Grocery store finds . . .

I thought I'd share every so often some items that I find in the grocery store that we think are tasty. Working fulltime I don't have the time to make a homemade everything from scratch meal for dinner during the week. And with us both getting home at different times during the evening, it's not always easy to plan dinner. It seems that so many of the different "convenient" foods you can pick up at the store are basically . . gross (ie. TV dinners, boxed macaroni dishes, frozen precooked chicken strips, nuggets, etc.) Others are not too bad, sometimes you just have to doctor them up a bit. So although Rachael Ray claims anybody can cook a homemade meal in just thirty minutes, I don't have her energy after work OR her personal shopper that can get me all of the fresh ingredients that she uses daily. Good for those of you that do/can, but my time for cooking is usually on the weekends, otherwise its fast and easy or I use the "let's go out to eat" card. Most frozen grocery store pizzas are bad, they taste like cardboard and although the picture indicates a delicious looking pizza on the box, the opened contents speak otherwise. I picked up this BBQ Chicken pizza at Trader Joe's, and much to our surprise the pizza was really good had more ingredients on it than what appeared on the box and the crust was fresh and tender tasting. Since hubby likes to eat more than a couple pieces I ended up buying 2 of them, but you could get by with one especially if you had a nice salad to serve on the side. Do you have any finds? Enjoy!

Hey Obama, step aside . . .

The thaw begins . . .

Finally, after days of snow we are thawing out!! How nice to be able to get out of the house again and just go to the store without fearing for your life. The neighborhood streets are still snowy and icy in alot of spots but the main roads are good. There is tons of gravel everywhere, now the job of sweeping all of that stuff up begins.

Well, our Christmas holiday was fantastic!! We weren't able to attend church services on Christmas eve like we normally do because of the snow, which my hubby and son gave a collective "oh darn" sigh too. I guess that you don't have to be "in a church" to give thanks and besides God wouldn't want us risking our lives to get there just for the atmosphere and communion, we can reflect on all that's wonderful in our lives in our own way, which we did/do?. On Christmas eve afternoon we gathered again for lefsa making, this time at Blake and Diane's house with a new technique, and on the BBQ grill method, which worked great. It is hard as the family grows for everybody to coordinate their schedules so at least a part of the day can be spent all together on Christmas. We were very fortunate this year that Josh, Dani, Brayden, Chad, Nicole and Lucas, Andy and Grama Howson were all able to come over on Christmas morning. After opening gifts here we headed to the Boyles house in the evening for a fabulous turkey/ham dinner and more gift exchanges. Brayden and Lucas were SO good for being up all day with hardly any naps due to all of the excitement. I think all of us that went home that night were exhausted. Then, it was a surprise party for Chad on Friday night with Dale keeping him out all afternoon shoveling snow (the decoy) at the two Grandma's house's. Poor guy he was so tired when he walked into his house when we all yelled SURPRISE!!, I didn't know if he would make it through the evening, but he did and Nicole got him good, he had no idea. Last night was a trip to the Blazers game vs. the Toronto Raptors, We had planned a couple months ago for a family night at the game. It was alot of fun and YES!! the Blazers won the game with Brandon Roy and Greg Oden having an awesome 4th quarter, the crowd was really into it and since they scored over 100 points . . YES!!! it was also FREE CHALUPAS from Taco Bell for everybody . . yippeee!!! It was a great holiday and today I am a vegetable on the couch. Except for a brief trip to Best Buy, Dale and I decided for our gift to each other we would buy a BluRay DVD player since our player was having problems. So I am laying here watching him try to figure out how to connect it all together, I am learning some new cuss words and hearing a comment about needing to go back to the store to get a cable that is required for maximum picture quality. . So perhaps I will take a little snooze while he goes to yell at somebody at the store.. . poor soul.

Merry Christmas to all . .

Happy 30th Chad! . . .

Geezzzz. . . how did this happen so fast? I now have a 30 year old son! Very proud of you and the Daddy you have become!! Have a great bday!

News flash . . .

We now have chains on both vehicles and Baby Jesus may be getting crushed shortly in a manger cave in. Santa is stuck nearly waist deep in snow on our roof and it will take some serious reindeer power to unearth him from the current snow drift in time for his big holiday.

Our Koi fish in the pond must think we have relocated to Minnesota . .

