The Girl From Bow?

Do you even know where Bow Washington Is? 

Most people don't

Bow is about an hour north of Seattle and right off one of the most beautiful drives in Washington State Chuckanut Drive.

This is where I grew up...

Farm Country!

The type of farm life where we named our cows

T-Bone

Roast

and

Hamburger

A farming community where the day after school was out for the summer, the kids went out and started working in the fields.

Strawberries, raspberries, peas, cucumbers, blueberries, and corn.

If you didn't work in the fields then you helped your folks on the dairy farm.

The girls in my neighborhood rode in posses on horseback.

We rode to the little grocery for soda and penny candy, bare back, in cut off jeans and halter tops. We rode as soon as we could get out the door in the mornings until it started getting dark.

It was the 1970's man!

I've made it no secret that I wasn't the best student in school.

I did however do really well in socializing, and penmanship. 

I had teachers tell me that I should learn to measure well because all I'll ever be doing is cooking for all my kids.

Well  I still don't know how to measure very well, and

I don't have any kids, but I can do retail math quickly in my head.

You know... % off, buy one get one free, average sales, total sales, and that kind of stuff.

I can also do Fakebusy like nobodies business

 and throw one hell-of-a party!

Those are my skills and that's how my resume reads.

 

A few months ago I got an email from a really nice lady in New York City

asking me for my phone number because she wanted to talk to me about an opportunity.

I was like

Yeah right! 

She probably needed me to send her a $5000 Wal-Mart money order!

You know one of those scam emails.

Well I looked at the bottom of the email at the company name and it looked interesting so I did a google search.

HOLY SHIT!!!

It was legitimate!

It was a TV production company!

So of course I had to call and find out what she wanted to talk to me about.

I called and chatted with the nice woman

who talked to me for a long time about Come Junk With Us and my blog AGirlNamedTimi.

Then she told me about a new TV show they were producing.

They asked me to audition for a new TV show!

Now this was exciting but yet super scary all at the same time.

ME?  Timi?  Really?

So PJ and I worked on an audition tape for what seemed like forever.

This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life!

WORSE than math problems in 7th grade on a chalk board in front of the entire class room!

Not only was it  hard to do, but it made PJ and I fight more than me making sneaky trips to the casino.

Those people in front of cameras on your favorite shows make it look super easy

It's not!

And.....................

I sucked!

 But I sent off my tape anyway. I didn't get the job, and I was totally ok with it.

It was just really fun to get asked.

It was like getting picked first for kick ball teams knowing full well that you SUCK the worst at kick ball.  It was just nice to not be last picked for a change.

THEN...................

Last month I got asked to submit some information to a magazine about myself and my little company

Come Junk With Us.

So I did.

Thinking...............that's cool but magazines are for other people.

I once had a guy friend (whom I thought I loved more than breathing) Paul Williams tell me that if I wanted to impress him I would have to be published first.

Well SHIT!

Guess we are going to have to break up (even though he didn't know we were dating, only I thought that) because that was never going to happen.

Being published... that's for... well educated, talented, pretty people.

Not girls from Bow that don't know how to measure properly.

GUESS WHAT????

Here it is!

September 2010

A Girl Named Timi on the pages of Romantic Homes Magazine

I KNOW!

Shit!

Who would have guessed?  Not me!

Now  I know you are all thinking

Oh this is great.

This is going to go to her head and she will forget where she came from and who she is and it's just going to be a freakin nightmare next time I see her.

PJ won't let it happen.

When I opened the package I got with the magazine in it I was jumping around all excited.
What did PJ say?

"Hey, you need to go pick up dog poop so I can mow!"

He handed me a shovel.

I know there was that story I wrote last summer that was published in the Paula Deen online Magazine last year but this is totally different!
This has pictures and everything!

Now, to all of those who offered no encouragement, (including you Paul...)  I'd like to quote the great comedienne Kathy Griffin (my idol) who said "SUCK THIS!"

I have lots more exciting news, but I'm going to have to run to town right now to buy up all the copies I can find!

Thank you Tres Birds Photography for the fabulous pictures submitted to Romantic Homes Magazine!

Who's Tough Enough?

It's not something we like to talk about.  There are some people who think it's gotten too much press, it's gone too commercial and they're sick of having it shoved in their face everyday.

The day I wanted some new measuring cups and I couldn't find what I wanted except in the color pink.

I was so annoyed!

I like the color pink don't get me wrong.  But on every freakin thing?

