Farewell My Friend

Confuscious  4/2000-1/2014

It's hard to believe.

Hard to say goodbye to

13 years, 9 months

8 moves in 4 different states

Countless road trips, vacations, camping trips, and backyard adventures

The brother to two Frenchie sisters, Mastiff mix foster, Boston rehab and foster, and almost one cat.

Sweet Confuscious has been with us almost as long as we have been married.  He has been with us through it all:

home remodeling

backyard remodeling

hellish jobs that brought us home in tears

the heat of Idaho

the cold of Wisconsin

the good times

the bad times

always with a "smile", lots of kisses, and plenty of snuggles

When he was a puppy, he used to snuggle across my neck and we would take a nap on the couch before work.  As he got bigger, he had to settle for snuggling in my lap.  I was his snuggle buddy and Skott was his playmate.

Fucie was always up for an adventure.  In fact, he would get SO excited on car rides that he would whine with excitement almost the ENTIRE time.  He LOVED the beach!  We will never forget the first time we let him off leash at the beach:

The only thing he loved more than the beach was sunbeams.

If there was any bit of light, he was in it:

As his health and mobility declined, this was his favorite spot.  He would go to the door and stand with his nose pressed into it until we noticed, opened the door for him, set up his blanket/pillow, and set him in the sunbeam.

When he lost control of his back end, Skott built him some wheels to allow him mobility.  No corner, door frame, door, or bare foot was safe from his wheels!  I think we will be finding blue paint scrapes until the end of time....

He eventually went completely deaf, almost blind, and unable to stand on his own.  His happy spirit persevered even then.  But when he no longer enjoyed time at the beach and spent most of his time sleeping, we knew his quality of life was slipping.

Eventually, his front legs gave out and we knew it was time to set our sweet boy free from the confines of his worn-out body

We will miss so many things about him.

I never want to forget all the funny, crazy things-

*his love of anything mint flavored

*his obsession with squashes and gourds

*his love of drinking water from the hose

*his countless toys (the elephant, the infamous monkey, the red devil, the giraffe, his minion, his sunbeam....) 

*the bets we had when giving him a new toy and what part we thought would be destroyed first

*his stupid ugly zebra dog bed that we got for $3 at dumb Walmart because we forgot his bed on a trip. He LOVED that thing and it lasted FOREVER.  I tried throwing it away several times and he would literally sit by the garbage and whine for it.

*his "scuttle butt" run

*snoring

*doing anything for cheese

*jumping in the bathtub for bath time (cuz he knew a treat would follow)

*playing "rah-cha-cha" with the towel after bath

*hide-and-seek when we came home from work

*his love of pillows and his uncanny ability to drool on the ones we actually slept on

*his love of being up high and watching everyone around him, yet he was terrified of heights and would freeze if taken across a footbridge 

*the way he always had to take a big mouth full of sand at the beach and then look up at you with a goofy grin as sand poured out of the corners of his mouth

*his love of people, especially little kids -as long as they didn't cry.  If kids cried, he would jump up and lick their mouths, as if trying to shut them up.  The harder he licked, the harder they cried...

*belly rubs

*his never-ending patience when rehabbing foster dogs

*and yes, even his obsessive licking.

I still find myself glancing over at the couch to check on him, find myself thinking about needing to go find him to see if he's stuck on something because I haven't seen him zoom by in awhile... missing him so much.  He was all love.  

Oh what a new year it has been!

Once again, I am SHOCKED at the way human beings treat other human beings, aka New Years Eve at a casino....
I was "fortunate" enough to deal to mostly "mean" drunks -the ones that cuss you out when you take their money, the ones that repeatedly tell you how awful and mean and horrible you are, the ones that slam the table, the ones that throw their cards at you and hit you with them, the ones that think you are their servant because you work in the service industry.  My latest "method" of coping is just to agree with people when they get mean.  For example: they will say "You are the worst dealer I have ever had!" and I say, "You're right, I am the worst dealer here.  In fact, I won that award last year as the worst dealer.", etc.  This usually enrages the player even more, but I can't help it.  I've actually had people tip me, then they lose a few hands and say things like "Give me that tip back" or "you're awful, I should have never tipped you, you don't deserve it".
Ahhhhhhhh, if working 12 hours on News Years Eve isn't motivation enough to make Botanical Sweets and Treats work, then I don't know what is.  My goal for 2014 is to learn as much as possible to make this business successful and thriving to the point that I can quit the hell-hole!

