Family Life Archives - Page 2 of 10

Category: Family Life

The day-to-day juggle: kids, marriage, and everything in between.

Queen of the Juggle > Family Life

Vacation…part III… Leaving the campground and Othello

Posted on July 7, 2014October 16, 2026 by Sherri

Super happy to have any coffee and percolator coffee in Cars movie cups was just fine. We start to take the tent down and up rolls Ranger Rick. Well, right away I renamed him, Ranger Dick, because he was just that. Now keep in mind that we slept horribly in the “vestibule”, was up very late and then up very early the next day. Prior to the Ranger Dick’s arrival, I did more freeze-dried food preparation. This morning it was scrambled eggs with ham and sausage. Um yeah…didn’t go over well with the kiddos either.

So Ranger boy rolls up and asks if our van and truck have been there all night. Of course (naively) I told the truth. Yep, we couldn’t bring our trailer so we had to bring two vehicles. He then tells me we owe $9 more because we have an additional vehicle. Um yeah, that didn’t sit well with me. I was not so quiet as I told him we were tearing down to leave and had arrived late. He says “it’s my job to make sure everyone is in compliance”. Whatever buddy. That’s not happening. Then I said even louder “you mean to tell me that because I didn’t bring a trailer, but 2 cars, I have to pay MORE!?!” “Yes,” he says. HELL, no is what I’m thinking. So basically we went back and forth for a good 5 minutes or so. Finally, I told him that the ranger on duty said “no problem” when I told her we had two vehicles. Then he stepped off and said that since that is what we were told, I didn’t have to pay it. By then I screamed “we will never come back here!” and went back to tent folding. It was horrible. Just unbelievable. I was a little worried because yes, this was only day two. I think this is the point I started itching. Must be stress I figured.

So we were out of there as soon as humanly possible. Not awesome. Definitely not awesome.

Off we went into Washington and arrived in Othello about 1p. The party had already started at Snuffy’s Bar and we were more than eager to join the fun. Especially since we were hot, tired and had had enough of being in the car with kiddos for hours.

When I had been in Othello the past February, we had these awesome little tacos. Super awesome, true Mexican food. So I had to do it again. This place also has THE best green salsa I’ve ever eaten. Green, hot and yummy. I quite possibly could have just drunk that and been happy. Well, not quite, but you get my drift. So we loaded up on a ton of tacos and Cindy and I went and got them.

It was so awesome to visit with Larry and Cindy and their furry family. It was so cool to introduce them to the boys. Cindy brought out the 4 wheeler and gave everyone rides. Gillian and Chip also drove it. They were bitten by the bug and now it’s a “must have”. Cindy also made the boys a “redneck slip ‘n slide”. I had not heard of such a thing, but man the boys had a blast on it. Carter basically rolled down the hill and squealed with delight as he did it. It was funny because he was anything but sliding. The other boys plowed down the slide with awesome speed and absolutely no fear. Even Chip took a ride or two down the slide. They also ran through the sprinklers and ran wild all over the place. So much room to roam.

We also took the kiddos to Country Mercantile. They loved it! So many things to taste, touch and see. Debbie led the charge. We had some lunch and let the boys just roam about the store. If ever you have the opportunity to visit one, do it! Amazingly yummy stuff. The boys had ice cream too. So fabulous to watch them take soooo much time to choose their flavors and have samples. Gillian showed them how it was done. Very cool.

More evening adult fun.

The next morning I was up bright and early and headed to the Walmart for doughnuts and stuff to make potato salad and ranch bacon pasta salad. We are on vacation after all. Everything turned out great, so we headed to Debbie and Mark’s. We had a great time in the pool and the incredible spread of food and drink in the pool house and of course the good company. What an awesome day. Very hot, but awesome.

Mark and Debbie both filled us in as to the hay cutting works. It was really cool to understand the process and the precision that goes into it. Learning that it goes to the Middle East was surprising. What was very clear is that farming is hard work and every bit of prosperity that comes from it is earned and then some.

The next day, still hot, sent us back over to Debbie and Mark’s. After hanging in the pool for awhile we thought we’d head out and see some wineries. Gillian said she’d watch the boys so off we went for some adult time. After seeing more farms and talking our way to the first winery, my phone rang. It was Gillian and apparently Ben had a stomachache. So after about an hour, we headed back to the farm with a quick stop to the grocery store to grab our own wine. I even found a Seahawks wine for mom. I didn’t buy it but took a pic. Of course, you get a discount on 6 bottles, so we loaded up on Washington wine.

