Sweeti's Ramblings

?Question?

2011-10-04T14:24:00.001-07:00

When you feel overwhelmed and have accepted this economic mess for just what it is.
What is it? Be it all so simple, that still makes you happy?...and why?

2011-07-04T00:31:00.000-07:00

I hope ya'll are still hanging in there and things are improving for you economy wise. Still a little tough on our end, praying for some relief soon. I find it difficult to write when things are so day to day depressing. I know I'm not alone here. I hope you go out and make this 4th of July a great time for you and your family and forget about all the crap we can't change for the time being. Be safe, be kind and be blessed!

The wait is over!

2010-09-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

OmGosh, I'm so excited!!!! I can hardly believe it. Miir water bottles has just sent me notification that my design has WON!
John it had to be the blessing. Just another way he works to provide what we need. I was chosen to be the vessel along with the help of all my good friends voting for me Thank you so much! Maybe my design will eventually fund it's own well, I pray so. Miir bottles and Charitywater.org are changing lives $1.00 at a time, that's just 100 pennies for clean water for one person for a whole year...simple as that.

Now after I get the prize money I'll be doing the right thing and donating it back bringing 100 people water for 1 year or 5 people for 20 years. It's awesome, How cool is that?

A plea for your vote

2010-08-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
I have been doing some charity type work by designing a meaningful skin for a reusable water bottle that applies every penny from the sale of these skins (a replaceable wrapper) to a fund to drill water wells to sustain life in countries around the world. People are drinking nasty dirty putrid water and dieing at very young ages of diseases that are totally unacceptable in today's times.

The story of charity: water from charity: water on Vimeo.

Charitywater.org is doing amazing things with their Birthday campaigns and it's hard not to become excited by the enthusiasm here. We all are put here for a reason and doing good by man kind is a good start. They are so right, Every time you go and pour yourself a glass of fresh clean water it motivates me even more.

I have a design to present to you folks and I hope you'll share with others my link so I will be picked to help represent this cause. There's a chance to win a gift certificate and 100.00 dollars for me. I most certainly would donate back to add to my contribution.

Please go to this link and vote Like and share with your friends Please.
update***Times up, now I wait for up to 90 days to see if I'm picked.
http://community.miir.com/designs/details/214

Hello again my friends

2010-06-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Good to be alive(ms) – Michelle Featherstone

MP3 search on MP3hunting

I have to say I have a renewed uplifted feeling today, Possibly it's sun being out for so many days in a row. I have been trying to reach this level to come back in a better and more positive frame of heart.

So much has happened since my last posts, I don't even no where to start.
Say what you will about Facebook, but it brought me my extended immediate family.

I found sisters and a brother that are from my father's previous marriage, I am now the younger sister again for the second time in my life. I am just getting to know them, All of them are warm and loving...I needed them in my life.

We just had 2 babies born into the family and God has blessed us with a boy and a girl, both are beautiful and perfect in every way. I still don't know how many times over that this makes me the Great Aunt but it doesn't matter. I'll love them all the same.

Taking time to smell the flowers with my Amalie

My Mr and I are still pursuing the American Dream and hopefully someday some financial security along the way. I cannot lie, it's been tough at times. It always is when your trying to do things that are your own creations and trying to make it marketable to others. But even with the deviations due to the economy we have found ways to keep on keeping on and remained true to our dreams. That's what people don't understand, American ingenutiy we just keep on trying no matter what. It's all heart.

My favorite quote lately has been is this going to matter in 5 years? If it's no, I don't fret. and God help us all.

I've been gardening again, I planted a month or so ago and it just sat there. Our unseasonable cool and rainy spring stunted most of my plants. I see some growth in some of them but worry that the cool weather crops are going to suffer a untimely death by heat wave some day soon. Again it won't matter in 5 years so I'm not fretting.

More prayers are said in the act of toiling in my garden and being at peace with my thoughts...God bless you all.

2009-12-31T17:08:00.000-08:00

After serious & cautious consideration...
your 2010 contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2010!

It was a very hard decision to make... So try not to screw it up!!!lol
My Wish for You in 2010
May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy
May the problems you had, forget your home address!
In simple words ............
May 2010 be the best year of your life!!

I think I finally found it!

2009-12-07T16:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I've searched high and low for my Christmas Spirit. It normally comes to me just after the fatigue of Thanksgiving has ended...no I take that back, It comes to me when the family is gathered around the table while my feet are throbbing and back is aching and I heard them say what they are truly thankful for that year. It swells my heart and opens it to the blessing of the giving spirit.

...If they knew how important this is to me I think they'd be more forth coming with their blessings. Not that they are ungrateful, they are grateful but a little shy. I keep hoping from year to year for a out pouring of thanks in our gathering, I'll get them there someday. I thank God for each and everyone of them.

Then the building of the doings of the season is perpetuated by the music of the season, the lights, the goodwill towards others.

