Mmmmmmm...Good and Plentys. . .

with a second course of . . . . . . . Hot Tamales

then followed by some delicious. . . . Whoppers

Sugar Fix complete!

This way > to the beach . . .

Time again for a weekend getaway with my friends the "paint" ladies. It's been about 3 months and we get the itch, to leave our day to day routines and head to the coast to paint, eat, drink, read, shop, giggle and be our goofy selves. We are off to a small cabin that belongs to one in our group that sits on the shores of the Nehalem Bay. It's a beautiful place where lots of serious girl talk and constructive painting projects are worked on!! This weekend I am painting a little wall plaque, something for the our new grandson's room who arrives in May. Hopefully, it turns out.
Also taking along my newest book I've started and a couple bottles of Pinot, should be good to go! Hubby has plans on going to the OSU Beavers baseball game being played at PGE Park on Saturday afternoon then on to the Rose Garden to watch the Portland Lumberjacks Lacrosse game that evening. Which means I don't have to feel guilty about leaving him at home all pouty with nothing to do..yippee!. He is going to have a great time with our OSU tailgate buddies with an event filled day in Ptown! Plus, it's Jacoby Ellsbury bobblehead night..can't beat that!! GO BEAVS!

Some nice movie watching . . .

Not very often do I get to enjoy 2 of my most favorite actors in great performances in a single weekend! This weekend was the exception. Stopped by Blockbuster on Saturday and rented American Gangster. Not really a big gangster movie fan (except I do enjoy The Godfather), but who can resist a movie with the talented Denzel Washington in it!!! Yeah, it was good, really good actually. Russell Crowe wasn't too shabby either as the police detective counterpart to Denzel's gangster. It was really different seeing Denzel play a bad guy though, but he was great in his performance anyway. If you don't love Denzel then you must be a communist.

The other movie was: Michael Clayton...HELLLOOO...George Clooney!! He was really great in this movie! Pretty deep subject matter at times hard to follow, but not too hard to follow if it's looking at George Clooney! He was a really serious charactor in this movie, kept sort of waiting for him to goof off like in the Ocean's Eleven movies, but didnt' happen. So although I was suffering the final stages of this horrible flu. I am happy to report that certain vital signs of mine are working perfectly fine after watching these highly recommended cinema treats! . . Bravo!

On the nightstand . . .

I've discovered a new author and have started reading my second book by him. The author is Greg Iles, his other occupation besides writing is guitarist and singer for the band Frankly Scarlet. A friend passed on one of his books titled, "True Evil" which I just finished and I am currently reading his book titled, "The Footprints of God". His books are really entertaining with multiple storylines that all come together nicely in the end. The first book I read was a murderous thriller about a succession on poisonings by a madman with the ultimate prize being money and power (of course). The Footprints of God has started as an interesting drama between science and religion. If you have a chance to pick up one of his books you are in for a good read.
http://www.gregiles.com/

Finally some UV rays!! . . .

It's not always Chicken Soup . .

So after being home with the flu on day 4 from work, I am grateful to say that tomorrow I will re-enter the working world again. I have begun to feel slightly more human and today I ventured out to the store to pick up a few groceries, as now hubby is home sick (so sad) and I have had to restock the medicine supply plus some things like fresh oranges, Kleenex, and juice, as he now begins his journey into "Flu-ville". It was so nice to smell fresh air today, be in my car again, oh, the small things that I take for granted! I have decided to make soup for dinner, this is a good one. Though chicken soup is the traditional when you are sick soup, I love this recipe for Tortilla Soup. It opens up the sinuses and well... it's just yummy. I'm happy to share it with you.

Tortilla Soup

(serves 6-8)

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion, chopped

3T taco seasoning

3/4 c. water

1 can kidney beans (drained)

1 can corn (undrained)

1 can diced/chopped tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

3 c. water

tortilla chips

sour cream

cheddar cheese (shredded)

Brown hamburger and onion (drain off any fat). Add taco seasoning and 3/4c water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add kidney beans, corn, diced/chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, 3 c. water. (You can add more taco seasoning at this point if you want a bit more spicy). Simmer on low for 20-30 minutes.

Serve topped with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese.

Is your face red yet?

Laying on the couch as I have been the last couple days I have watched alot of bad daytime TV. As I faded in and out of consciousness (that may be a bit dramatic), I would catch some different shows and commercials. One new commercial has really sort of shocked me. For years women..yes, the ladies! have had to endure the complete and total embarrassment of commercials about feminine hygiene products. You know what I mean, let's just say it, tampons, maxi pads, Kotex, ones with wings, light days, etc. etc. etc. We have sat in a living room full of people when these commercials come on, to only be humiliated that they even make commercials about those products. Raising boys in a one woman household would cause immediate exodus from the room when these advertisements came on, or they would just look at me and laugh. One particular feminine hygiene product moment that comes to mind was when one of the boys was pre-school age, I'd say 3-4 years old, and I walked in on him in the bathroom unwrapping tampons and propelling them through the air by pushing the applicator and seeing how far they could fly. That was a waste of about a 1/2 box of tampons. Although he was very entertained by the whole thing. Well, lying on the couch I was witness to this commercial and I'd say it just about makes us even in the commercial humiliation department.