Among all the horrible customers, there is a gem or two,  -a gentle reminder from a higher power that there is good in mankind.  One such instance occurred towards the end of my shift on Thursday.  A gentleman sat down to my single deck game.  He was clearly a little intoxicated, but seemed to be having a good time.  I made small talk with him as I got his chips, and we joked a little back and forth for a few minutes.  He told me he left his teenage son at home and that he had come to the beach for a few days to see his wife.  He said she lived right out there, and he pointed in some random direction.  There are many houses along the casino property so I assumed he was referring to one of them.  He was fun to deal to and we chattered back and forth until another player sat down.  This other player is one of our "regulars" and I hadn't seen him for quite some time.  Nice guy.  All three of us started chatting and joking.  Somehow something was said about me being married and my regular customer commented on his first wife and how they divorced because she was an awful person that drove him into bankruptcy... and then the other guy shares with us that his wife had passed away and, with tears streaming down his face, said he would give anything to have her back.  My heart BROKE for this poor man.  He talked about their life, their decision to wait until they were older to have kids, their adventures, her battle with ovarian cancer, and her final wish to have her ashes returned to the ocean.  He said he comes to the beach at least once a year to visit her and how she always gives him the best, most beautiful sunsets ever.  (and it was!).

We are not allowed to touch the guests in any way, but I told him I wished I could give him a big old hug.  He asked me to do him a favor and he said "Please hug your husband every day and never take it for granted."
I was humbled and saddened beyond belief.  Thank you for sitting at my table, Pat.  I hope your heart continues to heal and that you find joy again.

30 Day Challenges

I'm very intrigued by the idea of 30-day challenges....
I've been browsing for inspiration/ideas.  I know I want to do some fitness ones, but I like the idea of doing others as well.
Here are some ideas I found:

#1 Write a I-Like-This-About-You note/text/email each day for someone
I like this one. I could do this!

#2 Talk to one stranger each day.
I already do this at work. Unfortunately, this has made me less likely to talk to someone outside of work. I need to remedy this.

#3 Take one picture each day.
I love to take pictures. Remembering to do one a day might be a good challenge.

#6 Take a moment each day to practice self compassion and self-love
Oh boy! I have always been my own worst enemy.

#7 Try a new recipe each day.
No big secret we are "foodies" but I would like to explore more vegetable based dishes.

#8 Learn how to draw a human face in 30 days.
Maybe modify this to practicing basic drawing techniques via youtube?

#9 Watch a documentary each day.
They are motivating to me. Sometimes very depressing too. But mostly motivating.

#10 Read a chapter each day.
Thanks to my birthday present (kindle), this is easier. I have been reading one book per month, plus extras.

#11 Study a topic you’d like to master each day.
I am going to focus this on learning more about Oregon, the plant life, the history,

#12 Media-fast for 30 days
I already don't have cable/watch TV. But it would be sad for me to give up online stuff, as that is how I keep in touch with my family.

#13 Pick one bad habit you already have and ditch it for 30 days
Ok.... plenty to chose from here

#14 Inspire yourself each day
The ocean inspires me almost daily. I need to ACT on my inspirations, let thoughts flow, let ideas develop.

#15 Think of an accomplishment you’d like to achieve for each year of the next 30 years, a year each day.
Interesting

#16 Practice a random skill everyday
 don't worry, singing will NOT be one of these skills I will practice!

#17 Take the stairs every chance you get
I already do this, as well as park far away from store entrances.

#18 Wake up early each day
I am guilty of lounging in bed long after the alarm goes up. Although I cannot wake up "early", I can practice rising from bed in a timely manner.

#19 Keep a journal
aka -blog better. It's too overwhelming for me to try and blog and keep a handwritten journal

#20 Don’t lie for 30 days
This might get me in trouble at work! haha

#21 Doing something that scares you every day
?Every day? Seems tough

#22 Don’t complain for an entire day
Good one to try!

#23 Meditate each day
I've always been curious about meditation, and yoga too!

#24 Practice (at least) one completely selfless act each day
like mini random acts of kindness

Heres a list from another website:

-30 days with no TV
- 30 days with no caffeine
- 30 days with no Twitter or FriendFeed
- 30 days with no iPhone
- 30 days with no sugar
- 30 days with no Facebook
- no email after 10 p.m.
- 30 days as a vegetarian.
- 30 days of trying to learn to play guitar.
- meditate 10-15 minutes a day for 30 days.
- try one new thing a day for 30 days.
- draw something everyday for 30 days.
- learn as much of a new language as possible in 30 days.
- try to write a novel/book in 30 days.
- write down one thing I’m thankful for each day for 30 days.
-30 days of intimacy
-memorize a poem every day for 30 days

Then there's exercise challenges!

30 day fitness challenges

Lots of good ideas here!  Where to start?  Anyone?

A Very Etsy Christmas

One of the downsides to living at the coast is the lack of shopping options.  Lincoln City has the outlet malls and that's about it.  Newport has a Fred Meyer and a Walmart. Those are our choices within a 1-hr radius of us.  Challenging at times, but we've learned to adapt.
This year we decided to support our fellow artists and do the majority of our shopping on etsy.
Things were really crazy with caramel orders (and beachwalkerz orders too!) but we managed to find some really unique gifts for each other:
Skott really outdid himself!  I love that he knows me so well. I got to open one present early (It arrived early December and Skott didn't think it would survive hidden under the bed in the dark for three weeks.  He was right.)

Airplants in urchin shells.
I have them hanging in two different windows.
They remind me of jellyfish.

