First you like them . . . then they screw up.

The NBA playoffs. Not sure why but lately I have been sucked into watching some of the recent playoff games (I suppose it's because I don't control the remote). I think it started with following the Blazers this past season and when they were eliminated we just sort of got caught up with who's still in it. It's weird how you can really like a player, whether it's his talent, charisma, or looks (oops, I didn't say that!), then they go and do something stupid, like cheat on their wife, beat up their girlfriend, have dog fights on their property, take steroids, or do something else illegal. Then you as a fan have to re-evaluate your loyalty to that player. Case in point - the Lakers. I have never really been a Laker fan, but when Kobe Bryant first came on the scene I admired his talent, charisma and thought he was a good looking kid. Then he was a stupid idiot and cheated on his wife, so now I have a different opinion of him. So makes it easier to root for the opposing team. Even though who knows, they probably have criminals on that team too. I will mention in a group setting that I might like a particular player whether its a football, baseball or whatever player. It usually won't be too long before I hear "He's a wife beater" "WHAT?","Yep, was arrested a couple years ago". . . crap . . now I can't like him anymore. Then again, who am I to judge, but really don't we all? That's why it's nice when there are the good guys . . like my all time fav basketball player Karl Malone, hmmm . . another name comes to mind . . Joe Montana!! I might have to go into therapy if I hear he did anything wrong. Oh . . and be quiet guys! I know he looks like Barry Manilow, but that's not a crime.

Raise your big toe and repeat after me . . .

The Open Toed Shoe Pledge

As a member of the Sisterhood, I pledge with summer nearly here to follow the rules when wearing sandals and other open-toe shoes:

• I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.
• I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free.
• I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.
• I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.
• I will shave the hairs off my big toe.
• I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.
• If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.
• I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.
• I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.
• I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.
• I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good.
• I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.
• I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $20 or $25 and worth EVERY penny).
• I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

There is nothing more beautiful . . .

Than a cemetery on Memorial Day. So many flags . . so many fresh flowers. A place known for it's solitude and silence becomes a place of men & women in uniforms, waves, hugs, stories and reminiscing. It's nice when people come to remember . . .

Now why didn't I look at the street number?

Well, it happened. I went into Ptown today to do some errands. I am still hunting down gift certificates for our staff retirees for a reception next week. I drive into town with some ideas, go around the block a couple times on Burnside around Powell's Book Store trying to find a parking space, can't and just go a few blocks up and over into a parking garage. This particular garage was charging $5/day, which I didn't think was bad from what other garages seemed to be charging (ie. $8.50-$10/day). I park, and start heading to Powell's. The weather today was absolutely perfect for wandering around NW Portland. Lots of people were out and about enjoying the day. So I get to Powells, do some book browsing and purchase a gift certificate. Then I work my way to Henry's Tavern and purchase a gift card there. My last stop after wandering around at one of my favorite kitchen stores Sur La Table, was to stop at the Deschutes Brewery and pick up a gift certificate there. Mission accomplished! now back to the car. Start heading in the direction that the car is and . . uh . . no car . . no parking garage . . go a couple more blocks over . . uh . . still no parking garage . . Crap! I have no idea what street the parking garage is on. I didn't look at the street signs when I took off. Have you ever had that feeling that you are going to be walking around for hours . . trying to find your car? . . ok . . maybe you haven't. Sh&t! . . now what?? ok . . stay calm. Remember the $5/day sign . . sandwich board on the side walk . . find the sign. . . how much longer until it gets dark?? this is Burnside . . Crap! So . . this is what Altzeimer's feels like? it sucks! Wholly cow!!! YIPPEEE! . . there is the sign!!! Yay!!! Ha! . . now how stupid would that be to lose your car in Portland . . . uh yeah . . I know very stupid. But I didn't !!!!

Possible handbook revision . . .

