Le' Monica

Happy Birthday Lucas!!

2009-08-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

Dashboard Cookies, gotta try it! . . .

2009-07-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

So in today's Oregonian there is a very resourceful article. With our weather being in the 100's for the next couple of days . . and with the prediction that today's high temperature of 107 should break the all time record, this could be a fun project for Mom's and kids alike. It's called "Yes, Virginia it is soo hot that you CAN bake cookies on the dashboard of your car!" Well, in my Nissan Murano I have a dashboard that is wide enough & deep enough to easily accommodate a large size pizza box as my son so readily suggested the first week I brought it home from the car lot. So in today's paper these are the baking suggestions . . .
First - the temperature outside must be at least 95 degrees (today would be perfect), AND pick a recipe with an egg substitute instead of the real deal (don't want to be sick in the bathroom with salmonella poisoning!). Park so the dash will get direct sun for a few hours. Follow a "vegan" cookie recipe (remember, raw eggs may contain salmonella and a car might not get hot enough to kill it). Put a towel under the baking sheet to protect the dashboard. Spoon cookie dough onto the baking sheet. Close the doors and wait 2 to 3 hours. Don't expect cookies to be brown, since the sugar won't caramelize. The cookies are done when completely firm. Now, even if they don't taste that good, wouldn't it be cool just to say you did it . . . mmmmmm better than new car smell ;)

Yeah . . now it's mine!

2009-07-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

The mascot at the high school I work at is the "Viking". Since I started working there 13 years ago, I have been collecting various Viking things to "spirit" up my work area. When I transferred into the Athletic Office about 8 years ago I really got into it. Our former Athletic Director had an impressive collection of various wooden carved Norwegian looking Vikings, and I sort of inherited those when he retired. Since then I have been adding to the collection. When I go to garage sales, antique shops or am just out browsing around in general I sort of always have my eye out for something unique or new that I don't already have. The high school kids get a kick out of looking at my work area with all my different Viking things, Viking hats, books about Vikings, a big Viking nutcracker, Viking face mask, Viking Barbie (now that was a find!), one of their favorites is my SpongeBob Viking. So you might imagine my complete glee when as I was shopping for a toy for my grandson's 2nd birthday I find the perfect gift from Grandma. A YoGabba Viking ship with little YoGabba Viking characters inside. I purchased it, wrap it up and have it ready to go to his party in the next couple of weeks . . . UNTIL I happened to stop by their house the other evening and as we are sitting in the backyard watching him play by his little pool . . I spot the YoGabba Viking ship with the little people floating in his wading pool. So I tell my son, "I just got that for him the other day . . thinking it would be a good gift from Grandma . . darn." . . oh well, back to the drawing board for a gift . . . but hey!! now I have a new item to display on my desk. . Oh . . yeah . . the kids are really going to like this!

Ahhh such a nice Daddy . . .

2009-07-12T12:18:00.000-07:00

Not sure it makes me want to run out and buy a Sprite though!

Painting the house . . .

2009-07-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

We are suppose to be on vacation these 2 weeks but it's the only time we could really get this done. Painting the outside of the house is a big project, but since we are more of the do-it-yourselfer types it's the more affordable way to go. We ordered all of our paint from a local Sherwin Williams store. They helped us figure out how much paint we needed, they also sold us some funky gadget that has the tape already on the paper for covering windows, trim etc. for overspray and of course the "free" paint stir sticks. So hubby was on a mission yesterday taking down all of the light fixtures, doorbell, and covering every window in plastic. The inside of our house right now feels completely claustraphobic . . there is only one door we can escape out from that doesn't tear paper that has been carefully taped in place. Today begins the spraying . . Dale all dressed like the Intel man in his white suit and mask will start spraying as I give needed supervision . . . and he gives me dirty looks, ha!. Our yard looks like a complete disaster with everything moved out away from the house . . and it's driving us both crazy . . so the sooner this gets finished the better. Tomorrow we will start on the trim. Keeping everything the same colors as they were before, I wasn't ready to make a big change this time around. When I compare what our neighbor paid to have his house painted professionaly last week $4000.00 . yikes!! to our bill for the paint/supplies and sprayer rental $550.00. Even if it does take a couple days longer to do . . . I guess that's just the HDTV in us!!

Fun with the grandsons this summer! . . .

2009-06-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

Grama has been enjoying some quality time with the grandsons since summer arrived. A couple weekends ago we went camping at Barview with Chad, Nicole, Lucas & Andy. Weather was not the greatest, except we did have Saturday that we managed to stay dry and spend some time on the beach and in Rockaway. Lucas LOVES to camp and enjoys being outside all day long. He especially likes to ride his little quad around and eat yummy camping food. We have noticed that he has a crush on Andy's girlfriend "SAREWAH" (aka Sarah) and enjoyed being tossed in the air until he nearly wore everybody out. Grama especially enjoyed the snuggles by the campfire when he was getting real tired at night.

Brayden came to stay with Grandma for the day on Friday. We had lots of fun playing, going shopping at Target and we made a stop at McDonalds where he ate his lunch that mom prepared (absolutely loves strawberries!), plus he got to nibble on Grandma's chicken nuggets which he loved. Then it was out to the play structure to climb on the slide and he was totally facinated watching all of the kids.

Pretty good summer so far!

So he went and did it . . .

2009-06-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

What's a Mom to do? In conspiracy with his father to boot!. . now HE wants one again too. He bought himself a motorcycle. What is it with boys and motorcycles anyway?? "Hey Mom . . you guys gonna be home this weekend?" . . "Yeah" . . "Well, I thought I might come by and show you something" . . "OK, we will be here" . . . So in he pulls, with a chopper. It does look nice and all, it sounds very loud and rumbles like a Harley but it's a Honda. He is grinning ear to ear . . but Mom is not. I don't like motorcycles . . they are way too scary. Dale road a Honda for a number of years that belonged to my brother Phil . . I went on maybe 2 rides the entire time he owned it. One time around the block, the other when he tried to take me out to Hagg Lake on it and I squeezed his middle so tight that he had fingerprint bruises, we turned around 1/2 way there. And apparently, I lean the wrong way . . you are suppose to lean with the bike . . not the other way in an effort to save your life. So I am a motorcycle passenger failure . . which is perfectly fine with me. Dale says, "You should be proud of him he took the motorcycle safety class that he didn't have to take, it's going to be cheaper on insurance and gas than his truck was, it will be fine just quit worrying." Aaarrrghhh . . . Easier said than done you co-conspirator! boys!!

Time for the Class Reunion . . .

2009-06-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

It happens every year I will get a call in the office. "This is so-and-so I am from the class of 19 -whatever, do you have any contact information on members of our class?, Do you know if our class is having a reunion this summer?" The answer to that is no. Unless you would like to enter our fireproof vault and go through each huge notebook to locate individual student transcripts from the 60's, 70's, 80's and part of the 90's (pre-computer age) to find their address at the time of graduation. Once you walk across the stage and receive that diploma in their hand, we don't keep a compiled list of addresses. Usually the high school office doesn't hear about upcoming reunions, we refer the call to the local newspaper. "Oh" they say. "We just figured the high school kept up on that stuff". It's normally 99% the responsibility of the senior class president to initiate any class reunions and to maintain an ongoing up-to-date contact list. Thanks in part to Classmates. com, Facebook and MySpace news of class reunions begin to spread like wildfire. I bring this up because Josh & Dani have their 10 year reunion this weekend, my how time flies.

Here were my observations at the reunions I attended -

10 year reunion - Everybody still primarily mingled with their high school friends/clicks (as we called them). Lots of bragging or posturing about careers and kids. Really good attendance at this reunion from the Friday night classmates only, the big dinner on Saturday and golf/picnic on Sunday. Some girls already had 4-5 kids (primarily the Mormon ones). Many guys were balding already and many wallflower types had become real beauties (according to my husband who I had to smack a couple times for staring).

20 year reunion - Not as many in attendance, but a few who came made it their summer vacation from out of state. Lots of high school sweethearts who had married were now divorced. Some were already grandparents. The guys that were balding before, were now working on potbellies. The gals (to me) seemed to look even better, but you could definately tell that hair coloring was happening to alot of us. My biggest disappointment was that alot of my close friends from high school didn't attend. Most all of them live locally, so that bummed me out. This reunion was really fun. I think people were much more comfortable in their skin and where they were in their lives, no need for one upmanship. My favorite story from this reunion was standing next to a former classmate (guy) who had been married and divorced from a gal in our class. She had since remarried some Attorney from Portland and brought her new husband to the reunion with her. She was all decked out in a beautiful dress, looking very shapely and "hot" as my husband said. As I spoke to the classmate he began telling me a bit about their divorce when suddenly he began staring at his EX . . I could tell he was looking at her chest. I just sort of smiled slightly as he proceeded to tell me "She didn't have those when I was married to her". . oh my gawd it was hilarious, apparently she had gotten a little plastic surgery since the divorce . . we laughed it was a good time.

30 year reunion - I didn't attend and I regret it. I heard from a number of people that it was the best one yet. It was local and there was really no excuse for not attending. I have compiled a list of the gals that I hung out with during those 4 years of high school and I am going to definately call them all to attend the 35th. I guess as we get older we have reunions closer together as people begin to kick the bucket sooner. OH MY GAWD!! our 35th will be next year . . . geezz I'm getting old. Be ready gals the call is coming!!!

All aboard, it's Pear country! . . .