Our "Christmas Eve" gifts:

repurposed bicycle chain bracelet

Moss sealed in resin Necklace

Thanks to jury duty, I was REALLY rushed the week before Christmas and SO stressed for time.... I completely forgot to take pictures of our tree, our wrapped presents under the tree, etc.
I should have known it was too good to be true:  I was feeling really good about the timeframe and all the things I wanted to make and do before Christmas.... and then jury duty with a multiple day trial (3 days and counting) plus work on top of that.... and all my plans were destroyed.  Skott had to pick up the slack and finish gifts, caramel orders, packaging, etc.  I had to let go of all my plans and fun ideas and accept the reality of the situation.  After many tears, and much frustration with the S-L-O-W postal system, Skott's final (and main) gift arrived Christmas Eve at about 5pm.  My mother's gifts were going one state over and they didn't make it in a week.  Sorry mom!
In light of all that happened, one of my gifts was especially special to me:

"Nature does not hurry yet everything is accomplished

This was Skott's main gift:

upcycled french horn acoustic speaker

Skott made me a "nutty" themed stocking, including some AMAZING Sriracha and Sweet Chili Pepper cashews (his own recipe) and bacon flavored coconut flakes.
I did a peanut butter/nut butter themed stocking (totally a coincidence that we both did "nut" related things haha is that saying something about how we perceive each other?)
Our two days off prior to Christmas was spent with friends.  It was lovely and full of much laughter and waaaayyyy too much good food!
Christmas Day we worked.  It was, sadly, very busy.  I know not everyone has families to spend the holidays with but I will NEVER understand why people chose to spend their time at the smoky casino when there is a beautiful beach RIGHT THERE.

Botanical Sweets and Treats

Life has been crazy hectic lately, but in a good way.
Remember in April when we went to Idaho and we visited Skott's dear Aunt Hazel one afternoon?

A conversation we had with her about favorite candies sparked something life-changing.  On our quest to find her some sea salt caramels with no chocolate, we discovered that NO ONE along the Oregon Coast carried un-chocolated sea salt caramels.
So we made her some.

During our walks on the beach in the days following, we talked about other crazy caramel combinations we could send her. And then a plan hatched -to start our own caramel company.
We have always known that the casino was temporary, a means to an end.  We've always wanted to do Farmers Markets but hadn't found the right niche yet.....

We started experimenting and making all kinds of caramels.  The first few batches really flopped.  We had troubles with crystallization and the flavors were too strong or too weak.

Started reading and researching and trying to find out as much as we could about caramel making.  Discovered the best way to get a consistent flavor was to make our own extracts.  Started brewing extracts from hibiscus, earl grey, chai, rose, lavender, basil, etc.

Took TONS of samples to work for opinions.

Decided to take the plunge and Botanical Sweets and Treats was born.

We are starting out with caramels, but would eventually like to add caramel sauce, flavor coated nuts, truffles, etc.  Our plan is to build an online presence while also getting product carried locally. Then, we have a couple different avenues we could take -whether it be Farmers Markets, Whole Foods, etc.

If you're looking for a great Christmas gift, check out our etsy shop here or our work-in-progress website www.botanicalsweetsandtreats.com

I've been asked a lot what my favorite flavor is and I can honestly say, it's easier to say what isn't my favorite!  This new venture is going to be disastrous to my waistline if I'm not careful :)

38?

Am I really that old?
Wow.
I truly believe it is just a number.
Last week, I felt 21 again.
This week, after the craziness at work, I feel 90.

I love my husband and I always look forward to holidays, as he has a knack for surprising me with the perfect, most thoughtful gifts.  I never have to worry about getting a vacuum cleaner haha

custom wrapping paper

My kindle in it's cork case,
plus the beautiful necklace I received

Fucie likes my kindle too

This year we went camping for my birthday.  Actually, it was "yurting" with heat and electricity, but we were in a campsite AND we had a campfire.  That counts, right?

It was cold at night but gorgeous during the day!

 The beach had a lot of fossils:

 And these interesting layers of rock formations:

Jen made guiness stew- SO GOOD

My brother Barry surprised me with a visit.  It was awesome to see him and visit for a few days.

From trash to treasure

When we moved from Wisconsin, one of the hardest decisions Skott had to make was deciding what wood to bring with him.  Between our neighbor (who was a contractor and always had wood leftovers to give away), the pallets, barn wood from Dad and also from Carrie, and freebies found on the curb, Skott had quite a collection of nice wood.  I'm so glad he brought this along:

the frame work for rusty metal drawers.  Got it for $10 on craigslist in Wisconsin

No before pictures of the next pieces, but they were part of a solid oak table he found on the curb, waiting for trash pickup.  He brought it home and disassembled it.  The original piece was constructed in a tongue and groove type style so Skott evened up all the pieces, clamped and glued them together, then sanded them.  Here they are after several sandings:

Sanding the framework and basic assembly:

I am IN LOVE with the finished product! Unfortunately, it is a wedding gift for some friends/co-workers.  I am seriously sad to give this piece away.  I have been begging to keep it and "can't we just get them something else for their wedding?"  

Love, love love the tiger striping in the old wood