Then there are all those annoying ladies who dress up in crazy outfits and then are some how transformed in to the loudest most loyal cheerleaders ever.  They walk like maniacs, ask for money and hold countless bake sales, garage sales, and car washes.

Again........GAG!

You know who I'm talkin about

Yes you guessed it!

Breast Cancer Activists!

They are super annoying right?

I'll be the first to admit that I have talked smack about them, I have whintzed and rolled my eyes with so much annoyance that it was hard to hide when my friends said "I'm doing the Susan G Komen 3-Day walk this year"

or "lets do a fund raiser"

Well I got put in super-duper "check  your shit" the other day on this subject.

I would like to introduce you to Jill

Jill and I have known each other

well since.......................

let's just say

Her parents were friends with my parents when they were in high school.

They are like family

Jill is a breast cancer survivor

5 years  6 months and 10 days

Yes, you know exactly how long you have been cancer free when you have

a husband and 4 kids at home depending on you.

I remember when Jill was diagnosed

She was young and her kids were all still little

It was heart breaking

All you could think was "how could this happen to someone so young? So active and always health conscious?"

It was just crazy and trying to wrap my brain around it just never happened.

Jill is one of the toughest ladies I know!

She made having breast cancer look like it was an afternoon of cocktails by the pool.

It soooooooo wasn't !

Jill's passion is horses and she has been riding since she was 5 years old.

Over the 4th of July weekend Jill was asked to ride and carry a flag in a rodeo

 There's a campaign happening right now in the world of horses, rodeos, cowgirls and cowboys

It's called Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink?

How cool is this?

I KNOW!

She's the shit right?

When I talked to Jill about this little ride,  she told me that she was so honored that her riding club had asked her carry the flag. 

And of course..........  WHY WOULD THEY NOT?

She's one of the millions of poster children for Breast Cancer Survivors

The whole riding club wore pink on the 4th instead of the traditional red to show their support.

They raised a lot of money that day for cancer research.

So amazing!

Check out the YouTube Video of the riding club

This got me thinking................

Let me just take you down that road in my wacky jacked-up twisted brain for a minute

Most of you have met my Faux Aunt Reta

She too is a breast cancer survivor

Another tough lady.

She made having breast cancer look like she just got back from vacation

It wasn't a vacation at all but she looked fantastic the entire time.

Remember my dear dear Nurse Friend Michele?

She saved my life remember?

This is her and her mom Marianne

Marianne is a breast cancer survivor too

PJ and his mom

She's a breast cancer survivor  also

This is my friend Genine

This is Genine meeting her mom at the finish line after doing the Susan G Komen 3-Day Walk.

Genine's Mom is also a breast cancer survivor and a foster parent for special needs babies

Can you say Freakin Saint!

Even my own mom has had a breast cancer scare or two.

Then I just found out another friend whom I have just met recently and totally fell in love with and admire so much is waiting for test results as we speak.

So after all this got done running through my head I was in tears.

I for one should shut the hell up and be happy that all those ladies are willing to commit all their time energy and resources to raising money for breast cancer research.  I should be happy that all those companies have got on board to donate a portion of the proceeds of sales.

I am sooooooooooo NOT tough enough to wear pink!

Here are my  friends who are tough enough to wear pink

My BFF and partner in crime WSU Laura, Mother Madden, and Alexa the niece

Annette, WSU Laura's sister-in-law

Team Walkers For Knockers has been working hard for 10 months raising money so they can participate in the

Susan G Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk in September here in Seattle.

This will be WSU Laura's 4th year walking

Did you know that each walker raises over $2,000.00?

Did you know that these ladies start training to walk 20 miles a day for 3 days in February?

Did you know that in the cold, in the rain, and heat these ladies walk?

These ladies are tough enough to wear pink and they wear it proud.

They should!

Only July 24th Team Walkers For Knockers will be participating in

Along with so many others who will be walking for the cure

Here is a little information on this event

The 3rd Annual Crafts 4 a Cure

Craft Show & Vintage Flea market

Saturday, July 24th & Sunday, July 25th

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (each day)

On the corner of 9th & Proctor in North Tacoma

We are going to have a junkin' good time kickin' breast cancer to the curb!

There will be 15 vendors and crafters on hand; selling handmade and vintage items! In addition Baby Dream Photography, named #1 Best Portrait Photographer by KING5's Best in Western WA, will be on hand Saturday taking Children & Family Vintage Photos! For just $20.00! It's a wonderful opportunity to preserve a memory and join in the fight against breast cancer! *Baby Dream Photography is donating 100% of the proceeds!