2009-06-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took a trip on the Mt. Hood Railroad. We had received a gift certificate at Christmas so decided to use it for their Brunch train. Upon arriving at the depot at about 10:15am and checking in we had about 45 minutes to wander in downtown Hood River. It was a perfect sunny day for grabbing a cup of coffee and browsing the downtown shops. We discovered Hood River is really a cool town. Lot's of bike shops, eclectic kitchenware & clothing shops, lots of places selling windsurfing gear and the outfits to go with that gear. A McMenamins type Historical hotel, a few brew pubs, lots of coffee shops with beautiful hanging flower baskets out front. It's weird sometimes how you judge a town that you quickly drive by on a freeway frequently and it's nothing like you thought it would look like. As we boarded for our train trip, which was a total of 4 hours that included a delicious 4 course brunch, we discovered what is hidden from freeway view of the "real" Hood River. As our train climbed back behind town, headed toward the halfway point to the town of Parkdale our conductor gave us a brief history lesson. Hood River is the "Pear Capital" of the world . . it's true, we passed acres and acres and acres of gorgeous pear and cherry orchards. There are a number of fruit processing plants that we traveled by that have been in business since the 30's.As far as you could see there were trees, with the beautiful backdrop of Mt. Hood. We learned to make pear wine that when the fruit is very small on the branch, they place a wine bottle over the fruit so it continues to grow inside the wine bottle. When it is harvested at a certain size, they send the wine bottles to vintners that fill them with pear wine. The fruit is forever preserved in the bottle and apparently if you are a fan of pear wine, it is the best you can buy. This is a trip that is well worth the fare, especially if you can catch a sunny Oregon day as we did. So tell your friends and visitors to Oregon, take a relaxing trip on the Mt. Hood Railroad.

New design, same old me . . .

2009-06-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

Oh lord . . . it's taken me about 2 hours but I finally came up with a new design for my blog. I was brave and moved outside of the basic Blogger "classic" templates menu. Browsed the web for free blog templates, saved, copied, pasted and wah lah!!. For all you computer geeks out there this would be a very simple task I know, but for me not so much. I was scared that I would lose everything that I've posted over the last couple of years, but it still seems to be there. Lost some of my items down one column of the page. Oh well, it will give me something to do in redesigning it again. I've really been slacking on my blogging. There has been lots going on, just not finding the time to sit and gabb about it. Perhaps my renovation of the webpage will motivate me, we'll see!

Congrats! FG Grads!

2009-06-09T06:37:00.000-07:00

Today's the day!! . . . before you know it your reunion will be here . . Congrats class of 2009!

"The greatest danger to the world is not the bad people, but it's the good people who don't speak out" . . . Hamilton Jordan

You know it's going to happen . . .

2009-06-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

Some days you just need a Martini . . .

2009-06-03T18:06:00.000-07:00

This week at school is crazy!!! Our last week for Seniors. I'm frantically printing a gazillion certificates for the spring sports athletes and the senior awards coming up, shipping trophies to the engraver, retirement party organizing, preparing for the huge awards assembly on Friday, contacting presenters and speakers, the staff golf scramble, . . . . aaahhhh! I want to hide! . . But first I have to share a "drink" find with you. My niece sells this product through one of those home party companies, it's called Tastefully Simple. They sell food and drink items online, through parties or their catalog. They have a fantastic beer bread and really great sauces (especially Teriyaki & Apricot dipping sauce) YUM! Anyway, on the order form was a product called "Mango Breeze Margarita Mix"

. . . but instead of Tequila or Rum as they recommend, I added Absolut Citron Vodka to the container. HELLOOOO!!!!!!! it's absolutely delicious!!! So as this week has been overly booked and busy . . I enter my kitchen and remove the container from the freezer to scoop some of the instant frozen stress relief and gracefully place it in my glass . . . take a sip . . . and all the world is good.

Happy Birthday Brayden! . . .

2009-06-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

Who are all these people and why are they all singing to me??

"Hey, Daddy can I take it out and ride it now?"

"This eating cake is hard work."

"Taking some pool time with my friends"

Great party Mom & Dad!!

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

2009-05-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2009-05-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2009-05-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-05-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2009-05-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

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 . . . .

2009-05-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2009-05-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2009-05-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

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? . . . .

2009-05-16T20:57:00.001-07:00

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! . . .

2009-05-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

NOT MUCH LONGER . . . . . .

Great Mother's Day weekend . . .

2009-05-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

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!" .

2009-05-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

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

Day 2 in quarantine . . .

2009-05-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

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 . .

2009-05-04T19:25:00.001-07:00

DA BEARS!

Be careful what you wish for . . . .

2009-05-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

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! . . .

2009-05-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you know it . . .

2009-05-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

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.

Thanks Jaime! . . . keep them coming!

2009-04-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

I wish I could get away to Maui where a friend is working,

just another day in paradise . .

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

2009-04-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

"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!!

Feeling the love on Earth Day . . .

2009-04-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

What a pleasure to meet . . .

2009-04-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

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"

2009-04-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

OK, so I have been pouting . . .

2009-04-20T19:28:00.001-07:00

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!!

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

2009-04-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

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!

Leupold 3 . . . Pirates 0

2009-04-14T17:32:00.001-07:00

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 . .

2009-04-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2009-04-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2009-04-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Brayden and Grama's Excellent Adventure . . .

2009-04-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-04-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2009-04-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

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.

Worth stopping for . . .

2009-03-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

A friend told me about these little Red Box machines popping up, so I thought I would stop and try one out. I'm not much of a McDonald's restaurant person so I never really paid much attention to these additions to their businesses. Red Box Movies are $1 day . . period. They carry the very newest released movies and are very easy to select and return movies to. We typically rent from Blockbuster Video where new releases go for $3.99 per day for rental. The On Demand movies via cable are $4.99 per movie. So how can you beat $1 a day?? you can't! We don't really rent enough movies to join Netflix, so this is a great deal! Anyway, there you go, give it a try and I hear they are not just at McDonald's but other various locations too.

Picture this . . . .

2009-03-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

OMSI planetarium, Portland, Oregon 1977, midnight show on a Friday night. Hey! what did that guy just pass me?? Nice, this is very nice . . .

Anybody need a tshirt? . . .

2009-03-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

Not sure when it happened exactly, I guess it has just occurred over time. My wardrobe for work. Long gone are the days of Ralph Lauren suits, Nine West heels, Obsession perfume and London Fog raincoats. That seems like a lifetime ago. I use to love to shop for nice clothes to go to work in everyday. I'd enjoy spending hours at Meier & Frank, JC Penney's and the Nordstrom Rack looking for bargains on slacks (who uses that word anymore?), pantsuits (before Hilary Clinton ruined them), dresses, matching purses, shoes . . . oh the money I could drop . . wooohooo. BUT, I did have a much better salary in those days (pre-low paying school district job) and dressing professional was an expectation. Oh my! how my wardrobe has changed from those days. In the very back, very dark corner of my closet I have retained 2 nice black dresses from the "old" days. . . that's it. For years I couldn't part with the many outfits I had accumulated, but eventually I saw no need to keep hanging on to them. My clothing attire these days is an eclectic mix of tshirts, polos, hoodie sweatshirts and nylon pullover jackets . . . period. Collected from nearly every sport, musical, activity, playoff or championship event that happens during the school year. "Hey, Mrs. C you want one of our baseball tshirts?" "Sure, why not" "Mrs. C, here is one of our playoff tshirts, aren't they great, the boosters got them for us, you need to wear it on Friday!". "OK". "Nice shirt, Mrs. C thanks for supporting the danceteam!". So that's how it happens. I have gone from a sort of fashion conscience professional to a tshirt/hoodie wearer. I'm not sure why I did this the other day, curious I guess, but I counted how many school related tshirts I have . . . . 48 (short sleeve), 23 (long sleeve), that's not counting ones I have saved for sentimental reasons. Like the old district & state wrestling championship tshirts during the years the boys wrestled (I know, it's pathetic). Uh, hoodie sweatshirts with team logos on them . . . there would be 18 of those, polos and nylon pullovers . . oh there would be 13 of those. So as you see, I have a wide variety of choices of what to wear on any given day. It's just that there are some days that I miss the old professional me. If I did dress as the me in my previous life, this is what I'd hear: "Geezzz, Mrs. C, are you going on a job interview, don't you like it here anymore? (hmmm, let me think about that . . ha!)" "Did you go to a funeral today or something? I'm sorry", "Why are you all dressed up is somebody getting married?" So as I rotate my tshirts at the end of each school year, to make room for the new batch next year, maybe I will try on one of those black dresses and some heels and think about how completely uncomfortable they would be to wear again everyday!!!

Baseball in March? what were we thinking . . .

2009-03-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

We attended the OSU vs. U of O baseball game last night. It was the 2nd game of a 3 game series. Our OSU football tailgater friends talked and decided it would be a fun get together, so it was a date! We headed out on the MAX train and met up at Goose Hollow Inn, which we soon learned could not accommodate our group of 10. So we wandered down a couple of blocks to the BullPen Sports Bar right across from PGE park. As with our football get togethers we all thought we should meet for burgers and brews at around 2:00pm (4hours before game time) which was 6:00pm. So that equals 4 hours of brews, burgers, munchies, more brews, more video games (yes! $45 winner!), until we decide to wander over before game time. All along intermittent rain showers are occurring this entire time, so we are thinking the game may be iffy. It's raining pretty hard now (30 minutes before game time), we find our seats (yes! they are under cover) and wait. Announcer says, "We will be delaying the game until 6:30pm", Fine! more $7 beers while we wait, just great our wallets are getting thinner by the minute. Then it just pours!!! really pours, we think the game is for sure going to be cancelled, but it stops and the game begins at 7:00pm and it doesn't rain another drop. Lots of folks there so that was good, we did have to move though because our seats were right in the middle of the most obnoxious Duck fans you could find, even my hubby the Duck fan said we should move. So we moved. We froze (they should not show the temperature on the score board while you are sitting at the game . . arrghh . . we watched it start at 48 degrees and drop to 39 before we left!). It was alot of fun, but by the end of the 8th inning, with the score tied at 2-2 we left, we were cold, tired and something about baseball just not being as exciting as watching football. Didn't see until this mornings newspaper that the Beavs lost 3-2 during the top of the 10th inning.

