VW Extremes . . .

Just got back from the VW show, lots of nice entries this year. Hubby picked up a few parts, we watched some drag races. . . had a great time! . . . some pretty fancy rigs and some pretty strange ones too .

Like our bug, kinda . . .but nicer

YES, that's real grass and flowers! Only in hippy green Oregon!

One of Dale's fav's

Sweet Tow Truck!

Chad and Lucas chillin' in the camper bus

I'm in love!

What treasures can we find? . . .

2 Buck Chuck . . .

I'm not a big wine drinker, but I like knowing that if I want a bottle I don't have to spend and arm and a leg for some good wine. You can browse any Safeway wine department and find a number of Oregon wines or others that are really good for under $10 bottle. I'm not a red wine fan, although a number of my girlfriends love the Merlot and Shiraz. I always buy it for them when they come for Bunco, I think it is rancid . . I take one sip and if I could spit it out I would, but I don't because I'm ladylike :). A wine I do enjoy is Pinot Grigio, it's light, not strong tasting and I can sip on it without wrinkling up my nose. Since I'm not a big wine expert by any means, I have no idea about kinds of wine or years of wines that are considered the best. So I select based on who has the coolest name and fancy label, so here is this weeks selection, not a bad choice I might say. At $7.25 a bottle it's a bargain and delicious, plus if you buy 6 bottles of wine at Safeway you get 10% off the total purchase, so hey!! today I will drink wine! Tomorrow it's back to beer! Salu!

Sammy the prize fighter . . .

Our cat likes to fight. If by mistake we don't put him in the garage at night, he will battle with the neighbor cat. The screaming sounds like some kind of Siamese cat war at usually around 2AM. So there are times when he gets battle wounds that cause a visit to the Vet. Many times I'm coming home with some kind of wound ointment and antibiotics. When I received this email, it was like someone had witnessed our ritual of pill dispensing.

How To Give A Cat A Pill

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow...
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process...
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away...
4.Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand, force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten...
5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.Call spouse from garden...
6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously...
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later...
8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw...
9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap...
10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door on to neck, to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band...
11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw Tee shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom...
12. Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.
13. Tie the little bugger's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bindtightly to leg of dining table, find heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.
14. Consume remainder of scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.
15. Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

How To Give A Dog A Pill
1. Wrap the pill in a slice of bacon.
2. Toss the bacon into the air. Done.

Soon . . very soon . .

It's pie time . . .

The strawberries are ripe! Enjoy . . . .

Fresh Strawberry Pie

1 - 8oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. sugar

1t. vanilla

1 c. Cool Whip

Whole Strawberries, enough for one pie

Glaze - 1 c. sliced strawberries

1 1/2 c. water

1/2 c. sugar

1/8t. salt

1T. water

1T. cornstarch

1t. lemon juice

1/2t. almond extract

Prepare a pie crust. Set aside to cool.

Cream together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Fold in Cool Whip. Turn mixture into prepared pie shell. Top mixture with whole fresh strawberries.

Glaze - In saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, water, sugar & salt, bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring to mash berries, drain off juice, discard pulp. Return juice to saucepan. Combine 1T. cornstarch to 1T. water, stir. Add to juice and stir until thickened. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and almond extract. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Remembering on Memorial Day . . .

