ABATE’s Toys for Tot and Food drive is just around the corner. Every year this great motorcycle group from Lewis County has this huge event to help the local people in the community get through the holidays.. As we all know that life has been a little tough financially for some and what a way to give to others.

ABATE has a great motorcycle parade through town, along with the toy and food drive. There’s pictures for the kids with Santa Claus, this year they are having a cake walk, followed by a nice dinner and auction that ends with a great band and lots of dancing and visiting.

What this group does for the community is totally awesome. So this year I wanted to do something for their auction and instead of it being a Christmas theme .. I wanted it to be something that they could hang all year long. Check out the picture of the wreath I chose to do. I went to the Harley shop in Olympia and got a few items along with some of the gift items I carried at the shop and put it together. There is still some touch ups to do before it is complete.. But it most definitely is original. I am hoping that it will bring in good money for a cause that is well worth it. I will let you know SMILE

The Football Team and Cheerleaders prepped for their last home game before play offs.. or as it’s called around here “Senior Night.” The town really supports the kids which is totally awesome. TIGER PRIDE for sure. This candy bar bouquet and Arrangement was made for two of the Sr kids that one played on the football team and the other was his girlfriend and she was a cheerleader. I have brought into my shop suckers from Katie’s Candy and it has been fun incorporating them into the candy bouquets and flowers. The kids are digging them also as it adds that little special pride touch!

As you can see Halloween came through like a gust of wind. Not alot goes on in the shop for Halloween but will say that the town had a little parade. Not for the people but for everyone’s pets. They had a Pet Halloween Parade. Some of the dogs were dressed to the hilt, like this little girl and her standard poodle all decked out like Pumpkins.

Even Mo while laying at home thought maybe I should buff up a little and put on a show for everyone at this parade. This dog really strutted his stuff in his dinosaur costume. but seriously that isn’t our dog MO , He is a friends dog. (But wow if it wasn’t for the size- their coloring and marking are pretty much close.. Oh yeah.. MO he stayed home and played with his giant ball in the warmth of his house.

Last weekend we lost a very important person in our lives and the community’s life.

Now some of you may know him if you live around the area and some may not personally know him, but have heard about him. Roy was awesome.. He meant the world to our family for many reasons. He was not only Our Great Friend but he was also Gary’s employer for many years while Roy was in the logging business, as Gary drove log truck for him.

Roy and his wife Rosemary left a Legacy behind as he was a very giving person. He employed alot of people- providing them with a job, food on their table and even medical insurance. He cared about his workers and let them know it in his own special way. He gave lots to the community and his family was down to earth people. They knew how much it meant to be hard working and dependable for not only them self but every around them.. Their son Rich and I was best friends and came to Toledo the same year. Rich was from Toutle and me from Kelso.

Roy began in logging using horses – moved on with machine logging and employed somewhere up to 250 people and had over 14 sides. He retired and sold his business giving one side to his son Rich as he was the one who fell in his dad’s foot steps. Once Roy was finally retired he took up is old hobby and went back to raising Belgian horses and farming and did so up to the day of passing. Roy was very active at 90 years old.. Loading hay, feeding his animals and when he had a chance visiting with all that came around or across his path along the way.

He will greatly be missed. So with saying that I had the privilege to do a couple pieces for his memorial service..

Until we meet again.. God bless and enjoy life to the fullest.
Sharon