Everybody has to take care of business when nature calls. At work there is a restroom available for staff members only. I usually just pop into the one closest to our office which happens to be the one in the main commons area. I learn about alot of things when I go to the girls restroom during the school day. For example:

• When two girlfriends are in side by side stalls they don't care who else is in the restroom, they carry on a personal conversation, back and forth about whatever and do not miss a beat, no matter what the topic is.
• The restroom has become the new locker room apparently. Girls are constantly getting dressed for PE or sports in the public restroom, instead of the girls locker room . . I am stepping over people to get to the toilet . . arrrghhh! I asked them, "why don't you get dressed in the locker room?" "because it's too crowded in there". and it's not in here . . oh brother.
• Teenage girls have to have their face 1 inch away from the mirror when they are applying makeup, fixing their hair or working on a zit.
• No matter how many times they fluff up their hair with their fingers, they need to do it one more time.
• Girls have gotten 100% better about not leaving graffiti in the bathroom stalls than back in the 70's, not much good reading anymore . . .
• You will hear gossip in the restroom, even when they see you walk in the door . . "Hey girls . . don't talk that way about so and so !" . . oh there it is . . . the famous eye roll . .
• Girls do wash their hands, I have to give them credit for that.
• When you are sitting and doing your business . . don't fret when you begin to hear a strange noise . . tick . .tick ..tictictic .. tick . . tictic .. tick .. tick, it is the girl in the stall next to you sending text messages while sitting on the toilet . . oh my gawd!!??? Doesn't anybody just go to the bathroom anymore?

Excuse me? It's how much did you say . . . .

I am not a golfer. My involvement with golf consists of being the person who drives the cart and delivers refreshments (typically at our staff golf tournament). People that golf seem to be having fun, but it's not for me. I tried to swing a club a couple of times and it was not comfortable, easy or fun . . as I slammed the club (after much instruction) into the grass and nearly dislocated my shoulder.


As our school year whines down we (a couple of the secretaries) are responsible (other duties as assigned) to purchase (out of monies from our faculty fund) retiree gifts. We have eight staff members that are retiring after a gazillion years of service. I am shopping for gifts for two of them. One I am finish getting, he was easy, after recently purchasing a motor home we got him an Oregon State Parks gift certificate. It can be used for reservations in any of the state parks. A really comfy lawn chair, and a big bag of limes (with a note that states these can be used for some adult beverages being delivered to his homes front door, not on school property!!). The other gift I have to purchase is for a guy who really likes to golf. After talking with some people in his department, they suggested getting gift certificates to different courses. Great! that sounds easy enough. I head out today after school and purchase a gift certificate at Forest Hills Golf Course for 18 holes ($40.00), stop by Meriwether Golf Course 18 holes $36.00. As I head back home I decide to swing by Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course and use the rest of the monies for a gift certificate there. As I enter the Golf shop and head to the counter a cute little golfer looking gal asks if she can help me. "Well, I am interested in getting a gift certificate for a teacher who is retiring that really likes to golf, I'm thinking a gift card for 18 holes of golf, can you tell me how much that would be?" . . as I grab my Visa card out of my wallet to get ready to pay . . she says, "Sure, that's a great idea . . we sell alot of those . . that will be $150.00." . . "Uh . . how much did you say?" "$150.00 . . for 18 holes." . . . ."Of golf? . . your kidding right?" . . "No, that's how much it is." . . . "Umm . . ok . . does that mean it's $75 for 9 holes?" "No, sorry, you can't buy only 9 holes, it must be 18." . . . "Look . . .do you have any specials or anything right now?" . . "How much were you planning on spending . . maam?" . . Great there's that damn "maam" word again. "I was thinking around $50". . . "Well, I could make out a gift certificate for $50 and he could come shop in the Pro shop or use it towards 18 holes." "Thanks, but no thanks." I left and I'm headed someplace else, not sure which other course yet, but I'll find another . . tomorrow. $150.00 freaking dollars! for 18 holes of golf????!! I never would have guessed, I'm obviously not from the golfing world.

Movie Review . . Angels & Demons

We went Saturday night to the opening weekend of Angels & Demons. I read this Dan Brown book and could not put it down once I started it. I have been waiting for the movie and I can say it was a great adaptation of the book. Equally if not better than the DaVinci Code. Great cinematography, and taking some of the complications in the book and explaining them clearly in the movie. Well, worth a big theatre screen peek.

Wow . . you have a big family . . .