A number of years ago I was able to travel to Washington D.C on business. It was for a healthcare conference but during the middle of the week I was able to break away for some sight seeing. Since this was my first trip to DC, some specific places came to mind that I really wanted to visit. The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetary, Smithsonian Institute, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall and the Washington Monument. Alot of places to see in one day, my goals were big. First place I dashed to was the Smithsonian, took the elevator to the 5th floor, went directly to the room displaying the Hope diamond, stared at it (amazing), then took the elevator back down. Finished at the Smithsonian! Onto the National Archives building which houses the Declaration of Independance (this was before Nicholas Cage stole it in National Treasure!) and the Constitution. Waited in long lines, unbelievable to actually look at the original documents, goosebumps actually. Couldn't get into the White House had to have a prescheduled tour, grounds were beautiful though. Lincoln Memorial was OK...I guess it's more impresssive on TV, it's not as big as I expected, but I did touch President Lincoln's pant leg so that was cool. Walking from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial you pass by the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall. I strolled by in the flow with many others when it hit me. Oh my gosh, there are so many names. The further I walked the more names, and more names, it was overwhelming. I had a huge lump in my throat and I didn't expect that. I didn't really know any people who died in Vietnam (Dale's brother served there but never talks about it) but to see all of those names it absolutely caught me off guard with emotions I didn't really expect to feel. The last place I had time to visit that day was Arlington National Cemetary. The bus dropped us off just in time to witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, very moving ceremony, so quiet even with hundreds of people watching. Following the guards ceremony I walked over to the Kennedy gravesites where the eternal flame burns, again . . not sure what happened to me but was completely taken over by huge lump in my throat, tears in my eyes and flashbacks to my 1st grade teacher crying when President Kennedy's assasination occurred. I came back from that trip with a strong belief that every American should travel to Washington D.C. at some time in their life to see these places in our history. I didn't really think I was much of a history buff, but there is just so much to see and I just couldn't fit it all in my 9 hour visit. It will definately be a future destination for hubby (who loves history) and myself again. Lot's of people have sacrificed for us, and done so proudly, let's not ever forget them.

Uniquely . . . Forest Grove

Best muffins, cinnamon rolls, luncheon specials and catering services west of Portland, Maggie's great!
They carry everything for every sport and if you can't find it, they will order it, outstanding customer service

Nothing better than a Superburger with Fries, Coke and 2 orders of pink sauce. When Portland personalities are traveling to the Grove for a burger, guess our secret is out.

Next to Linfield one of the most beautiful campus's in the state of Oregon

How many bike shops can fix everything! In business for years for a reason.

Nothing better than hanging at BJ's with the morning paper sipping on a latte and visiting with locals that stop by for coffee.

One of the best things that ever happened here!

Pint of Ruby please . . .

Lisa Nova has done it again . .

The University of Jesuit . . .

Defeated our Lady Vikings in the 2nd round of the 6A softball playoffs last night, the score was

1 - 0. Great game played by both teams! Our girls had really hoped to return to OSU for the state championship game again this year, but it just wasn't in the cards. You wanted to really dislike the Jesuit team with all of their statewide recruitment, private school donors, country club memberships, celebrity alumni, exclusive Nike apparel contracts, Ralph Lauren appareled and Coach bag accessorized Mom's in the stands, but as I was working the ticket booth they were all extremely friendly, sportsmanlike and courteous during the entire game (those nice Catholic people...ha ;) ). So although our kids are out this year, they can be very proud of how they played and who it was that they ended up losing to. Let's get'm next year girls! GO VIKS!

He's fired up now . . .

Hubby recently was promoted at work. He would never say anything but he deserved it. He was already performing many of the duties of the new position but just not getting paid for it for quite some time now. So I was happy to hear when he came home the other day and said they created a new position with a salary increase in his department. Basically, they created a new job title for him. He's worked at Leupold now for about 20 years . . he worked his way up I guess you might say, the old fashion way. Arriving on the doorstep of Leupold shortly after one of Tektronix's many impending layoffs he was able to secure a good position there. He is smart (don't let him know I said that..ha), he is a resource to alot of the guys and managers in the shop for machine troubleshooting, programming issues, personnel problems and lots of other things that I know nothing about.