You know.................

Breast Cancer doesn't care anything about you, who you are, how much money you have or don't have, nor does it care what your schedule is. It just shows up like a big zit on your face on prom day.

Because of all those who are tough enough to wear pink, breast cancer is no longer a death sentence, it's just a damn inconvenience if caught early enough.

Let's help them raise the money to find a cure so it's not even an inconvenience anymore.

It's just something we talk about USED to happen.

Stop at the car wash, buy something from the bake sale even if you're on a diet, stop at the garage sale, or stop that group you see walking everyday and see if they still need donations.

Want to donate but don't know anyone?

Walkers For Knockers still needs donations

Be tough enough to wear pink in some way!

Still think breast cancer gets too much attention and there are so many other worthy causes?

Donate to one of them today!

If you can't donate money, how about time or goods.

They can use your help

I Need To Be Two People!

There is so much going on this weekend that I wish I were two people.

Donna and I are going to take off today and headed over to The Vintage Barn

I have heard so many wonderful things about this sale and when I finally met Rolane at Farm Chicks this year I knew I had to make the trip over to Idaho.

How cute is this?

Rolane's new truck

You will find Donna and I here bright and early Saturday morning

Then after that...................

We are headed to the Latah Summer Market

Where we will find some more friends

June Bug

Funky Junk Antique Show girls

Celeste from Chaps

and the list goes on and on

I do love a road trip!

If you're going to be in the Seattle area don't miss

2nd Saturdayz Market

Held at The Warren Magnuson Park aka Sandpoint.

Now I know there has been some confusion about the Sandpoint Sale

Let me see if I can clear it up

There has been a sale at Sandpoint for years held on Sundays

it's called Sand Point Antique and Desgin Show

It's still happening

BUT

In addition to that sale there is NOW the 2nd Saturdayz Market.   Held on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

This is a GREAT SALE. It's fresh, it's got some great vendors, and it's TOTALLY different from the other sale.

If you haven't been able to attend I suggest you make this Saturday the day!

Why you ask?

Well I heard that Top Pot Doughnuts will be there

AND

It's BUY ONE GET ONE FREE weekend!

Print off this coupon and take a friend for free

Imagine how impressed your friend will be when you call and say "Let's go, it's my treat!"

Another  event happening....................

Miss Julie has been getting ready for weeks for a big sale this weekend

and I bet for this one you will have to wait in line just like we did last time

Glitter and Ivy in Monroe

is having Christmas in July sale today Friday July 9th

Glitter and Ivy in Monroe Washington has the biggest selection of

Christopher Radko ornaments you have ever seen

I loved these travel ornaments

There is always really good food and drink at Julie's open houses.

I have some insider information that this open house is going to be

REALLY REALLY GOOD!

There is always discounts, free stuff , and food!

This is the perfect recipe for an event.

Can't make the sale?

You can always order on line

Glitter and Ivy

Glitter and Ivy is also an official Come Junk With Us ticket outlet.

You can purchase tickets for Barn House or Clayson Farms at the store.

Don't miss this sale!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Why You Should Listen

Everyone once in awhile I catch my self not listening to what PJ is telling me. 

 Ok, lots of times.

The other day he came home from work yammering about something he heard on the Don and Ron radio show. I only half listened but it was about something with the Department of Revenue and getting unclaimed money. 

I was thinkin "yeah yeah yeah, another scam  "I'll see you on the news with Get Jesse, trying to get your money back...nobody ever gets money from those things"

After he told me this big long story that he heard on the radio while on his way home from work (me not listening) he said "what do you think?" 

Me: "great! You should do it"

I have no idea what I just agreed to but off he went to his computer and me........... able to play Family Feud uninterrupted.

Have you tried Family Feud yet on Facebook?

It's really good!

Anyway........................
Back to my story

About a half hour went by and he was yelling at me from another room to confirm my social security number, asking me some former addresses where I had lived, quizzed me about some places I had worked. 

I'm thinking "great now he's going to drag me in to his big money scam"

About a week later Charlie and I walked out to get the mail

Look what came

That's right checks!

Apparently I had some money from an old job back in the early 90's that I had a stock option in.

Who knew?

NOT ME! 

I don't listen!

PJ apparently missed an escrow check getting to him while out to sea on an aircraft carrier

BT............ Before Timi

I guess I should start listening a little better.

CHING-CHING!!

Now I'm off to town!

Glamping Will Never Be The Same!