Where everybody knows your name . . .

When Dale came home from work early yesterday (around 2:30) I said, "I'm taking you out for a birthday beer, let's go.". So we bundle up and head out slowly, we still have lots of snow and in many places it's still really icy. He doesn't mind driving in it though so we take off. We drive up to McMenamins so he can order his favorite Terminator and I order a Ruby Ale. As we enter the bar, there sits one of our high school coaches and his wife, having some munchies and beers, "Hi, you guys enjoying the snow!", "We sure are this is great!", they say. As we get seated in the bar I look across the room and there sits another teacher and a couple of staff people, "Hey! how have you been all week?" "Oh fine" I say "Just getting alittle cabin fever". We decide to grab our beers and head to one of the side rooms near a roaring fireplace, as we enter the room there sits one of our vice principals with a couple of friends, having a good time. "Well, hi! guess this is the place to be today! Happy Holidays . . cheers!" I say, As we find a place to sit in a cozy area near a fire Dale says in his grumpy voice, "Jesus, are all the school district people hanging out here all week?" . . Uh no . . it just looks like people from the high school . . ha! These days off just "irk" him, "Teachers better not be getting paid for all of these days off!!, "No, dear they won't be, just like your wife won't be either." hmmppffff. . . he goes. So after we enjoy our beers and visit for awhile he says, "Let's go out to Gales Creek Tavern for some pizza". So we head out there . . oh my gosh . . . the roads were really snow covered heading out there and of course parts of the road never see the sun with all the trees hanging over it. Well, we make it and it's completely dead, for a Friday evening there are only 2 other customers in the place. Nice for me . . . no fighting people on the Video poker machines . . !! So we enjoyed our pizza and a beer, then decided to head home, it was 7:00pm. It's amazing how the weather can completely control your life. The bar was so quiet that there was even a seat available for the bar cat.

It's Official . . . .

We will not in the near or distant future ever be retiring to Alaska. Day 3 of snow day and the cabin fever is setting in. I don't want to clean my house anymore, I don't want to watch daytime TV (even the Food Network is getting boring), I finished my book, done the laundry, now what? I suppose I could bake? Being home bound isn't everything it's cracked up to be. I am not good at doing nothing. How do people in Alaska do it? Tons of snow, never seeing the grass, I like grass. Suppose you are probably better prepared and know how to handle the conditions there. Some of us just get too ansy being inside all day long. Doesn't look like the rest of the week is fairing any better, now they are talking freezing rain, yikes! I know my non "school district" friends and family have no sympathy for my plight . . as they are traveling into work everyday . . . poor souls, thanks for keeping that economy on the upswing (sorry, just my nature to be a smart &ss)!!

That's a great idea . . .

I'm up with the paper this morning and head to the recliner, along with my cup of Irish Cream flavored coffee. We are entering Day 2 of "Snow Day" and I am thoroughly enjoying it. The paper has it's usual depressing front page news for the day, "Oregon's state jobless rate hits 8.1%, experts predict more layoffs in the new year", "Shoe video of Bush in Iraq becomes symbol of Iraqi's rage", "Suspect arrested in fatal bombings of 2 Woodburn police officers". And of course, the weather, lot's about the weather . . . rumor has it we may be out of school for the entire week. That would be something that hasn't happened in the 13 years I have been with the district.

Anyway, I noticed an article about suggestions for making donations that I thought was interesting.

Do-It-Yourself Donation Party: Along the lines of the Tupperware or Home Interior Party, you host a party and ask guests to bring items or checks for your chosen charity. Just like home parties you can extend the invitation to people who cannot attend but would like to donate, from your work or school. So let's say your theme is Linens, guests would bring unwrapped blankets, pillows, sheets, bath towels, washcloths, etc. You could have any number of themes: canned food, sleeping bags, coats, children's clothing, etc. depending on the needs of the organization you have selected. You could drink wine, visit with girlfriends, have snacks and know that the get together is for something good, and not more candles or home decor. Perhaps at the party you could even show a short video about the organization that you will be donating their items to.

Maybe when you get to be my age you have plenty of Tupperware and your house is already as decorated as you want it to be, why not still have the fun of the get together and have the contributions go to a worthwhile organization? I'm gonna have to followup on this . . .definitely.