Over the last few years one thing that gets him fired up is the hiring process. Leupold now almost exclusively hires certain positions only if the person has earned a 4yr. college degree. Like a number of companies in recent years, they are shifting to requiring a college education for even the most mundane entry level positions. He has been included in a number of hiring interviews and can't believe how these "graduates" make it. For example, he really likes to get going about the Engineering graduates out of Oregon State (not to pick on my favorite school, but it could be any I'm sure). Classic interviewee - high school graduate, entered directly into OSU from high school, attends college four - 6 years, graduates proudly with his Engineering degree. Shows up on Leupold's doorstep for an interview . . No prior work experience many times (even part time, apparently Mommy & Daddy paid for every cent of their college tuition or brainiac got lots of scholarships, can't fault that), everyday common sense non existent (when asked basic interview questions, over thinks every question), no interpersonal skills (has never had to work with other people, thus doesn't know how to interact with others), expects to have a starting wage somewhere in the middle of the range ("because I have a degree"). Hubby's face gets red just telling me about it. "What are they thinking?? just because they have a degree they are entitled to the job AND at a rate higher than experienced people are making . . that's bullshit!" But what really gets him fired up is many times upper management bites and they get hired. "They are energetic and have an enthusiasm to learn" . .Then he REALLY goes off!! Because now this new hire is going to have to work with him or some other long time experienced employee without said "degree" and learn the job. Period.
We have encouraged our kids to pursue degree's just because it's the wave of the world's hiring process now, but I would say to any college graduate tread carefully in your job hunts. There are many, many, very hard working experienced people in this world that got where they are without a "degree".
Quite actually they may have worked harder over the years because they did not have one. That should be respected, so don't act arrogant just because you "have one", because you will most likely be learning a portion of your job from somebody who does not.

I cast my vote! . . . .

What? . . When? . . Here!&!

2:45 pm Friday afternoon - My phone ring, ring. . .

"Good afternoon, Forest Grove Athletics" Our business manager's secretary is calling me, "The City of Forest Grove is calling, they have been contacted by the Clinton Campaign and they are very interested in making an impromptu stop in Forest Grove on Saturday afternoon, and were calling to check and see if the stadium is being used" . ."What? your kidding right? OK very funny . . who's really calling?" . ."No, really, I am calling on behalf of the City Mgr, they would like to land a helicopter on the football field and hold a brief rally at the stadium, former President Clinton will be the person speaking." "Really? OK, Wow, is this serious? let me check the schedule . . looks like the stadium field is completely open on Saturday", "Alright, we will be calling you back to let you know if it's a go or not, just so you know the other field they are looking at is the one at Tom McCall Upper Elementary, they like the rolling hills on each side of the football field and think that may accommodate more people, either way they will be stopping in Forest Grove, we should know more in about an hour." . . Click . .

OH MY GAWD!!. . former Prez Clinton coming to the Grove!. . so I call our Athletic Director who is attending a baseball playoff game in Roseburg and he totally thinks I am pranking him (which we do to each other frequently). . . NO DOUG....serious!!! President Clinton at FG High!! So on a Friday afternoon I am sitting and staring at my phone . . waiting for a call back. . . if it's here there is lots to do . . clean stadium restrooms, get field mowed, oh my, I don't even know . . . oh jeezzz why aren't they calling yet? There are going to be secret service, FBI, snipers, all those men in black everywhere! I'm getting heart palpitations . . this is big!! 3:45 . . . no call . . . 4:00 . . . no call . .. 4:15 . . no call. . well screw this, I was suppose to go home at 4:00, I'm leaving. Finally our business manager's secretary calls me on my cell phone at 5:30pm. "Hello, so what have you heard?" . . "Well, they have decided to go to Scappoose High School instead" . . "WHAT??? why there?", "I don't know, they didn't tell us why, I guess they are government people and can do whatever they want with no explanation." "OK, well thanks for getting back to me." . Stupid people, why would they rather go to Scappoose instead of Forest Grove?.
Well, now it's their headache and not ours to organize. . I would have gone, how many chances in a lifetime do you get to see a former President in person? He can just go to Scappoose . . .even though I had already started working on my sign for the rally . . . .

THANKS ALOT BILL

FOR RUINING MY NAME

GO OBAMA & MCCAIN!

Me and My Gang . . .

Hey Mater, Fillmore, Doc Hudson, Dale JR and baby Red!!

Thanks for a great Mom's Day, love you guys!

They are treading on sacred grass . .

Shhhhhh . . Don't tell Dale that this is happening on Soldier Field . . NOT for concerts, FOOTBALL only! Maybe one of them has a good throwing arm though?

A gem on Main St . . .

