The ending

I think I've made you wait long enough. I have to say I really enjoyed reading your endings to the story and wished we had thought of some of them to do. Some of them were quite sneaky like moving up a seat or pretending to get some popcorn ourselves.

Alrightly, so the couple is about to return and we don't know what to do. Well, we thought it would be rude to tell the lonely guy that his seat was taken. The last thing he probably wants is for us to acknowledge that he came to this movie by himself. So we waited it out to see what would happen.

The lights began to dim for previews when the couple started walking back in. I thought that possibly, just possibly the couple left for good and we could have gotten out of the confrontation. Nothing really that exciting happened. They looked at us and the lonely guy, we sheepishly shrugged, they shrugged and laughed and said, "Well, I guess we're the one's who left." They sat down in the row between the lonestar and us. The end.

Now as I write this: mom, me and the couple should have sat right down next to the lonestar just to make things even more uncomfortable. Can you imagine? Sitting in a theater all by yourself and the only other people in the theater come and sit down on both sides of you like it's packed full of people. Someone should try it! If you do, let me know what happens :)


Okay Meg, get some sleep, nighty- night :)

Save us our seats! (funny story)

This weekend my mom and I went to go see, The Devil wears Prada. The movie has been out for a while so it was only playing once a day at 9:50pm. When we walked into the theater, there was only 1 couple sitting, so basically we got free reign of the seats. We sat down a couple rows in front of the couple and talked for a while waiting for the movie to start. About 5 minutes before the movie started the couple got up to go get some snacks. On their way out, the guy sarcastically said, "Hey, could you save our seats for us?" We looked around the empty theater and easily relied, "Sure, no problem!" and went back to our conversation.

Meanwhile a guy 18 years old walks in by himself. My first thought was why is he coming to see this movie all by himself and a guy nonetheless. He must really be into fashion. Well, he starts walking up the stairs and when he got close to our row my mom and I looked at each other thinking the same thing. "What if he sits where that couple was sitting? What do we do? Should we say something?" He keeps walking up past us scanning the room for where he wants to sit. He turns on the couple's claimed row and starts walking. He keeps walking, walking and (no, don't do it!) "plunk"- he plants himself right where the couple was sitting- 2 rows behind us!

Now, the question is, what would you do? Would you really turn to the guy and say in a theater, full of empty seats "Hey, ummm, those seats are actually saved, you're going to have to sit somewhere else." We started laughing so hard, I felt bad for the guy.

Okay, so the couple is about to return to reclaim their seats, what do you think we did? I want to hear your thoughts to how the story ended(mom, no cheating- you cannot reply with the real ending.) After a while so all have time to respond, I will write the real ending. Enjoy, get creative!

Martinsen wedding

Here are some pictures from David and Victoria's wedding last month. It was a lot of fun and great to see family and friends we don't get to see often.

4th of July

Now that it has been a month ago, here are a few pictures from the 4th of July. The top one is Alan's family except Robert (brother-in-law, Carlene's husband) The bottom one is me and Alan. I tried to put it up as our blogger picture but I can't seem to figure out how to do it. If you know how to switch the pictures, let me know. Thanks.

Update on Woodland House

Thank you to those of you who replied to my plead for help. I appreciate it.

Many of you have been asking about the Woodland House. I've been holding off on writing about it because I was hoping to write that it sold, but unfortunately it hasn't. We are still waiting and getting very impatient. Let's just say God is teaching us a lot about trusting in Him and that all things work together for good to the glory of Him. We were hoping that this house would have sold a long time ago. We have lowered our price many times but no bites. It's like we've had our fishing line in the water with tasty bait for a long time but there seems to be no fish in the lake. All we can do is wait and pray and pray and wait. Pray that this house sells soon. I will let you know as soon as we get an offer.

The Case of the Blogger Blues

Yes, I have a case of the blogger blues. I just haven't felt like blogging lately. I have lots of pictures stored up but I just haven't felt like publishing them. Those who are reading this and blog, do you ever feel like this? I think it might be because I'm not sure what my readers want. I keep questioning, "Do people just want to see pictures with little words or would people rather read about my mundane and at times quarky life or read some kind of little inspirational message." Do you really want to read about what I had for lunch or what I did today? I can blog it if you want it.

So I am enlisting all who read this to please let me know what you would like to see on this blog. Comments definetly inspire me to write and publish more. The less comments I get, the less I want to write because I don't know who is reading this and if anyone is really interested. So for the sake of my blogger blues, graciously send a comment my way. :)

Trip to Monterey in June

Awww... how cute?

Jack loves to suck his fingers.

Scott, Lisa

Ruth, me, Mom

Me and Jack

Wedding Shower

A picture from my brother in law, David and his wife to be, Victoria's wedding shower yesterday. They were the judges for our game of "which team can make the best TP bridal dress?" The woman on the far left won. Congrats David and Victoria! Just a couple more weeks and you'll be married. Welcome to the family Victoria.

Martinsen Mouthpiece

Sorry mom and dad (Alan's parents), I stole the name. I thought Martinsen Mouthpiece is a great title for the next 3 blogs since I published them all at once. Enjoy!