Here are just a few organizations that could benefit from something like this:

http://www.raphaelhouse.com

http://www.oregonredcross.org

http://www.handsonportland.org

http://www.oregonfoodbank.org

http://www.dvrc-or.org/

http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/

http://www.loavesandfishesonline.org/

http://www.catholiccharitiesoregon.org/

http://www.outsidein.org/

Yippeeee . . No school! . . .

My most favorite phone call from our Athletic Director is when I hear these words, "There will be no school tomorrow, so you don't need to come in" . . Yeaahhh!!, No school in Multnomah, Clackamas, or Washington County tomorrow . . . I feel like one of the kids in celebration! Now maybe I can get some stuff done around here that has been getting put on the back burner. And maybe, if I get bored I will head out to the front yard and make a snowman. It might be time to resurrect my Viking Snowman again I did a couple of years ago. He was a big hit with the high school kids in the neighborhood. It will be interesting to see how many days this may lead to, they are talking temperatures under 30 degrees for the next week, we shall see!

It's a SNOW day! . . .

It's snowing and snowing and snowing, please, please, please no school tomorrow!!!

Come on over to Grama's house . . . .

Fun time this weekend babysitting the Grandsons. Brayden spent the night on Friday so his Mom and Dad could have a date night, and Lucas came over on Saturday for awhile so his Mom and Dad could get some holiday errands done. They kept Grampa and I busy, but it's so worth it for these bits of funny moments and smiles.

I feel for photographers that can get 2 little ones to both look at the camera and smile at the same time . . . it just wasn't going to happen for us this time!

A little family movie . . .

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Pass me an Advil please . . .

Once a year the high school holds it's annual "Lip Sync" Assembly. Classes compete against each other for the title of "Lip Sync Champions". The classes stage their performances in our main gym, they have the songs memorized and the dances practiced to perfection (not really, but close). Our observation is that the kids put more time and effort into this assembly than probably any homework assignment or sports practices they might have. They stay late after school practicing and come in early, really early in the mornings to practice before the big day and their routines are usually very good. Well, this year a staff member said, "Hey, the staff should put a routine together too!" . We have never participated in the past . . So, she sent out an email to everybody and got back about 40 responses "YES, sounds like fun, count me in". One of those responses was from me. So although the kids have been practicing for weeks, our first practice was Monday and the assembly is this Friday. What a hoot! Our song mix is about 5 minutes long (as required by the judges), with a combination of tunes in this order: Rockin Robin, I'm a Believer, Time Warp, YMCA, Footloose, Ice Ice Baby and Mambo #5 ( . . a little bit of Monica in my life! ha). Our PE/health teacher is attempting to teach us the choreography, it's hilarious, some swing dancing, the frog, the sprinkler, a kick line, the Roger Rabbit (this is hard), the Time Warp, and breakdancing. All these moves in a 5 minute routine, while lip singing the songs perfectly...aawwww!!. The kids will love it, primarily because we are ALL going to look like we are making asses out of ourselves. It's Wednesday morning and after two morning practices and two evening practices . . . . . I can hardly move. This is pathetic, just how out of shape can one person be?? I need to go to the gym again . . .argghhhh . . or just pass me the Advil . . now!!

But it's sooo cute . . .

That's how my obsession started . . . . I love to decorate for Christmas and it's my favorite season to tole paint things for as well. Actually I didn't realize how much until this weekend hubby was starting to unload the Rubbermaid bins out of the attic that are filled with Christmas decorations and lights. "So you stand at the bottom of the ladder" he says, "I will hand stuff down to you" 'OK, just do it slowly" I say. Well after the 9th huge bin is handed down I say, "How many more . . geezzz . . I don't remembering this much last year?" "OH, there are still some more, just hold on!" he says. FINE, so down come 5 MORE bins and a variety of other things, like the nativity scene we display in the yard, big santa for the roof, extra large boxes with pictures in them (yes, I take down my pictures and replace them all with Christmas ones) . . see I am obsessed! It's embarrassing actually . . . I go to a bazaar or a gift shop and there it is .. a really cute Snowman or Santa, that ends up coming home with me. Until recently . . . I have said to myself . . enough is enough . . no more Christmas decorations . . .period! Well, except if I see a REALLY cute thing. . . . NO . . I must stop. It's all BiMarts fault, they need to quit having sales on those Rubbermaid bins, then I wouldn't buy them. It does look festive around here though!!