We are lucky, we have a high quality art gallery in our town. Valley Art is a wonderful gallery that houses a huge variety of art works. Paintings in acrylics, watercolor, oils, pottery plates, bowls, platters, mugs, vases, jewelry, silk scarves, dried flowers, stained glass and all created by local artists. Whenever I need to find a wedding gift, present for a girlfriend or just want to find something that's unique for someone, I can always find it at Valley Art. The gallery is very supportive of student displays of art from the high school and Pacific University. They sponsor the annual Chalk Art Festival that draws people from all over the county, as participants and spectators. Many years ago I took a pottery class from them and really enjoyed it. The gallery runs primarily on grants, private donations and memberships, and at times has nearly had to close or cut way back on the hours of operation. If you are ever in town, stop in and take a look around. People in our town should appreciate that we have such a quality gallery they can walk in at no charge and enjoy.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! . . .

Reflections on Motherhood with boys . . .

The Early Years . . .

• you will dig through the kitchen drawer trying to find tools that scrap boogers off the wall in their bedroom.
• always keep a straight face when you get sooo mad you grab your hairbrush to paddle some bottom because they won't listen to you and the hairbrush breaks after the first swat, then they start to laugh at you.
• hamsters and boys do not mix, the hamsters are ALWAYS missing.
• if your child has to go to the hospital for any procedure, bring them M&M's, it makes them happy.
• yelling never worked, but it made me feel better.
• never force your child to eat a hot dog if he says his tummy hurts, not good.
• discovering a secret fort with a Kathy Ireland swim suit calendar on display, and hearing the giggles when it's been found out by Mom & Dad.
• enjoy every minute that they play together and there is no fighting, it's the best.

The Teen Years

• If they say, "Don't worry we will be fine this weekend while you are gone", DO NOT LEAVE THE HOME . . . SERIOUS, something is in the works and nearly 45 people have been invited to it at YOUR house.
• be there when they get dumped or breakup with a girlfriend, they will need you.
• try to put up with the fashion trends, realize it will not last very long.
• don't be ignorant, if their eyes are red they have been smoking pot, talk, take care of it.
• if you happen to work at the same school that your children attend, do not attempt to talk to them in the hallway, instead walk pass them, giving only a slight eye glance in their direction with a head nod as to not embarrass them in front of their friends. If you cannot do this discretely then DO NOT ATTEMPT.
• drop your son off in front of the school and yell very loudly, "I Love YOU!! as the busses are unloading.

The best years

• when you see that they occasionally do things like you would do it.
• that they are "girlie" boys . . . (haha..thanks Nic!)
• we all like hanging out together...who would have thought? As one chases the other through the house knocking out my patio screen door as I am hauling them in by their shirt collars, reading them the riot act about brother's getting along, no matter what that neighbor boy says!!
• that it will soon be their turn to scrap boogers off the wall!!! YES!!!!

A family FAVE . . .

Deviled eggs. Seems no matter what family get togethers we may have, it's a staple. I found this recipe that gives those eggs some definate ZING! . . . pretty tasty!

SANTA FE DEVILED EGGS

12 hard boiled eggs

1 (4oz.) can chopped green chilies, drained

2/3 c. sour cream

2T. mustard

paprika

Slice eggs in half lengthwise. Place egg yolks in a medium bowl and mash,

stir in remaining ingredients. Mix well, spoon about 1 rounded tablespoon of the egg mixture into egg white half. Garnish with paprika. Good stuff!

Why do I find these relevant? . . .

Subject: Fw: AARP Forum

Q: Where can women over the age of 50 find younger, sexy men who are interested in them?
A: Try a bookstore under fiction. The books that have the Fabio look alike on the cover. .

Q: What can a man do while his wife is going through menopause?
A: Keep busy. If you're handy with tools, you can finish the basement. When you are done you will have a place to live. Hence, the shop.

Q: How can you increase the heart rate of your 50+ year old husband?
A: Tell him you're pregnant. uuuhhhh..this one won't work . .

Q: How can you avoid spotting wrinkles every time you walk by a mirror?
A: Take off your glasses. Eyesight not quite bad enough yet!

Q: Why should 50+ year old people use valet parking?
A: Valets don't forget where they park your car. No comment . .

Q: Is it common for 50+ year olds to have problems with short term memory storage?
A: Storing memory is not a problem, retrieving it is a problem. Doesn't this relate to question above?

Q: As people age, do they sleep more soundly?
A: Yes, but usually in the afternoon. In my car during breaktime. . . yikes!