I request a refund . . .

Upon the suggestion by many individuals in October I went for a flu shot. I haven't ever gotten a flu shot because I never (rarely) get the flu. Good hearted friends and family nicely mentioned, "Well, you know you are over 50 now and you really should start getting regular flu shots". So ok, I listened and got one. So where have I been the last 3 days? On the couch with the flu, the worst flu I have ever had, started Sunday night, chills, fever, headache...I wasn't even able to enjoy the "schedule" day off for the President's day holiday with balmy temperatures of 60 degrees and sunshine outside. No!...I was bundled on the couch with my sweats on, shivering, under a comforter with box of Kleenex, and a tall glass of orange juice by my side all day. Sleeping off and on, taking Tylenol (well that didn't work), then taking Advil (well that doesn't work either), then taking Nyquil (well that knocked me out) only to awake with a splitting headache and nose dripping like Multnomah Falls in the spring. I have reached day 3 and I am starting to feel a bit better, I couldn't sleep at all last night since I had slept most of the day. I found myself in front of the television at 2:30am watching and old Clark Gable movie until about 4:00, tried to go to sleep but it wasn't' going to happen. So to all my "supposed" friends who told me to get a flu shot...THANKS ALOT! worked really great...I will make sure to be the first in line at the pharmacy for my next flu shot....NOT!

Off to the State tournament

High School Championship wrestling this weekend at the good ole' Memorial Coliseum, no Grover's qualified this year to root for :(. That's ok, I will still go cheer on some former FG youth club kids that have moved to other areas of the state and have continued to wrestle. Always great to catch up with them and their families about what they have been doing! Of course hubby has been there all day yesterday, today and tomorrow working the clocks. He love's being on the floor chatting it up with all the coaches and some of his former wrestlers. I've got my book and my MAX ticket so I'm on my way!

Here's to all of my Valentines . . .

First and foremost my favorite valentines were (are). . . my mom and dad. Always the first to sit and read my bag of valentine cards with me that I would bring home from elementary school. And of course I ALWAYS read more into the message from certain boys than what was really intended!

This is one of my very favorite pictures of them, definately a true show of the "50's" era!

Then of course my sweetie! who even in his older age (hey, mine too I guess), we still can find the romance, but we have to have our bi-focals on to find it!!

My true Valentines are 3 little guys that grew up to be loving, caring, handsome, men and husbands with wives (and girlfriends) that we love and cherish . .

And now of course our NEWEST VALENTINE!! Who makes us melt when he smiles, sleeps, giggles, or even fusses!

With another new Valentine on the way to arrive in May!!!!

Well, I guess that is just about mushy enough!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYBODY! and give your Valentines a hug from us!

Leave it to the firefighters! . . .

One of my favorite things to do when I'm bored is to plop down on the couch with a collection of my cookbooks and surf through recipes. One particular cookbook I enjoy alot is a book that was put together by a New York City Fire Chief. In this book he has collected recipes from various fire stations in the NY area and compiled a great book! You know that fireman eat well since they are at the station 24/7 and a number of them really enjoy cooking. This is one of those recipes that I have made a few times and it's always gone..no leftovers. Hope you enjoy!

Chicken Tetrazzini

(serves 6)

1 package (7oz) spaghetti, broken into thirds

1/4 c. margarine or butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 T. cooking sherry or water

2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey

1 can (4oz) sliced mushrooms, drained

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook and drain spaghetti as directed on package. Melt margarine in 2qt saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper into margarine. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly, remove from heat. Stir in broth and whipping cream. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute, Stir in sherry, spaghetti, chicken and mushrooms. Pour spaghetti mixture into ungreased 2 quart casserole. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered about 30 minutes or until bubbly in center.

Note: I usually don't add the mushrooms because people in our family are not big fans of them. Also, make sure you don't go crazy on the amount of pasta you use otherwise your sauce wont' be creamy enough. Enjoy!

Latest political update . .

They sure know how to make McCain look good . . .

Because we are Oregonians . . .

