how do i love thee . . .

I am in love . . . with our new sink.

So in love, in fact, that I did a whole photo shoot.

Lucky for you -I only posted 2 of the 19 photos on my camera. I am not sure I love it because it is the most awesome color ever - "vapour orange", the name even sounds awesome, doesn't it? You can't tell from the photo, but the wall is a deep beautiful blue so it increases the awesomeness of the sink color. Or could it be because we bought it on a special order which we have NEVER done before because we've always been kind of cheap. Or it might be that I love it so very, very much because we ordered it on April 28th, and it just got shipped to our house this week!!!!!!!! It took 149 days for a sink to get from Wisconsin to Arizona. I suppose they had to mine the iron, mold it and cast it after we placed the order. Or I might love it because it got delivered on a day that the cabinet guys were here in our house with all their specialty saws and tools and offered to rebuild the cabinet to be a perfect fit for the sink. Lucky day.
We took out our old sink when we tore up the floor of our bathroom. We have been sinkless because it was supposed to be delivered oh so long ago. It's been kind of embarrassing when guests ask to use the bathroom and I have to say yes, but you'll have to wash your hands in the bathtub.

Oh, and I love this guy too. Maybe even more than I love the sink. (yes, it's Dave under there. Not a random plumber.)

Dave, the random repair guy

Dave left early this morning to do some service for a member of our church. A single woman we will call Sister "Johnson" had some shingles blow off her roof in that huge storm we had a couple weeks ago. He picked up a couple packages of roofing shingles, grabbed his tool belt, loaded up a ladder and headed down the road. He drove up to her house, easily saw the damage from the street, hopped up on the roof and repaired about 20 shingles.
Then he got down, rang the doorbell and a man answered the door. Obviously confused at who was answering the door, he asked:
"Is this the Johnson's house?"
"No."
"Oh, sorry."
And he walked away.

Good deed for the day -- $50
Surprise for the man on the next block -- Priceless

chillaxin'

Dave claims to be so busy. Always something driving him. Never time to relax. Work, work, work.
Well I actually followed him around and evaluated his activities this weekend. His so-called work just seemed like one big party after another to me.
Friday afternoon I found him driving this big-boy toy tractor around. It works just like those toys on the playground in the park, except this bad machine has a plush vinyl seat and a real loud engine. He just sits back and pushes and pulls all the levers. An afternoon of pure joy for a boy at heart.

Then we sat down and ate a birthday cake with Brady. (I forgot my camera to document this event, but Dave, you know you were partying all night.)

Saturday morning, he was to meet a friend to repair a neighbor's roof. When he arrived at the crack of dawn, no friend, no supplies, no tools. The repair had to be rescheduled. But he got to see a lovely sunrise. Is that good fortune or what?

Later in the morning as I was crawling out of bed, I found him adhering our backsplash in the kitchen. It's just like arts and crafts! Let the creative juices flow. Next week's craft project -- "Fun with Grout".

Then back outside for more playtime. He is practicing for the state fair this year. See the similarities?

Then he caught up with his chorus for a performance rehearsal. Singing? Is that hard? I call it soothing and relaxing. Just chilling out with his friends. Let's call it "chillaxing".

Next, he spent a couple of hours smoothing out our yard/driveway project from earlier today. We've got a real "party" showing up at our house tonight and we don't want our friends to have to hurdle over the death-defying crevice we have at the end of the driveway. So shoveling dirt around? Is that much different than playing in the sandbox? I say no.

Next he hosted a party in our home with a group of friends from church. He did this alone because I was celebrating with my nephew in Mesa. (It was his Eagle Court of Honor. YAY Niels!) Anyway, about Dave. He hosted this party alone because, well, we can't be two places at once. Dave is definitely a partier -- life of the party, host of all hosts, friend of all festivities, manager of multitudes, an entertainer of everybody. Well, you get the picture. Sunday morning, he starts his day with a 7:30 am church meeting. Well, compared to yesterday, that's a leisurely "sleeping in" kind of morning!

