Tenino, WA

As I was driving through Tenino, I noticed the "The Giddy Up Coffee Corral" has finally opened for business. The slogan on the sign intrigued me- "Cute, Friendly, and Dang Good Coffee." (even though I don't drink coffee!) so I stopped in and talked to the ownder Cari Dinelt.

Her philosophy is a simple one. Provide the best coffee she can serve, have fresh local cookies and food items, and be friendly. If the espresso pours too quickly (or too slowly) she will throw it out rather than risk the customer have a bitter cup. Who knew that it takes between 35-30 seconds to draw the perfect shot of espresso and that you have to pour it into the milk/water within 15 seconds? Did you know that? It's amazing what I learned.

They did a soft opening last month and are steadily seeing an increase in traffic. As you drive through Tenino, please feel free to stop by, say hi, and get a latte, mocha, or a cup of regular Joe (or hot chocolate) and support this new local business.

The Giddy-Up Coffee Corral, 724 Sussex Ave E, Tenino, WA 98589 (360)264-2548.

From left to right-

Cari,

Talea,

Chelsea

BREATHE 4 TOMORROW FOUNDATION was founded to "make life easier one breathe at a time." It was created by my dear friend Sarah Morris & my stepson Aaron Greene. Together with the support of other great people we plan to assist with the financial struggles families face when dealing with Cystic Fibrosis. We can't put a price tag on it, nor can we begin to describe the stresses that go along with this life threatening disease. Unfortunately, with many assistance programs there is this "gap". The "gap" consists of the people who make too much to be eligible for assistance, but not enough to make it, and have to struggle.

We are going to change the lives of our children with CF by offering scholarships, so they can live their "dreams" and have something to work towards. Going through high school with an incurable illness, you are faced with many different obstacles and stresses. We want to reward these wonderful and strong young adults, because they deserve it.

Lastly, BREATHE 4 TOMORROW wants to raise awareness about organ donation.My stepson Aaron Greene, is here today because of an organ donor. he recieved the gift of life in the form of two donated lungs! If we can get just one person to become an organ donor, that is one life we may have saved. One person who may be breathing a little easier because we founded this organization. To all of you whose life as been touched by CF... Thank you for being you! And to all the darling children with CF...know that you are loved deeply and we will do all that we can to give you hope to BREATHE 4 TOMORROW !

To beome a supporter of BREATHE 4 TOMORROW through Myspace Click Here and add us as a friend!

I have been asked several times in the last several weeks aboout the Capital Gains Tax...Do sellers owe Capital Gains and how much?

Here is the new rule as I understand it...keep in mind I AM NOT A TAX PROFFESSIONAL... I always recommend that you speak directly to a tax consultant to verify any & all information!

The IRS allows principal-residence sellers to qualify for up to $250,000 in tax-free capital gains (up to $500,000 for a qualified married couple) if they owned and occupied their primary home at least 24 of the last 60 months before its sale.

Broken down..If you have lived in your home for at least 24 of the last 60 months prior to selling your home and DO NOT make a profit of more than $250,000 for singles or a profit more than $500,000 for married couples you will not owe any Capital Gains Tax!

Again, I highly recommend contacting a qualified Tax consultant such to verify any of your tax questions!

Here is a continuation of of my 2009 Flood Blog...this is Day 2!

My friends Lisa, Julia and I headed in to Tumwater Falls to see how the Deschutes River was holding up here's what we saw...

The Pic on to the Right above is a Park sign...I couldn't believe my eyes...

We decided to head home and get some dry clothes on...I took a few more pics of the Brewery Warehouses on the way...

Once we were changed we headed back down to see if we could assist anyone in Centralia...unsure if we could find access we gave it a whirl...we made a detour into the little town of Bucoda...

This was the entrance into Bucoda, not a good sign...there are many elderly and fixed income folks in this rural town...so we will come back to assist them with clean up...

Notice in the above far right pic...the tip of a fire hydrant peeking through the water...this gives you an idea of how deep the water was...and that wasn't even the deepest point!

We helped some very sweet gals get to their home so they could check on it...So far only the garage was flooded, Thank goodness all was still dry inside the house....when will the river crest they wonder???

The sun was going down so we got back in the rig to try to make our way down to Centralia...but we didn't make it far...the road was had turnes to a lake as far as the eye could see (lucky for my husband Joe I-5 was shut down and this is the back road to his work...dang it...he was gonna have to take another day off!

So we had to turn around and head back to the safety and warmth of home...my heart broke at the thought of all the people affected by this flooding...these were only pics of our small area...imagine how many little towns all across Western Washington mirror what you have seen here and even worse...the families, the animals...down to the little field mice, swimming to the safety of a branch or twig...

and to end this on a lighter note...anyone looking to buy some Real Estate? I would be happy to represent you...

TO DONATE OR VOLUNTEER FOR THE SW WASHINGTON CHAPTER OF THE RED CROSS TO ASSIST FLOOD VICTIMS PLEASE CLICK HERE