July 7 was our 11th wedding anniversary. As in the usual way, we were busy with the family and didn’t do anything spectacular to celebrate. It is becoming a pattern. One we’ll hopefully change, but both of us were busy enough that until Cindy said Happy Anniversary, it wasn’t even front of mind.

Back at the farm, we opened and imbibed with several bottles and ended up staying the night at Mark and Debbie’s. I felt pretty lame that I didn’t call Larry and Cindy as I realized how late it had gotten. Not an awesome way to treat our hosts.

As the night got later, I did go out to the farm and saw the measuring of moisture as hay was being processed. Due to the fact that we had over-imbibed, Chip was looking for me, wanted to leave and drive (wasn’t and didn’t happen). Ummm, yeah…no. When I got back from the field I was done in.

Boys had long gone to sleep on the sofas, which would turn out to be a BIG mistake. Chip and I were both up hella early, as we were headed to my sister’s in Bellingham for a few days. Neither one of us were at our finest, but we managed to wake the boys and then head back over to Cindy’s to pack everything up. So I wake Gillian and then both Chip and I wake the boys. OH MY GOD! They had wet through blankets onto the furniture. Debbie and Mark’s main living room furniture. Not only was I frustrated, but also embarrassed. I’m still embarrassed to this day. I sent Debbie a text but was beyond embarrassed.

Once back at Larry and Cindy’s, we said our goodbyes, which is always hard. All the Hollenbecks and families were so generous and great to us. So, so, so much fun. But hot. Very hot.

We stopped at Burger King on the way out of Othello. The slowest drive through and the lowest enthusiasm that I had seen for a long time. It took a good 10 minutes to get through the drive through. Chip and I ate very little and passed the rest on to the kiddos. And then did our best to get out of town. What an adventure! I hope on the next trip we haven’t worn out our welcome.

The next leg would also have its own adventures. And oh, by the way, my legs were starting to itch…worse.

Sad, Sad Day in Sparks, Nevada

Posted on October 21, 2013October 16, 2026 by Sherri

Here in our little Reno/Sparks area this morning a middle school boy took his parent’s gun to school and started firing. The gunman (child) killed a teacher and wounded two others before shooting himself.

Sad, very sad that a wonderful teacher is dead, fortunate that the other two are going to be OK (so far) and grateful that the shooter is no more. I’m still stunned by it. We live in a small place. I never thought anything like this would happen in my city. Then again no one else does either, no matter where they are. It was comforting to receive messages from so many people and be fortunate enough to say that our kids are OK and were not anywhere near the area of the shooting.

Since it happened around 7a this morning I took pause as I took the boys to the bus stop and watched them get on the bus. They had a field trip today to the pumpkin patch (I could not go…work commitments) and I was relieved that they weren’t at school. I never want to get that call that the school is locked down or that someone is crazy with a weapon. I cannot imagine the fear and panic of the parents as they went to find their kids or the kids that witnessed the horrific ordeal.

After seeing the coverage all over the local news this morning and then tonight on the National evening news I am proud of our little city and the public servants we have. Over 200 first responders were on the scene and law enforcement arrived within 3 minutes of the 911 calls. Washoe County School District police, Reno PD, Sparks PD, Washoe County Sheriff as well as others.

My sincere condolences to Mr. Landsberry’s family as they grieve a man who died a hero trying to protect children. Being a former marine, he was a hero before he even stepped into the classroom. Even though I don’t know him I am planning to attend any memorial or fundraiser that I can. It is the least I can do.

“Copy Club” AKA Elementary School Clique

Posted on October 21, 2013October 16, 2026 by Sherri

So I’m trying to help at my the boy’s school once a week for an hour to two hours. I feel very fortunate that so far I’ve been able to do it. My goal is to become a part of this new school since the boys will (as far as I know) be going to the school for their Elementary years. We are coming from another school that offered full day kindergarten.

