Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Thanks Jaime! . . . keep them coming!

I wish I could get away to Maui where a friend is working,
just another day in paradise . .



Sunday, April 26, 2009

Hey! . Hey! . hey! . hey! . hey!

"Macho, Macho Man . . I want to be a Macho Man!" . . NO, not me . . . , that song . . that song won't get out of my head. I discovered a couple of new slot machines at Spirit Mountain this weekend and one of them is called "Village People Party", the machine plays this song, over and over and over again as you go through the bonus rounds. Now it won't go away. It is a fun game though.
Thanks to my friend Sue, hubby and I were treated to a weekend at Spirit Mountain Casino. She and her husband are TrailBlazer season ticket holders and apparently when it came time to renew their seats for this season, a coupon was enclosed with their tickets for a nights lodging at Spirit Mountain Hotel, a $100 meal voucher, plus $100 in casino cash. She brought it into school one day and said, "Do you think you would use this? We don't gamble and I remember you saying that you liked to" . . . hello? does it rain in Oregon? . . "YES, of course I would use it if you don't plan on it!!, Yay!!" So we stayed overnight at their hotel, VERY nice I might add. We attempted to spend all of the $100 meal voucher, but couldn't. That's a ton of food, the best we could do was $60, and that was NY steak, seafood fetticine, creme brulee and strawberry cheesecake (can you say, burp . . off the diet?). When we went into the casino we cashed the $100 voucher $50 went to hubby and I took the remaining $50, then off we go (we never gamble together, we always separate, then meet up later). I did play on a couple of new machines that were really fun . . besides the Village People one. There is one themed after the Wizard of OZ. . . "This is the great and powerful OZ!" comes booming from the machine. Lots of bonuses, bells and whistles. Then there is another new machine called Star Trek Slots, where you sit in a chair that is a part of the slot game, it vibrates, shakes, has speakers behind your head, it's almost like a Disney ride! People were 3-4 deep behind the seats waiting for others to get up and leave them after playing. And of course that is the other music stuck in my head . . wuuuuuhoooooowuuuuuhooohoowuuuuuhooooohooohoooo. Sorry, not quite sure how to type it but you know that Star Trek trailer music!! Happy to say, after staying there and playing lots of slots, I left with my $50 in my pocket, can't say the same for hubby. Maybe next time!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

What a pleasure to meet . . .

  • A first time grandma & grandpa getting flowers for their daughter
  • A little boy who now has a baby sister and wanted to buy her a pink bunny
  • A husband who's wife is recovering from open heart surgery, trying to find the right card
  • A lady who's best friend just had a mastectomy wanting a cheery flower basket & balloon
  • A daughter who's mother was in surgery for a hip fracture, finding her favorite candy
  • A Daddy of brand new twin baby girls, picking out 2 girlie balloons and 2 pink teddy bears
  • An RN that, "just needs some chocolate" to get her through the afternoon.
  • A man whose friend was in a car accident, buying her red roses.
  • Parents of a preemie baby in the NICU, walking around, just looking exhausted, wanting to talk about their baby . . .

Just another day in the gift shop . . . .

"Will Work for Food"




OK, so I have been pouting . . .

Dang BLAZERS! On Saturday we dressed the part, hopped on the MAX train and like many other Westside riders wearing their Red & Black, we chanted "Go Blazers" all the way into the Rose Garden. As we unloaded off the train we were overwhelmed with scalpers all trying to sell us better tickets than we had. The Rose Quarter was packed with a stage, band "5 guys named Moe" playing, lots of dancing, it was truly a 'pre'game playoff party atmosphere. We headed into the restaurant/bar across the entrance called "The Game" where we stood in a forever line to buy $8/beers . . yikes. Took in all of the music and ran into a couple of people we know, it was GREAT!! We head into the game about 45 minutes early so we don't miss the lineup. There are more familiar faces we bump into on the way to our seats. As you walk into the Rose Garden they are handing out flags and posters to everybody . . Well, of course before we get into our seats we have to get ourselves another one of those fabulous $8/beers . . yikes again. And we stare down anybody that looks like they are going to bump one drop of it out of our glasses as we make our way to our seats. Oh, and let's not forget the $8.50 sausage dogs to go along with those beers . . double yikes! Should have eaten dinner before we left . . duh!. Portland gives Aaron Brooks of Houston (former UofO duck) a warm welcome as well as Rick Adelman . . .The Rose Garden was deafening with clapping, screaming and yelling for the introductions of our Trail Blazers. Then the game started . . . and oh crap . . that Yao Ming guy. . he is the real deal. The guy is a freak of nature . . he doesn't even have to jump to make shots or block balls . . like ever. And our young guys had a complete "Oh my God we are in the playoffs and this is too much pressure" problems that night. They missed soooo many shots it was horrible. Having said that, we did stay until the very end . . as painful as it was. So as we approach game 2 on Tuesday night, we can only hope that the Blazers show up and make it a series worth watching . . . GO BLAZERS!!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Look out it's Blazermania in Ptown! . . .


