Armageddon News Reports...

SEATTLE (AP) - During the next 50 years, climate change will have a dramatic impact on Washington state - snowpack is expected to decrease, water shortages are coming, wildfires could double in size, and more people may die - according to a new report from scientists across the region.



Read the article.

More people may die, I think not. More people Will die. Sorry, it's a fact. So is the fact that we are entering a cooling trend. HELLO! There is snow outside, not rain. This makes me crazy.

Comic Relief

Grant's latest ceramic creation is a delight! It is in full relief; the tongue sticks out about 4 " which is no mean feat with clay. The colors were a bit of a surprise to Grant when he got it back. The eyes look much different to the natural eye than they do to the camera eye. They look metallic, chrome like. The color of the red paint and the color of the green paint were very similar before they were fired so that is why there is a green tongue. I like it. He is a crazy funny guy....and the mask is too. Wink. Doesn't it make your tongue hurt to look at it?

More Photos on Gentry Homes Blog

I will be posting several new or completed jobs on Gentry Homes blog over the next few days. That will be my focus. Yes, I will focus!!! I am definitely having trouble with the focus issue this past little bit between trying to homeschool a sick kid, learning (0r not) the new design software, and keeping up with bills, taxes, getting the piano tuned, my back tuned, and the jeep tuned. Who has time to cook or shop? My fridge is so


EMPTY! We have beans. Serious.

Check out the completed remodel pictures of a shop/ garage addition and new siding and windows, updated entry at http://www.gentryhomes.blogspot.com/.

Rattlesnake Ledge

Our boot camp class had a group hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge. It was very nice to be outside on a sunny day with some great people...like this fine family, the Taylors, (sadly I didn't get pictures of them), Carrie and the group

Gentry took a pretty good turn with Joe. Joe would ask, "Where is Danny? or Where is Mommy, or Where is Samantha...." and everytime Uncle Gentry said, "They are somewhere behind us they will catch up to us when we get to the top." Same words, every single time. Funny!

Carrie was great company for Victoria. I know I was very happy she came along! Tee Hee.

A reunion with a few folks on top.

The valley below.

Done!

The apartment is now completely finished. The changes include new mill work, doors, a few new windows, all new floor coverings, all new closets, all new cabinets, all new appliances, all new hardware and fixtures. I personally think it turned out very nice. The colors all went well together after much angst...and the convection microwave means that baking can now be a part of meal prep. First time for that. It has much more cabinet space since we got rid of the refrigerator/stove/sink combo. (The refrigerator did not work) And it even has real granite counter tops!

Of course I really like the window trim and used the same schoolhouse light fixture in the bedroom as we used in the spec house. This little building was at one time a preschool so it fits.

I think Michael will be very happy here. It is bright and cheerful.

To see a few before pictures (or in the process) click: BEFORE

Another Highlight

As you can plainly see Victoria swam with a smiley and charming fellow. It was really amazing. We were not allowed to take pictures, had to purchase this one, but it was so fun for her and for me to watch. He was trained, so she was able to feed, pet, ride on, dance with him. It was so cool. A singularly wonderful time. Thanks Shelley for recommending this.

Meanwhile, the boys(Gentry, Grant, Wade and Micah) were out on a fantastic fishing expedition. They were successful and caught and released a nice Marlin (Gentry cries if you mention the releasing part, he really regrets that so don't mention it to him please) and a couple of Dorado, and something else large and tasty. We had fish taco's that evening back at the Casa and were very glad that we froze the rest of it in the freezer since they did not allow us to have ice on the plane. What??? Alaska airlines wouldn't let us take home fish on ice? That right there is enough reason to go to war. Ha.

It must have been quite a pull....How fun! For more pictures of their trip click FISH.

The Party

As a break from the Mexico posts that go on forever, I will post a birthday party for a change of pace. V. had a wonderful party will many of her favorite people and great gifts!

Sweet lips himself.

Now here is a sweet look!

Sweet stuff to eat....yumeroni!

Super sweet kid, great show of teeth.

Buds.

Grant's gift to V. was very well recieved....and he even picked it out himself. Good job Grant!

Body mist from Miss T.

To remind her she will always be my little girl, she recieved paintable horses from Mom. She even kind of liked these!

And from her favorite store, a cute jacket.

And the favorite gift came from Dad.....Spatula City!

Watch out she's ready to sling some hash.

This is one look at her goofy Dad.

Ready for a quick draw.

And his look back, seems sort of smug doesn't he? He has his "silly grin" that the kids often get.

This one here likes her picture taken!

Can you guess what they are doing? I love Troys expression. He is soooo interested in this girl stuff.

Painting Ponies.

The funny, the strange, and the unusual.

One of the things I liked the best about living on the beach was that every time we went out we would find something new and interesting. I am sure some of it would get "usual" after awhile but Grant always made some new creation.

A good day brought out new pretty shells, pieces of coral, starfish and sea urchins....what fun!

The jellyfish....beware of pretty blue bubbles in the water!

Tracks of all kinds: bird, turtle,dog, people, crabs etc.

Everyday was a new something....something perished here, was it big bird?

Then there were the squadrons of pelicans, flying low and menacing, back and forth patrolling the coastline. And for comic relief, they would literally fall out of the sky, nose first in a big splash when they saw something tasty. Scared me silly the first time I saw it and after that I just had to laugh. They might be graceful in the air but they sure are sloppy eaters.

The wind and waves even changed the lay of the land from day to day. And yes that is some bird that exploded apparently, there were feathers everywhere. I believe it was a seagull. The sea crabs were very useful at cleaning up the days mess every night. Fascinating.

These markers are to identify and record the laying of turtle eggs. There are two dates on each marker, one designates the date the egg was laid in the sand and the other date is the expected arrival. We watched this one every day but the cool weather was making the little fellow stay put according to the local expert. The last morning we went out there were fresh momma tracks, and new nests, it was so cool!

And then the puffer fish were there, did you know they are poisonous, but a delicacy in China? Scary.

They are kind of cute though, when they are undead.

Ewww.

Dear Daughter

This has been quite a challenge sorting through pictures since we have a new photo program and two different cameras, with pictures of the same events on both. Sort of over kill, but nice to have choices! I really like this sweet picture of Victoria.

Family Foto

Well the scenery is pretty anyway!