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…
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Sharing the wealth…
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!
10th Anniversary
Reflective…yesterday was my 10th wedding anniversary. I wanted to wait for the day to be over to be able to put my thoughts together. 10 years…it has flown by. In fact I cannot believe it. To think that back in the day (2000) Chip and I met online at Yahoo personals. Back when it was free. LOL. I had to sift through a lot of toads before he sent me a note. I knew on our first date that …it was different, special. He brought me carnations. Now he knows better. “Our” proposal was unconventional and I almost fainted when he put the ring on my finger. Our wedding in Kauai, by ourselves, was perfect. Over these 10 years we’ve both had experiences we never thought we would. Many of you know about or have been a part of our joys, sorrows, failures, successes, trials and tribulations. There have been many and we can’t ever give enough to those who have supported us. We’ve managed to be solid and committed through all of it. Now here we are. As Chip posted, yesterday was busy like every other day and we really did not celebrate in any way or have a chance until late last night just talk about what these years have been for us. Chip McVey you are the love of my life, truly my soulmate, the yin to my type A yang. You make my heart full. I feel so lucky that you picked me. Happy Anniversary to my love. I look forward to the next 10 years.
My husband’s comments:
10 years. No fancy dinner, no fancy vacation, though we did manage to acquire an RV trailer… Reflecting on 10 years with my soul mate is sort of strange, because 10 almost seems too small, since we’ll be together forever, yet so much has happened in 10 years. It’s the usual night, putting the boys to bed, plus putting Kaitlyn Frihse on a plane & talking to Gillian Frihse about her plans in the…next few years. Us? Reliving the past 10 – trying so hard to have kids, trying so hard to deal with having so many kids (lol), moving, houses, landlording, buying Quiznos, failure, recovery, putting down roots in Sparks, and plans for the future. 10 is but a hop with the woman I love. Instead, we opened a bottle(s) of wine, and recalled what we’ve been through, including all the stories, especially those of the dads that we loved so much or wish the other could have met. Hats off to Gary & Mac. Thankful to friends & family along the way so far in our journey. I love my family, and of course love my wonderful wife!
And yes…we acquire an RV
Soooo the official news is that we purchased a travel trailer. The first “toy” for us. We are so excited to be able to get up and go! It was like other things in our life that I have just had a sense about. I saw it online and knew it would be perfect if the online representation was accurate. It was “the one”. The people at Sprads RV were great to work with. The experience wasn’t all about t…he sell. Yes their was the element of sales. I’m in sales and totally get it. It was a lot more low key, lower pressure than I expected. Ron walked us through the entire place and talked through what everything did, etc. Talked to us about the process of taking in and selling of a pre-owned RV. Very clean and ready to go. Next post will be funny, I assure you. Anyway, it is a great day at the McVeys. Cannot wait to pull that 31′ thing around. I’ll post some pics of it soon. Bottom line is that we now can take our family to enjoy great places all over the Western US. Who knows? Maybe we’ll even venture farther
Carter Turns 3!
Happy, happy birthday to our sweet littlest man. 3 years…boy the time flies! It’s all about Thomas the Train, just as last year. Later we will celebrate with cake and presents. Can’t wait to see his little face light up. One of his favorite episodes on Netflix of Thomas is “Day of the Diesel”. We told him this morning that it’s “Day of the Carter”.
What a fabulous day! Carter had an awesome birthday. It’s so funny that his birthday dinner choice (we let them all choose their meal on their birthday) was “noodles and chicken nuggets”. One would think it would be pizza or something. Nope, not the Carterbug. His is is own little man. Sweet beyond sweet and sharper than a tack. We did make him eat some fruit too so I felt a little better about it. Pictures of the celebration to come. Wish more family near and far could have joined us. Our FL fam joined in via Skype. Technology rocks!
Ben Has Puenmonia…
Our brave boy. Sent over to St. Mary’s to get a chest X-Ray after a doctor’s office visit.
Ben is doing better this morning. Doing breathing treatments every 4 hours and oxygen is much improved. Dr. Colletti did rounds this morning, said he had a very high white blood cell count showing a bacterial pneumonia. If Ben keeps on an upward swing and gets fever under control he can go home tomorrow. More breathing treatments and IV antibiotics today. He is far more alert today than yesterday. Crossing fingers for a smooth day.
These monkeys of mine!