We build fires. That's what we do in the Northwest. When it gets cloudy, we build a fire, when it's rainy, we build a fire, when it's icy, snowy, cold, we build a fire. Having said that, it was time for us to buy another cord of firewood as our pile was down to just a few pieces. So I made a phone call to this sweet little old lady that lives on a hill out of town, we have purchased from her and her husband for the last few years. It supplements there retirement income. She's quite a character to visit with, she says, "Oh sure honey, Ray will be in town today he can drop 1/2 cord off today and the other 1/2 on Thursday if that's ok? it's been buried under the snow the last few weeks and he's just uncovered it".."Sure, that works", I say. So today when I get home from work there is a big old pile of wood in the driveway. Hubby is working late tonight at the Sportsmans Show in Portland, so I get my grubbies on and start stacking wood. Hey, us Oregon girls do that . . . we don't mind getting a little wet and dirty sometimes or need to wait around for a man to do it...no..I can do it. So I made good progress until about the last 10 or so big logs, I just couldn't lift another piece. As I sit here now, I can feel my shoulders beginning to tighten, my back is beginning to ache and my arm at the bend is getting sore . . . this is not looking good. Wishing now maybe I wasn't so bullheaded and waited for "my man" to do it. I didn't know there were suppose to be warm up exercises that needed to take place before hauling and stacking wood. Hope I can get out of bed tomorrow. If I can't at least I know I can make a big fire!

Welcome to my world . . .

So this is where is all happens. The command center I guess you would call it. What is it I do all day you ask? Primarily coordinating and entering school events information into a centralized scheduling system at our high school. All school events, athletic contests (broken down down Varsity, JV, Freshman teams), concerts, assemblies, drama performances, A Day or B Day schedule, etc. Ordering the busses to all away events. In the spring alot of cancelling and rescheduling of games, busses, officials, due to rainouts. Obtain officials for all home athletic contests, prepare/record awards for various teams, submit purchase orders for athletic equipment, payroll paperwork for all coaching staff, prepare and mail end of the season coaching evaluations, arrange food and awards for season ending awards nights, continual grade & attendance checks on athletes, prepare weekly staff newsletter, assemble/prepare/copy rosters for all athletic events, call and obtain parent volunteers for coverage with concessions, tickets, security, assist in supervising athletic student assistants, make sure every student athlete meets the criteria for eligiblilty, submit ongoing reports to the OSAA, coordinate end of the year senior awards assembly, provide bags of ice and sympathy, attempt to be a good listener and shoulder to cry on for students, coaches, and parents, a public relations person for our athletic programs at the high school, all the while as my phone rings off the hook, fax machine is beeping and my email box continues to fill. We have also recently taken on the scheduling of ALL our school districts (6 Elem, 1 Upper Elem, 1 Jr Hi) gyms & field use scheduling to better coordinate all of our youth programs. Oh, yes and the "other duties as assigned". Most days it's all good, then some days I just want to scream.....AAAAAhhhhhh!!!

Daddy's Giants WIN!

Our grandson Lucas is very excited to see his Daddy soooo happy the Giants won! Lots of hootin and hollering, good food and friends...see you next year!

Enough with the snow already . .

Hey, I'm not going to wash my arm! . .

Today at school we started talking about celebrity sightings. Seeing a so called "famous" person in our lifetime. It was fun to hear some great stories from a couple coaches about popular players/coaches they have run into in hotels or classes while attending coaches conferences. Another teacher who use to live in LA talked about jumping a fence in high school to hear the Rolling Stones at the Forum. He walked smack dab into Keith Richards having a smoke behind the mainstage area before the concert.
I shared my two big celebrity encounters with the group- First and foremost we were next door neighbors for nearly 7 years to Portland's own kids show host - Ramblin' Rod. On TV he was goofy, showed cartoons, had groups of kids come to his show and appear in the audience. He had alot of audience participation games and stunts. He wore a "Mr. Rogers" style sweater covered in buttons, all kinds of fun buttons (this was before the movie "Office Space" made wearing flair popular!!). I can tell you from being his neighbor...he was NOTHING like the TV personality.

My other celebrity sighting is my favorite - when hubby and I took a trip to Puerto Villarta, Mexico a number of years back we stopped by a big huge flea market in town. We are browsing through the market when this entourage of gentlemen with "big" hair come walking past us (remember this was the 80's, lots of guys had big hair then). I am kind of moving to the side a bit when this one particular guy rubs right by me, I turn to look and I'm "oh my gawd, oh my gawd....I said ...Dale...look...look who just walked by me!!! .... look who just rubbed by my arm!! oh my gawd!!" Of course he is looking at me like I am crazy . . . I tell him who it is and he's like..."Well who's he???", I'm like, "WHAT???? you have never heard of him?"..he said, "aaahhh..nope never heard of the guy". Obviously, if we would have run into a member of the stinking Beach Boys you would have known the name!! But since the person that walked by me was just Robert Plant! from Led Zepplin!..of course you wouldn't know!! I can honestly say it's the only time I have seen somebody famous that completely caused me to stop and stare. I'm over it though . . kind of . . haha. . I wonder if he remembers me?!