PJ and I do love to go camping and it's been fun to be able to step it up each year with adding a new tradition and items to our Glamping gear. 

Our camping buddies The Flusterclucks, The Gotstheirshittogether's, and us, The Nuckinfuts have had such a good time over the last couple years.  It's been fun to reminisce about the first camping trips

Our first trip to

Pacific Beach

Camping Trip From Hell

Family Reunions
and so many more that we still laugh about.

Well this year in addition to the donut maker, and the outdoor movie projector, we have added


Drum Roll Please................


The Hot Dog Machine!

Yes folks it's true!

We are the proud owners of a Hot Dog Machine.

While looking through the 2nd Saturdayz sale in Seattle a couple weeks ago PJ spotted this under some other items.

He snatched that up and brought it home

Took it all apart and pain strikingly cleaned ever inch of this thing.

It made it's debut to camping

at Seaquest State Park at Mount St. Helens.

It was an eye catcher sitting on the table in front of the Mobile Estate.

Especially since it was gray, dark and rainy the whole weekend.

Those lights where the brightest things in the park

PJ was instant popular-guy!

After beating the window lickers off with a stick

he told them all they needed to have a ticket to get a hot dog.

They looked at him like "what are you talking about" then they all disappeared and came back

WITH TICKETS!

They had ran off, made themselves some tickets and got in line!

Hot Dog Time

It was a hit!

Finally it was time for PJ to have a dog and a beer

Oh which one? Which one?

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  good!

What's better than a hot dog? 

Brownies!

Served on a silver pedestal plate.

Mrs. Gotstheirshittogether  has not only gone full throttle on glamping but now the

little Gotstheirshittogethers are totally in to it also.

I LOVE IT!

Oh wait!  Don't take off with that just yet!

It will go nicely with  beer!

How cute are they?

I know!

You want to know who that new kid is?

She's not normally in our Glamping Posse.

I would like to introduce you to............

Mr and Mrs Accidentwaitingtohappen and their cute kids

You ask "why?"  "why is that their name"?

It's simple!

We don't get to see The Accidentwaitingtohappen very often but when we do

They have the best Emergency room stories ever!

See that scar on Mr. Accidentwaitingtohappen's hand?

Funniest story I have ever heard!

I wasnt' sure if I should pee my pants from laughing or from being horrified at the actual accident.

There are always stories of an unfortunate "accident" with this family.

We love them!

Mrs. Flustercluck and I didn't do a very good job of Glamping and setting up our campsites.

We were a bit put out by the rain, wind, and cold.

But then cocktail hour came around and we had to do something!

white damask tableclothes, the good Baer wine, the fancy Riedel Wine Glasses, and flowers in a silver ice bucket

We were set!

You can't camp without roasting marshmallows and making smores

Just before we went on this trip, my foody-friend  Heather of Farmgirl Gourmet told me about a different way of making smores.

You put a piece of chocolate inside the marshmallow and then put it on the stick to roast it.

When it's all brown and toasty on the outside the inside is all melted with chocolate

It's called a poopie diaper!

I shared this information with the kids.

Now not being a kid owner myself, I had no idea the frenzy this would set off.

The frenzy of saying the word poop every chance they got.

Thank Gawd they weren't in my trailer that night being all hopped up on sugar and seeing how far they could push it with the poopie diaper business.

Mrs. Gotsthiershittogether having herself a poopie diaper smore

After the kids go to bed and finally stopped saying poop is when the adults have a couple cocktails and play some cards

Yes for money!

Why else would you play?

Mr. Accidentwaitingtohappen brought a little adult treat

Apple Pie Moonshine

Click Here for some recipes

I couldn't resist looking it up

Looks a little like a "speciman"

PJ took a little sip

Taste like Speciman!!!  Naw...This is all show!

He enjoyed it and said it was like apple juice

which we all know that cocktails that don't taste like cocktails are dangerous!

Notice the jar at the end of the table

Almost gone

Cards got more interesting and .........

well I can't show you the pictures....

I promised.

The next day we had a lot of relaxing

game playing

Watching our new friend "Speedy" and his progress of getting across the campsite

A lot of visiting, catching up and story swaping

Camping buddies got to play together

The Gotsthiershittogether's

Aren't they the cutest family?

Love the girls and mom in thier matching Glamping Gear

Mother Madden was the only one who went full on Glamping decorating!

Got to love that she always brings her full on "A game" for whatever the event!

Rain or shine!!!

It rained, we were all soaked, covered in mud but once again

A GREAT TIME!

Someday you will have to come

Glamping with us!