Some things just catch your eye . . .

Stolling the streets in Old Town Mazatlan this old door struck me as beautiful . .

Let's have ribs . . .

I love BBQ'd meat, any kind actually, but ribs is one of my favorites. This is a recipe I like to use that without fail always makes tasty, moist, yummy ribs. I got the recipe some time ago from a friend who worked at a Tony Roma's restaurant. You may want to try it out at one of your BBQ's this summer . . . Enjoy!

Shhhhh Tony Roma's Baby Back Ribs

Combine:

1 c. ketchup

1 c. vinegar

1/2 c. dark corn syrup

2 t. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. onion powder

1/4 t. tabasco pepper sauce

Heat over high heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 30-40 minutes until thick.

Coat 4 lbs. of baby back pork ribs, front and back, with BBQ sauce.

Wrap ribs in aluminum foil. Bake at 300 degrees for 2 - 2 1/2 hrs.

Remove ribs from foil and smother with more sauce. Grill on hot barbecue for 2-4 minutes per side.

Great served with a pile of coleslaw, hot buttered corn on the cob and a slice of watermelon.

Sunset over Deer Island . . .

I'm not into Zen much . . but if I was this would be it . .

Timeshare extravaganza . . .

We love Mexico . . . we hate timeshare salespeople. I know a few people who own timeshares and that's all fine. From what we have heard when you own a timeshare you typically have to always book your vacations a year in advance (we don't plan that far ahead), and the only real way to obtain a timeshare at a reasonable price is to buy it from a private party who is trying to sell theirs and to NEVER buy directly from the timeshare organization or you pay way too much. This trip we intentionally chose to travel to Mazatlan instead of Puerto Villarta (a favorite place of ours) because our last trip there we were practically mauled by sales people jumping out at you everywhere!, "Ola my friends, let me give you a free trip to fish, snorkel, tour and 150.00 US dollars in free dinner and drinks while you are staying in Puerto Villarta". It was constant and it was annoying. They don't take "No Gracias" for an answer, they follow you, they shove brochures into your face and your husband (mine) gets into shouting matches with them when they don't backoff . yikes . in a foreign country...nice!! We decided to stay in Mazatlan because when we were there 22 years ago that didn't happen to us. So of course it shouldn't happen now . . right? WRONG!! They have now invaded the beautiful beaches of Mazatlan with their sales pitches. They really snuck up on us one night about the 4th night into our trip we ate dinner at a recommended spot called Gus Gus, famous for their happy hour which includes a delicious seafood buffet. We were seated, listening to oldies (weird, you go to Mexico and hear US oldies songs everywhere), when the manager of the restaurant comes to our table to thank us for coming to Gus Gus for dinner, he is very friendly asks where we are from, gives us suggested places to see while we are in Mazatlan, also recommends other restaurants in town to try, talks to us about Oregon and how he would love to visit there, when all of a sudden he then whips out a brochure about the NEW, the FABULOUS new Pueblo Bonita Emerald Bay resort on the North end of town and how he can get us (for just watching a short 90 minute presentation) many free vouchers and trips while we are visiting .. . . . . aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!! I thought hubby was going to jump across the table and strangle the guy, it was all such a con. They pretend like they are interested in your conversation when it's all just the hook . .line . . but in our case NO SINKERS!! It's sad to say but at the end of our seven day trip, we were glad to get out of town. They were like vultures. I do have to completely and totally compliment our hotel the Playa Mazatlan . . family owned and NOT a timeshare. Our service was fabulous and the staff was extremely professional and the restaurant was fantastic. It's just if you leave the grounds, you are on the open market for timeshare harassment. One night our cab driver tried to explain to us why they are that way, "Yes, they can be aggressive, but if they don't make the sale or get you to a presentation, they don't make money for themselves or their family". Sorry, but they should find other work, what an awful job, do people actually aspire to be timeshare sales persons? Lord, what has this world come to?

Back to the real world . . .

You know the one of work, paying bills, cleaning house, responsibilities that one! Well just unpacking, sorting laundry, tired but rested, made it home fine. Sure gonna miss looking at this again tonight, but all good things must end, until next time!

Ola' from Mazatlan! . . .

