Sick..Sick...everybody's Sick . .

There is no escape . . I guess it's all this snowy, icy cold and wet weather we are having because the cold and flu season has definately arrived at school! Kids are coming in sick, I don't know why? that's when they should! stay home...but no... they would rather stay home when they are perfectly fine and come to school and hack their germs all over me when they are sick. The beautiful people that they are. . I feel bad for them actually, alot of them look completely miserable. They come into the office with their sad red watery eyes, sniffling, coughing, looking pathetic and usually wanting some sympathy. So it starts - kids cough in class, another kid gets it, then the teacher gets it, then the coach gets it, then the secretary gets it after the coughing coach uses her telephone...arrrghhhh!!! I had my flu shot, I take my Airbourne, I have brought Clorox bleach wipes in to scrub everything down with...SO if any of them approach I will just spray them in the face with my can of Lysol disinfectant!! I That will show them! . . I refuse to get sick . . today anyway.

Some songs are forever. . .

The only band that ever had me dreaming of being a rock star in the 70's . .the lovely ladies from Seattle . . . Heart

Some things just give you a belly laugh!

This is why women should not take men shopping against their will. After Mr. and Mrs. Fenton retired, Mrs. Fenton insisted her husband accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, Mr. Fenton was like most men -- he found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, Mrs. Fenton was like most women -- she loved to browse.

One day Mrs. Fenton received the following letter from her local Wal-Mart.

Dear Mrs. Fenton,

Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and may be forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr.Fenton are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5 minute intervals

3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice,"Code 3 in Housewares - get on it right away."

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.

6. September 14: Moved a "CAUTION - WET FLOOR" sign to a carpeted area.

7. September 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.

8. September 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"

9. October 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.

10. November 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the " Mission Impossible" theme.

12. December 6: In the auto department, he practiced his "Madonna look"by using different sizes of funnels.

13. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled "PICK ME! PICK ME!"

14. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed "OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!"

And last, but not least,

15. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, "Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!"

Regards,Wal-Mart

Time to start planning . . .

This year is our year....for the Super Bowl Party. Every year a group of us get together to watch the game. It's back at our place! To me Super Bowl is more about the food than the game (especially since Joe Montana retired! I mean really football just has gone downhill since then!!!), I am starting my list. What goes on the menu this year? Everybody who comes is bringing something, so that's a nice "surprise" element to the menu. I'm thinking the main course will be: Sub sandwiches, Sloppy Joes, Pork & Green Chili Enchiladas. Then there are the sides, coleslaw, beans, salads lots of salads!, Brownies with frosting, cookies (hmmmm....cookies!), chips & dips, lots of munchies and did I mention we will probably have a little bit to drink :) ! It's a bummer that the game is on at 6PM on a Sunday night, we will all be very adult like I'm thinking since everybody has to rise for work on Monday morning . . OR NOT! So this week it's to Costco & WINCO for groceries, Party City for decorations, some cleaning & vacuuming to get ready for the gang! Dale and I will be cheering on our son's team I'm sure, the New York Giants. He has been a fan of theirs since Lawrence Taylor played for them years ago. Sorry Alia, but the Pats are going down!! Mmmmm.....I can taste the little smokies already!!

BRING BACK JOE!

Time for a Virtual Vacation . . .

Don't tell me I'm the only one who does this . . . at least let me think that there may be others.

It starts by surfing the travel booking sites. You know the ones Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney World Vacations. I browse various vacation locations that I might like to visit that are within my budget (the "in my mind" budget). Then I enter . . . . traveling from: PDX . . . traveling to: Maui, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Orlando, San Antonio, Mazatlan, Cancun, Kauai, LA (Orange County -the Disney itch), Ixtapa . . the list goes on. On what dates would I like to travel? hmmm...how about early summer, Do I want the European plan or inclusive? Wow, look at what you get with that - select yes, Do I want a car? Sure I do, how about a convertible - select yes. Let's look at the rooms, take the virtual room tour online...hmmmm..that one looks nice, oceanfront, hottub, small kitchen - I select yes, Does the flight match my needs? select - yes, Enter traveler's names, enter frequent flyer miles, do you wish to purchase travel protection insurance? Your total travel costs including extras you have added is $______, Please enter your credit card number to book your reservation . . . . . . . . .STOP. . . DON'T proceed any further . . virtual vacation is over, I'm sad. Well, it was fun while it lasted! Maybe tomorrow I will take a virtual camping vacation to Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, ... I know.. I'm weird.

Company party . . .

We attended hubby's company holiday party on Saturday night. A semi formal affair at the Portland Hilton Hotel. What a great idea to have the company Christmas party in January instead of December! Less stress of trying to fit one more thing in December and with January being a fairly quiet month the best part of all was being able to walk into a retail store and buy an evening dress for 75% off !! It was great!! I bought a long black skirt, sparkling bronze top, black pumps for a total grand total of $45.00 at Macy's!! I never could have done that in December!! So ladies in the future . . check out those January sales for your December holiday parties...it's worth it!

The Negotiator . . .

