Life At Korthuis Manor

Life At Korthuis Manor
Captain Randy and his First Mate!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Some scrapbook pages

Okay my slumberless party was a success! In fact, I forgot to tell you some of the ladies decided I have a tonnage of friends - NOT fat friends - just a tonnage of them!! I think that is a very fun term, and I am BLESSED to have a tonnage of people that consider me a friend. We are all so blessed with our friendships aren't we.

Anyway - back to the subject at hand........the slumber party was a success, in that, we all had a great time and can't wait until next year, but as far as being productful scrapbooking wise for myself, I'm afraid, it was not! :-) I finished putting together a layout I had started, and then I completely finished another 2 page layout, started a second 2 page layout (the letters just have to be stuck down, and started the next 2 page layout. So, if you're doing the math I really only got 3 pages all the way done :-0 !!

Here's the first layout..............sorry it's dark, I was having issues................

This is the 2nd layout that the letters are not stuck down on yet................I am trying something new to help me get caught up, when you have an event with lots of pictures I'm using a pre-structured page that has pockets to hold 6/4x6 pictures. You can also put in fewer pictures and then cut a 4x6 piece of cardstock and embellish it or journal on it. I'll post some when I get some done:-)!

I'm wanting to get back in there and get going (for real this time), but today is work and tonight is a banquet at school with Brandon, so maybe tomorrow afternoon, evening. I have 3 years to get caught up, so I'd better get busy!! Help keep me on the ball girls ok?

Monday, March 30, 2009

I've been waiting ALL winter for this.............

Yesterday was so beautiful, and I got to do what I've been waiting all winter to do.................

Randy and I sat out on our patio with coffee for about an hour before the wind picked up just enough to create a chill.....................but it was a heavenly hour!!

The fire was going and the heaters above were on, (please ignore the unfinished fireplace, now that the shower is done, this is next on poor hubby's list) but it was so cozy, and it felt so good to have the sun on my face!! Nothing like a little Vitamin D therapy!

When I got up in the morning this little birdie was singing away at my front porch! I thought it was so cute I took a picture for you all - it was singing so sweetly. But - now he's gone and ticked me off - he thinks this is the place to build his new home. Now, I understand that trying to find the right lot to build on is difficult...............look at how many times we've built :-). But he needs to understand, that this property is zoned "single family dwelling", so he needs to move on!!


I know that today it does not look like Spring, but yesterday gave me hope!!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

An awesome slumberless party!

They came, they laughed, they ate, they scrapbooked, they snacked, they napped (since a short night of sleep doesn't count for anything but a nap) and we all had a blast!!



People come and go because of their schedules - but we were the fullest Friday night with 15 ladies!! What fun! The house got up to 77 degrees - with all the lights on, cricut machines running, and ladies talking :-) the place really heated up!!

Leave it to Kathi to match her scrappin storage............................simply adorable!

Poor Becky was having hot flashes, and scrappin' was stressing her out so much she had to go outside to take a smoke break - she prefers to smoke stampin' write markers!!

Saturday for lunch we had fresh homemade rolls. I gave Tami (the baking goddess) a tutorial on how to shape rolls. A friend taught me this technique years ago and it's the best method! Yes, I'm aware in my pajamas and for your information I stayed in them all day - I can't remember the last time I stayed in jammies all day - it's the best! (I know the jammies are adorable - my friend Debbie-doo gave them to me for Christmas with matching fur cuffed slippers!)

All in all - it's on of the best ways to spend a weekend - doesn't it look like it?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The shower is done!!!! YIPEE!!

Wow - now you know why they charge so much to have a tiled shower put in! My poor, hard working husband has finished the tiled shower in our bathroom! Yes, I'm aware we've been in the house for 8 months, but honestly, this job was a beast. And frankly after we worked our tails off to get in this house in less than 5 months - WE WERE TIRED!!! Randy worked every spare evening and Saturday for the last 6 weeks to get this monster done............and he did it!

This shot is from the bathroom looking into the shower........................