Summer time is here

It's not officially summer yet until June 21 but this is how I know summertime is here:

1. School's Out!!! That also means summer vacation for me too!
2. Swimsuits are already picked through
3. It's hot!
4. Re-runs of Seinfield are fun to watch!
5. At 9:30 every night I can hear the booms of Magic Mountain's fireworks echoing through the valley.
6. The crickets are chirping at night to cool off.
7. The green spring time hills have already turned yellow.
8. I have a bag of hot cheetos in my cupboard. I get one bag every June for the summer.
9. All my plants die because I forget to water them.
10. The beach is calling- I can hear it, can't you?

Birthday Surprise

My birthday was interesting this year because it landed on 6/6/06. The date was a little nerve racking but none the less a great day. It was probably one of my best birthday's yet because I was surprised. Surprises rarely ever get past me because I analyze everything and can usually figure out any kind of unusual behavior. Well, Alan got me this time! I was completely shocked- not just for the surprise but that I was totally oblivious to the signs.

The day started out with my usual Tuesday bible study with a couple a friends from college at Panera. They treated me to breakfast and gave me a gift certificate to Nail Forum. Just in time for a summertime pedicure! When I got to work/school the kids greeted me with cards and flowers and my room mom made me cupcakes to share with the kids at recess. The kids were very sweet and gave me hugs as they walked in the door. Then at lunch my first grade team treated me to lunch. It was nice to get off campus and just hang out.

When I got home I had a package waiting for me on the doorstep. It was from my sister, Renae. She works for Cobian sandals, so she sent me a pair from their new Mexican line. Then the phone calls began. Since I have a large family, I'm on the phone a lot on my birthday. Ruth and my Dad called me from Australia but unfortunately I missed their calls so they left messages. Alan came home and said let go eat! After a few more phone calls we left for Claim Jumper. When we got to Claim Jumper I was on the phone again checking messages. Actually Alan asked me if I had checked my messages yet. While I was on the checking my messages, Alan put our seat order in and we were seated.

We were seated but the lady had left it placed for four people, Alan said that he told the lady for 2 but she must have gotten confused. He excused himself to the restroom and I ordered our drinks and appetizer. I waited and waited and was wondering why it was taking Alan so long to come back. Finally he came back, but with our great friends Brian and Alexia. I was shocked to see them and because Alan surprised me!

I had made a comment to Alan a few days before that it would be fun to have a few close friends join us for dinner on my birthday. I completely forgot I had told him that. Earlier in the day, before Alan had gotten home from work, Brian had called looking for Alan. This isn't unusual because he calls for Alan occasionally so I didn't think of it out of the ordinary. Then when we got to Claim Jumper Alan asked me if I had checked my messages hoping I would, so he could tell them to seat us for four. His plan worked because I did check my messages and didn't hear him. The timing also worked out because Alan told Brian and Alexia to meet us 6:30. Between the phone calls and Alan doing "working on the computer" we got there at 6:30. I didn't realize he was planning to stall us if he needed to. I just thought we left when we left.

After dinner we all came back to our house for some icecream pie, a recipe Alexia gave me from Brian's birthday. It was such a special day and tons of fun. Thanks Alan and all my friends for making it so special. I had a great day!

What I want to be when I grow up

I asked my first graders what they want to be when they grow up. Keeping it to the original spelling, this is what some of them wrote:

When I grow up I want to be a nrose (nurse). I would be a nice nrose. When I am a nrose I will help babys. I will also make sure there is nothing wrong with them. I will also be giving shots. I want to be a nrose because you help people.

Claire, age 7

When I grow up I want to be a probaseuboll (pro- basketball) player. I will be a good shooter. When I am a baseuboll player I am gonobe good. I will be a fast ronra (runner). I want to be beter then lbrn gam (Lebron James). I will be good spotmin ship ( have good sportsmanship).

Jake, age 7

When I grow up I want to be a cheerleatter. I will be a graet cheerleatter. When I am a cheerleatter I will cheer. I will also cheer for basket ball plarys. I will do a great job cheerleatter. I want to be a cheerleatter because I am good at it.

Miranda, age 7

When I grow up I what to be a gunasic (gymnastics) teacher. I will be a graet bedaboal (bendable) teacher. I will do acerbas (acrobats). I will also do flips. I will also be as well as my sister. I what to be a gunasic teacher becas it is fun.

Mindy, age 6


When I grow Up I Want to be a artest (artist). I will be a colrful pantr. Whe I am a artest I will pant colrful. I will also sel my pikTrs. Ialsowillbeas god as the famas artist. I wasnt to be a artest becaus it Will be fun.

Tori, age 6


When I grow up I want to be a toyenganer (toy engineer). I will be a nice toyenganer. When I am a toyenganer I will make turanturak (train tracks). I also will make toyturan (toy trains). I will also be good as a riell (real) enganer (engineer). I want to be a toyenganer because it is fun.