Happy Birthday Lisa!

For my best friend Lisa, a little rhyme for your birthday!!

This says it all! . . .

A video for my daughter in law's . . . and other Mom's out there!


The Mom Song from Northland Video on Vimeo.

Oh brother, daytime drama . . .

We are in a soap opera, yes seriously . . . boring little ole' us.

I pulled into the driveway last week and began to unload some groceries when a car pulls into the driveway behind me. A gal gets out and I notice it is someone that we went to school with. We know her and her husband but don't really do anything with them socially. About 10 years ago we attended a bunco party with mutual friends and they were there other than that we see them in town, they see us, but we don't really hang out. I had heard through the "beauty shop" grapevine that her and her husband had separated and she was filing for divorce because he had become a very heavy drinker over the last few years. SO anyway, she approaches me as I am unloading groceries and says, "Can I speak to you and Dale for a minute?", Well sure I say, come on in. She says, "I just wanted to let you guys know about something, my husband soon to be ex is telling people that I had an affair with Dale a couple of years ago, at the same time I was also having an affair with ______and ______ (two other guys in town that we know)" she explains, "I just left the house of _____ and his wife and let them know about all this and came over here, then I am headed to ____'s house to let them know about it too". "We live in a small town and I just wanted you all to be aware that if you hear anything about it, that's where it's coming from, and I am soo sorry to even be here saying this, he is very angry that I'm filing for divorce and he is saying so many terrible things it's unreal" . . UH WHAT? . . I look at Dale and he looks completely dumbfounded, and after a few moments of absorbing what she has just said I say to her, "I am very sorry that you are having to come around and talk to us about this, it must be awful and embarrassing for you and your kids, but can you please tell me one thing? . . what are you taking to be able to handle 3 affairs and a husband all at the same time, because I might want some?". . . Well, that broke the ice . . she felt alot better. . we all laughed. . .she was so nervous when she stopped by . . how absolutely horrible. Of course Dale chimes in then and says, "Well, was I good? Not much fun to be part of the rumor and not part of the fun?" But really he wants to beat the __it out of the guy in a dark alley for being a complete idiot. . . just like on the soap operas. Well, this week . . .These are the Days of our Lives.

The tradition of . . Lefsa

In the blur of the Thanksgiving meal planning, Civil War game, crazy Black Friday shopping, there are a couple of things that remain constant. One of our family traditions over the years before Thanksgiving and Christmas is the making of lefsa. Usually whoever is hosting the meal that year, also has the honor (cough,cough . ha) of being the site of the lefsa making the evening before the holiday. This year was our year for Thanksgiving so Dale, his mom and a couple of his sisters all came over on Wednesday night to make lefsa. For those who don't know what it is, it's a flatbread like a tortilla, but made with potatoes, shortening, salt, flour. Rolled out and fried on a skillet at very high heat (until lightly browned and bubbles) then flipped to the other side for the same.
I still don't think anybody makes it as good as Grama Esther did, but it's been close. It's great to serve for the holiday meal because you can stuff turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce etc. inside, roll it up like a burrito and eat it. This year we were able to share our tradition with our

German guest Joe who had never tried lefsa before, he had a really good time. He especially liked the beer drinking that went along with the preparation process (it's a requirement, ha!). He had us take lots of pictures so he could show his wife that he learned a new skill while in America that was completely unrelated to work. I think Grama Esther would be really happy to know that the tradition still lives on.

I can take it . . . NO I CAN'T !

So the humiliation of returning to school after the pathetic display of football by the Beavers on Saturday was everything I thought it would be. "Hey, Mrs. C . . .what happened to your Beavers?!!" "Uh, what was the score Mrs. C, I forgot??" . . . Coaches coming into the office PROUDLY wearing their "hurt my eyes" yellow and green accented Ducks apparel (that has been hiding the majority of the football season), "Like my shirt today Monica?" "Did you stay until the end of the game? uuhhh..why?" So many questions . . . some kids just walked into the office with sh---ty little grins on their faces, "Hi, Mrs. C how are you doing? I felt really bad for your Beavers." Well, at least some of them are showing concern for my well being. I tell them . . I'm over it, I have moved on and they need to move on to, BACK TO CLASS!! I did get some good pics that day if nothing else. Dale with some Dance Team girls in his traitor sweatshirt. Jacquizz getting off the players bus (man he's short!) and Dennis cooking up some stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon that were sooo good!!

