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

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

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

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

THANKS ALOT BILL

FOR RUINING MY NAME

GO OBAMA & MCCAIN!

Me and My Gang . . .

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

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

They are treading on sacred grass . .

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

A gem on Main St . . .

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

Happy Mother's Day Mom! . . .

Reflections on Motherhood with boys . . .

The Early Years . . .

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

The Teen Years

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

The best years

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

A family FAVE . . .

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

SANTA FE DEVILED EGGS

12 hard boiled eggs

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

2/3 c. sour cream

2T. mustard

paprika

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

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