PS. . . drinking more beer does not "make you warmer when it's cold outside" as quoted by the bartender at the Bullpen sports bar. Now why would he say that? ha!

That's not what I'm looking for . . .

2009-03-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

Something I love to do when I'm walking on the beach is to follow the tide line. You know . . . the edge of the waterline where you find all of the treasures that the ocean brings ashore. Someday I know I will be washed out to sea as my head is always down, not paying attention to the incoming waves but just in deep concentration looking at what is mixed in the kelp, seaweed or shells that have been carried in. When I did this on our trip to Mazatlan last summer, there were all kinds of really cool shells I'd find and pick up. I brought a whole bag of them home with me carefully wrapping them so they would not get broken in the luggage. They are displayed proudly in our bathroom (I know weird place) and they bring a smile to my face when I remember the walks along the beach to get them. This week my walks made me mad more than anything. All of the "crap" that gets washed ashore. Thank God! Oregon has a very effective beach cleanup program through the SOLV organization. Which we have gladly taken part in over the years, but it's just truly disgusting some of the things you see. Of course the major culprit is plastic, whether it's bottles, caps, lids you name it, then cigarette butts and Styrofoam. I'm not sure where all of this stuff comes from but geezzz people, it's gross and needs to stop.

All good things must end . . .

2009-03-29T15:28:00.000-07:00

I had very good intentions this Spring Break week of getting lots of work done. Like spending some time getting my blog updated (didn't happen), taking all my riff-raff off of the kitchen walls and giving it a fresh coat of paint (didn't happen), to organize a photo album of all my Mom & Dad's old pictures (didn't happen), to contact a couple of bathtub refinishers and get bids for our main bathroom (didn't happen), get our carpets shampooed throughout the house (nope, didn't happen) well . . there I have confessed (it's a Catholic guilt thing). Here it is Sunday afternoon and it's too late to get started on anything new, right?! I feel good about lots of things that DID happen this week though!. . I had a nice lunch out with Dani, Nicole, Lucas & Brayden (who were very good boys at Red Robin), enjoyed a fun afternoon shopping for perennial plants at Al's Garden Center (to the tune of $100 before I knew it! oops), and a relaxing 3 day get away to Cannon Beach with my Mom at a really nice place. Tomorrow it's back to the routine and hopefully not such a crazy month as March. Looking back on the March calendar we had far too many appointments, meetings, trainings, after hours school events, crazy work issues (hirings, resignations, meetings, interviews, budget woes, weather, etc.), just way more than usual. It's nice that I got a little bit of Zen from my favorite location in Oregon, now I just hope it lasts.

None of that sissy stuff . . .

2009-03-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here are a series of promises that actually speak reality, no cutesy little smiley faces, just the stone cold truth about friendship.

1. When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!
2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I definately must be involved in!
4. When you're scared -- we will high tail it out of here.
5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!
6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.
7. When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall -- I'll pick you up and dust you off -- After I laugh my butt off!!

This is my oath...I pledge it to the end.

Friendship is like peeing in your pants everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth (not that I would know anything about that).

They have to be my age . . .

2009-03-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

There has been a retirement in my family. MY DOCTOR! That's what it feels like anyway. My primary care doctor has decided to retire, big jerk . . how dare he. I have been going to him for 28 years, he has some good years left still and he is going to spend them retired. . . hmmpfff. It's the next worse thing that could happen to my hairdresser moving or retiring. I tell her repeatedly, "If you move, I move with you, anywhere, anytime!" I guess I have trust issues. So I began my search a few months ago for a new doctor. I have a good friend who works for Providence Health System, so I asked her to do some research for me.

Please find me a physician who meets the following criteria:

Is female . . nothing against male doctors (I've been seeing them my whole life) but I'm ready to make the switch.
Someone that has an office on the westside of Portland.
Someone that is close to my age (I want them to understand me at this age now, it's a personal bias)
Specializes in Internal Medicine (that way I have one stop shopping, no more OB/GYN office with pregnant women and crying babies, been there . . done that)
Positive feedback from her patients.

So she searched for me and one name came to the top. Dr. Rebekah Trochmann, MD. Her office is located in The Portland Clinic Beaverton office, she is an Internist AND she's 52! yeah! Lots of positive feedback from patients about her. So I call to make a new patient appointment (back in November). She is so popular I wasn't able to get in for my appt. until March. I can appreciate that she likes to keep most of her appointment slots open for her established patients, I respect that. We meet, we chat, I love her, we completely connected! She totally understands me (that's huge). I decided at the beginning of the new year to start taking better care of myself. I haven't been really, seems my busy life gets in the way and I want/need to change that. First, I started to do some things with my diet on my own, to help me lose a few pounds and now with a new doctor I had some questions about some issues. I've been hearing alot about bone density testing. I asked her if all the chatter about being tested around this age is true, and she said yes, especially with my mom's history with osteoporosis. I'm trying to be proactive, that's very different from the former me. So next month it's a bone density test, a mammogram, a fasting lab blood workup, a tetanus shot with the whooping cough vaccine and pap. I also learned on my visit that the Pacific Northwest has the highest percentage of people deficient in Vitamin D in the country. This is largely due to our lack of sun (why I need to go to Mexico every year!!ha!!) and our high use of sunscreen to block the few suns rays we do get. So on my new morning routine I will pop a daily Vitamin D tab (my only daily pill so far). Kind of feels like I have been to the mechanics shop, I'm sure it will feel even more like that next month after all my testing . It's important though, and I'm glad I have finally made it a priority.

Books for everything . . that too!

2009-03-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend we stopped by for a quick hello at our son and daughter-in-laws house. They were babysitting our other grandson for the evening so we thought great!! visit 2 grandbabies in a single visit. Nicole started telling me about a book her sister sent her for Lucas, it's called "Everyone Poops". It's a children's book about you got it . . poop. I thumbed through it and oh my gawd . . it cracked me up, it explains that animals poop (shows the pile size in relation to the animal) and adults and kids poop too! Food goes in and poop comes out. It was hilarious actually. Apparently, there is a whole market of children's books about poop. "Where's the Poop?", "Who Pooped in the Park?" "The Truth about Poop", "Who Pooped in the Zoo". . . oh there are many more!! I'm sure the intent is that if children read about poop, they won't be scared and will want to do it to!! I mentioned that the first signs of them knowing that they are pooping in their pants and they shouldn't be is they begin to hide someplace to do it. And almost at that very moment who should appear from behind the vertical blinds with a big smile and loaded diaper!!! Lucas Clifford!!!!!!

You want me to be your Facebook friend?. . .

2009-03-10T19:54:00.001-07:00

I'm not quite there yet. Facebook. I know alot of people are all the buzz about it, but I try to blog and if I add one more thing to my technology advancements, like trying to keep up on a Facebook account I will never have time for anything other than sitting at my computer in whatever spare time I do have. There are cookies to bake, projects to paint, gardening to do, friends to hangout with and grandbabies to snuggle. Bad enough that lately I have been having blogger block, bouts of meltdown about what to even write about. Like who cares what I have to say about anything anyway? Then when I am online writing I feel like I really should be doing something else. Then every so often I hear from somebody that really enjoyed reading my rantings, so I continue. Anyway, back to Facebook. So it's been interesting lately when I receive an email out of nowhere at home or school from somebody asking me to join their Facebook world. I have to laugh because the majority of them have been my son's EX girlfriends! They don't want to talk to them, but I guess they will still talk to me!! haha!! So be assured, there won't be any returns of yes I will be your Facebook or MySpace friend, just don't take it personally ;)

Oh sheesh, Am I on "The Office"? . .

2009-03-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

At the high school staff meeting this last week, I was called to the front of the auditorium. "We would like to congratulate you on being nominated Classified Employee of the Month". For the non-union people out there, the school's consist of certified (teachers) and classified (everybody else) staff that are employed by the district. A monthly selection is made based on nominations entered into boxes placed around school with the kids and staff submitting names. So embarrassingly I walk to the front and nod to the crowd (I hate this stuff) and head back to my seat, with a certificate to use the reserved parking space for one month (that parts nice) and a "Viking" pride pin. Why do I feel like I am in an episode of "The Office" while this is happening? it could be the animated way (Michael Scott way) in which our principal makes the presentation . . that is exactly it I'm sure. Another part of the accolade is to hang up personal items in a wall mounted display case that is near the entrance of the school.

This weekend I gathered my collection of where I've come from and a bit of who I am . . some things are:

A picture of my mom and dad, brothers, a baby picture, picture of when I was on Romper room (we are talking ancient history now), pictures of Dale & I in high school, our wedding picture, picture of the boys when they were small, their high school wrestling pictures, Chad & Josh's family wedding picture, and pictures of my cutie pie grandsons.
Yearbook photo of Peggy & I in FEAST class (they still have that class, thought the kids would enjoy seeing our old fashion aprons!)
My Neil Armstrong Titans pep rally uniform (don't ask me to try and fit into it . . hmmfff)
Some tole painting books, paints, brushes and a completed project.
My FGHS diploma, a copy of the Viking Connection Newspaper from 1974.
A Varsity FG letter, some ribbons from my prom corsages.
The following DVD's: The Office, Cool Hand Luke, Animal House, Barbra Streisand One Voice, Ocean's Eleven, Shawshank Redemption, Curly Top - Shirley Temple
The following Album covers (no CD's, humbug) - Elton John Yellow Brick Road, Beatle's Abby Road, Bachman Turner Overdrive (I know these are sooooo old, but hey! what can i say)
Some snapshots of camping, Mexico, and weekends with the paint ladies.

I decided that was enough of me in a nutshell! I did have to reconsider some favorite pictures from being displayed, can't let those kids see me with umbrella drinks in my hand!

Teriyaki food find . . .