Happy Thanksgiving! . . .

From our table to yours! have a great Turkey day!

So now where do we go? . . .

Hubby has been playing host to some guys that are here from Germany. They work for a company called INDEX that Leupold has purchased some machines for the shop. They are staying until all are hooked up and producing parts like they are suppose to, but in the mean time during their free time Dale and a couple of others from work are playing host to entertaining them. It's weird when you are showing out of town people places to visit as well as recommending different places to eat how you run out of ideas. Restaurants are easy, they aren't real particular about what type of food they eat (as long as it's not German they say. ha!), but we are running out of ideas for places to visit. Here are places they have been to in the last 6 weeks.

Coast - from Seaside to Newport
Saturday Market
Elk Refuge and Camp 18
Woodburn Outlet Mall
Blazer Game
Multnomah Falls and Bonneville Dam fish hatchery
Spirit Mountain Casino
Nike Employee Store
Washington Park (hiking)
Sturgeon Fishing on the Columbia
McMenamins - 4 different sites
Widmer Brewery
Helvetia Tavern
Shopping downtown Portland

Anyway, we are running out of ideas, isn't that bad and we even live here! So if you were entertaining out of town guests where would you take them?

The biggest food fest of the year . . .

Yes, this week brings people together to be thankful for good health, happiness, jobs, friends, family and of course fabulous food! My sights are looking beyond the Thursday feast though and to the Saturday menu, but not necessarily by choice. I log onto my computer at work today and in less than a few hours, it begins from our tailgate buddy Dennis "Attn: Beaver Nation (that's our nickname) below is the start of our menu for the Civil War game on Saturday, feel free to add your name and contribution to the list." Oh my gosh, I don't even have Thanksgiving day figured out yet and we are working on our Civil War menu! . . . That's ok, because whatever we have it will be GREAT like always. So it looks like the featured item on the menu this week will be "BBQ'd pulled pork sandwiches" . . . mmmm . . with sides of cole slaw, blue cheese deviled eggs, chipotle deviled eggs, chips/dips, baked beans, macaroni salad, peanut butter fudge. . . oh my . . I feel my muffin top waistline expanding to souffle size. I was asked to bring my sweet and sour meatballs as our other meat maindish (since you know we can never have too much food), I have made them before and they usually get devoured. I'm sharing my recipe so you too can be the meatball supplier for an upcoming party! Of course I do have to double or triple the recipe depending on the crowd size. Here is the basic recipe:

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

2lbs. hamburger

3/4 c. bread crumbs

1/4 c. parsley

1/3 c. catsup

1/4 t. pepper

1/2 t. garlic powder

2T minced onion

2T soy sauce

2 eggs

Form into small meatballs and place in pan. (Don't cheat and get the Costco precooked meatballs it just won't taste the same)

Sauce: In a saucepan over mediumheat, blend until smooth

1 jar chili sauce

1c jellied cranberry sauce

2T brown sugar

1t. lemon juice

Pour sauce over meatballs and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Enjoy!

GO BEAVS . . BEAT THE DUCKS!!

Sharing the family . . .

A little get together last night since Chad's family is headed to Arizona for the holidays! Nice that they can spend Thanksgiving with Nicole's family, we are very lucky (and thankful . . since it is Thanksgiving) to have them close all the time.



No fair though!!! Chad will be attending the OSU Beavers game Saturday vs. the Arizona Wildcats ... So listen Chad yell LOUD for the BEAVS!!!! and PLEASE don't be filmed on TV with that very "inappropriate" shirt that you plan on wearing to the game, you will embarrass your mother. He is really getting spoiled by also attending the NY Giants vs. Cardinals game the next day. I think that his Christmas has been taken care of. Even with them heading out of town I have counted about 20 relatives to the house for Turkey Day on Thursday. Yikes!!! so I am headed to WINCO in the morning since I've got lots of shopping to do . . . maybe I will even do some frozen turkey bowling in the store like Diane did one year!! oh I forgot you didn't mean to throw that huge frozen turkey down the aisle did you?haha!! First stop . . wine display . . .