This shot is dark, but it shows the listello and the cool showerhead, this one is mine because it's shorter because I don't like water shooting on top of my head and into my face..................

This shot is inside the shower looking at Randy's showerhead - taller for him - he DOES like water shooting on top of his head and into his face :-)!!

So if you call and I don't answer, I might just be enjoying my shower too much!!!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

That dreaded early morning call !!!!

I wasn't going to post about this on my blog, but Nathan himself has it all over Facebook, and I figured most of you have already heard.........................many have asked me about it. So here it goes.......................................................................

Sat. in the wee small hours of the morning, the phone rings. Did you know that the ring of a phone has a completely different sound at that time of morning, especially when you know you have kids out there? I jolted awake, just knowing it involved Nathan. I saw his cell phone number on the caller ID so I knew he was alive. A group of friends had a going away party for a friend going to Italy for 3 months. Nathan's friend was driving his truck and they stopped at a flashing red light and then proceeded and were struck in the right drivers corner by a small car going VERY FAST!! Nathan's friend had not been drinking, and we don't know yet if the driver of the other vehicle had been or not.

As you can see, Nathan is not very happy about losing his truck. It is definitely totaled! We went to get Nathan's stuff out of it on Mon. and when we came around the corner in the lot, it took my breath away! I know God spared their lives. The impact was so hard it threw the canopy off the truck and it was about 50 feet away, the front tire was ripped off, Nathan's friend's head went through the door window, the gas tank was leaking, the police clipped the battery cables so it wouldn't explode, it was just a mess!!


I know that it could have been far worse, Nathan's friend did go to the hospital for the night and the other 3 in the truck are all very sore! God obviously has plans for their lives! I can't tell you hard I hugged Nathan when I saw him Sat. morning - standing there in one piece! Thank you Lord!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

There's nothing like new shoes!

On Friday I went and visited my friend Tami while she was working at Sole Obsession. That's the new shoe store in Lynden - you have to go there! The shoes are on the pricier end, but if you have any trouble with your feet she carries shoes that will change your life - your feet will thank you!!

I splurged with these little cuties! Couldn't resist!

These are "Ecosneaks" and the bottoms are made from recycled tires! They are SO comfortable and I feel so "with it" when I wear them.


I actually find myself planning my wardrobe around them. So, if in a few weeks you see me wearing these cuties EVERYDAY - maybe you should gently nudge me to mix it up a bit! :-)

Have a great day! I'm off to work in my cute shoes......I have the outfit all planned!!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

I'm officially a college mom......he's in!!

Yesterday was a test of honesty, integrity and motherhood!! I was minding my own business, getting the mail (as I do almost every day) and there it was....................the envelope!

Oh how I wanted to open it - there it was staring me in the facing - almost laughing at me, taunting me.............................

We had a meeting at 6:45 and Brandon doesn't get home from golf until after 7, so like any good mom would - I hid it until after our meeting so I could take pictures of him opening it. Randy thought the chances were good it was an acceptance letter, and I quote "they don't send rejections in such big envelopes"!

When I called Brandon downstairs, he says "it must be a letter from Whitworth", I asked "how do you know" and he says (in a very smart alik way) "because you're holding the camera"! As I'm taking this pictures he says "mom - seriously".

I'm in...........................!!!


Here he is making the dutiful calls to people that have been praying...........doesn't he look thrilled to be on the phone - so much like his dad!

So all this to say- I have less than 6 months to finish teaching him everything he needs to know....................you know..................how to dial mom and dad's phone number, our email address, etc. All the important skills!!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Never too old to learn!

Last night I was invited to an "exclusive" training class :-) ! My friend Tanya Silves who is a digital scrappbookin' junkie, computer whiz, awesome photographer, PhotoShop Elements Pro, etc. invited a few of us over to learn how to zip and unzip! (Got your attention now don't I?)