Q: Where should 50+ year olds look for eye glasses?
A: On top of their heads. What about the purse I can't find that's hanging on my shoulder??

Q: What is the most common remark made by 50+ year olds when they enter antique stores?
A: "Gosh, I remember these." OH NO!! I'm saying that!!!

Reading frenzy . . .

I am soooo behind !!!. . . I have a mound of books 3ft. tall, 2 stacks wide next to my bedstand that have to be read! Why? because they are there and I wanted them and now they need to be read. I am stressing about it, just seeing them there. Now reading is suppose to be relaxing, right?, it's now causing stress...yikes! I have a couple of girlfriends & my mom that pass books around, them to me and me to them. Plus, I can't pass up a book sale if they are selling paperbacks for 25 cents, no way! But why is it that they read so fast and I barely get through a book before they have more for me already??? Sucks, wish I had more time to read, but then I would be considered completely antisocial. When I do finally take the time, get comfortable, start reading I hear this, "Oh, so now you are going to read, great, real nice visiting with you, no that's fine go ahead and read" . .aarrghhhh :). So I'm working on my stack, it is gathering a bit of dust, but I just wipe it off. They aren't going anywhere and the story will remain the same. Here is the latest I have opened up, pretty good so far!

Blogging milestone . . .

This week marks one year that I have been blogging. I can't believe it's been a year already and that I have stuck with it mostly! Thanks to my brother who bugged me to do it, and all the people that stop by and comment. That at least assures me that occasionally it's being read. I'll see if I can make it another year!

Oops, sorry for any secrets I have told . . . . but I'm sure there will be more :)

Much bigger than the game. . .

Last night an umpire died at home plate. Yes, unbelievably sad. Our JV baseball team was underway in a game vs. Newberg when sometime during the 2nd inning the homeplate umpire dropped to the ground. Immediately, the catcher and base coach were over him to see what was wrong. They noticed right away that he wasn't breathing. The coach started CPR as a parent ran to the Varsity game that was also going on to get our athletic trainer. At the same time our Athletic Director was calling 911. The baseball boys were in shock, many becoming very emotional as the guy was turning blue, literally. When the ambulance arrived they attempted to start his heart 4 times with the paddles. Nothing. They loaded him onto the stretcher and with the lights and sirens blaring they drove him off. Our AD called me this morning to let me know he didn't make it, he had a heart attack. An umpire from our town supporting kids, who just recently purchased a business in town and was only 43 years old. . . Game over. I'm really glad that about a month ago I signed up to renew my First Aid/CPR certification. It would not have saved this poor man's life, but I'd like to think that I could step in if an emergency happened. This guy just didn't have a chance.

I'm there in spirit!! . . .

Today 1:00pm at Reser Stadium is spring scrimmage for the mighty OSU Beaver football team. I am attending a baby shower for my daughter-in-law so I will not be at the Beavs opener, hubby will be there though! I will really miss the reunion of our tailgate pals "BEAVER NATION" as we have so dubbed ourselves, but grandbabies come first! So we will see you soon and GO BEAVS!!

HAPPY 27TH JOSH!!

Get the gloves . . get the shovel! . . .

It's time to plant! Finally after below normal temperatures we are in for some warmer weather. With that comes the start of flower pot dumping of the old and filling with the new. Weeding out the old dirt and adding some Miracle Grow potting soil so the blooms get big and last until September. That's the goal! I need to do some bragging about our school's plant sale. It is held annually by our AG Dept. and this year the plants look professionally grown! The flowers look as hearty and healthy as I have ever seen them. The kids in the class have 5 huge greenhouses filled with all kinds of bedding plants, hanging baskets, ground cover and planter boxes . . it's great! They help load stuff up on carts and wheel them right to your car or truck. People in the Grove are truly good supporters of the plant sale and look forward to it every year. The kids do love to see me coming with my checkbook! "Mrs. C. do you like our flowers? Don't they look good? I started all of these petunias in this greenhouse from seed and look at them! Wow, are all these flats going to fit in your truck?" . . uuhhh..I hope so! The kids are soo proud, it's nice that they can see people snatching them up for planting. Come on out to the Grove! the sale runs this Saturday and next Saturday from 9am - 6pm. You won't be sorry :)