Eric, age 6


When I grow up I want to be a techer. I will be a good techer. When I am a techer. I will tech kids. I will also read to them. I will also teach as good as Mrs. Martinsen. I want to be a techer because it will be fun.

Jordan, age 7 ****Bonus points for Jordan for kissing up :)


When I growup I want to be a vetinereain (veternarian). I will be a smart vetinerean. When I growup I will check animels. I will allso take caer of pets. Allso I will do a good gob.

Alexandra, age7

4 years and going strong

Today is our 4 year anniversary! I can't believe it's already been 4 years. Time has flown by and much has changed since 4 years ago, one being 4 years older- Yikes! Anyway, these past four years have been awesome not just relationship wise by spiritually too. We are so much stronger now than we were 4 years ago. I can't imagine what 50 years will be like. We look forward to the years to come and growing much older with each other. Okay, that's all the sappiness I'm going to publish on this blog.

Picture taken on Easter

Before pictures

The time has finally come! Many hours of blood, sweat and tears we can reveal the before and after pictures. The formatting doesn't allow for them to be side by side. Enjoy! Sarah and Alan

After

Pine Mountain Club pictures

Here are some pictures of the golf course in town and the sunset from the house.

Woodland listing!

Yes, that's true! We will have a listing for the Woodland house by this Friday. We will also be having an open house this Saturday and Sunday. Pine Mountain Club is having a lilac festival with all kinds of fun things going on including helicopter rides over the mountain community. There is an expected 12,000 visitor turn out for this event. Great weekend for the open house. Anybody want to come up and visit? The contractors will be done this Wednesday and then all we have to do is little touch ups here and there on Friday night. I'm waiting to take pictures so that you can get the full effect of the new house. It looks amazing! On Saturday when we worked a 12 hour shift I saw cars stop in front of the house to check out the new look. People are very interested to see what's going on and to see the change since it's been run down for so many years. Anyway, I'll post the before and after pictures as soon as I get a chance.

A sweet and sour experience

Imagine you were a first grader and this happened to you...

One of my favorite parts of the first grade school year is the spring and all the fun projects we get to do during the spring time. One of them being the life cycle of the butterfly. The week after spring break I always get an order of caterpillar larva delivered to school so my class can watch the butterfly lifecycle first hand. Each caterpillar comes in a little cup which I number so they can get their own personal caterpillar to watch grow and journal about. I always preface this unit by telling the kids that some of them are going to die along the way. It's just the nature of insects and that not all of them will turn into butterflies. The kids usually respond well and if theirs does die they are okay with it. This year I had none die, a first I must say. The kids loved journaling about how the caterpillars grew so big and then turned into it's crysalis' and then how they had to wait and wait until they came out. Monday they started coming out of their crysalis' and by Tuesday they had all came out. The kids have been so eager to get into the classroom each morning to check up on their precious little babies.

Today we went to go let them go free in nature where they need to be. They kids were sad when I told them it was time to let them go free, but a little happy knowing they are going where they needed to be. We walked out to our new reading garden on the playground, remembered the lifecycle of the butterflies and said our goodbye's. I then opened the cage to let them fly free. They started flying up in the air and out to nearby flowers. It was a great moment to see them all come out of the cage and be set free. The kids were so excited. But then.....


The kids froze to their horror as one kid pointed past me and screamed out, "THE BIRD!!" I turned around to see a big black bird standing behind me munching on one of our precious butterflies. It stood there mocking us as the wings of the butterfly were sticking out on each side of its beak. The kids instantly threw a protest. "That's so sick!" one kid said. "You mean bird!" one yelled. "I think that one was mine" another moaned.

I stood in horror thinking is this really happening. I felt so bad that they had to experience such a sad part of nature. I mean of course the bird is going to eat whatever is smaller than it, but why did it have to be in the garden right then. I didn't see it when we walked up. Instantly, I thought this has to go on the blog because the kids faces were hilarious as we experienced this tragedy of life. I had to hold myself from laughing at the irony of the whole thing. I can only imagine what kind of impact this might play in their lives. Hopefully they won't dislike birds forever.

You look like a hippy

We had to shave Alan's head Sunday night. Here is what it looked like after shaving it Sunday. He was told that he has too much hair and that he looked like a hippy, so he'd better shave it again. At the bottom is Alan's head shaved again at a zero. You can't get less hair than that unless you razor it all off. Anyway, we wanted to share his new do.

Some people have farmer's tans. Alan has a hair tan.

Landscaping pictures

Here are some pictures of the Landscaping Alan did on Friday. It's hard to get pictures of it all at once. All that's left with the landscaping is time for grass to grow and finishing touches(plant flowers, weedwack the front of the hill, put in flag stone and some more woodchips). We're going to put the house on the market before the grass grows, it'll take too long to wait. You can only do so much on a huge hill like this one. We put in lots of wood chips to liven up the hills and walkway and ground plants like finca and rosemary- they can withhold the freezing temperatures in the winter. We attempted to cover up the propane tank with some new bushes, but as of now they are too little to cover it up. We may have to rethink this idea or really advertise that they will grow and will cover up the propane tank box.