Time to hunt down a bird . . .

Stop it with the coupons already! . .

What is with this time of year and coupons? it's crazy. Macy's, Chicos, Eddie Bauer, Lowes, JoAnns Fabrics, Fred Meyer, Kohls, JC Penneys and Coldwater Creek. Now that I have grandkids Carters, OshKosh and Gymboree send me coupons since I bought something there maybe once or twice. Here is my big problem though, I CAN'T throw them away!! So I keep sticking them in my purse in a little side pocket until it is bulging because "I might go to that store and I might use that coupon". These retailers are giving me the coupon guilt trip. I just can't throw them away, isn't that like throwing money away?? I don't know how it happened but they have me hooked and I don't like it, not one bit. Now every Sunday evening I plop my purse on my lap and pull out ALL of the coupons in my little side pocket that is overflowing and review expiration dates, put new ones in that have arrived during the week, sort them by store, value and AAARRGGHHHH!!! I never wanted to be one of those obsessed coupon people but look what's happened to me. I can honestly say that probably out of all the coupons I have put away the past few months I have only actually used ooohhhh maybe 6 of them!! What's a coupon saver to do?? Hey, anybody need a coupon????

Great Great Game! . . .

South to Corvallis today . . .

It's game day! GO BEAVS BEAT CAL!

And how was your commute this morning? . .

Now you aren't making good choices . . .

Yesterday I began a little holiday shopping. I headed down I-5 south to the Woodburn Outlet Mall. It was not too busy, parked front and center, grabbed my umbrella, coffee and began my mission. I was mostly window shopping trying to get some ideas but as I walked by the GAP store I thought I would like a black sweater and I love the ribbed ones that GAP makes. As I entered I'm trying to locate them and this is what I hear from a mother with her 2nd grade son (approximately) with baby in a stroller. To the older child as he is being a brat in the store, she says I quote, "You are not behaving awesome at this moment, we discussed what our plan would be before we left home. There will be no special treat for you young man since this behavior is unacceptable, not awesome, and this is not how we act is it? No, you are choosing to make very bad choices today and there will be no toys, candy or anything else special given to you today. Do you understand my message here Logan (I could have guessed his name)? There is going to be a timeout waiting for you when we get home and I'm not fooling about this, now start making good choices." end of quote. All this was being said in a calm, almost creepy calm voice by Logan's mother. I had to listen because it was so absolutely unbelievable, the kid was acting like a total hellion in the store, running around not listening to her at all. I should have handed her my palm to borrow for swatting little Logan's bratty hiney or given her my hairbrush, right boys! I'm thinking I probably wouldn't have found that kind of mom in a Sears store.

Happy Anniversary Chad & Nicole!

Ladies . . . you know what I mean

This is classic . . .

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern 'seat covers' (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume ' The Stance.' In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold 'The Stance.' To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, 'Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!' Your thighs shake more. You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail . Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. 'Occupied!' you yell, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT. It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it 's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, 'You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get.' By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too. At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks. You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting. You are no longer able to smile politely to them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, and resist the temptation to plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her, 'Here, you just might need this.'As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's rest-room. Annoyed, he asks, 'What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?' This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with public rest-rooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the rest-room in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door!

This HAD to be written by a woman! No one else could describe it so accurately!

Hey, it's time to eat . . .

Went to the coast this past weekend to paint Christmas projects with some girlfriends. We stayed in a cabin on the edge of Tillamook bay. With all of our painting supplies spread out on the dining table near the window we were getting ready to work when we noticed loud chirping noises outside. It was this little guy apparently announcing to all his friends, "Hey everybody! the feeder is full of new sunflower seeds that these ladies put in, come on up!" We enjoyed watching them jump onto the feeder, fight with each other and the blue jays for premium feeder seating. Some of them looked like their bellies would burst they were stuffing their little faces so much, stocking up for the holidays I suppose.

Cheers, it's finally over . . .