After arranging a time with their teacher I go head down to the copy room. These copiers are old and rickety. There are 4 machines in this room. I am pretty stunned at the condition. I am looking at these behemoths and wondering if they are older than me. I’m thoughtful for a moment because I remember working for the KPBSD in Soldotna as a receptionist in the late 80’s and I don’t think that any of those copiers ever had to create a master and then copy. Anyway, these monster machines look intimidating. After taking a deep breath I walk up and put the paper on the glass. You would think that the paper loading would be pretty simple. Well no. On this old as dirt copier requires the paper in the center of the glass. Then it needs to create a “master” that literally sprays ink on a sheet of something that looks like contact paper and then I have to hit the button again for the remaining number of copies. I’m not sure if the master counts as one or not, but whatever. I manage to fumble my way through several worksheet copies because there are other copiers in the room that have big signs above them “NO MORE THAN 18 COPIES AT A TIME”. Well I break the rules because I am determined to get these copies made. I mean really? Does it have to be this complicated? Anyway, you get the gist that I took far longer than needed to make copies. Then I move on to the paper cutter.

The paper cutter is no better. Squeeeeeeak. All the way down the blade squeaks. Barely closes all the way and then clamps down. I’m sure an experienced volunteer would have been laughing their butt off. I get a few things done and move on.

Fast forward to the next week. I am told the copiers/cutters in the teacher’s lounge are far better. They also have this thing called an “Ellison” that is like a stamp that cuts uniform pictures. I’ve never seen one before but it’s very cool and easy to use. My copies are mostly working. I’m feeling like I might just be able to get this. Just maybe.

In walks a woman (we will call her L) with a stroller and a little one around two years old. She is also obviously pregnant…very pregnant. Not that it matters, just an observation. She whips through and makes a gazillion copies in like 30 seconds. Sherri is feeling inept again. For this type A girl it kind of pissed me off. Anyway, she turns to me and says “copy club”? I told her I had never heard of it. She tells me it’s the “trained” copier group and ONLY Copy Club is supposed to be using “the better copiers” in the teacher’s lounge. So many thoughts were going through my head. I say “I never knew of any Copy Club”. L says “well we train people how to use the copiers and other equipment”. “Too many people who aren’t trained break the machines”. My head is going nuts thinking things like “who IS this woman” and why do I care? I finish my stack (as best I can) and go back to the classroom and share with the teacher that I’m happy to give my time, but will not be steamrolled by the Copy Club. Mrs. M. rolls her eyes.

I come back THE next week. Go to the parent work room since I’m not allowed in the teacher’s lounge to make copies. There are several people coming and going. Of course the first copies I make jams the copier. OMG. What am I to do since I am not trained? I open the dinosaur and know immediately that I’m in serious trouble. Ink, round, lots of buttons to open things, error codes, arrrggghhh. I am totally out of my league. There is a woman, rather staunch looking, who is showing someone how to use the laminating machine. She glances at me as I ask for help. Another woman comes over to help. Basically the “master” was jammed. Ink everywhere. The 2nd woman was very helpful. Staunch lady mumbles under her breath “you need to take training”. “Have you taken training” she asks? “No, I didn’t know that I had to and thought I could ask for help” I say a bit exasperated. I’m thinking to myself that this is such bullshit. I mean OH MY GOD, really? I am seriously dealing with a clique of ladies who think they are better since they are part of the “Copy Club”. I’ve had enough by now. Back down to the classroom I go and cut stuff out because I cannot stand to look at these women. They must not have enough to do.

After school I talk to Mrs. M again. I tell her that I will not tolerate cliques and have no desire to spend my time fighting other parents to offer my time at school. I don’t have to take the rudeness and unwillingness to help someone who is new to the school. Mrs. M. is wonderful and says she’ll take care of it. I said, as nicely as possible, that if not, I won’t be coming in. It’s 1.5 hours out of my workday that I can give to a lot of other people/things. I gather up the boys and head home.

I open my email and there’s an email from Mrs. M., who introduces me to C., the coordinator of volunteers. After the into I figure gloves are off. I fire off an email to C. and introduce myself and share my dissatisfaction of the other volunteers. She responds that of course this isn’t tolerated and that they “welcome anyone who volunteers” (yeah, uh huh, right). We arrange to meet up so that she herself can show me the ropes. Um OK. Basically they win and I must take the training. Blech. I hope that this is not a taste of what’s to come.

I wonder if I can join the PTA if I don’t take training first? I know. Catty.

