pregancy 1...2...3

Here are some more Pregnacy shots. The first is just after my first shower that my good friends Diane and Sara (let's not confuse that with Darrah) threw for me. It was my work shower, and the food and company was wonderful. This next shot is up in Lynnwood, with my older sister Jill... she's due 2 weeks before me.
And finally, all three Oshel girls, all pregnant at once... I think my mom just sees this as amazing, three new grandbabies cooking away.

Meet Peter

NO, not the baby's name.

On Sunday night Lucas and I were driving to do some WINCO shopping at about 11:00pm. It was a beautiful evening. We almost just walked up to Fred Meyer's, but with $18.00 cash to spend, we would get a lot more at WINCO.

We hopped in the truck and set out on our 4 mile journey. About 3 blocks from our house, we noticed what appeared to be a black cat crossing the street. HOWEVER, upon closer inspection, that "black cat" had a nice white stripe down its back. He was much shorter than a cat... yup, it was a skunk. Now, I've smelled skunk in our neighborhood, but I've never seen him alive before.

He crossed the street in front of us, then scurried onto the sidewalk. Lucas slowed down so we could study his habits. He walked about a block on the sidewalk, then crossed the street at the crosswalk! (He's very law abiding). Then he ran into a yard and hid behind a bush, so we could no longer track him.

I named the skunk Peter. He reminded me of Pepe' le Pew from the cartoons of olden days. ah... Pepe' will you ever find love?

I never realized I lived in such a wild life safari! A snake last week, a skunk this one... what's next?

Maybe Peter and Martin will become friends. I just hope the party isn't in my backyard!

Garden "Friend"

This entry makes me think of my cousin Nikki's last entry about a mouse... but my story does not end with a simple "oh, it was a kleenex package, mystery solved".

The weather here turned nice for about 3 days last weekend. It's back to cold, but for three days it was a nice lovely blue sky. Lucas and I worked/slept the first two, so on the third day we really wanted to make the most of it. So, we went outside to pull last year's dead flowers, and plan what we would want to plant this season.

After weeding, we journeyed to a local nursery, and learned we were a few weeks off from planting flowers (it did get to 30 degrees last night). But, we could plant a couple trees or shrubs. (we chose a lovely azalea and a gardenia).

I was taking our new gardenia to the back yard, while Lucas started to plant the azalea in the front. Walking on our path to the back, I was met with the most unlikely of visitors. A two foot SNAKE! I am NOT exaggerating, he was at least two feet long. Light brown/white. I of course screamed like a girl. The snake stopped in it's tracks.

I yelled to Lucas (who instantly thought my water broke). He came running back. He then knew why I screamed. A snake was blocking my path. We have NEVER seen a snake before in our yard. We have only bark dust, no grass... so why would a snake like us! But, he was in our yard, and obviously liking it, since he just slithered off the path and curled up in the sun. Though he did hiss at Lucas when he tried to touch it. I did not try to touch it, but was silently cursing the fact I had my Teva's on, and he could have bit my toe.

Lucas studied his habits for a little bit, then decided to name him Martin. He seems harmless enough.

Now that I know he's around, next time maybe I won't scream. Maybe Martin will kill bugs and slugs for us. Maybe Martin will be New Baby Friedler's baby science project. (assuming Martin doesn't eat baby Friedler). Maybe Martin will find a new how in our neighbors yard, and I'll know he was found when I hear the next loud scream.