Sunday night, another party. (Happy Birthday to me).

Here he ends his day, relaxing on the recliner. He is such a social butterfly.

All in all, I say it was a delightful weekend, don't you think?

quirks

Katie played the "I have a whole lot of weird quirks" game and tagged Lauri , Mike , Rachel and I'm hoping Jeff will list his too. I'm thinking this was a ploy to see how unstable our family really is. (If we are giving points out on this one, I say Rachel and Mike win. haha)

Here are mine:

1. I need ice in everything I drink. Every day I fill a half cup of water and put it in the freezer, so I can pour some water in it when I'm thirsty and have a cold drink that stays cold for hours with a big chunk of ice in it. I even put ice in milk, which my kids think is gross. Ice makes my milk icy cold, but I have to drink it right away because it has to be cold, not diluted.

2. This probably just comes from living in the desert, but I love to have air movement around me. There are ceiling fans everywhere in our house. I feel kind of claustraphobic when I sleep in someone's home and there is no air conditioning, no fan, no open windows, no breeze.

3. I think about dying more than I think I should - and not in a 'looking forward to it' kind of way. And I am nervous about other people dying. I think it is on my mind more than it ought to be.

4. I'm scared of not hearing my alarm clock. I set my cell phone alarm too. Currently they are set about 2 minutes apart. All this week I have actually fallen back asleep in those two minutes.

5. I can't get my mind to clear at night unless I read a book. Poor Dave has had to fall asleep with the light on for years. Fortunately for him, he is usually asleep before he even hits the horizontal position or gets his head to the pillow.

6. On a related note but completely on the opposite end of the spectrum - I can fall asleep at a moment's notice when I sit on a plane, in a car, on a bus, or quite often on the couch. Why does my mind shut down so easily in the middle of the day, but not at night when it's time to go to sleep?

Anyone else want to play?

16 years ago . . .

Things I remember about Tom:He fit right in to our family. Anything we were doing, he was willing to do too.

We visited Rawhide and he could have passed for a real live Cowboy.

He was very easy to have around, and very respectful in our home.

When I hear songs by Prince , I still think of him.

Tom's language skills were really pretty good as a teenager, but the first week he was here, we ordered pizza and he asked for marshmallows on it (you know . . . they grow in the forest? Oh -- mushrooms!)

I have been impressed with all his world travels over the years.

Tom's mother and brother visited us and we traveled together for a few days. As we left our home on the 3rd day of their visit, Tom's mom bolted for a coffee shop. We have no coffee in our house, nor did I even think about offering any. I think she was in caffeine withdrawal by day three.

We went to the Grand Canyon in February. It was bitter cold and the entire canyon was filled with fog. Tom kept his video camera rolling all day anyway.

In a grand gesture, the sun came out and the fog cleared in a very dramatic fashion for a short time. It made it almost more impressive to see the canyon like that.

Tom made friends very easily.

Yes, Tom, I remember the 'sick stomach in the middle of the night' stain on our hallway carpet. And no, it is no longer there.

We were pretty poor in those years. Tom always had more spending money than we did and he shopped in higher class stores than we ever could.

When we were driving through the desert, we stopped to look at some local flora and fauna. Mirjam reached out to get a gentle feel of the cactus. Unfortunately, she reached out to a jumping cactus and an entire ball came off into her hand. It was a very tricky situation, very painful, and we were not prepared for it with our little first aid kit. But the thing I remember is her two sons laughing hysterically at her.

When Brady was in sixth grade, he had to do a big report on a country of his choice. Holland was an obvious choice -- we still had some wooden shoes and some cool gifts from Tom and his family around the house so Brady was set for visual aids. About 2 weeks before Brady's presentation, Tom called us and said he was going to be in the states that very week. It was a great visit, and he went to the school to help Brady give his report.

It was a fun year. Having Tom here gave us some opportunities to do some things we may not have normally done. Suzanne and another family nearby were also hosting exchange students so there was an opportunity to get together for socials with other families too. The program hosts asked us multiple times if we would take another student the next year, but we were planning on another baby and all our bedrooms would then be full.