Tomorrow is a holiday for some. It's a day off to reflect on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King. Schools are closed, banks are closed, etc. People are suppose to take time to observe the work of Dr. King (not just take advantage of all the sales, although I see there will be some good ones!). Alot of individuals could spend some time doing this...seriously. Although Dr King's work was primarily focused on the Whites vs. Black issue. His work as it relates to our part of the world could be the Whites vs. Latino community. There is still a huge amount of prejudice and injustice of Latino's at our own backdoor. Too many people "generalize" the wrongs of some as the wrong's of many. There are ALOT of very WHITE people that commit crime, are in gangs, that harrass, rape, commit robbery, use & sell drugs, and drain our welfare system. Generalizing all individuals of Mexican heritage into that category is all too common among many people that I know. They are in the USA to make a better life for themselves, how can anyone fault that. We are a free society and individuals of all cultures should be welcome here (except known terrorist's ..sorry you're not welcome), and yes, they should fill out the proper immigration paperwork. Individuals should embrace the Latino culture, traditions, foods (yes! yum), music and celebrations (Cinco de Mayo!!) We still have alot of work to do concerning Dr. King's message . . .

PS. Apparently, our school districts "classified" employees contract negotiator didn't do a very good job. The teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, custodians, etc. are all off tomorrow, actually everyone is - EXCEPT for the 12 month employees within the district, which there are four of us at the high school. Hmmm....I guess we don't honor Dr. King like the others with a day off. Darn it anyway.

So that's where he's been . . .

Rip City Revival!. . .

We are going to the Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation dinner and auction in a couple weeks and I am working on a donated gift basket. A friend of ours is the president of the Western Oregon chapter this year so we volunteered to donate something. Every year at the auction they have really great things, lots of hunting, fishing, camping items. I have brought home a fishing pontoon boat which we take to Lake Billy and Hagg to mess around with in the summer. Also, a package of Mariner tickets with an overnight stay in Seattle on Lake Union. Last year Dale won a custommade rifle worth $1200. So anyway, I thought since the Blazers have become such hot stuff here lately I would put together a TrailBlazer's gift basket. So in the basket will go: 2 tickets to the Lakers vs. Blazers game in April, a Brandon Roy jersey, blazer pompoms, coffee mug, bumper sticker, Tshirt "Rise with Us", Blazer stocking beanie, and a fleece blanket & pillow (I'm making with Blazer trademark fabric). It's been fun shopping for Blazer stuff again...it's been along time. It will be fun to see how the bidding goes, hopefully they keep winning so it will gettop dollar for the foundation!

GO BLAZERS!

Wow. . . .

Didn't realize we were living in the middle of . . . . .

. . . infidelity, secret phone calls, rendevous, but it has nothing to do with a "pool" boy or a gardener.........hmmmmm, very interesting. Who would have thought . . . .

Can't put it down . . .

When you find a really good book....it's hard to find the time to do anything else in the house. I have been reading a book by Lisa Jackson titled "Final Scream" and I have become obsessed with finishing it. No blogging happens, no TV in the evenings, no paying the bills, no shopping after work, no visiting with friends on the phone or in person in the after hours...I HAVE to run to my book!!. . .nothing is happening because I NEED to come right home.... pickup my book.... and keep reading. That's when you know you have a really good one and become disturbingly compulsive in wanting to know how the story comes together.
UUUhhhhh..that would be me right now. Recommended reading definately!! I give this author 5 Stars++! She's from Oregon and writes great books!

Check out her webpage.
http://www.lisajackson.com/main.cfm

Sometimes you just need a cookie(s) . . .

Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Chip, Peanut butter, Chocolate Crinkles just some kinds I made this weekend. A couple dozen of each. Every once in a while I get in the mood to bake cookies, like this weekend. Then for the next couple weeks . . we enjoy them. So tonight for dessert after our dinner of Cajun Marinaded Grilled Chicken, Mushroom & Chicken flavored Rice and Fresh Steamed Green Beans I am enjoying a glass of Pinot Grigio and a handful of cookies!! Nothing better! Probably NOT on the Weight Watchers Plan, but OH WELL! I will just have to sacrifice another meal another day...for a little cookie heaven.

Grampa's shop . . .

When the boys were growing up a favorite place for them to hang out was in Grampa Cliff's shop. Grampa had tools set aside for them to work with when they visited. He would be working on his upholstery projects and they would pound away on some kind of wood piece or just hang out and visit with him. It was a "guy" place, lots of tools, woodstove burning, beer drinking, jokes and a small TV for watching games. It was pretty much the norm when we stopped by....women in the house to visit, all the guys to the shop to hang out. So Dale was happy today when he introduced Lucas to his shop. Lucas stared at the flashing beer sign on the wall and liked the TV going with the Packers - Seahawks game blaring. I'm sure this will be the first of many grandkids to be introduced to Grampa Dale's shop. The place to hang out!

Thank god that's over. . .

Last year I had a "- - - - -oscopy". I can't even say it. It was a necessary evil at the time, but I'm so glad that it is over and done with for another 5 - 7 years. A friend at work is going in for one and all I can say is...sorry. The actual procedure is not that bad but the awful stuff you have to drink and the "effects" in the hours prior to the procedure are the worse. A recent email brought it back to mind again...but in a very funny way!