Had a really great visit with our niece Candace & her mom Sherry this weekend. Candi has been living in North Carolina since she left Oregon quite a few years back and we have missed her being around. Her two daughters also traveled with her so they could meet their Great Grandma Merlie and alot of their cousins. She looked great and it was nice to visit with Sherry who we haven't seen in over 30 some years. I had to share with her that I still make a lasagna recipe that she shared with me when Dale & I were first married in 76' and I didn't know how to cook anything! She kept commenting on the size of our family, "Yeah, it's a big one" I said, and she said, "How really great that was" . . I agreed. It was especially nice to see how happy Merlie was to have all of her greatgrandchildren together, she was competely in heaven with all "her" babies. PS. Ever try to get a bunch of little kids to all look at the camera at the same time?? uhh . . . it's impossible!

Week the other foot dropped . . .

This past week at school was very nerve racking. The school district's budget message for 09-10 from our Superintendent was presented to the budget committee for approval, prior to going before the school board. With that proposal, people that I know in various positions will be losing their jobs. It just makes you sick. The RIFF notices as they call them will begin to go out in the next couple of weeks, but some people already know. Then the bumping can start, where employees with more seniority can bump (if a like position is there) an employee with lesser seniority. I think my position is fine, my boss has been pretty open with me through this process, but it is still worrisome as all this is happening around you. Last week I spoke with the Athletic Secretaries in our league at Tigard & Tualatin high schools and their positions have been reduced from 12 month positions at 8 hours/day TO 10 month positions at 6 hours/day. The Athletic Director positions at both schools have been cut completely. That is really sad when you think of all of the students that are going to be impacted by that loss, especially for 2 districts that place a high value in their Athletics & Activity programs as being an extention to Academics. I can't imagine with the amount of work that is expected, that it can be accomplished in that amount of time. We are keeping our fingers crossed that our daughter-in-law is able to keep her position as a 1st year teacher at Fern Hill Elementary, but at this point it is not really something anybody but the budget committee & school board have control of. More in the next couple weeks on that.

Mmmmm . . what's that smell? . . . .

Working in an Athletic Office, there are many different smells, most of them are unpleasant. It can smell like dirty socks, mildewed towels, muddy grass, dead mice (yes, we have mice occasionally), Icy Hot, new basketballs (bet you don't know what a room full of new basketballs smells like?), slight smell of something burning from the copy machine (when somebody copies way more than my little machine can handle), etc. etc. etc. In our office we also have a coffee pot. Each morning upon my arrival I make a pot of coffee, and let me make this clear . . I make it because I want to NOT because it is in my job description. Typically, the coaches who wander in during the day bring in a tub of coffee that they (I'm sure their wives) have picked up at the store. Don't fret taxpayers! we don't charge it to our department. We all pitch in and either buy coffee or they leave me money to pick up coffee. So my saving grace when our office smells bad is to make some coffee first thing, because the coffee smell usually covers whatever is not smelling good at the moment. Well, last week we ran out of your basic roast Folgers, Yuban or whatever brands we typically use. I didn't have time to go to the store this week and nobody brought any coffee in even with my big displayed sign, "WE NEED COFFEE", so I just ground up some of the Hazelnut Creme flavored beans I had at home, took them into school and brewed them up. Here's what I hear: "That smells like girlie coffee (from a coach)" . . . yes, well if you want any that's what you get since I'M making it and nobody brought coffee in . . ahhh including you . . hmmm I notice you are taking a cup . . is that desperation? "Man, Mrs. C. it smells really good in the office today. Can I have some of that coffee?" (from a student) NO! "Oh, are you trying to turn this into Starbucks?"(from a coach) . . HEY, very funny if you don't want any don't drink it. Oh, that's funny, there he goes taking a cup! "OH gross Mrs. C, what is that smell, it's making me gag" (from a baseball player) A bit dramatic I'd say. Then there is . . ."ssssshhhh, don't tell anybody I said this but it tastes really good." OH Brother, the male coaches think it will reduce their manhood to say "out loud" amongst the others that they actually like Hazelnut Creme coffee!! Some things in our department can be SO stereotypical!! Ha!

Hang in there Andy! . . .

NOT MUCH LONGER . . . . . .

Great Mother's Day weekend . . .