Just a quick note that we are having a GREAT time here in Mazatlan, Mexico! Hubby is poolside so I popped into the lobby to check emails. Lot's of beach & pool time, even road on a banana boat a couple times yesterday, of course Dale tried to tip us over! YIKES! Today we took the Old town Mazatlan walking tour, tomorrow is the Tequila distillery tour (with samples,yum) and a Mexican fiesta in the evening, maybe we will even Macarena...whoohooo!! Everyone is very friendly and helpful that we have met so far. There will be some funny "timeshare" people stories to tell when we return . . .oh my gawd! those people never give up! Really humid here but that's ok, hopefully we are sweating off all of these Cervesas, Margaritas and wonderful Mexican food we are eating...mmmmmm good! Pictures when we return, off to the beach!

Catch up with you later . . .

Saturday at Dallas . . .

One of Andy's bosses encouraged him a month or so ago to enter his pickup into a car show that is being held in Dallas. It's a pretty special truck as it use to belong to Grampa C and the boys have always really liked the truck. He has been doing alot of work on it the last couple weeks getting it ready for the show. The picture was taken quite awhile ago, anxious to see the new work he's done. Good thing he is working at NAPA now! Problem is he is scheduled to work the day of the show, so he will take it there park it for the day, then pick it up when he gets off. Just heard today that Chad, Nicole and Lucas are going to try and sit with the truck a good part of the day, so that will be good. He has put together a notebook of pictures showing what the truck originally looked like to where it is today...I think he is bringing that to the show too. He said after the show is finished all the entries drive down Main St. in Dallas before heading out of town, sort of a mini parade. We wish you luck on getting lots of lookers, maybe even a trophy, ribbon, certificate or something!! . . have fun!

Are we there yet?. . .

Is there a pill for that? . . .

I have begun packing. What I refer to as the worst part of a trip. Trying to decide what to bring, what not to bring, how many shoes, sandals, long sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, sundresses, it's just mind boggling. I'm sure if we were frequent fliers we would have this all down by now, but we aren't and we don't. Then there is my "high maintenance kit" products that I HAVE to have of course if I am to look human on vacation . . bottles of shampoo (my brand), conditioner (my brand), hairspray (non aerosol, I know that much), suntan lotions, sunburn lotions, curling iron, flat iron, makeup, it's bad . . but I never claimed to be a "low" maintenance gal. Geezzzz..how come Dale can fit all his products into a little ditty bag, mine are in a small/ok...medium suitcase. Hope it gets through security and doesn't weigh over 50lbs or I'm screwed. As well as having an obsession with bringing our entire bathroom along . . there is another small problem. My other phobia is having wrinkled clothes. I iron everything, yes even my jeans, I know, you say but it's vacation dress casual, don't worry about it. Sorry, but I do, wrinkled clothes are my enemy. As well as packing clothes I have to iron them before I pack them..I know..I know..it's weird but I will stress if I don't, I can't pack clothes that aren't ironed!! Even though I know when we get to our destination and I unpack them most are going to be wrinkled. All I can hope for is that the Margarita's awaiting me are strong enough that it will not bother me, at least too much!

Things are moving along . .

Lots of activity around our high school!! The installation of the new turf football/soccer field is moving along. Everything "so far" is on schedule, weather has been cooperating. Waiting for the completion of the new field at McMinnville High School, then the crew comes to our place for laying of the actual turf surface. They are shooting for a mid July installation. It's been exciting to watch it progress these last few weeks, it's all happening pretty fast. It's been publicly announced now that the new turf field is being named after former football coach Jeff Durham. He sent our 70's football teams to league championships a record seven consecutive years. Hubby was on the 72-73 team. The 1976 Viking Football team is the only team that has ever made it to the state finals. His recent passing this year brought alot of former players into town for his funeral where a number of great football stories were shared. It seems only fitting that the field has been named in his honor. GO VIKS!

EEEEKKK. . . a mouse! . .