2009-03-06T17:07:00.000-08:00

Speaking of Hawaii . . .time once again to introduce a food find. This time it's a really good marinade "Soy Vay brand Island Teriyaki sauce. I have used this sauce on beef, chicken and pork. In all cases it was really good. My favorite is to marinade thinly sliced beef overnight, then grill both sides approximately 3 minutes (or more depending on cut) over the highest heat. Serve with steamed white rice and stir fried vegetables. Try it you'll like it ;)

Daydreaming of vacation . . .

2009-03-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

This week I received some pictures that made me long for a relaxing vacation. A couple are from the former Athletic Trainer at our high school who a couple of years ago accepted a position at King Kekaulike High School in Pukalani, Hawaii. When she left I told her to make sure she sends me pictures, and she has of lots of beautiful sunsets over their football field, pictures of her training room that remind me of very fancy outdoor concession stands next to stadium fields. She is also a certified scuba dive master so she is really getting into underwater photography of fish, coral and all the other cool things you see in those blue waters. Here are a couple recent photos she sent me. She wrote in her email: "The photo with the flowers was taken in Molokai, where we traveled for a wrestling tournament, sure beats the old days of traveling to Newberg!" . . arrghh, she's right about that.

This next photo was sent to us from our good friends in Germany. They are on a ski vacation in Italy and sent this photo of the ski village they are staying at. Gotta love the extreme weather and exquisite beauty of both locations. Where do I buy my ticket?

5 Questions Men Fear . . .

2009-03-01T19:17:00.000-08:00

This is what they are thinking ladies . . . .

Question 1: What are you thinking about?
The proper answer to this, of course, is: "I'm sorry if I've been pensive, dear. I was just reflecting on what a warm, wonderful, thoughtful, caring, intelligent woman you are, and how lucky I am to have met you."
This response obviously bears no resemblance to the true answer, which most likely is one of the following:
a. Football.
b. Golf.
c. How fat you are.
d. How much prettier she is than you
Perhaps the best response to this question was offered by Al Bundy, who once told Peg, "If I wanted you to know what I was thinking, I would be talking to you!"

Question 2: Do you love me?
The proper response is: "YES!" or, if you feel a more detailed answer is in order, "Yes, dear." Inappropriate responses include:
a. Oh Yeah, shit-loads.
b. Would it make you feel better if I said yes?
c. That depends on what you mean by love.
d. Does it matter?
e. Who, me?

Question 3: Do I look fat?
The correct answer is an emphatic: "Of course not!" Among the incorrect answers are:
a. Compared to what?
b. I wouldn't call you fat, but you're not exactly thin.
c. A little extra weight looks good on you.
d. I've seen fatter.

Question 4: Do you think she's prettier than me?
Once again, the proper response is an emphatic: "Of course not!" Incorrect responses include:
a. Yes, but you have a better personality.
b. Not prettier, but definitely thinner.
c. Not as pretty as you when you were her age.
d. Define pretty.

Question 5: What would you do if I died?
A definite no-win question. No matter how you answer this, be prepared for at least an hour of follow-up questions, usually along the these lines:
WOMAN: Would you get married again?
MAN: Definitely not!
WOMAN: Why not - don't you like being married?
MAN: Of course I do.
WOMAN: Then why wouldn't you remarry?
MAN: Okay, I'd get married again.
WOMAN: You would? (with a hurtful look on her face)
MAN: (makes audible groan)
WOMAN: Would you sleep with her in our bed?
MAN: Where else would we sleep?
WOMAN: Would you put away my pictures, and replace them with pictures of her?
MAN: That would seem like the proper thing to do.
WOMAN: And would you let her use my golf clubs?
MAN: She can't use them; she's left-handed.
WOMAN: - - - silence - - -
MAN: shit.

Dirt, Hair, Cooties and the Devil . . .

2009-02-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

I'm ashamed, I'm embarrassed, I have failed. For years I have gotten up every Saturday morning, put my hair into a ponytail, wearing my grubbies, grabbed my collection of cleaning supplies in it's handy dandy carrier grabbed my vacuum cleaner and performed the time honored tradition of "cleaning" house. Oops, I left out the part about cranking up the music in the house. I start at one end of the house and enter every room with my arsenal of cleaning products, dusters, sprayers, wipers and clean as no woman has cleaned before (or at least since the previous Saturday). As I finish cleaning I turn on the vacuum cleaner and move furniture, etc. to diligently suck up every morsel of dirt, grime, cooties, etc. that may exist on my floor or carpet. There is nothing that brings me more satifaction than hearing the little tinkle, tinkle noise of things going up and into my vacuum cleaner as well as admiring the "vacuum lines" in my carpet when I am complete. It validates that I have been here, I have done my job and NOW the room is clean. OR so I thought. I have noticed lately that my Super Powered Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner has been making alot of noise lately. I keep checking the bag and yes, it is still sucking up lots of junk, it's just that the motor has seen better days. So recently on a trip to Freddies I noticed that they had vacuum cleaners on sale, and although buying a vacuum was not on my list when I entered the store, I came home with one. It is the new "Turbo Powered" Bissell XP, sounds like a video game or something. I get it home and connect things together. It's one of those bagless models, which I though, "well, this is good, it will save money on buying new bags all the time". After I get everything all hooked up, I fire it up and decide to vacuum our little carpeted area in the family room. Seems to work fine, definately not as noisy as the old vacuum, very nice carpet lines, ok, so let's check out the container that collects the dirt. "OH MY GAWD!!!!" It's nearly full!!!!! What??? that can't be!!!?? This is unreal?? So now I am on a mission I completely vacuum the rest of the house. It's sooooo embarrassing, all these years with my bag vacuum cleaner (I guess out of sight out of mind). Now that I can see the dirt, I am obsessed with getting rid of it. Here I thought I was cleaning everything so spic and span but my Super Powered Dirt Devil failed me. So next time you try to call, if I don't answer the phone, I'm probably vacuuming so I can't hear you.

Wrestling or Brad Paisley? . . .

2009-02-28T08:38:00.000-08:00

Great day at the Memorial Coliseum on Friday watching the high school state wrestling championships. Of the three kids from FG that qualified two are still in

contention. Our 103lb'r will wrestle tonight in the championship match and our 285lb'r is advancing in consolation today towards third place. Not often do you see the floor of the coliseum completely covered in wrestling mats. I like that they moved the state championship back to Portland from the Salem fairgrounds venue. They had to split the different divisions into two separate locations in Salem and here they are all in the same place 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A & 6A. There are 12 matches going on at the same time so there is lots to watch. Our 103lb'r was featured on this video that OregonLive recorded (hard to believe that Andy was that weight or less as a sophomore dripping wet).

Josh Johnson defeats Farmer at 103 pounds

There was a brief break between sessions yesterday afternoon. Since hubby was going out to eat with his score table buddies, I hopped the MAXX train to Lloyd Center for a little shopping. On the return to the coliseum a number of coaches, parents and wrestlers unloaded off the train and headed back towards the coliseum passing the Rose Garden on the way. "You have any tickets?" "Hey, you need any tickets?" It was a mob. For country singer Brad Paisley was in town Friday night as well and the scalpers were out in high numbers. I heard lot's of the kids and coaches say, "Yeah, we have tickets to the state wrestling championships, do you want those?" To the dismay of the scalpers who thought they were going to be making some big sales deals. I won't say I wasn't tempted . . hmmmmm . . watch more wrestling or checking out Dierks Bentley (the opening act) and Brad Paisley's show . . well, wrestling won out.

Gotta love the weather . . .

2009-02-26T07:05:00.000-08:00

I am awakened by a 5:00am call. "hello?" in my scratchy sleepy voice. "we are on a 2 hr. delay this morning" says the boss. "what's wrong?" I say, "guess we have had a bit of snow overnight" he says, "Ok, I'll see you later" as I roll my head back to the pillow. SNOW . . again . . arrghh. So up I get since now I'm awake anyway . . tiptoe out to the mailbox and grab the newspaper . . might as well enjoy a cup o' joe while I wait for the flurries to settle. This is crazy . .

Tired of the flu . . .

2009-02-23T19:52:00.000-08:00

Entering week 2 of the flu. A week ago Sunday, in the evening the scratchy throat began. Not enough to keep me from my beach adventure on Monday, but by Tuesday it was the full blown flu. I shouldn't have but I did go to work on that day, which was my demise. "You don't sound good Mrs. C.", "What's wrong with your eyes?", "You sound funny" "Oh man, don't you hate that flu, I have had it too". So on Wednesday when I got up . . I said screw this I'm staying home. What has been even worse about this go around is hubby and I have both been sick at exactly the same time. Not good. We are both fighting for couch space, the Kleenex box, the oranges in the refrigerator and who can be more crabbier to the other because we both feel so rotten. We stayed home Weds, then again on Thursday. Doing the usual routine of Tylenol, sucking on the Halls lemon menthol drops, then NyQuil before bed. Sleeping horribly, coughing all night, just pathetic . . actually just like the commercials on TV. By Friday I couldn't take it any longer and went back to school, I thought I was feeling pretty good until all of the above comments were repeated to me again. Great. I arose on Saturday, still not feeling good and said to hubby, "I'm going to Urgent Care, this is ridiculous", "Fine" he says but doesn't volunteer to go along, he is not a fan of the doctors office. I enter the waiting room at 9:00am with expectations of being one of the first patients there . . . sadly mistaken . . the waiting room was full. I worked in health care for 19 years and I know better than to wait and go to an urgent care clinic on a weekend, but here I was and I felt a kinship with everyone there, they all looked and sounded just like me. Young people, old people, babies held by a sleep deprived parent, all of us wanting relief. When I finally returned to my car at 11:30am (yes, 1 1/2hrs later) I was holding prescriptions for antibiotics, some megapowered cough syrup and an inhaler. I had high hopes that after ingesting a few of these products I would feel better. That was Saturday, this is Monday night, I'm still feeling like &#@*. This would be the year that I skipped my flu shot . . arrghh . . cough . cough.

Should we adopt a college student? . . .