I'm really lucky to have my Mom so close. Not everyone is fortunate enough to get to spend Mother's Day with their Mom. We went out to lunch and did some shopping on Saturday. We also went browsing for plants at a local nursery and found some nice vegies and hostas plants for the back yard. The weather was perfect for getting a start to gardening and just hanging out with my Mom.

On Sunday the boys all gathered at Chad & Nicole's house and made a huge delicious breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs w/ham, banana pancakes, biscuits and gravy, fruit and juice. It was the best buffet in town for sure!!! Even Andy came all the way from Monmouth early in the morning for a quick visit. He had to be back to work at his job at NAPA by noon. Lucas & Brayden were in great moods for their Mom's to enjoy the day. The picture I took (of course) with the girls in it didn't turn out very good, Nicole took this one (oops, minus Dale)! I'm a very lucky lady.

Yum . . . for summer

Grocery store find! . . . .there is a new seasonal Mike's hard "raspberry" lemonade out and it's delish! Some of the Mike's flavors give me major heartburn, but this one doesn't. Great over ice with a lemon wedge & a couple of berries on top!

"Who say's we can't climb stairs!" .

I get the sense that what one doesn't think of, the other will!!

Day 2 in quarantine . . .

And they think a little ammonia and warm water cleaning will do the trick . . . people, people. Swine flu . . it's only a "code" name. ha!

FINALLY! . . . a quarterback . .

DA BEARS!

Be careful what you wish for . . . .

It just might happen . . . . yikes! First district in Washington County to close. This may get complicated over the next week . . . .

ALERT!
All Schools Closed Monday & Tuesday
Upon the recommendation of the Washington County Department of Health & Human Services, all schools in the Forest Grove School District will be closed Monday and Tuesday, May 3-4, due to concern over the spread of H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. The Forest Grove Community School will also be closed. One probable case of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) has been reported at Cornelius Elementary School, and health officials said there are other suspected cases at other schools in the district. Cornelius Elementary School will remain closed all week, May 4-8. District administration, in conjunction with county health officials, will decide Tuesday whether other schools in the district will be able to reopen Wednesday. All sports, clubs and other school activities at all schools are cancelled for Monday and Tuesday. Students are asked not to congregate in other settings or at any of the school playgrounds on those days. By closing for two days, the district and health officials will be able to better determine whether the virus has spread and whether it’s necessary to close schools longer, said Superintendent Jack Musser. Updated 5-3-09, 4:10 p.m.

Happy 28th Josh! . . .

Wouldn't you know it . . .

Swine Flu possibilities have struck Oregon . . . and of course of ALL places it could have started . . it chose Western Oregon University. I heard this first thing this morning as I get into work. "Did you hear they have closed the campus at WOU because there is a suspected swine flu case?". "WHAT??? you're kidding right?? My son goes there!!!!!" . . . So within a few minutes after hearing this news, I give Andy a call. He doesn't answer so I leave a message, "Hey, what's this I hear about school closing?? Give me a call ASAP!" . . . . So lucky for him (ha!) he calls me back in short order . . "Hey . . wussup Mom?" . . "WHAT IS GOING ON THERE? DO YOU FEEL ALRIGHT? ARE YOU SICK? DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SCHOOL CLOSING? DO YOU HAVE A FEVER OR A COUGH, DID YOU GO TO CLASS WITH THIS PERSON THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT? ARE YOU SURE YOU FEEL ALRIGHT?" . . . after I stopped to take a breath after my uuhhhh. . 50 questions . . . Andy says, "It's all good, I didn't go to any classes with the guy, it sucks though that they are only closing Friday and Monday, those are the days I don't have any classes" End of sentence . . . aarrrghhh . . I'm having a heart attack here!!! and he's unhappy about his days off!!! I guess I must assume my questioning is a bit of an over reaction . . well, slightly. . . uuuhhhh alot I guess. But I can't help it, you worry. Of course at about 4:30 tonight I said to hubby, "Let's call Andy again and see if he's still alright", hubby gives me the eyeroll then says. . "alright" . . . ring. . ring . . "Hey Andy, your mom wants me to call and see if you are still breathing" "OH SHUT UP . . I didn't say that!!" "Well, you might as well have". . Sometimes Dads just don't understand the way Mom's worry about their kids. No matter how old they are. I will try not to call again, at least until tomorrow . . . or later tonight.