My boss is in Disneyland with his family visiting Mickey and the gang, while I am here dealing with the "real" thing. Since school is out I have been cleaning, boxing up and packing away and just organizing in general. For the past week I have been spotting a small brown creature dashing across the carpet in our office. First I thought, "No, that can't be a mouse, not in school?". . . but after seeing it a couple more times...yes..seems there is a mouse in here. So I get on the phone and call maintenance, "Help!...I have a mouse running around in the office!", and of course after having to listen to the typical your such a "girl" comments, they came and brought me a few traps. These are bad . .since a school cannot use poison traps they have to use the kind that is on sticky paper. Gross! so the mouse sniffs the sticky stuff that smells like peanut butter then walks into the middle of it where there are pretend nuts and ZAP he's stuck to the paper. I just don't want him running across my flipflop feet in the office, but I really don't want to kill him either. Well, too bad say's maintenance. Traps are set Monday night, I walk in Tuesday am to see my little mouse friend has been caught. YUCK, I call the head custodian and ask him to take the trap and dump it out back in the dumpster. So he takes it, but not without first going around and scaring the little Latino cleaning ladies with it!! Arrghhh.....boys will be boys !! Now I'm mouse free . . at least for now.

Happy Father's Day . . .

No snack, no drinks, it's going to be Air Rage . . .

It was announced on the news this week that US Airways will now be charging for soft drinks and bottled water on all of their flights. As well, as not serving snacks, charging $15.00 for your first checked bag, $25.00 for your second checked bag. Beer is now $7.00 a bottle, hard liquor also $7.00 a bottle, blahblahblahblah. Of course the airline that we are flying to Mexico this month is non-other than US Airways!! Why don't they just charge more for the freeking ticket instead of taking our peanuts away??? it's an outrage! But we have come up with a partial solution. I am going to Costco, I am buying a BIG bag (that will fit in my carry on) of Trail Mix and little plastic cups. After taking off and reaching the cruising altitude we will start filling the little cups with Trail Mix. Discreetly, for about 25cents, we will sell the snacks from our seats (perhaps needing to engage our passenger in the 3rd seat to assist us - for free Trail Mix of course). We should be able to pocket approximately $37.50 from this enterprise. Also, before leaving to the airport we will stop by the FG liquor store, stock up on the tiny bottles of vodka, tequila, rum, scotch, etc. Carefully individually wrap each bottle as to not break, or bring attention to the rattling noise coming out of our carry on. We too, shall sell our bottles for 1/2 the price of the onboard charge, thus, creating an open market for choice in our free society. Here again our 3rd passenger will be supplied with free alcohol during our flight, hope they aren't Mormon (sorry). That should net us approximately $450.00. So US Airways listen up, you are NOT going to ruin our vacation . . because we have a plan!

You'd have to be an Office fan . . .

. . . . . to appreciate what the Valedictorians did at our graduation ceremony this year. As each Val (12 of them) crossed the stage they were each carrying a gallon sized Ziploc bag. In each Ziploc bag contained an item that had been confiscated from different teachers sometime during the school year, ie. a name badge, whistle, model brain from health class, a calculator, favorite coffee mug, etc. As they shook hands with the school board member accepting their diplomas and walked past the stage where the teachers all sit in a dignified manner, they kindly returned the item in the jello bag to the appropriate teacher. It was a hoot!! The staff was cracking up, the students were getting a big kick out of it and the parents sat in the audience clueless about what everybody was laughing about. It was classic!

Says it all . . .

All grown up or working on it . . .

The daughter of our good friends reached a milestone this weekend. Karly graduated with honors from Century HS on Saturday. Pictured here with her proud brother (or brother forced to have picture with sister!) Kevin. Their parents have been our best friends for years and our kids grew up together. Kevin has another year or so at Oregon State and Karly is headed to Western Oregon University next fall. Since Andy is at Western he's been given the task to keep an eye on her by us especially, good luck with that. Her cousin is also heading to Western next fall as well, so look out Monmouth!!! Parents Weekend next year on campus should be quite the extravaganza!! So congratulations Karly and have fun on your trip to HAWAII!!!

Hmmm...very interesting

Update on University of Oregon wrestling. Wonder if this goes anywhere?

Us Culture ? . . .