It ended up being a good year for us to participate in the program.

Here is our goal, Tom: We want to visit Holland within the next 5 years. (well, I want to. I haven't actually mentioned that goal to Dave yet. But I know he would get on a plane tomorrow if he could.)

tom's a dad!

Recent e-mail exchange:

Hey Tom,
I just watched men's beach volleyball. USA and Holland.
Sorry we just kicked your butt. --David

Hi Hale's,
How are you all? Yeah, I also saw it but then again we beat you in women's waterpolo. Anyways congrats on the many medals you got and of course Michael Phelps. Hey, I got some great news, just last month I became a father of a beautiful baby girl. She is really great. Everything went really well and Karen and I are sooo happy. Enclosed you can find some pictures of her. The most beautiful daughter. --Tom

We have heard from Tom off and on through the years. I certainly could do better to keep in touch. Years ago Tom was here as a foreign exchange student and spent a whole school year in our home. I still can't get over how daring that is. A sixteen year old going to the other side of the world to live for a year with people he has never met. I couldn't have done it. This was so fun to hear from him this week. His last note was fantastic - a baby girl. I still think of him as a 17 year old boy, and he is in his 30's now!

We wrote back and forth a couple of times this week and here is what he sent. It is a fun read: (and Tom, I added a few pictures that we had also):

Ohh MY Gosh, that was so great. I checked your guys blogspots, that was so much fun. It really was great to see how you all have grown and how funny you are. I figured to also write you something so that everybody can get to know me a little bit more. I thought of doing that Melanie and Roxanne's styles by summing up all kind of facts about me, the period I lived with you guys, what Roxanne, Brady and Rachel were like back then and so on. It will be fun to post it on your website. I really felt and still feel part of the family when I was reading all of it on the site. I will also add some pictures of me and family.

Here goes; my 50 Random Facts

1 Exactly 16 years ago I arrived at Phoenix airport as a 16 year old teenager.
2 I was excited to meet you all, and on the way home from the airport we had a flat tire.

3 I also joined every sunday to church. I loved the people there everybody was really nice.

4 I went with the brother of Marcy Hatch to LA. His girlfriend was named apple, that was such a funny name to me...
5 I was impressed by LA beach (that was the time Baywatch started so imagine my excitement)
6 I went to North High School and I was in student government. That's where I got to know most of my friends.
7 Coincidentally two of my friends lived just 4 houses from us.
8 Rachel and Brady were sooo shy in the beginning. Zannie was just 1 year old. (we called her Zannie)
9 Did your mom ever tell you the "elephants in Denmark" trick? That blew me away.
10 Christmas I met your granddad and grandma, that was great they came all the way from the potato state.
11 That was funny that every state had a nickname. Who decides on the name?
12 In '93 there was no internet, so I had to hand type all the letters I wrote back home.
13 Then I was able to use the computer we had, but zannie kept plugging the plug out so I had to do tons of rewriting.
14 I covered my room with all the letters I received and made it into wallpaper.
15 I was a huge fan of Prince and I even wore a t-shirt to school once of him. I know I am soo embarrassed.
16 Rachel had a huge talent in drawing and piano playing.
17 I was in the same room as the piano for a year and I never touched it.
18 Brady liked to ride around on his bike a lot.
19 Me and Dave always used to play basketball a lot. Honestly, Dave was slightly better, (takes a man to admit his weaknesses) We even built the court together.

