who the Author is, I will endeavor to take a look and let you know.
This coming weekend we will be helping Dan and Joy with moving/fixing up their new home, Congratulations!!
Well, thats about it right now.
God Bless!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top O' The mornin' to ye!
Today we are supposed to celebrate Saint Patrick, the man largely responsible for spreading Christianity throughout Ireland, he succeeded where others had not, by incorporating celtic symbolism into Christian symbols, aka the Celtic Cross. Basically he was a cool lad, I believe that I shared more history last year, so feel free to look it up :)
Here are work we are celebrating green food day... technically it is St. Patrick's Day but we are holding what we call a "Green Graze" each department got together and put some food together that is either green or authentic Irish fare. My department chose to go authentic :) Its really cool, one gal made corned beef and cabbage and potatoes, and the receptionist and I each tried a different recipe for Traditional Irish Soda Bread. I made mine in my Dutch oven, which was origianllt called a "Bastible Pot" and is close to what was originally used. It is a very simple bread and would be served almost every day, and it turned out very well :) If your curious the recipe is:

Traditional Soda Bread
Ingredients
· 4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour
· 1 Teaspoon baking soda
· 1 Teaspoon salt
· 14 oz of buttermilk
Baking directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees. Lightly crease and flour a cake pan.
2. In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.
3. Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape)
4. Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.
5. Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes (this simulates the bastible pot). Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
6. The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.

Despite my Protestant background I am wearing green, instead of orange, moslty because most folks wouldn't understand the history behind it. and I don't want to forget all the Catholicism has done for Christianity, because of its highly ritualistic background it was able to convert many paganistic areas of the world that were accostomed to the ceremony in worship.
So Three Cheers for St. Patrick!!
And I hope you are all wearing either orange or green to celebrate his spectacular life!
God Bless!

End of Busy Season:
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonathan came home from work yesterday without calling me first, he just breezed on in at 6:15, it was beautiful. Of course seeing as he didn’t call I hadn’t put dinner in the oven yet, but I soon remedied that, and we ate earlier than we had in months. I made chicken with mushrooms, thyme and onion with rigatoni and steamed broccoli on the side. It was accented with a glass of Chenin Blanc and it turned out very well. I made a tempting dish of dark Chocolate Mousse to finish the meal; all in all it was very enjoyable :)

On another topic the sewing Expo was really cool, I learned a lot about quilting and pattern fitting that I think will really help my creative projects. I found a free-motion quilting foot on e-bay that I can’t wait to try. I practiced a little bit, but without the foot my thread kept getting a little tangled. A Lot of practice and I might just make it!

We don’t have any plans this weekend and I am really looking forward to spending a lot of time with my dear husband. We are planning on going to Leavenworth with some friends over St. Patricks day weekend and I will tell you all about it!
That’s all for now,
God Bless!

Ups and Downs

So it has been an interesting week. Joanthan was given a pair of Seattle Sonics tickets complete with free parking pass. The seats were amazing and we even got to rub elbows with the "high society" set at half-time where we got to enjoy food and beverages free of charge, it was pretty cool! And we won the game, which always makes for a good experience, I even managed to figure out what was going on by the end of it. On the other hand Jonathan has been working much too long and hard. I have never seen him this stressed out before, it makes me want to yell at all the partners. He has to put in some time this weekend, and that makes me angry, EVERYONE needs a break from work once a week and Jonathan should be given the same consideration that the rest of America gets. Pray for him please.
We can't wait to have The Ferguson's up this weekend, I think that we will have an enjoyable time. :)
Well, that its for now,
God Bless!