2009-02-23T19:15:00.000-08:00

A few years ago we became one of many Americans that took control of preparing their own taxes by using the software program Turbo Tax. It's easy to use, and walks you step by step through income, deductions, credits, etc. etc. to the point of sending an e-file federal and state tax return. You can have your refund direct deposited and specify the specific date to mail any amount due the government via bank wire transfer (ie. 4/15/09). Our tax situation is fairly uncomplicated. We have probably one more year of claiming our last child as a dependent, taking advantage of the educational credit of college tuition assistance (which we have been able to do for about the last 8 years) and I think after that, we are pretty much screwed. As most homeowners dream of . . our mortgage is getting smaller, but that means our interest paid is getting less and less, meaning a smaller interest rate deduction. We are healthy and don't have huge medical bills to deduct (knock on wood). Sure, we give to charity but not in the thousands of dollars (maybe we need too?). So what's a married filing jointly couple to do? The suggestion at the end of our tax return is to buy something that creates more interest . . . hmm . . to create a deduction, of course. Invest more into retirement - yeah right! now is a good time, as I watch my current investments tank . . not a real motivator to deposit more. As I sit here and complete our tax form and pay our part as a "good" American family, why isn't somebody out there busting all those people who are getting by with not paying their part. It was mentioned and I should not have heard this, about the millions in unpaid taxes that occurs every year, geezz . . seems to me that maybe they need to hire Dog the Bounty Hunter and take of some business.

Even the men will eat this quiche . . .

2009-02-20T19:31:00.000-08:00

This recipe was featured awhile ago on Paula Deen's "What's Cooking" show. I quickly scribbled it down and tucked it away in my overflowing recipe box. Pulled it out this past weekend and whipped it up. It was great, so I'm sharing.

Hash Brown Quiche

4c. shredded potatoes (frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed/drained worked great)

1/4c. melted butter

3/4c. ham (diced) or sausage (cooked and crumbled)

3 green onions (chopped)

4 eggs

1c. half/half

1c. shredded cheddar cheese

salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In large bowl combine potatoes and butter. Gently press into a pie plate, like you would a graham cracker crust, making sure some of the potatoes come up the side of the pie plate. Place potato crust in middle rack of oven and cook for 25-30 minutes. After removing cooked crust, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.

In smaller bowl combine eggs & half/half, beat lightly. Fold in ham, green onions and cheese. Add desired amount of salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture into cooked potato crust shell. Flatten smoothly with a spatula, place in 350 degree oven and bake for 30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes to rest before cutting pieces to serve. Top with green onions and dollop of sour cream.

You will love it!

Road trip . . .

2009-02-16T18:16:00.000-08:00

Hmmmmm . . . go straight or turn right? decisions decisions . . .

I was going to plant pansies in flower pots, I was going to start taping woodwork, so I can start painting my kitchen, then when the sun came out this morning and it was so beautiful . . I just decided . . . I'm driving to the beach! If I would have told one person they would have said I'm crazy, so I didn't and maybe I am, I just went. So I grabbed my jacket, filled my cup with coffee, picked out some CD's for the ride, and off I went. I even lived dangerously and left my cell phone at home . . . Just thought I'd take a day and get rejuvenated by staring at the ocean . . I think it worked, I love the beach.

Nice day for my road trip . . . .

A little shopping . . . .

Some fresh dungeness crab for dinner tonight . . .

Thanks to our President's! for this great holiday!

Better late than never . . .

2009-02-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

Happy belated Bday to my bro, he's old, I'm old, we are all old and I'm a day late by China time! . . . As I just arrive home tonight at 10pm after being out of the house since 7am this morning, our Valentine's day was spent running the time clock and keeping score at the district wrestling tournament. Quite romantic don't you think . , and even to make it all the more exciting during a one hour break at the tournament we drove to the local Canby Fred Meyer store and decided to buy ourselves . . since it's such a special holiday and all . . drum roll please . . . the most sensual gift ever for this day of hearts and candy . . a new camping tent for the summer! ha! So there you go!

Back to McDonalds I guess . . .

2009-02-12T20:13:00.001-08:00

Sitting at the dining room table last night I am catching up on balancing my checkbook. I am writing in some gas slips, a slip for a dinner we had at Newport Bay over the weekend, then I begin to write down my grocery receipt amount from Fred Meyer this weekend. It's a big long receipt like they usually give you that has coupons attached. Normally I just write down the dollar amount in my checkbook, then quickly browse the coupons which are usually for things like diapers, or different things I just never buy at the store. As I was looking at them quickly before getting ready to toss, I noticed something at the bottom in bold print, "IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE" . . ??? What?? I read on, "Valued customer: You recently purchased the product listed below which has now been recalled. You may return the product for a full refund at any of our stores or you may contact the company at blahblah number. This product may be contaminated with SALMONELLA and if eaten, could result in severe illness to those individuals who may consume this product. DO NOT CONSUME."

The item noted on my receipt is the Special K Protein Honey Almond Meal Bars and YES I did purchase them (as big brother who is watching at Fred Meyer must already know) and YES when I look into my file cabinet next to my desk at work (where I keep them to munch on at break), I have already consumed half of the box!!!!!!!!!! holy SH#T!!! But there is nothing about peanut butter anywhere on the ingredients!! I immediately email my husband and tell him about my find and if I unexpectedly keel over in the next couple days, it's the damn Special K bars. Here I am trying to be a good little dieter, follow the rules, drink my Slim Fast and eat my granola bars and THIS is the thanks I get. I also felt the need to warn my boss about my possible demise on the job, which could occur at any moment while I am sitting at my desk. He laughed and said, "See, this just shows people shouldn't give up deep fried foods, the high heat kills all of those bugs". Oh now he tells me. I am warned by hubby to watch my behavior in the next few days (very funny), and my bowel movements! Oh my gawd! This is stress I really didn't need in my life . . . . and now for my last will and testament . . .

How's a girl to diet? . .

2009-02-11T20:31:00.000-08:00

Hey Ref!. . He's stalling! . .

2009-02-10T19:25:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again . . . when the high school wrestling season winds down to the final District Tournament to determine who goes on to the State Championship. Our boys are long since out of that arena, but Dale and I still enjoy watching and cheering the kids from the Grove on every year. Some of our best friendships were formed during those years that the kids wrestled, and I miss that part alot. We still like helping out at the tournaments and always look forward to watching kids we know participate in the state tournament, which is the last weekend in February in the Memorial Coliseum. This year FG has the potential to send at least 6 wrestlers to the state meet if they perform well at the Canby districts. It's not an easy sport for some people to watch or even like for that matter. I guess, I hear it all the time: "How can you watch that, it's gross", "Wrestling is gay", "Why would guys want to do that?", "Wrestlers ears look stupid", "They are always dieting", "He's way too skinny", etc. etc. etc. That's only a sampling of the negative comments from non-wrestling athletes, non athlete students and even from some other coaches. I guess until you become part of the wrestling culture or family as I call it, you just don't understand. I have also heard these comments from first-time wrestlers, long-time wrestlers and alumni wrestlers: "It's the hardest thing I have ever done", "It's the best conditioning program I have ever been in, way better than football", "I made great friends through wrestling", "I've never been this disciplined before", "I pinned him and I've never pinned him, it was sweet", "He won't go out for wrestling because he doesn't want to work that hard". Wrestling gets a bad rap, mostly because a few coaches have made stupid choices in how their wrestlers cut weight. For some reason people think high school & college wrestling is comparative to WWF, WFC or whatever it's called now . . NOT! Unfortunately, like everything only the bad gets all the press and the coaches/wrestlers making good choices, working hard and playing by the rules are not news worthy, and that's unfortunate.

So here's to another great season and good luck to our team as they head to the state qualifier. You have a fan, actually 2 but I only have one of them pictured in his mini singlet (although they could very well choose to be basketball players! heaven forbid . . ha!) GO VIKS!!

P.S. Favorite quotes to yell at the tournament to distract the referee: "Hey . . he's stalling Ref!", "He's locking hands!", "What's he doing? He's not doing anything!", "Hey, sit down coach!", "He's fleeing the mat, look at him Ref!", "that's an illegal move!", "He's pinned! Hey Ref he's pinned!", "Where's his back points?" and our all time favorite "I think he has ring worm, is that ring worm Ref?"

OK . .OK . .I'll go . . .

2009-02-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

Every year Dale works at the Sportmen's Show that's held in Portland at the Expo Center. He worked this last Friday & Saturday in the booth that Leupold has at the show. Every year he bugs me to come and walk around with him after the show to look at stuff (I think it's because he wants to try and talk me into a big hunting trip to Alaska, OR a new boat OR a new gun OR any number of things they sell there that we can't afford BUT he will try and convince me we can do it). I usually make excuses not to go, got better things to do, not interested, I would be bored . . etc. etc. . Well, for some reason I had a weak moment this year and when he asked I said, "Sure, I'll meet you after your shift." Even better I will take the MAX so that we only have one car to drive back home. I was going to take the bus from FG into the Hillsboro transit center, but I decided to drive direct to the transit center instead (just not up for a bus ride). I enter the MAX train, find my seat, open up my book and it starts . . . some guy behind me . . is talking to himself . . LOUDLY . . about the train not leaving on time . . about his coat not buttoning right . . about his bike being broken . . and he's not really talking to anyone in particular. . . just talking to himself with about 5 other people sitting in our car . . So, I think to myself . . do I stay here or do I get on another car?, Oh heck, he seems fairly harmless, just annoying, I'll just stay. "HEY, Lady . . you with the Red Hair!" . . . I slowly turn around . . "I live in Vernonia, why doesn't this train go to Vernonia??" . . . uhhhhh . . Now what do I say? . . "Well, not sure why? but that's a good idea, I think it should". . . he looks serious . . . "the trains on time, the trains on time, the trains on time" he says, and with that I slowly get up and move to another train car, just not really in the mood for conversation. I really could give a full blog page on people that ride the MAX, each trip provides a new story. But, back to the Sportsmen's Show . . . so I walk into the show and it is packed. No economy problem here, oh my gawd! it is wall to wall people walking through 3 huge buildings looking at all this stuff. I grab a map and find the Leupold booth. There is hubby talking to some guys that are looking at some binoculars. Really, he was in his element . . he should be in marketing for that company, nobody is prouder of their product than he is of what they make there. That's why he loves the show so much. He says, "It's nice to have people come to the booth and be so happy with the quality of the product that you work on day after day in the shop. Every person that stops by has great things to say about their Leupold scopes or binoculars, and they are anxious to hear about what we are working on next". So I guess that's cool, and I guess that's why he enjoys doing the show so much. And although we walked around for nearly 4 hours after his shift accumulating a bag full of brochures to exotic hunting locations, NO commitments were made. He is being very "whiney" though about a bear hunt in Canada or Montana . . . win the lottery honey!