Here is Tanya creating a digital scrapbook page. I think this could be addicting! I still love traditional scrapbooking (I love the social side of it, and I think it would be hard to drag my computer to crops since it's not a laptop:-). I am interested in Hybrid scrapbooking tho'. Do you know what this is? It is doing a partial layout ie: background paper, title and pics digitally, and then printing it off and adding embellishments. What I really want to do is just make photo collages in a 8x10 format and then print them off and scrapbook them. Can't wait until I "get" how to do this.

Also, I wanted to share with all of you, (even you "lurkers" - a new term I learned for people who read your blog but don't leave comments :-), that Grandiflora's blog is up and running! Check it out! Right now there is a drawing you can enter, so visit the sight and sign up ................... grandiflorahomeandgarden.blogspot.com Let me know what you think - I happen to know the blog administrator, so I can pass on your thoughts on the blog!

Happy Wednesday!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Ever felt like this..........................?

These are shirts that just kind of sum it all up!! Our dinner group guys have them (as you can see), and it was so funny, because when we all went away for New Years - they all 3 had brought theirs!!

I didn't end up getting to be home this morning because I ended up having to work until 1pm and then I had to do some banking for the school.

Now I am home and have a list a mile long and my brother and SIL are coming for dinner.

I'm trying a new recipe tonight - "Maple-Glazed Pork Chops", if it's any good I'll share! Along with the pork chops, we're having au gratin potatoes, swiss green beans and crusty bread!

Better get busy.......................

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Busy, busy, busy

This has been one of those weeks - you know - THOSE WEEKS (and it's only half done!). I worked a partial day Monday, had a board meeting that night. Worked Tues. went straight to the daughter's volleyball game and then straight home to make soup so we could take it up to McKissicks' for our Tues. soup night. Today, I changed sheets, dusted, laundered (not money :-), and then ran errands in Lynden in Bellingham, came straight home picked up Randy and went to friends for dinner. Tomorrow, I work all day and have a meeting at school. Than comes Fri................ahhh, nothing but company for dinner, so I can catch up on my house cleaning and bookkeeping!! Then Sat. I'm helping Bev with Kaitlyn's baby book - something that is very important for her to do before her cancer gets so bad she can't! A reminder to all of us to document and get those photos in books. Even if they're in the slip in kind of albums, at least they're in albums!!

I have no relevant pictures for my post today, so I'm just going to pick something fun and totally random. Hopefully something that will make you smile!

There - that made you smile didn't it?!?! When I was browsing my pics I ran across these that I never posted. I had my special kids last week and they brought the games they got for Christmas cuz' I told them we needed to play them sometime. Remember Hungry Hippos????

How about this one.............................?

I loved this game. Only now it's updated and it makes gas noises and mucas noises?!?!

Here are the kids vegging out on the couch. Alyssa is on the left, Brenna is on the right.


Ethan sat with me and Rudolph. Rudolph is from build a bear and his nose lights up - Ethan loves him!!


We watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang together...........basically it was a blast from the past kind of night! I love having them over - they are my faves!!

Monday, March 9, 2009

I'm baaaaack!


Wow - sorry I haven't posted for so long! Last week my friend Kim and I headed to the State Basketball Tournament in Yakima! We headed out Wed. morning at 6:30AM and came home on Saturday! That was the interesting part!!!!!! We left Yakima about 2pm and headed for the pass, and it started snowing. They were predicting snow in the pass, so we followed my friend Carrie and her husband, and our friend Ray and his son followed behind us. If you know me - I HATE DRIVING IN SNOW!! Even a little bit (like we're getting right now - ARGH!) freaks me out! Without all the drama and the play by plays, I will just tell you it took us almost 8 hours and I'm done driving in the snow for quite a while!!!!

This is Kim and Her daughter and exchange student - they're both on the cheer squad.

Here's me and Becky (she's like my other daughter)!

More cheer pics - they're kind of blurry :-(

These are Becky's friends, April and Ashley - they stayed in our room. They were so sweet and fun and it was a treat getting to know them!


Well, I'm off to work at Grandflora for a few hours today! Oh boy - I GET to drive in snow again!! Can you believe this weather? Wish I could stay home and scrapbook all day!!!!