Dinner table discussion…no it’s not a joke.
Gary: How do you kill a chicken?
Me: You can cut their heads off. That’s what grandpa used to do.
Chip: See this funnel? You can put the chickens in here and then cut them off.
Gary and Carter: When I grow up I am going cut heads off of chickens.
Ryan: Yeah, we can cut the heads off.
Ben: I’m gonna cut the rest of the parts, wings, legs and all the rest.
Gary: Can you shoot chickens?
Me: You could but their heads are small and you don’t want to blow away the body.
It’s the Alaskan in me with memories of my dad killing turkeys. I hated those things. They sh*t everywhere! Marlas Prevo you know! Meanwhile I am trying to contain my laughter. These guys crack me up. As an afterthought they asked what part of the chicken we ate for dinner. I told them it was all “chicken chests”. Only at the McVey house.
Our “New” Sofa…
So our new sofa. Long post. I have been, off and on, searching for a sofa to replace our 13 year old totally trashed family room sofa that has seen it’s day. I found a great deal for $100 brown leather sofa. I picked that one up and then we still needed another to replace the 13 yr. old loveseat that went with the trashed sofa. Today I just happened to see a Craigslist post for another leather sofa for $100. I texted and called a woman about it and decided to head over and see/take it. Well the experience was one that made quite the impression on me. Some of you know we have a big Dodge diesel truck. I have to pull myself in.
Not believing that a leather sofa was $100 that looked like this, I jumped in and headed on down to apartments behind the Peppermill here in Reno. Some are nice and some are not. This happened to be at the Sherwood Forest Apartments that was less than nice. This neighborhood was not one that I felt like I would be uber safe in. I didn’t feel scared to the point I wouldn’t go, but it caused hesitation. Once I arrived I met the husband of the woman I spoke to. I backed my big ass truck up to the STAIRS of their 2nd floor apartment. I have pepper spray in my pocket and hands on my keys. Being from AK I never really think about this, but my hubs puts the fear of god in me. So I meet the wife who I had spoken to today. I peek in the apartment and see the sofa. It really spoke volumes to me. Spoke to me about my past in AK and living without running water and taking showers at my elementary school and then doing a little better with an unfinished house and how my life has changed since that time.
I peeked into this apartment today that was very small and sparse. A little family of 3 with a 2 yr. old boy. I see that the sofa I am buying is the only adult furniture in the “room”. No matter what the condition would have been I would have bought it. This little family needed the money. I wondered what the story was. Me, the wife and the husband struggled to get this sofa that turned out to be a VERY heavy sofa bed (bonus for us). We did it and scratched the sofa even more. Meanwhile Chip McVey was at home wrangling 3 of the 4 monkeys since I decided I, and only I, could go get this sofa.
I called him when I arrived and kept my phone on while all of this was happening. About 1/2 hour later we managed to get it in the truck. Another man came about and helped us maneuver around to get 2 pieces into the short bed truck. The 2nd man had been scouring the parking lot for change to get something to eat. The little family thanked me again and again for buying their sofa. I left them nothing in their tiny living room.
I had no more change for the helper so I dug through my purse and gave the good guy who helped about 2 dollars in quarters. He was so appreciative. As I drove away and viewed more of the neighborhood I just felt so much emotion. I wondered how the people I saw in the parking lot got to the apartment building. What was the story of the family that sold me the sofa? What are the stories of the other sights and sounds I experienced this afternoon? For me it was a lesson in gratitude.
There are days when I struggle with busy and stress and more. My FB friends have heard it. I struggle with my weight and am off and on depressed about that. I was thinking to myself today that I am grateful that me being fat is my biggest complaint. There are many dynamics in my family and ugly habits and things that come with it. I love my family but some things are not pretty. Despite that, I am grateful. Seriously grateful. Taking this trip down to buy a sofa has turned out to be so much more. Please know that this isn’t foreign to me. When I get wrapped up in flights, business trips, preparing food and all of the other things in my life, I forget. I forget that it could be different.
I always try to give back but wish I could do more whether it be financially or practically. Then the thought is whether or no people want help and whether or not they had control or were out of control of their circumstances. I told Chip that I couldn’t articulate exactly how I felt about the experience. The best thing I can come up with is that it 1) took me back and 2) made me stop and think. really think. I wish the best for this family and still wonder how they were in the not-so-nice neighborhood with a small child.