New excuse . . .

2009-02-03T06:39:00.000-08:00

Time for some cookin . . .

2009-01-31T09:44:00.000-08:00

Getting started on some Superbowl dishes for the big game (party) tomorrow afternoon. The Boyle's family is hosting this year so we are all bringing something. It will be GREAT! to see the tailgater's of Beaver Nation, we haven't seen everybody since the Civil War get together, a few of us got together for the Bowl game. I'm sharing some recipes I'm taking tomorrow, thought maybe you would enjoy them too. I'm going to try to keep that "diet" mentality on the most fabulous food day of the year, and apparently I need to be monitoring my expanding hip size as well, hmmpffff, stupid doctor. It's going to be a challenge. Portion control is the key! so what happens if I have about 30 small portions (nibbles or munches) spread over 6 hours?? Guess I will find out! GO CARDINALS!!!

Yummy Hamburger Dip

1 1/2lb. of hamburger

taco seasoning (desired amount)

1 can (lg) of refried beans

1 1/2 c. sour cream

1/2 bottle - Green taco sauce (select mild, medium or hot, whatever you like)

2 c. shredded cheese (mexican blend)

Cook hamburger, drain fat, combine desired amount of taco seasoning with a little water, stir until taco consistency. Layer in a 9X13 pan the following, hamburger mixture, refried beans, sour cream, taco sauce, shredded cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Veggie Pizza Squares

2 pkgs. Pillsbury crescent rolls

2/3 c. Best Foods mayonnaise

1/2 c. sour cream

2 (8oz) pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1 envelope Uncle Dan's zesty Ranch dressing

red pepper, broccoli, carrots, cucumber (chopped into small pieces)

Spread crescent roll dough on a 11X17 jelly roll pan. bake 7-8 minutes at 375 degrees or until lightly browned. Cool. Combine mayo, s. cream, cream cheese and ranch dressing. Spread on crust. At this point you can either combine all the vegies together and spread over the top OR square off cheese mixture and place each vegie in a square (I think this looks cooler). Cover with plastic wrap and press vegies gently into the cheese mixture. Refrigerate and cut into squares. This can me made a day ahead.

Taco Salad

(from the old "Mr. Food" show on Channel 8)

This makes a huge salad so you may want to cut in half sometimes for smaller get togethers. Serves 10-12

1 lb hamburger

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 medium head of lettuce

2 c. cheedar cheese (shredded)

1 16oz can dark red kidney beans (I use black beans instead) drained/rinsed

2 large tomatoes (dices)

2 cans (2 12oz) sliced black olives

1 bag Cool Ranch flavored Doritos (crushed)

1 bottle of Catalina or French Dressing

Brown hamburger, drain, add seasoning mix and cook through. Set aside to cool a bit. Tear lettuce into bite size pieces. In a large salad bowl, layer as follows: 1/2 lettuce, 1/2 cheese, 1/2 beans, 1/2 hamburger, 1/2 tomatoes, 1/2 olives. Repeat.

At this point you can cover and store overnight if needed.

Before serving add crushed Doritos to top of salad and toss. Add dressing and toss lightly again. It's really good!

Oh great . . . it's the "A" word . . .

2009-01-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

So my knee has been bugging me for awhile now. Awhile meaning . . . a little over a year. I seem to remember on one of my walks that at sometime I turned my leg the wrong way and ever since then it's felt funny. Well, not funny ha.ha. but funny ouch. I have just been ignoring it, but lately going up and down stairs, getting out of a chair, even turning over at night causes a knife pain in my knee. I think my tolerance to pain is pretty high, but it's just really been annoying me lately. So I made an appt. to see an Orthopedist today. I explained to him my symptoms and said, "I really hope nothing is torn, because I probably won't have any surgery done unless it's a simple arthroscopic procedure, otherwise I can put up with it." "Well, I'm glad to hear that" he says, and he sends me down the hall for about 5 different Xray views of my knee. Have you ever had to wear paper shorts before? oh verryyyy attractive . ha! Anyway . . after he does some twisting, turning, pushing and pulling of my leg and knee area, he looks at the Xrays that were taken and begins his diagnosis. "I am happy to tell you that nothing is torn so no surgery is going to be required" . . . . "Well, that's great news!" I say, then he goes on "Can you see this area in the Xray??" "Yes?" "Well, it looks like you have a bit of arthritis developing in the knee area and your kneecaps are slightly out of place" WHAT??? how did that happen? I sit Indian style (or yoga as they call it now) all the time, my kneecaps should be in great shape? then he says, "Now this is the part you won't like, but women at your age begin to develop . . . ." At that point I didn't like this doctor anymore . . . WHAT DOES HE MEAN WOMEN MY AGE and WHY am I hearing that so much lately?? "because a womens hip size pulls the muscle near your knee and that muscle needs to be strengthend so your kneecap aligns properly" . .blahblahblah . . WHAT ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT I HAVE FAT HIPS??? (I'm thinking with a fake smile), "So you would benefit from a few physical therapy sessions to learn some stretching exercises to strenghten the muscles around the knee and feel free to take some Motrin if it really feels uncomfortable". . . "Oh thank's, good to know." I say, thinking (I would rather you have told me it was badly torn and I need surgery, instead of "I'm OLD and that's just the way it is so GET OVER IT, and apparently my HIPS are a problem too"). I think I will just self medicate with a glass of wine and try to feel good about myself again! ;)

Nothing a little Don Henley can't cure . . .

2009-01-27T19:35:00.000-08:00

Hey . . what's your bid? . . .

2009-01-26T20:45:00.000-08:00

Time again for "drumroll please" . . .the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Auction and Dinner. So one of the baskets I am putting together for the auction this year is again (after last year's popularity) a TRAIL BLAZERS BASKET.

Contents include: 2 FABULOUS tickets to the Blazers vs. Utah Jazz on March 31st, Portland Trailblazers car flag, Blazers lanyard, Brandon Roy Bobblehead, Brandon Roy size large #7 Tshirt, RUDY Ferrrrrnaaanddezzzzz Bobblehead (going for over $100 in Spain!), and big #1 Blazer hand for the #1 FAN!!!

The second basket is called "Ladies Night" contents include: 3 current Best Selling romance novels, 1 Sugar Cookie scented candle, 2 Martini glasses, 1 kitchen towel saying "Real Women Drink Martini's", 1 fifth Smirnoff Pomegranate Martini Cocktail, 2 - DVD's Grease & 20th Anniversary Dirty Dancing, $50 gift card to McMenamin's (food, spa or hotel), small photo album (to brag about your kids or grandkids), lotions AND a 8X10 glossy photo of Brad Pitt ... woo hoo !!!!

Come to the event, tons of great items to bid on as well as the silent auction!! Saturday, February 21st, Tuality Health Community Center . . .

Back to where I started . . .

2009-01-26T19:57:00.000-08:00

I made a decision after the first of the year to do some kind of volunteer work. We use to help alot when our kids were younger for things mostly related to their school or sports. So I don't know . . . lately I've felt a bit like I haven't been doing my part by volunteering like I should, especially with no kids at home anymore. I considered a few organizations like: The Oregon Food Bank, Medical Teams International, Washington Co. Domestic Violence Resource Center and St. Vincent's Hospital in Portland. Since my volunteer time can only be on either Saturdays or Sundays that sort of narrowed down which organizations I could help. After contacting the first three, I've decided that St. V's would be the best fit. I really enjoyed the 18 years I spent working there and look forward to giving back. So on Wednesday there is an orientation so they can decide where to best utilize me, either in surgery scheduling, gift shop, information desk, working in the nursery or helping to wheel out discharged patients. I told them whereever they need help just let me know, this is going to be fun.

At least you have a job . . .

2009-01-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

Doom and gloom is the economic picture on a daily basis these days. Headlines detail the different industries impacted by the recent layoffs. In Oregon and everywhere companies are making big/huge reductions in the workforce. Locally Intel and other manufacturing companies are laying off and closing their doors. At our school district in late November we were told that there would be department budgets & program cuts with an $800,000 reduction predicted to the budget for the remainder of this school year. Now we are told the budget reduction is much higher than originally predicted with it being closer to $1.5 million instead. We are suppose to be given the final numbers in about 2 weeks after the Governor presents the 2009-2011 budget. No matter who got us into this mess . . Republicans (with de-regulation and overspending) or Democrats (adding more and more government) at this point it doesn't really matter, so get over the finger pointing and get to work. We just really need to get out of it. There are more kids in our school than ever with a Mom or Dad or both without a job, and that is worrisome. The kids are stressed, they are being expected in some households to now work more hours at their "fastfood" jobs, making their education take a backseat to helping the family pay bills and put food on the table, the staff is stressed waiting for the other shoe to drop about what's going to be cut next, it's not good. Alot of the emotions are for things completely out of our control, and occasionally people need to be reminded of that.

A timely love story . . .

2009-01-21T20:31:00.000-08:00

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love. Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome. Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mind set. That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with. A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids. So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl?

Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person. It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.

So after hearing this story and not really having a special team going to the Bowl this year . . my cheering will be for the Cardinals, where a great guy is the quarterback . .

Here is another find . . .

2009-01-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

Tomato Juice. My Mom would drink it occasionally when we were growing up, I tried it and thought it was gross. She made the suggestion that I might like V8 instead of regular tomato juice, I tried it and found it even grosser than tomato juice. I wasn't a huge fan of vegetables but I tolerated them growing up, but to drink the juice of them . . . eeewwww, no thank you. Shortly after I started dating my husband his Mom was a big fan of Beer & tomato juice. "Oh you will really like it she said, it's especially good for hangovers the morning after". . hhmmmm. . .really? . ."Ok, I'll try it then . . . . well YUCK . .what are you people thinking???!!?" So needless to say TJ has not been a part of my beverage selection . . . Until now . . . and only because I can get it SPICY Hot ;). I bought some of this a couple of years ago when it first came on the market to "try again" since tomato juice is suppose to be so good for you and I absolutely LOVE the spicy hot version!! I have also used it in a number of recipes and it always adds great flavor. I've added it to chili, meatloaf, pot roast, spaghetti sauce, Bloody Mary's, spicy lentil soup, shrimp cocktail mix and spicy pork chops. So here is my grocery find of the week, see if you like it . .

Great!! time in Vegas . . .

2009-01-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

Sunny and 68 degrees on Las Vegas Blvd. . . woohoo! It was great for walking up and down the strip. Just to feel the warmth of the sun again was wonderful! The Beatles show "Love" at the Mirage Hotel & Casino was a HUGE hit! It was unbelievable, the music was soooo good and the performance was spectacular, I would highly recommend going to see it, especially if you enjoy Beatles music.

At the Mirage following the show we did have to make a stop in the Beatles "Revolution" Lounge, of course. All of the barmaids and bartenders are dressed in outfits from various Beatle movies ie. Yellow Submarine, Magical Mystery Tour, etc. Drinks were waaay over priced of course, but hey!! it's Vegas!

Lucas was getting concerned about his upcoming part in Stephanie & Brian's wedding. Even his daddy's encouragement wasn't enough to get him to walk down the aisle with his cousins Ella & Taylor. Oh well, he still looked cute in his mini tux anyway.

Stef looked so beautiful as she walked with her Dad, the weather was perfect.

OH now!! he wants to be the life of the party of course, after the procession is over and there is no pressure to perform anymore!! ha . ha!

After all the excitement of the wedding, the reception, the food and dancing, we looked over and Lucas was crashed with his Mommy.

Needless to say, the 777's didn't appear on my payline, the Wheel of Fortune song didn't chime in for a spin, the Harley Davidson, Mustang Convertible or Red Ferrari that I played for are not currently being parked in my driveway, nor did any bells and whistles go off indicating that I had just won any number of Progressive Jackpots that were available . . so in a nutshell . . . that means I'm back at work tomorrow. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted anyway!!

Viva Las Vegas!!!

To all my . . .

2009-01-15T21:30:00.000-08:00

I hope this works . . .

2009-01-12T19:26:00.000-08:00

Good thinking on my part to begin my serious dieting 2 weeks before we are going to Las Vegas, only the buffet capital of the world (next to Reno)!! But I am determined . . I was surfing the web and found tips on staying on your diet while approaching the buffet table . . some of these suggestions I will probably use.

Choose a small plate - seems obvious - but a large plate typically means lots of food and all hope of appropriate portion size is abandoned, research has proven this (I can validate personally based on the size of my holiday plates . uh large . . ha!).

Memorize what a "healthy plate" looks like - Try filling up your plate with salads and vegetables first - whatever is left can go to the other foods.

Check out the buffet before loading up the plate - Some people start at one end, and by the time they've finished loading the plate it looks like Mt Everest. Take a minute to walk around the foods before you grab your plate. Make a mental list of the best foods (lean proteins, salads, vegetables, etc). When it's time to grab your plate - you can bypass all the other foods.

Avoid crisp, crunchy, batter dipped foods, foods that have been deep fried. Creamy textures equal high calories: gravies, soups, sauces. Dessert counter should be considered very carefully when trying to avoid high sugar, high calorie foods. (Oh . . I hope I can do this).

Find the slowest eater - Know someone who eats really slow? Sit next to them. It'll help you pace yourself properly - and you'll soon know if you've been stuffing yourself.

Drink wisely - Alcoholic drinks are surprisingly high in calories. If you're after something a bit more exciting than plain water then go for a soda water (aka seltzer water or club soda). A dash of lime juice in it can make it a tasty drink. (this may well be where I fall off of my plan)

For many people, a buffet meal should be avoided completely - the temptation to get your money's worth is too strong. Research has demonstrated that the more variety on offer, the more we tend to eat.

With these tips I will be prepared to enter the buffet line . . I hope . . oh man . . this is going to be a challenge. Well, once this hurdle is complete, no worries, soon after I return home I will have 2 weeks to prepare for all the delicious foods facing me at the Super Bowl Party . . . AAAArrrgghhhh!

WooHoo . . Vegas! . . .

2009-01-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

A trip to Vegas is coming up very soon and I'm really looking forward to it. We are actually going to a wedding for my daughter-in-laws sister SO there is a real purpose to our trip other than to sit at the card table. As everyone knows I am a fan of the slot machine so I imagine that in some free time I will find my hiney sitting in front of one or two (or 3,4,5 etc.) machines. You'll find me at either the nickel, dime or quarter machines, you see I am and extremely high roller . NOT. About a year ago I heard about a show that is being performed at the Mirage Hotel and Casino called
The Beatles "Love" Cirque Du Soleil. It was featured on some talk show during it's opening night performance because Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney attended. They both gave really positive comments about how their music was used as it related to the performances of the Cirques Du Soleil acrobats. So when we decided we were going to the wedding I started checking online about the show. We have never been to a fancy show in Vegas or Reno ever so I told/asked hubby, "I am going to look at getting tickets for this show, ok?" "Well, how much is it?" he says "Oh just don't worry about it . . yes, it's gonna be spendy but what the heck, we won't ever go to another show again, and I think we'll really enjoy this one, it's all performed to Beatles music." His next question to me is "So are there any naked women in it?".....aaarrrghhh "NO, I kind of doubt it"...."Oh . . Yeah, I guess we can go anyway. "So I will let you all know how it was . . . minus the naked ladies >: / http//www.mirage.com/entertainment/love.aspx

So the new year diet begins . .

2009-01-08T20:28:00.000-08:00

Monday -
Breakfast - Green tea, 1 can chocolate Slim Fast
Lunch - 1 can chocolate Slim Fast
Dinner - Shrimp salad
Personality - Excited about starting new diet

Tuesday -
Breakfast - Green tea, 1 can chocolate Slim Fast
Lunch - 1 can chocolate Slim Fast
Dinner - 1 piece of Jamaican Jerk Chicken, salad lite dressing
Personality - this isn't so bad, but I miss my Diet Coke and Lattes

Wednesday -
Breakfast - Green tea, 1 can chocolate Slim Fast
Lunch - 1 can chocolate Slim Fast
Dinner - 1 chicken enchilada, salad lite dressing
Personality - Beginning to think about food too much, but happy with the couple lbs I've lost.

Thursday -
Breakfast - Regular tea, 1 can chocolate Slim Fast
Lunch - 1 can chocolate Slim Fast
Dinner - 1 Teriyaki chicken breast, salad lite dressing, 4 garlic fries
Personality - Getting crabby .. I can tell, hubby is cutting back his eating during the day too (he won't resort to Slim Fast though . .it's a guy thing) and we are running to the kitchen to start dinners in the evenings when we walk in the door . . ha!

I don't know it just happens, you are an OK weight then all of a sudden a couple years later . . well . uuhhh . . how did I gain those 20 lbs??? I don't remember . . a little too much of this . . . a bit too much of that . . . not enough exercise, probably all of those things?? But it's starting to bug me so we are determined to shed a few pounds this year, so if we appear distracted, short tempered or crabby, it's because we are (sorry, it's temporary) until we get over the hump of beginning to diet. Just hand us a glass of water with a lemon slice in it and we'll be OK . . maybe!

Ha! that was fun . . .

2009-01-06T06:47:00.000-08:00

Great to be back at school again, even a number of the kids commented on getting tired of being home with the family, which was surprising. So after doing alot of catching up between classes one of the teachers said to me, "Hey, did you see us on YouTube?" . . What?? No . . Well, it seems that one of the freshman recorded the Staff lip sync that we performed before the break on her cell phone then downloaded it to YouTube. When I got home last night I looked it up. HA!! there it was, not great quality, but that's what makes it so original. Since we were facing the senior section you are getting our backsides, the best part is hearing the kids responses to some of our moves and the songs, I dare you to find me in the masses! Enjoy!

The party's over . . .

2009-01-04T18:32:00.000-08:00

Back to reality tomorrow. After a nice long three week break I won't complain. There are a few things I did way too much of when I was home and had time on my hands. #1 - Over clean my house, it's ridiculous. There are only two of us and I should not be re-vacuuming, wiping, dusting, mopping, washing everyday with the little bit of mess we make, but I do, when I'm home sitting around looking for things to do. #2 - I eat too much, so when there is nothing to do (after all of the over-cleaning), I start to nibble, a little of this and a little of that. Not good. #3 - Spend too much money, So after cleaning my house, and nibbling, then I go out and spend money (hey, there are sooo many great sales right now!!). Yes, some of the things are needed grocery items (I need more munchies to nibble on while I'm bored in the house), but I always end up coming home with something(s) more than I went for or needed. This year I resolve to try to clean my house less, not nibble unnecessarily and try to not buy stuff that I don't need. Will see how long that lasts! ha!

2009 ready or not . . .