A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their Colonoscopies:

1. "Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!

2. "Find Amelia Earhart yet?"

3. "Can you hear me NOW?"

4. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

5. "You know, in Arkansas, we're now legally married."

6. "Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?"

7. "You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out..."

8. "Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"

9. "If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!

10. "Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."

11. "You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?"

12. "God, now I know why I am not gay. "

And the best one of all..

13. "Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?"

Uuuuhhhh...what just happened?

This morning was one of those regular mornings. Wake up, get dressed, have coffee, read paper, lockup, turn out the lights, head out of the driveway to go to work. Oh No! ROAD IS A SHEET OF ICE! On Tuesday we had a snow day and no school. We had a pretty good dumping on Monday night so Tuesday we woke up to a beautiful layering of the white stuff. By the afternoon though most of it had melted away. This morning...it was ICE..not good. So as I slowly make my way up the hill creeping along at about 10-15 mph, I make the first right turn, that went ok, traveling up cemetary hill, work my way slowly down the backside, then I start to slowly tap my brake so I can stop before reaching the main road (that's pretty busy in the mornings) where I need to make a left turn. As I am stepping on my brake lightly...my car is not stopping...it's not stopping..it's NOT STOPPING....SO what happens?? I slowly slide into the middle of the road that I am suppose to be turning left onto.....OH MY GAWD!!! what just happened there...how did I get here?? I can't believe no cars were coming in either direction!! Ever so slowly I ease the wheel to the left..gently pressing on the gas...watching that no cars come at me either way on the road and I make it. As I swallow my heart from my throat and make my way into work I think...
Well, I guess today was my lucky day!

Where have all the good games gone??

Why Blog?

When I started this blog back in May it was shortly after hubby had a mini stroke. It was pretty scary at the time, and I wanted a way to update family (that lived out of state) and friends about what was happening. So, I feel kind of bad that since that all happened I haven't really mentioned anything about all that in this blog. Well, that's because there IS nothing to report! woohooo!! He continues to take his BP meds, blood thinner meds and pee pill daily (he will kill me for telling you that!) and his BP has been within the normal range since. So no news has been good news! I continue to nag him about checking his blood pressure and watching his salt, just like he nags me about getting my mammograms and that maybe I should be walking more!...hmmmffff..don't know what that's all about. I guess this is what old(er) people do to each other when all of the kids have gone...get on each others last nerve.

I will keep blogging as long as people are checking in, so if you are . . drop a comment, I like to hear what you have to say (most of the time ..Brian!..ha). Sometimes it's hard to think of things to randomly write about, but somedays I could write a book depending on what is going on any given moment. I poke fun at politics, especially this time of year, no use getting all serious in my blog about it, that's not me. I have definately had a real change of opinion about organized religion over the years vs. spirituality, but there again..it's personal and not really anything I'd want to debate about. Then there is dirty family laundry (right Blake, Andy?!) haha..although very good reading, I will not lower myself to writing tabloid material!!....unless you wanna pay me??...SOOO with that I hope you keep checking in while I'm still having fun with it!

Who needs Charles Gibson?

I think these two beauties should ask the tough questions during the debates!!

Something Southwestern tonight?

So do you have turkey still hanging out in your refrigerator? I love Mexican food and this is my favorite dish for leftover turkey, you can also use chicken if you like. Enjoy!

TURKEY TORTILLA CASSEROLE

1/2 c. onions (chopped)

1/2 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. celery (chopped)

3 c. turkey (chopped)

10 to 12 (6 inch) corn tortillas, torn into bite size pieces

1 4oz can diced green chili peppers, drained

1 can cream of chicken soup (regular size)

1/2 to 1 t. pepper

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 c. shredded monterey jack cheese

1 c. salsa

In medium saucepan combine onion, chicken broth, and celery. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 5 to 6 minutes or until vegetables are just tender. In a large bowl sitr together undrained onion mixture, cooked turkey or chicken, corn tortillas, chili peppers, soup and pepper. Reserve 1/2 c. of each cheese, set aside. Stir remaining cheese into tortilla mixture. Transfer mixture to a lightly greased 13X9X2 baking dish. Top with salsa and reserved cheeses. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 30 minutes or til heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Frig Factor . . .

It's done...finally. All the Christmas decorations are taken down, packed away and up in the attic for this season. After lifting the ninth Rubbermaid container up the ladder to my husband to store, I've determined that I really don't need to pickup anymore little holiday items....ever....for the rest of our lives...period!

Something I do keep out for a while longer are all the pictures that people send us during the holidays. I really like how lots of families have gone to doing the photo cards. With places like Walmart, Costco, Walgreens and Snapfish making it easy to download, order, print and pickup or have mailed, you can't beat the price. It's always great to see what pictures come in the mail. As I was putting all of the decorations away, I sat one last time and re-read all of the Christmas letters people wrote. I appreciate when people take the time to give a "brief" update on how things have been going. Some people like to go on and on and on and on, it's funny.

So keep those cards coming! Know that we enjoy them for another month or so before they are boxed to storage!! Yes, another thing I can't seem to get rid of.....