Happy Birthday up there.....

February 24th--Today, it is your birthday, Melissa Ann.

I knew you would have loved it out at the beach, so I took your picture with me, a the end of the summer I brought it home, I didn't want you to be out there smiling that lovely smile all by yourself, so your picture is back at home with me, on my piano.I love that last photo of you. A beautiful smile and the tilt of the head. Vintage Missy.
I see you in the oddest places. Mostly where we have spent allot of time. At campfires with my people all around me..You are there. Sitting right beside me.


Celebrating a fun 4Th of July, you are there, right beside me..Whispers and winks, warm breezes and cold snowfalls. The beautiful sunsets and the cold clear nights with the stars twinkling above us..I know your around.

I bought this little dragonfly to take to the cemetery one day, and immediately thought that you would prefer me to take it out to the beach, Instead, I bought 2, one for me and one for your spot. so here I stuck mine, in our window box.
I miss you and wish you were here with me every day. I hope that you can see all of us, I hope that you can remember all of the love and fun and life that we had while you were here.
Your children are growing up beautifully, your husband, I think, still misses you desperately, even though he is remarried.
His wife is an angel to your kids. Its so hard for me to see them, even now. after all these years.Ty is very smart and a little gentleman, he loves sports and hunting with his daddy. Erin is a little girl that has grown to love pink, if you can believe that. They are ADORABLE.





Mostly, I miss that you didn't get to meet my little people Steve and I had after you died.
Finn and Reagan hear allot about their Teta Missy. Reagan has your beautiful brown eyes and Finn has your mischief.

Me, I still have an empty heart and a place tucked safely away, deep in my soul for my treasured thoughts and deep love for a girlfriend snatched away, waaaay too soon....

Iloveyou!!!
Happy Birthday up there!
xoxoxo

Flashback Fridays...oh yeah baby..

Oh, the 80s

How I love theeee.

ga-head, get yo freak on...

Wordless Wednesday

....come on over and relax....

blissful, no?

xoxo

coastal nest

:)

a shell-y fascination

Coastal Nest, being a beach lover, has been collecting shells since I was ever able to go out to the beach. I remember very clearly being a tiny girl, going out to the beach with my grama and grampa Metke and finding sand dollars all along the shoreline, running from the waves with them and just enjoying the ocean, or going clam diggin with my dear daddy and finding lots of things besides clams..

The seashell is such a great little piece of art.Alone, or together. planned, in a shell wreath, or just thrown in a bowl or basket.
My children, along with my hubby and I love to scour the beach. We have found amazing things on the shoreline.



This oyster candelabra was at the shop, it was incredible and gorgeous, natural, nautical rustic and very pretty.
It went quickly. No duh, I am sure the owner is enjoying it immensely.

I read in one of the retailer magazines that "shell" decorating is

---out---

hmmm. If this is true, I will cease to exist..

Not so sure I can agree with that statement, I am still in love with the seashell and all it entails- and think its a great way to decorate.

what say you?

Let me know..

Happy Monday, people..

coastal nest

:)

Flashback Fridays...oh yeah baby..

The Coastal Nest is tragically stuck in the 80s..So, get out your matte red lipstick, pile up that hair, you know..the higher the better.. slip on your stirrup pants, long sweaters & shoulder pads and lets go!!...Ill meet you on the dance floor, sister!--and hey, dont forget to turn it up.

Welcome to Flashback Fridays, where you'll never know what your going to hear.

Its okay, you can thank me later.... :)

My new hero.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1039849853

A Coastal Nest Remodel...my shameful laundry room..

Lordy..

This is our house, prior..PRIOR to us moving in.

(I'm clearly setting the stage, here. Bear with me)

As, some of you avid nest followers know, this was the house that fate brought me to.

Me and my ten speed bike. We use to circle this house in my cut offs and my Stanford t shirt. Pedaling around and around. Checking out the house and the lovely yard..Although never to go actually INSIDE it, I just knew I wanted to live here.

YIKES!!

what was I thinking? Just kidding..Anyway.

It was unfortunately "modernized" you know how things like that happened.

This is the laundry room, or laundry hallway I would call it.

Here, is what my fabulous Bob Villa has done with this space.

{RIGHT HERE}

I took this (above shot) standing in the same place, I just looked to my left. This is a teeny itsy bitsy tiny bathroom that was in the laundry hallway, mudroom, sauna, catch all area of the home.

Again, I say..

YIKES!!

This window is in the same place that..These here, new windows are in..That doorway was where I was standing to take the photos above.So, this is how I have been living with my laundry room for at least a year now. Guess what..My lovely husband is starting to get to work on this space for me.