OK. . . so now the election is over! Democrats should feel all good about themselves having gotten their president, senate and house that they all wanted. I listened to Obamas acceptance speech and felt all warm and fuzzy about what he had to say, I don't doubt that he is not a great speaker, he is an eloquent speaker, now the truth is in the actions to follow. I want to believe he can motivate more people young and old to become involved in this country through VOLUNTEERISM and COMMUNITY SERVICE not more federal government programs and positions. Something that did really irk me was the camera's continuous scanning through the crowd with repeated closeups of Oprah Winfrey upfront and center with tears running down her cheeks. I enjoy watching her show once in awhile but, oh please stop. She will be able to afford any taxes that will be increased under this new presidency, so maybe that was why she was crying thinking about not being part of the "middle class" he plans on saving . ha, but I doubt it. I wish Obama well in his new job, I really do, I hope his inexperience will not get in the way but be a fresh breathe of air into our government. I never really cared if he was Black, Latino, Asian or whatever, it is all about whether he is ready and my disagreements with him on specific issues. The news media was absolutely ridiculous last night treating this like the second coming of Christ, well over the next four years, we shall see. I will say "ALLELUIA!! for no more political ads! and I think that also deserves and AMEN! too, it's finally over!"

Grab a rake and let's go . . .

The leaves are beautiful and falling, falling, falling.

It's really rather therapeutic to grab a rake and create a pile, that then gets lifted to the street near the sidewalk for the recycling truck to suck up in it's mega vacuum. Some trees are a one time rake job in the yard, while a few others are 2 or 3 rake assignments. Hubby has even built a contraption that lays over the top of the pond to stop the leaves from gunking up the pump, it looks like a blanket right now. So it's out into the light rain and the smell of fallen leaves for a bit of needed quiet time.

Spiderman strikes again! . . .

Enjoy Halloween . . .

I miss Yoda . . .

When Dale and I were first married we always hosted a Halloween party every year. Usually on the Saturday night closest to Halloween. They were so much fun, especially when I think back to all the people we use to pack into our little house on Thatcher Rd. There were all kinds of great costumes, we usually gave some different prizes and always adult beverages and large amounts of yummy food was consumed. Some costumes over the years were of bikers, army people, hippies (Brian & Grace), hunters (of course), Zombies (Blake and Diane), James Bond (Phil), gangsters, lot's of girls that I worked with at St. V's and Dale worked with at Tektronix would show up. I've dressed as a baby, an old hunched over woman (nobody knew it was me until awhile into the party) another time as Madonna (in the Like a Virgin days), those were some crazy parties. I guess once we started having kids the parties went away and taking them out became our halloween fun. The boys had so many different costumes over the years, Ninja Turtles, Clowns, HeMan, Vampires, Zombies, Cookie Monster, Scarecrows, but my favorite was Yoda. Can't remember which one of the boys was Yoda, but the face on the mask was so pathetic it was cute, so I'm sure whoever it was always got extra candy. Halloween is so much fun with kids, all the planning for what costumes to wear and all the party planning for school (which now has deemed the holiday politically incorrect to celebrate..bah humbug). We are very excited though to see the grandson's in their costumes this year!! So it's off to Safeway to pick up some bags of candy for the door and special treats for some special visitors. Hope their parents have as much fun as we did.

Recent medical discovery . . .

Thank goodness I have family and friends that are always watching out for my health as I was forwarded this recent very important email . . . .

IMPORTANT HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.

Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.

Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.
Side effects may include:
- Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Attraction to the same sex
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.
WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

You have been warned.

Now that's just scary . . .

Halloween week at Blockbuster Video has all of the "horror" movies on display front and center in the store. As I was browsing through some of them I think back to shows that I think were scary. Rule one - I will never watch them at night and Rule two - I won't watch them alone. Even though for all of them it would be the second time I would be watching them. No thanks.

Here's my list (in no particular order)

The Exorcist - most scariest movie ever!

Halloween (the original) - actually left the theatre crying after seeing this the first time . . . too scary.

Carrie - the blood spill at the prom sent me over the top.

Silence of the Lambs - everybody knows why . . soooo creeepy.

Amityville Horror - could this be our house? every creak sent me into thinking we had ghosts.

Poltergeist - the mirror scene, nope didn't like it one bit.

Friday the 13th - the mask, something about that mask.

Any of the scary movies involving babysitter's getting phone calls (eekk!!)

Chucky - how could they make a doll soooo scary??

The Omen - such a cute little boy, bad bad boy.

The Ring - that's just not right a girl crawling out of the TV.....yikes!

I am going to have to watch something happy now even remembering these movies!! like Casper . . BOO!