I was reading the Oregonian this morning and noticed that the broadway stage production of "The Phantom of the Opera" is coming to Portland this summer. I've always really enjoyed the story and just happened to mention the ad to hubby as I was reading the paper. "Well, why don't we go?" he say's . . "WHAT? you want to go to a broadway play?" "No, not just any play, but yeah, I would go to that one". .I don't believe it . . . "Really?, are you sure?, you know there is going to be lots of singing, like Opera singing" "Yeah, I like the story too, I think it would be one I'd like to see.". . . Well, shock and awe, just when I think I know him..he stumps me with this?? I never would have thought HE would suggest going. . .So, before I can even finish reading the rest of the paper I login to Ticketmaster . . find the dates & times that would work for us . . and purchase the tickets . . . just in case for some reason he changes his mind. Now, it's a date . . .Dinner and the Theeeeaatrrrrrr. Oh my . . . perhaps we should get a limo and make a grand entrance . . bahaaa!! OR just pull the VW up front and plug the meter full of quarters . . that sounds like a plan.

Farmer's Market on Main . .

This time of year is great for buying fresh produce from the local Farmer's Market. Every Wednesday night on Main St. they block off the ends of the road and lots of vendors setup along both sides of the street. Local farmers selling fresh herbs, asparagus, leeks, rhubarb, potatoes, lettuce, some berries (still a bit early) and lots of plants and fresh flowers. There have been some great food additions in the last couple weeks, homemade tamales, bbq pulled pork sandwiches, elephant ears, fresh squeezed lemonade. Great stuff that only a venue like the Farmer's Market can offer. On the first Weds. of the month there are additional specials like wine tasting, discounts at businesses in the downtown area and music. This year it has really expanded and it's fun to see people getting out in the evenings and supporting this event. This week I took home a couple lbs. of asparagus to stirfry and a big bunch of fresh cut flowers. Hubby enjoyed it as well, since in front on the United Christian Church (of all places) along Main St., there was a belly dancing demonstration! Lot's of scantilly clad ladies rolling their bellies and shaking their hips to some kind of middle eastern music. Anyway, when I was ready to go . . . he wasn't. . . actually for quite a while he wasn't ?? Seems they have a little something for everyone at the Farmer's Market!

NAPA . . to get discounted parts?

So Andy, I thought you got the part-time job at NAPA to help with school? and discounted parts for the VW? hmmmm. . . seems there may be other reasons!

Class of 2008, you're outta here . . .

When you live your life by the school calendar, the years seem to go by extremely fast. This is what we refer to in our department as "hell week". Next to the week of Fall daily doubles signups, this week is probably our busiest and craziest. We organize the end of the year high school staff golf scramble and BBQ and had a record turnout this year of 50 golfers and 55 bbq eaters. Lot's of prizes awarded and fun by all on Monday (even though it rained!). Tuesday was the high school retirement reception for a couple teachers that are leaving after many years of teaching in the district. A few of us are on the casually organized committee and try to put on a nice affair to recognize their work with kids all these years. It takes lots of time though . . most of it outside of school hours to buy things, and organize these events. Tonight is Baccalaureate at St. Anthony's, I usually help serve refreshments but I bowed out this year, just too much going on. Tomorrow is the big Spotlight on Success evening academic awards presentation. Friday is the Senior Breakfast and Senior Awards assembly, our department is in charge of organizing the entire event, so lots of certificates, guest presenters, trophy and plaque runs, program printings and parents called. The assembly Friday is the big one where perpetual trophies are awarded and students are presented with surprise scholarships. The result is always amazing once it gets started, but man the work to get ready is nuts! Then the seniors come by the office to checkout and pick up their graduation tickets. This is the most enjoyable part of the entire week! They are so excited and usually are full of thanks and hugs as they collect their tickets. Next week will be better, only Graduation practice, Graduation (I'm collecting tickets, you know the ones I handed out earlier.ha) and the final Staff breakfast before the teachers checkout for the summer. Then ALLELUIA!! . . . .summer schedule begins. . . . and Mexico is around the corner, pass me a Margarita with the umbrella in it....NOW!!!

Guess he's a keeper! . . .

Special Delivery . . .

A new grandson arrived in all his glory last night!

Brayden Dale

weighing in at 7lbs 4 oz

20 inches long

He has some brown hair and looks alot like his Mommy!

Mom and Dad are doing great and are excited that he's finally here! My digital camera went on the blitz last night, I came home to download pictures that I had taken of him being weighed and measured, when my camera reads in blinking letters, "FORMAT ERROR, FORMAT ERROR", of course isn't that how it always happens! aarrrghhh! So off to get a new memory card and more pictures tonight! Welcome to the family Brayden!