I know, I kissed his feet. We have saved alot of things from the beach re-do and are re-purposing ALOT of things and being all good and GREEN--(ack!)

for lack of $$$$.

It just plain needs to get done, its CCCCold back here!

Hello handsome, almost didn't see you there with all of that camouflage on!

Can you believe I have this kind of a mess?

now you can see I am no robot and you may all breathe a sigh of relief and move me down a notch, or two if you like.

thanks..

I needed that.

This is gonna be fun!!!

Stick with me to see a great transformation of this space!

Ive got it ALLLLLL planned out..

xoxo

Coastal Nest

:)

Wordless Wednesday

What a fine mess....

A valentine bowling extravaganza..of sorts..

Hello all you excellent bowlers out there...

You know who I'm talking at...yes..you. Here is one right here. Along with 14 of my closest peeps.

Yep..14 mostly kids and some grown up kids. We all went bowling for valentines day.

Sister and her 3, Brother and his 3, Mom and Dad along with us and our 3..

Can you say 3 lanes, bumpers and beer?

I knew you could.

Hot seat color, no?
Young son, along with a great orange pop moustache.. Mom,with some of her greatest fans..(and vice versa..)

A very low caloric dinner was had by all. (it was great)

Some expert form lessons by this young handsome lad....

Then it was time to go..it was nearly 8 pm and guess what...

They were having a Lebowski party at the bowling alley.

This was something that I really wanted to stay around and watch, you can see why.

But the children..

(shield your eyes!!)

Hope you all had a great Holiday weekend!

Hey, Judy!!!(a little something for ya)

email me with your address..

Your the winner of the big..not so big

250 give away.

ta ta!

Coastal Nest

:)

Happy Valentines Day, Darling...

Love soft as an easy chair..

Love fresh as the morning air,
One love that is shared by two..

I have found with you..

Like a rose under the april snow,
I was always certain love would grow..

Love.

ageless and evergreen,
Seldom seen by two..

You and I will make each night a first,
Every day a beginning..

Spirits rise and their dance is unrehearsed,
They warm and excite us,
cause we have the brightest..

love.

Two lives that shine as one,
Morning glory and midnight sun..



Time weve learned to sail above,
Time wont change the meaning of,
one love..

Ageless and ever,
evergreen...

(a selection from our wedding that I still love today..)

Honey Bunny Happy 20th Valentines day together!

You and Me

forever

and

ever!

ALWAYS

xoxo

Lisa

:)

a 250 giveaway and a sa-Weet Award!!

WowEEE!!

Can you believe the Coastal Nest has made it to posts?

Neither can she. Let me tell you, its been fun.

I had no idea that I had made it that far until just now, when I started to post about this...

My award from a very sweet gal I have come to know and admire.. Debra @
September Acres..
I appreciate it-- more than you know.
Thanks..

Here is what it is all about..

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”!

well well..I think that there have been a few times that I have

"""self-aggrandized"""

myself..but, Ill not do it today.

(really, although I could..totally..how many chicks do you know that can say they have actually published 250 posts..)

I know, I'm awesome..

a-hem.... sorry..

So..here are my "chosen" bloggers for this award

Bristol

Timi--(although she can get away with a little of the self aggrandizing)

Heather Jones

Linda Lou

"so Hot Suzie up in Canada" (the runs)

Take 90 West

Judy's A little something for ya..

All girls are on my sidebar and deserve a visit.

Leave me a comment, babe..Ill enter you into the big

250 post giveaway.Well, its not that big..in fact, I don't really know what it will be. So don't get tooooo excited.

___

If you didn't make it in my award, that doesn't mean I don't love ya.

You are all my peeps and make my day, everyday..

:)

xoxoxo

..coastal nest..

over and out

A letter I didnt write..

To All My Valued Employees,

There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges.

However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story.

This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life. However, what you don't see is the back story.I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you. My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business - hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's.

My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden - the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations ... You never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made.

Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for. Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds.

Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why: I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15Th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes.

You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the unmotivated person sitting at home waiting for their next assistance check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work?

Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries.

But you can forget it now.When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.

So where am I going with all this? It's quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more. Then, I will close this company and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.

So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about.

...Signed,
Your boss


(Thank you Curious Sofa........)

When the oven goes....Pooof!

When it rains, people....well, it pours.

(can I have an amen?)

