Busy as Hell

Breathe in, breathe out. I'm trying hard to catch my breath these days. August is a busy month for us, even more so this year.

We started off the month at the Highland Games in Enumclaw, Washington, just south of Tacoma. Erica, Jake, Matthew and Connor came down and spent the weekend with us.

Connor and Moira snuggling together Saturday morning

Liam and Matthew

Erica and Kyla

Me and Liam

The pipe bands had their tents set up behind us so when they were practicing, it got loud.

Liam in his new kilt. He's wearing the Black Watch tartan.

The cousins

On August 16th (also my mum's 60th birthday), my step-mom, Sharon, passed away. She had been fighting cancer for several years. This picture was taken on one of her and my dad's visits to Boise when Moira was little.

That weekend we were in Jackson, Wyoming (Liam calls it Hy-woming) for the Highland Games. We've been going to that one for years and we really enjoy our time there.

This was taken in the town square. I didn't realize until after that the kids had put their fingerprints all over the lens. The photo turned out OK in spite of the haze.

Liam pouting in front of Made, a really cool, but expensive, boutique in Gaslight Alley right across from my favourite Valley Bookstore.

Liam using the dolly to haul my pillows around

Entertaining us with funny faces

Those of you who know me know of my fetish for hats. I've been wearing and collecting them for years. I have them scattered all over the house so I decided to make these hat stands, painted in my favourite shade of green, to display a few of them. If I wanted to display all of them I would need about thirty stands.

They will also work out great when I do my set ups to sell these:

I've been making reversible bucket hats. I also have some vintage hat patterns that I can't wait to try.

This hat was made out of shirts.

This past weekend we were in Baker City, Oregon for the Highland Games. Baker is only two hours from here so it was a nice short trip for us.

Moira's friend Emma was there with her Irish dance troupe. She is the one up front on the left with the pony tails and really high step.

My old belly dance troupe was there too. It was so good to see my teachers again. I'm hoping to join them again soon.

Next to our booth was a husband and wife and their six Irish Wolf Hounds. They were so big. The one above weighed 190 pounds. They were so gentle and affectionate. Have I mentioned how big they are?

Poor Liam zonked out at the end of the day. We packed up around him.

Kyla helped us by taking down the earrings.

Will's parents spent three weeks in August in Scotland so Will and I and his brother did a lot of work around their house and yard. They are not in very good health and they are having a difficult time keeping up with everything. Will's mom is battling cancer and it's not looking so good. While there is still a chance that she will pull through and I'm desperately clinging to that, the practical side of me is gently preparing for the worst. Yesterday Will's dad ended up in the hospital over night. He is home now, but not out of the woods yet. This is when my inner super woman comes out and I want to take over everything to protect and nurture the ones I care about. I'm sure I come off as sounding bossy, but it just means that I love you.

Kyla started her first day of preschool today. She did much better than I thought she would and she even had a good time. I was so proud of her. She is looking forward to going back on Thursday. As for Liam, he was a bit lost without her, but soon got into playing with his cars and trucks and entertained himself very well.

Moira started grade four this month too. She has a male teacher this year which she is excited about. She's never had one before. She is doing well so far and is excited about the new things she is learning.