2009-01-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

Today is the dismantling of Christmas inside and out. All the decorations, lights, and displays getting boxed up for another year. The holiday leftovers are getting tossed into the garbage for a fresh and healthy start for the New Year (at least for awhile anyway) . .

Grocery store finds . . .

2008-12-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share every so often some items that I find in the grocery store that we think are tasty. Working fulltime I don't have the time to make a homemade everything from scratch meal for dinner during the week. And with us both getting home at different times during the evening, it's not always easy to plan dinner. It seems that so many of the different "convenient" foods you can pick up at the store are basically . . gross (ie. TV dinners, boxed macaroni dishes, frozen precooked chicken strips, nuggets, etc.) Others are not too bad, sometimes you just have to doctor them up a bit. So although Rachael Ray claims anybody can cook a homemade meal in just thirty minutes, I don't have her energy after work OR her personal shopper that can get me all of the fresh ingredients that she uses daily. Good for those of you that do/can, but my time for cooking is usually on the weekends, otherwise its fast and easy or I use the "let's go out to eat" card. Most frozen grocery store pizzas are bad, they taste like cardboard and although the picture indicates a delicious looking pizza on the box, the opened contents speak otherwise. I picked up this BBQ Chicken pizza at Trader Joe's, and much to our surprise the pizza was really good had more ingredients on it than what appeared on the box and the crust was fresh and tender tasting. Since hubby likes to eat more than a couple pieces I ended up buying 2 of them, but you could get by with one especially if you had a nice salad to serve on the side. Do you have any finds? Enjoy!

Hey Obama, step aside . . .

2008-12-29T09:12:00.000-08:00

The thaw begins . . .

2008-12-28T15:34:00.000-08:00

Finally, after days of snow we are thawing out!! How nice to be able to get out of the house again and just go to the store without fearing for your life. The neighborhood streets are still snowy and icy in alot of spots but the main roads are good. There is tons of gravel everywhere, now the job of sweeping all of that stuff up begins.

Well, our Christmas holiday was fantastic!! We weren't able to attend church services on Christmas eve like we normally do because of the snow, which my hubby and son gave a collective "oh darn" sigh too. I guess that you don't have to be "in a church" to give thanks and besides God wouldn't want us risking our lives to get there just for the atmosphere and communion, we can reflect on all that's wonderful in our lives in our own way, which we did/do?. On Christmas eve afternoon we gathered again for lefsa making, this time at Blake and Diane's house with a new technique, and on the BBQ grill method, which worked great. It is hard as the family grows for everybody to coordinate their schedules so at least a part of the day can be spent all together on Christmas. We were very fortunate this year that Josh, Dani, Brayden, Chad, Nicole and Lucas, Andy and Grama Howson were all able to come over on Christmas morning. After opening gifts here we headed to the Boyles house in the evening for a fabulous turkey/ham dinner and more gift exchanges. Brayden and Lucas were SO good for being up all day with hardly any naps due to all of the excitement. I think all of us that went home that night were exhausted. Then, it was a surprise party for Chad on Friday night with Dale keeping him out all afternoon shoveling snow (the decoy) at the two Grandma's house's. Poor guy he was so tired when he walked into his house when we all yelled SURPRISE!!, I didn't know if he would make it through the evening, but he did and Nicole got him good, he had no idea. Last night was a trip to the Blazers game vs. the Toronto Raptors, We had planned a couple months ago for a family night at the game. It was alot of fun and YES!! the Blazers won the game with Brandon Roy and Greg Oden having an awesome 4th quarter, the crowd was really into it and since they scored over 100 points . . YES!!! it was also FREE CHALUPAS from Taco Bell for everybody . . yippeee!!! It was a great holiday and today I am a vegetable on the couch. Except for a brief trip to Best Buy, Dale and I decided for our gift to each other we would buy a BluRay DVD player since our player was having problems. So I am laying here watching him try to figure out how to connect it all together, I am learning some new cuss words and hearing a comment about needing to go back to the store to get a cable that is required for maximum picture quality. . So perhaps I will take a little snooze while he goes to yell at somebody at the store.. . poor soul.

Merry Christmas to all . .

2008-12-25T07:33:00.000-08:00

Happy 30th Chad! . . .

2008-12-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

Geezzzz. . . how did this happen so fast? I now have a 30 year old son! Very proud of you and the Daddy you have become!! Have a great bday!

News flash . . .

2008-12-21T20:44:00.000-08:00

We now have chains on both vehicles and Baby Jesus may be getting crushed shortly in a manger cave in. Santa is stuck nearly waist deep in snow on our roof and it will take some serious reindeer power to unearth him from the current snow drift in time for his big holiday.

Our Koi fish in the pond must think we have relocated to Minnesota . .

Where everybody knows your name . . .

2008-12-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

When Dale came home from work early yesterday (around 2:30) I said, "I'm taking you out for a birthday beer, let's go.". So we bundle up and head out slowly, we still have lots of snow and in many places it's still really icy. He doesn't mind driving in it though so we take off. We drive up to McMenamins so he can order his favorite Terminator and I order a Ruby Ale. As we enter the bar, there sits one of our high school coaches and his wife, having some munchies and beers, "Hi, you guys enjoying the snow!", "We sure are this is great!", they say. As we get seated in the bar I look across the room and there sits another teacher and a couple of staff people, "Hey! how have you been all week?" "Oh fine" I say "Just getting alittle cabin fever". We decide to grab our beers and head to one of the side rooms near a roaring fireplace, as we enter the room there sits one of our vice principals with a couple of friends, having a good time. "Well, hi! guess this is the place to be today! Happy Holidays . . cheers!" I say, As we find a place to sit in a cozy area near a fire Dale says in his grumpy voice, "Jesus, are all the school district people hanging out here all week?" . . Uh no . . it just looks like people from the high school . . ha! These days off just "irk" him, "Teachers better not be getting paid for all of these days off!!, "No, dear they won't be, just like your wife won't be either." hmmppffff. . . he goes. So after we enjoy our beers and visit for awhile he says, "Let's go out to Gales Creek Tavern for some pizza". So we head out there . . oh my gosh . . . the roads were really snow covered heading out there and of course parts of the road never see the sun with all the trees hanging over it. Well, we make it and it's completely dead, for a Friday evening there are only 2 other customers in the place. Nice for me . . . no fighting people on the Video poker machines . . !! So we enjoyed our pizza and a beer, then decided to head home, it was 7:00pm. It's amazing how the weather can completely control your life. The bar was so quiet that there was even a seat available for the bar cat.

It's Official . . . .

2008-12-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

We will not in the near or distant future ever be retiring to Alaska. Day 3 of snow day and the cabin fever is setting in. I don't want to clean my house anymore, I don't want to watch daytime TV (even the Food Network is getting boring), I finished my book, done the laundry, now what? I suppose I could bake? Being home bound isn't everything it's cracked up to be. I am not good at doing nothing. How do people in Alaska do it? Tons of snow, never seeing the grass, I like grass. Suppose you are probably better prepared and know how to handle the conditions there. Some of us just get too ansy being inside all day long. Doesn't look like the rest of the week is fairing any better, now they are talking freezing rain, yikes! I know my non "school district" friends and family have no sympathy for my plight . . as they are traveling into work everyday . . . poor souls, thanks for keeping that economy on the upswing (sorry, just my nature to be a smart &ss)!!

That's a great idea . . .

2008-12-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

I'm up with the paper this morning and head to the recliner, along with my cup of Irish Cream flavored coffee. We are entering Day 2 of "Snow Day" and I am thoroughly enjoying it. The paper has it's usual depressing front page news for the day, "Oregon's state jobless rate hits 8.1%, experts predict more layoffs in the new year", "Shoe video of Bush in Iraq becomes symbol of Iraqi's rage", "Suspect arrested in fatal bombings of 2 Woodburn police officers". And of course, the weather, lot's about the weather . . . rumor has it we may be out of school for the entire week. That would be something that hasn't happened in the 13 years I have been with the district.

Anyway, I noticed an article about suggestions for making donations that I thought was interesting.

Do-It-Yourself Donation Party: Along the lines of the Tupperware or Home Interior Party, you host a party and ask guests to bring items or checks for your chosen charity. Just like home parties you can extend the invitation to people who cannot attend but would like to donate, from your work or school. So let's say your theme is Linens, guests would bring unwrapped blankets, pillows, sheets, bath towels, washcloths, etc. You could have any number of themes: canned food, sleeping bags, coats, children's clothing, etc. depending on the needs of the organization you have selected. You could drink wine, visit with girlfriends, have snacks and know that the get together is for something good, and not more candles or home decor. Perhaps at the party you could even show a short video about the organization that you will be donating their items to.

Maybe when you get to be my age you have plenty of Tupperware and your house is already as decorated as you want it to be, why not still have the fun of the get together and have the contributions go to a worthwhile organization? I'm gonna have to followup on this . . .definitely.

Here are just a few organizations that could benefit from something like this:

http://www.raphaelhouse.com

http://www.oregonredcross.org

http://www.handsonportland.org

http://www.oregonfoodbank.org

http://www.dvrc-or.org/

http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/

http://www.loavesandfishesonline.org/

http://www.catholiccharitiesoregon.org/

http://www.outsidein.org/

Yippeeee . . No school! . . .

2008-12-14T19:39:00.001-08:00

My most favorite phone call from our Athletic Director is when I hear these words, "There will be no school tomorrow, so you don't need to come in" . . Yeaahhh!!, No school in Multnomah, Clackamas, or Washington County tomorrow . . . I feel like one of the kids in celebration! Now maybe I can get some stuff done around here that has been getting put on the back burner. And maybe, if I get bored I will head out to the front yard and make a snowman. It might be time to resurrect my Viking Snowman again I did a couple of years ago. He was a big hit with the high school kids in the neighborhood. It will be interesting to see how many days this may lead to, they are talking temperatures under 30 degrees for the next week, we shall see!