We have been without an oven for nearly 2 months now. See her, over there, being all sleek and built in, like she owns the place or something? Bob built a perfect little spot for her just to the left of my sink, not more than 3 years ago. All of us were happy, she, however, was a little small for "the family" so, we had our little spats every now and then..the first altercation came when she didn't want to bake cookies on my favorite cookie sheet. See, shes a second hand rose, a hand me down from my Aunt, who was fine with a small oven. I, however had my doubts. I loved her anyway. I went along with storing my large cookie sheets and purchased new "petite" ones, just for "her". Then came Thanksgiving 2 years ago, when I hosted, can you say 27 lovely relatives..Again she spouts off with her smallness. Myself, just slightly irritated, smiled and agreed to have my dear parents cook the turkey a few 2 short blocks away.

Then the day came, I went to "flip her switch" and get her ready for the boys favorite meal,

Pepperoni Toni's Pizza.

Pffft..nothing. Hmmm, I say, silently cursing the little biatch under my breath.

Lets try it again..Nothing. "Boys, you'll have to eat your pizza frozen today..."

(which it totally fine with Finn)

As the day turned into night, and BobVilla came home from his mail route I asked him to look at the sleek little "other woman" for me. Sure, hon..whats wrong? I tell my honey about how she wont ignite and she wont heat up..To make a loooong story short.

The little oven that could..she couldnt. Shes tired, and old..and now shes at the scrap metal place over in Hoquiam..

GOOD RIDDANCE!! I never liked her anyway..
But what to do..We cut the counter top off to make room for her.
"Special"
I really wasn't down with buying another "trailor size" oven, so..here is what happened.







Remember this cute little orange model from here?
yep, that's her..my caulk gun. Although, this job was small, so the fingers aren't raw.
thank.you.very.much.
That hurt!

My ever handy, and uber talented hubby made me a microwave and little appliance center!!


Here she is!
Can you believe that a whole oven fit in that little spot?
good riddance..

and just in case you love my paint, as I do..well here is how I picked her out..all those 3 years ago.

Got out my butter container and matched her right up.

although, its not called Butter.. It IS just like it.

Mellow, soft, warm, cozy. I still absolutely love the color of my kitchen.

although its called

Warm muffin..by home depot (behr)

see how good it matches?

so now, we cook microwave style!

xoxo

coastal nest..

:)

Wordless Wednesday

tap tap...uh..testing..testing...

I know its wordless wednesday and all, but I just got the best email joke forwarded to me I have to share...

A blonde is watching the news with her husband when the newscaster says, 'Two Brazilian men die in a skydiving accident.'The blonde starts crying to her husband, sobbing 'That's horrible!!! So many men dying that way!'Confused, he says, 'Yes dear, it is sad, but they were skydiving, and there is always that risk involved.'After a few minutes, the blonde, still sobbing, says, 'How many is a Brazilian?'

Lordy..ha ha ha ha ha

Thanks Kelly, this girl needed that.

Now back to regular scheduled programming..

When a son takes "initiative"

Here is a little ceremony I recently attended. Seems my middle man has done such fine work in Kindergarten they wanted to give him an award!

a mother couldn't be prouder! Nice job, Finn. I adore that you skipped all the way up to your principal to get your kudos. A fine lad indeed. The award that he received was for having "initiative" I guess hes a --take the bull by the horns --kinda kid at school.

Thanks Finn, your such a good boy!

..Mamma loves ya :)

A sign of the times...down times-that is :(

Let it be known throughout the blogger land..

Coastal Homegoods is open for business..

I'm hoping to generate some income for my little family..

now that I am unemployed there, I said it.

Unemployed.

The state of our small business is sad, at best. My Mom really didn't have much other choice. Which I don't blame her one bit..Ill be back there, someday. Hopefully soon:) She and my Dad will be taking care of the day to day at the shop, so if your around, stop by!

For now, I will be selling a few things on eBay and farting around with different options. First, I will be posting the sale items here, just to give you all first crack. I know, I'm good like that.

I'm not going to charge any more than what the "parcel post" mail or the "priority mail"for the shipping charges and will not be shipping anything UPS because I do have to keep my man in business! These are some things, and I mean just some, because..this girl has some stuff!!!

Wish me luck on my new venture..Keep my Mom and Dad, self and Sister in your thoughts and prayers..because ALSO that skanky insurance company (Liberty Mutual Insurance) that has insured our beautiful historic building is really messing with us.

.VILE.BASTARDS.

-and hey, if any of you Washington-Oregon visitors feel like taking a little vacation to the beach to that darling little beach house I keep talking about..well..

click on that little door in my side bar..or simply go its a great place to relax and unwind..and really not that expensive!

Here.

We are all in this together and this story, my story, is just one of MANY stories across our beautiful nation.We can, and will--- get through this--together!

Take care all!

Coastal Nest

:)