My iPhone 5s Experience…

Posted on September 20, 2013October 16, 2026 by Sherri

I ordered my iPhone 5s today. However, it has taken me ALL day. Why you ask? Well I’m going to share the story.

I have an iPhone 4 and if I have to see the spinning circle take for freakin’ ever anymore I am going to stab my eyes out. I’m moving back to AT&T from Verizon and will save $50 a month too! I love corporate discounts. The store is by Carter’s preschool so I thought I’d give it a whirl. I get to the store and there are 4 AT&T employees at the door. I ask what the wait is. “You’re next” says clean-cut-iPad-holding employee. First I was stunned after I read a Facebook post from my friend Fred about long lines.

There were quite a few people in the store but less than I thought since this is 5s day. So I begin to tell guy at the door that I am coming over from Verizon, adding a line, porting my number and I want to buy the iPhone 5s in silver. Um yeah…no. Nothing but black and by-the-way, there is a 21 to 28 day wait for all who want anything but black. I also can’t get it shipped to my home. Only to the store. Once I knew they didn’t have it I told them i’d go order online. No big deal. It is what it is. Oh that was not to be. Once in the store they didn’t want me out of the store and they wanted me to purchase iPhone 5 accessories “that fit because the 5s is the same footprint as the 5”. Well, yes and no. Footprint is the same. Camera and flash shape. No, does not fit. Buyer beware.

I say “alright I guess I can place an order since I’m here”. Clean cut says “OK, someone will be right with you”. Weird. So I wait and then wait some more (no wait…yeah right) and wait some more for a salesperson since clean cut guy can’t take my order. I thought “what a bummer that I can’t get my iPhone for about a month”. More spinning circles in my near future. Yay me! I’m feeling like I don’t want to be there anymore and really shouldn’t have come in to begin with, should have known it would not be amazing and should have done research. An hour later my salesperson has my order, arranges porting and I finally get to get out of the store.

So I hop in my minivan that I love so much and head on home. Silly me thought I’d check the AT&T website and see what messages customers get when they order. An order can be placed and it says it will ship in 7 to 14 days. I freak when I see it because it’s THEIR website. So I get to online chat on the website. I tell (type) her my dilemma. Well online can’t do anything about what happens in a store. I call store and ask them (nicely) to cancel my order because I can get the phone in half the time if I order online on the AT&T website. Meanwhile online chat is still going and “Mary” will wait for me. They nicely cancel my order but not before telling me that “we give the information we are given and don’t know what’s on the website”. I am stunned that they wouldn’t know what is on the website, but am grateful they are canceling for me so I said nothing about it.

I’m relieved that I won’t have to go back to the store. I’m still chatting with Mary about placing the order online. She says she’ll talk me through it. HA! I go through the process and too much time lapses and I get kicked out of my account after I have some trouble accessing it. Then my browser tab is blank. Mary asks me to clear cookies. I go to my other PC. Try the process and can’t port my number. What? Seriously? So I go try at the Apple website. Same thing. Mary is still waiting and “is here for me”. I chat back to her that I can’t port. She tells me to call Verizon to get a release. I chat back that at the store they had no problem. I call Verizon anyway. As I suspected they were not holding it and hadn’t even been notified yet. Verizon is so awesome and the girl I spoke to was fabulous and tried to keep my business. I told her that that I understood but they could not match our combined price from AT&T. I had a little guilt saying that but it is the bottom line. Meanwhile Mary is chatting to me that I should just take a new number and then when I get the phone have the number ported. Um no. I think not. Soooo I ask Mary if I couldn’t do it online because they set up the port at the store? She chats that she doesn’t know. I dial the store and they tell me that I have to call the “port number”. I call the 800 number and get a nice person who is in the process of removing the first port the number request and the call drops. Awesome. Not. So I call back. They cancel the port. I am finally able to do it online but not before getting kicked out at least 3 more times because I needed to get my Verizon account number, looked at me email and didn’t advance the screen fast enough. Then I get an alert on slow phone that there was an accident near my house. Then what do you know? The internet goes down. Finally, yes finally I place my order online and get confirmation. I started at 9 a.m. when I stepped foot into the store and at approximately 2 p.m. I am successful.

So in 7 to 14 days we’ll see what happens. Hubs says it’s because “you have to have the latest and greatest”. Well no, not really. I’m 3 phones ago. Cut me some slack daddy-o! I thought it was going to be easy!