20 I never forget the family dinners we had at Ed Debevics. That was sooo much fun.
21 Although you guys did not drink caffeine, still Cindy would get me a six pack of coke, especially for me. (I'll never forget that)
22 Once I had a cold and someone advised me to put a cut onion in the room at night. I became so sick that I ran to the bathroom but did not make it. The stain never went out. (I hope it is now by the way)
23 I always wanted to be soo american that I tried to get rid of the Dutch accent. Finally a miracle happened; Some years ago I was asked by an american what state I was from; I answered! ARIZONA! At last: No more accent!
24 I live in Someren in Holland or The Netherlands. Now some random facts about that.
25 I am married with Karen Leenen, we met 4,5 years ago on a ski trip.
26 We hit it off from the start because we had the same humor... example: we arm wrestled right before our first kiss, who ever would win would get to kiss the other one. Needless to say I won!
27 We married on April the 18th of this year and our baby girl was born on the 28th of July. (yeah I know, not quite the mormon way, hope you guys can forgive me ;))
28 Our daughter is called Fay, she is wonderful. Actually an american name. (example Faye Dunaway)
29 My parents are divorced and I have one brother.
30 I work at welten, which rents out people to banks. My job is to get everybody to work and talk to them what their ambitions are.
31 I drive a french car named Peugeot.
32 I traveled a lot the last 16 years. The farthest I went is New Zealand. I was in every country of Europe.
33 I quite often meet people on their mission here in Holland. I always chat with them, telling them I lived with you guys.
34 Dave bought me a Mormon book in Dutch, so I can better understand the scriptures. (sweet huh)
35 I actually dated a girl like in 2000 , who I met those days in Phoenix. We went to homecoming together in 93. Sara Doerschlag.
36 We did not have mobile phones in 93 so I always used to call in your mom and dad's bedroom (mostly to Sara)
37 My favorite fast food restaurant was Arby's. They don't have it in Holland though so I haven't had Arby's in more then 10 years. When you have a roast beef with Arby sauce think of me!
38 I used to throw Zannie and Brady on the bed and they loved it.
39 I still have some 12 hours of videotape of my stay with you guys. When I have the chance I will sent the dvd to you or upload them on a site so you can check them.
40 I was in a band the last 4 years. I quit now, because it was too much to combine it all.
41 My hobby's now are playing golf and tennis, watching movies and organizing stuff.
42 If any of you are ever in Europe or close by in Holland, just let me know. I will take a few days off and show you all the highlights of Holland.
43 In Holland everyone has 25 days a year off. Also don't think Holland is all about prostitution and drugs, cause it's not. It's about cheese and Art.
44 Holland has only 14 million habitants, still we have more medals than: Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and Italy.
45 We beat the US in women's waterpolo.
46 The last days I was there, finally Rachel opened up. She got talkative, I never forget it, because we were sitting in the backyard on the swing.
47 Soon I hope to be over there some day soon. That would be great. I will take my family with me and we will all go out.
48 My name is Tom, but my real name is: Antonius Johannes Catherina. (it's a Catholic thing)
49 I am almost out of facts, last ones are: Favorite music, Dave Mathews Band, Damien Rice, Garth Brooks (when he was big) and rock bands like pearl jam.
50 Favorite movies: Ferris Buelers' days off, ( I am not just saying that cause you also like it, I grew up on that movie) Any movie with Marlon Brando.

Tom's family:

Dad

Mom - Mirjam

Brother - Hans

Wife - Karen

and brand new baby Fay!

it's a small world

My brother called Sunday afternoon and invited us to come over for some treats and games. It was a good night for us to get away, so we headed out to Mesa. They've got a lovely house, decorated beautifully, it's warm and inviting. Anyway, after chatting for a few minutes, the doorbell rang and a couple of their good friends stepped in who had also been invited over. This woman walked in and looked at me and said "you look familiar" then turned and said "OH MY GOSH -- DAVE!!!" It was Dave's cousin. We hadn't seen her in years. It was fun to catch up and spend an evening with my family and Dave's family both.

We played a round of "Apples to Apples". The cards in your hand have random words on them and you have to most closely match the concept of one of them to the word being played. We had second grader Shaw playing with us. The word was "shallow" and Shaw plays a card from his hand - "dating". Cracked me up. I thought it was a random match on his part, but he played every hand brilliantly. Smart kid, that nephew of mine.

Thanks for the invite Curtis and Lesa. It was a fun evening.

By the way, Curtis is an incredible DJ. Check out his website .