Well, the Blazers did it! The playoffs are starting this weekend and thanks to my sons Wells Fargo connection we have ourselves a couple of playoff tickets for Saturday nights game vs. the Houston Rockets. I don't own one piece of Trailblazers clothing or accessories anymore, tossed long ago when they were all acting like a bunch of jerks. What a great group of guys they have now, and everybody around here is excited for them to do well in the playoffs. Who's number should I wear? Roy? Outlaw? Rodriquez? Fernandez (Rudy . Rudy. Rudy)? Oden? Aldridge? Pryzbilla (hubbys fav)? So many choices!! I need to find something though and fast, I plan on dressing like a complete crazy Blazer fan on Saturday night to show support for everything positive they have brought back to the franchise and Ptown again! GO BLAZERS!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Leupold 3 . . . Pirates 0

Mom calls me this morning at school. "Hey, I wanted to tell you that I'm listening to KPAM radio right now, it's the Bob Miller show and the Vice President of Leupold is on there speaking as a guest" . . "What?" I said, "Yes, he is saying that the Navy Seals who took out the Pirates holding the American ship captain hostage off the coast of Somalia on Sunday had Leupold scopes on their guns." "Really? wow, that's cool, I wonder if Dale knew that?". . .
So, there you go you damn pirates, don't mess with the Navy!!!. . . Now if it can just bring them more business that would be really good!

I don't like this exercise . .

As the doom and gloom of the economy is spoken every night on the news our school budget (or upcoming lack there of) hangs over us in the district. We were asked last week to help assist in a "budget exercise". Each school district employee was emailed a complete breakdown in detail of the entire school district's budget for one year. All the Certified/Classified staff payrolls, supply budgets, district office salaries/expenses, bussing, custodial, athletics/activities, ratios of class sizes, reductions in days (what a day costs), music & arts programs, etc. etc. etc. We were asked to go down the list and cut $7 million out of the budget. Then we were asked to meet together within our buildings, where we sat in groups and at individual tables of about 8 people each, we were instructed to create a list of our top ten cut items. Each group was given a big sheet of butcher paper to write their top ten on, then they were plastered onto the cafeteria walls side by side. Every staff member was given 20 colored sticky dots. "Now, place your dots next to the suggested areas you feel most strongly about" says our Principal. "Then we will create a spreadsheet in decending order of items with the most votes to areas with the least votes". This is the part I could not participate in, it felt horrible, cheezy and cheap, and it gave me a stomach ache. Like I am going to march right in front our band director or AG teacher and put a big sticky mark next to "cut music programs" or "cut agricultural programs" Who am I to judge their programs importance in the big scheme of a child's education. The sad part is there were some people who were totally into it, smiling, slapping stickers on programs like they really have the power, it was bizarre. Plus, I guess on the selfish side I didn't really want to sit there and see all the sticky dots going up next to "cut Athletics/Activities programs" either. So now all our district admin. folks (who I think already know what is going to be cut and what isn't) can tell us no matter what is decided, "We allowed our staff to be a part of the process." Well, I think this exercise should be "cut" because it stinks. and on that happy note . . . .

Prom tree in full bloom . . .


My favorite tree in our backyard is showing all it's beauty. The magnolia (tulip tree) is so pretty right now with the buds just beginning to open. Don't talk to hubby in about a month or so though as he will be pissed because all of the petals will be dropping off into his pond, and it is a big mess. But until then I enjoy every morning standing by the patio door and just looking at it. We(I) nicknamed it the "Prom" tree years ago because it was where I would make the boys stand with their prom dates for a picture. I suppose I could post some of those but perhaps not . . HA!

Aunt Diane's Pizza rolls . . .


A while ago Diane brought some homemade pizza rolls to a family function. Well, as quickly as she heated them up and sliced them, they were gone. The boys love her pizza rolls, so do hubby and I, in fact the guys recently spent many unnecessary emails harassing her affectionately in an attempt to receive one on Easter. Apparently, they won her over because she pulled through, the fabulous Auntie that she is! So although this is not my recipe, she did share it with me years ago and now I am sharing with you to enjoy!! Luv'n U Diane!! (and the picture!)


Pizza Rolls

1 package of Rhodes frozen dough (so they aren't totally homemade, who cares)
1/2 lb. sliced provolone cheese
1/2 lb. thinly sliced pepperoni
1 egg
minced garlic
sliced olives, if desired


Thaw dough, according to package directions, it does not have to rise.
Roll out about 1/4 inch thick into a rectangular shape.
Layer pepperoni on dough, layer provolone cheese on top of pepperoni. Add olives, if desired.
Start slowly rolling up the dough (along the long side), with each roll brush a mixture of beaten egg & garlic (to taste).