On another note, I downloaded iOS 7 on my slow phone. I love it.

6th Birthday Preparation

Posted on September 8, 2013October 16, 2026 by Sherri

OK. So I now know, deep within my soul, that I am not meant to be a) a baker and b) a cake decorator. I’ve always admired my sister Dawn Noble‘s talents. Between baking, cooling, cutting and my version of “decorating” a Creeper cake it is now 12:30 a.m. and I am finally cleaning up. This, my friends, is why I will be buying cake moving forward. Worth every penny. Wish my sister was closer to… do it for me. Boys haven’t seen the cake yet. FB land gets it first. I’m pretty exhausted so I have to show it to someone! Chip McVey is snoring on the sofa. He did all of the wrapping (I let go of the control). Now to get to bed (after the dishes) and prepare for their first Chuck E. Cheese adventure.

6th Birthday Reflections

Posted on September 7, 2013October 16, 2026 by Sherri

It is now officially after midnight. Reflection time. I cannot believe it’s been 6 years since we were preparing to go have these babies. Thinking about it bubbles up a lot of emotion (no surprise to my friends). We had such a time trying to have them (I so want to lay it out in this post but not the time).

Everyone in the house is asleep and I still have dishes calling but I want to be online… writing about it instead. Right before these boys were born we had so much fear. Fear of doing it, fear of possible circumstances, fear of being able to do it. I was so glad my parents were able to be with us. A miracle with my dad’s illness.

I’ll never forget sitting and waiting together. These little guys came into the world so quickly and with so many unknowns. I was happy to wake up to my mom and dad watching over me. Chip was off making daddy decisions in the NICU while I recovered. Waking up (sorta consciously) with family was good. From there time flew with NICUs, Big Gary and little Gary’s illnesses and a blood transfusion for me, not anticipating a death to follow.

Fast forward in time and it continues to fly by faster than I can keep up with. Many seasons have changed, a lot has happened (both positive and negative), and we were/have been so fortunate to have so many be a part of our community to raise these boys. Every.single.person is appreciated whether I’ve said so or not. To some I haven’t had the opportunity to express my appreciation and I am sorry for that. Others (I hope) you know that every minute you spend/have spent helping us is valued more than we can say. So many events between now and then. You’ve been a part of shaping our lives. I am more than grateful to everyone who has been involved over these years.

My girls (Kate Frihse and Gillian Frihse) amaze me. Young women doing very cool stuff and all the while being good to their brothers who think they are beyond amazing. Just feeling blessed with all of those who are and aren’t here that have been a part of this journey. More to come later today I’m sure. Regardless…thank you thank you beyond words. Momma will be mushy for a few days. I feel like I’m allowed.

A Day in the Life…Another Busy Weekend at the McVeys

Posted on September 7, 2013October 16, 2026 by Sherri

It is another crazy day at the McVey house! Haircuts this morning, soup in the crockpot for tonight, prepping for the big triple birthday tomorrow, making the cake and hoping I can pull it off. Tonight will be wrapfest! I love that part. Thank you all for the boxes that have arrived. Can’t wait to post pictures (and hopefully video) tomorrow. I’ll be all mushy about #6 tomorrow. I’ll post… pics of my attempt at this “Creeper” cake from their favorite Minecraft game. Thank you in advance to my cake decorator professional (and my sister) Dawn Noble for giving me lots of ideas and tips to make it happen. Tip #1 from sister…do NOT attempt fondant on a birthday cake the first time out. Cake is baking in the oven now. Chip McVey, you are an amazing 50% of this team that manages our crazy life. Wouldn’t change a thing. Well maybe one…

Sharing the wealth…

Posted on August 24, 2013October 16, 2026 by Sherri

Today I taught a class at our local food co-op about canning and preserving today. I admit I had waited until the last minute to put everything together. It was half out of necessity and half because I feel like I can preserve in my sleep. I’m not a dynamo, it just isn’t rocket science and isn’t scary at all. As always things are busy around here too. Boys wanting breakfast this morning, me getting ready way too late in the day, and yesterday going all over God’s creation from Lemmon Valley to Washoe Valley for canning jars and a projector for my big debut in teaching canning. On top of that, the monsters/monkeys keep us super busy no matter what day of the week it is.

Lemmon Valley was interesting. A little sketchy at times but OK. A place, that in the 6 years we’ve been here, we haven’t been. Chip went to the door and retrieved the jars. They.are.old. Bugs, stuck on lids, boxes barely together and all. I’ll take it! Sold! Especially if free. Free works for me.

After jars we took an adventure to Washoe Valley which is the complete opposite direction by about 30 minutes. We jetted 20 minutes to Lemmon Valley and then another 30 minutes to Washoe Valley. It was kind of cool to do that too. We haven’t been to Washoe Lake either, other than seeing it on the way to Carson City. We went to get a projector to attach to my computer for the canning seminar. The co-op does not have one but has a screen. The event coordinator had asked me if I could get one and I tried every way to Sunday to find one. No one would lend me one reasonably and renting was CRAZY expensive. So on Craigslist I found one. This thing is a dinosaur but does the job. Anyway, we went to pick it up at this house basically on Washoe lake. It was neat. Gated place. Drove in and saw this amazing house. Knocked on the door and it was answered by really nice people who sold us the projector and showed us their views. The view was simply amazing. Majestic Nevada mountains and the lake. They told us they were renting it and getting ready to move in November. They are moving into a 5th wheel and seeing the US. After we left when we were back in the car I told Chip that it’s so funny that various people we meet we could be friends with. It’s random interactions but there is almost no one that we’ve met in Northern Nevada would I want to be friends with. So I digress…

Fast forward to Sunday when I am working fast and furious to get zucchini chips in the dehydrator and also get the 2nd load of salsa going. Add breakfast and whatever else. Whew! It wasn’t even 10 a.m. when I thought I might just be over the edge. Then Chip (hubs) and I decide to try connect this projector, a behemoth of a thing, to my laptop. Oh good lord! It could have been like attaching the truck to the trailer hitch on our vacation. Well not quite that bad but a serious effort from both of us while one boy or another was either arguing or needing help. It was quite the time. Cables that are super old, no power cable (not a crisis thank god) and trying to get this to work with Windows 8. Are you laughing your ass off? I wasn’t but should have been. Good god. We did manage to get it. Knowing that if any cables are loose or if the remote to the projector doesn’t work we’re hosed.

I had, luckily, packed a bunch of jars of things I had already canned to taste which was already boxed up. Also threw in the normal canning tools I use and my coveted Ball Blue Book of Canning to take to the class. I seriously had to get my butt in gear. As usual I was pushing the time to the wire. 10 minutes late, as always, I got out the door. I hate this about myself. Why can I not get anywhere without being 10 minutes late? I’d love to know. Anyway, I get out the door and to the co-op…yes 10 minutes later than I would like to. I connect with dude at the cash register and find I’m pretty much on my own. Cool. I can do this. I ask for a tablecloth. paper plates and an extension cord. All delivered quickly. Nice. I set up all of my samples on one side and my tools on the other. Two come in and then two more. Than another couple of people and some singles. Considering there were only four RSVPs I was happy with the eight who joined.

So we get started. I’m never sure how things look to the people initially because in my head the commentary is reeling. I have so much to say but don’t want to do verbal vomit. I want to engage these people. Make them part of the conversation. However no one ever tells you if it’s too fast or it sucks unless they are your BFF. I had none of that. I feel like it starts to happen. People ask questions and I answer. Very nice. Feels good. One guy leaves and more questions come. I love it. We moved from water canning to pressure canning. It’s all good. The flow is awesome.

Since canning, especially water canning, is fairly simple I didn’t have a ton to say to fill 1.5 hours so we got to tasting some of what I brought. I’m not bragging but those folks enjoyed it. Makes my heart seriously full. My salsa was gone. Jelly opened and tasted with rave reviews. Habanero sauce was tried by one and wow it’s hot. Some, like the strawberry banana butter and apple butter were not touched was OK too. Helps me understand what people are interested in and would like. I’m thinking (as suspected) that salsa and jam are good things from my kitchen.

The session at the co-op ended with lovely folks asking for my email and me saying that they can join me for canning session. I am sincere. I don’t want them to get discouraged, before investing a fair amount of money if, it’s not for you. Spend an afternoon at my house. We’ll make a couple of memories, have a few laughs and everyone can go home with a jar or two of food. At least you will know. That’s what it’s about!