Place completed roll on cookie sheet - Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until brown.

Cool slightly before slicing.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Brayden and Grama's Excellent Adventure . . .


Since Momma Dani was out of town visiting friends and Daddy Josh wanted to spend some time working on his new fence, Grama drove over to the house to babysit Brayden for awhile. Josh took the truck to get some boards at his new favorite store "Lowes" and I loaded up Brayden in the stroller for our big adventure. Diaper bag, Cheerios, sippy cup and off we went. The weather was beautiful on Sunday, a balmy 70 degrees! We go down the driveway, onto the sidewalk, up and down roads of gravel and pavement. I forgot how awkward strollers can be in gravel! and how heavy little ones are to push after awhile. We talk, or I talk he jabbers and giggles. We watch kids playing in their yards, dogs barking at us, many Dads with lawnmowers roaring up and down the yard, as we continue on our journey. Our ultimate destination is "downtown" Lafayette to their collection of Antique stores, of course! We enter the first store after I drop a few Cheerios in the little tray on the stroller, so Brayden will be occupied as Grama browses. Now have you ever maneuvered a stroller through the narrow aisles of an Antique store before? Well, I should get an award for not bumping anything off of the shelves. We shopped, I would show Brayden things and he would either just stare at me and smile or jabber, which I could clearly understand as "Grama, I think you should buy that". He was such a good boy, just stared at everything around him. I showed him lots of things that I thought he would like, an old Popeye lunch box & thermos, baseball mitt & ball, an Elmo that was dressed like Elvis, wooden alphabet blocks, old Fisher Price farm with animals, Hot Wheels and lots of other cool things. He will definitely want to go back there again, he enjoyed it ;). We needed a diaper change so on the grass of the historic Lafayette Schoolhouse Antique building, he laid on a blanket and got his diaper changed, then we had some lunch (tasty sweet potatoes). Couldn't get into the school house to look at antiques though, it's not stroller friendly (too bad for them, they lost a customer). Then we headed back to the house where daddy was pounding nails into the fence. We went into the house, played, and then Grama needed a nap. It was a really good day.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Would you like your receipt in the bag? . . .


Yes, it's official I'm a "blue smock lady" as my better half calls me. I have been formally trained and now can run the cash register in the hospital gift shop. Actually it's really going to be a fun job on Saturday mornings every other week. I'm the only one that works in there that still has some hair color left - even so be it bottled! ha! I can charge up a VISA card on the machine, place & deliver flower orders, restock shelves with candy, stuffed animals, magazines, cards, gift wrap, inflate balloons, scan employee badges for charges and all the while scoping out shoplifters, HEY . . you name it, I can do anything that any other 70+ year old can do behind the counter in a hospital gift shop!! woohoo!!

Email, Escort, Exit . . .

Last week I received an email from hubby, who normally doesn't send me many emails at work. It was Thursday morning (how ironic the day after April fools), "take a look at this email" he writes me. . "it's from the company president". "Dear employees, due to the downturn in the economy, and many of our customers (ie. Sportsman's Warehouse and Joe's) filing for bankruptcy reorganization, our company is forced to review procedures, sales, and re-organize. With that comes the difficult process of needing to reduce our workforce, (not his exact words, but you get my gest). So as difficult as this decision has been, for the future of the company the reductions will begin . . today. We appreciate your professionalism during this difficult time and know that you will remain productive during this transition." . . . period . . end of email. Now my quotes aren't exact, but it's basically what he was telling them. So as I am at work reading this email I think, this is scary, now what? I was afraid to email him back thinking well I wonder if they are checking personal emails . . maybe a little paranoid but I didn't know. Well, that didn't last long, I emailed him back and asked, "Are people being escorted to their cars now?", "Yes" he says", "Anybody from your department yet?", "Yes" he says, "You can't really talk right now can you?" "No, I can't" he says. "OK, see you at home later". . . So of course I'm worrying about it all day. His shop is non-union, whether that matters or not, they can basically choose whoever they want to layoff, I guess. When he gets home that night, he looks like he's been hit by a truck, emotionally drained. Leupold is a fairly small company (580 people), everybody knows everybody. They laid off 48 people. Two guys from Dale's immediate dept, one that has worked there as long as he has. . . gone with a freaking morning email warning that it was coming. It sucks. Now they re-organize some areas. They have been told this may (probably won't) be the last of the layoffs, depending on the continuing market. We appreciate that his position wasn't on the chopping block this time and hope the employees let go are able to find good jobs again. You know really all any of us can do is get up every morning, go to work, do the best job you can do at whatever it is you do and hope your position survives this mess. The rest is beyond our control.