My spirit has been delayed this year because I believe, I've been caught up in this spirit of unrest our country has been in. The hard times that all these people losing jobs, homes, needing food. Makes one apprehensive about where you'll be financially next month.

Meanwhile, I still feel the great feeling to donate to the red bucket, and seeing the nice smiles and the Thank You's from the bell ringers. I still help out when I can, God gave me gifts that are not things that can be purchased. Somehow I forgot that they are just as important as the gift that is given of monetary value.

This year our family has synched our wallets and agreed to a Christmas Card Christmas (no credit cards)with a cookie exchange, and a Yankee gift exchange for fun with a little gathering with dinner. I feel blessed to have this much today.

This year we are participating in a Trades Guild Christmas at the Fort in Vancouver. I'm actually pretty excited to be the Chef of the Turkey and the Ham for this event. A potluck with the Christmas feeling of old times. I kind of instigated it and it developed, I hope it turns out to be a fun event to follow for many years to come. If not I'll be all my fault.

My Mr. has been working with a student named James Timperley making a film documentary on the Art of Farriery (Horseshoeing) We are excited that because...

1) there's interest in this area.
2) He was given this opportunity to share his knowledge.

We are hoping to have a small video of this to come for his site soon.

I am also really proud of my #1 son that has worked hard, studied hard and it has been 10 years in the making, Jer is now a licensed Professional Land Surveyor with the State of Nevada. I'm so proud of him. Congratulations Jer!

Maybe you'll change tomorrow with these tools today.

2009-11-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

10 90 rule -

thank's for the forward, T

An interesting refresher course in history

2009-10-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone

2009-10-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

I'm ashamed of myself, I've been so busy doing the mondane tasks that have to be done with little time left for my self indulgent little blog. I do love this blog too.

We are trying to pull together many strings and weave what we call this life in the midst of this funk our country is going through. Trying our hardest NOT to particiate in making it worst. Putting our focus in the years ahead instead of the here and now, but it's hard not to when we see all our Constitutional beliefs being cast aside like old crackers. I think Glenn Beck is bringing hope back for me. He's not on either side of the political fence, but rather our Founding Fathers side, our Countrys side, and Our side, but he needs us also to stand up for our own beliefs.

Oh, My...Please pay attention my friends.

I have been doing a little camera work, I finally finished my 4 seasons from my favorite spot in the Canby, Oregon area. Trivial yes, To me it's pure candy to my eyes. My pictures, I'm sure don't even do it justice but I love them all the same. I could wake up and look at this scene every morning of my life and never get enough.

. Be strong. Please accept these blessings I ask for you...

Father,

God bless these people in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day.

In Jesus' Name, Amen

Sweeti

Time for another Faith Update ~

2009-09-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Remember Faith? Anyone keeping up with me in this journey through this life of ours, taking the good with the bad and the happy with the sad, will remember my little neighbor girl and her incredible family.

Journal Wednesday, September 23, 2009 6:19 AM, PDT

This past week we received the results of Faith's last quarterly scans of her back and lungs...
We are ALL CLEAR!!!
No indication of new tumor growth in her back or lungs.
At this point they are moving us to every 4 months, rather than every 3. Another postive step in the battle.

This past month Faith started 1st Grade and really seems to be enjoying it. We are not seeing any indications of post traumatic stress or other emotional challenges. In fact, she is actually quite mature and emotionally stable compared to most of her peers. She has an uncanny ability to rationalize her emotions and articulate her feelings very effectively, well beyond what most people would expect from a 6 yr old.

We continue to have her on a limited activity plan. Meaning no running, jumping, bars, etc. It has only been 4 months since her last full back surgery so we want to ensure that her bones are allowed enough time to heal and fuse to the hardware.
This month marks the 2 year anniversary since we were formally diagnosed with cancer.

_ 7 surgeries later

_ 7 months of in-patient chemo

_ 2 months of radiation

_ A broken hip, leg and toes

_ 2 trips to Boston

...and now, a cancer free, happy and recovering little girl.

What a journey.
We'll drop another update in a few months to keep those interested up to date on her continued progress.
As always, thank you all very much for your support and prayers.
Jerris and Heather (Faiths Dad and Mom)

...and now, ONE AMAZING FAMILY... One Amazing little girl! All held up by a thousands of good thoughts, skilled Drs., and tons of prayers. I Thank God!
Thank you for good willing her to this great day!

..excuse me while I shed tears of joy.

It's dark I'm not going out there!

2009-09-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

The good news, I'm getting the better of the yellow jackets on the farm, 6 traps and they're filling up. I'm seeing rare sightings of the pest that I see no purpose for, and an actual return of honey bees for pollenation.

It's been a weird year, Moles and gophers galore and no June bugs, I really don't like either of them, but at least moles don't fly towards blonde hair and don't buzz a mating call all night long. I'm so glad we don't have locusts here like in Las Vegas, They really freak me out.

The bad news...

I've noticed a change in the food chain around our area lately, It used to be the rocky raccoon stealing cat food and cats and his pal Peppy Le Pew stinking up the joint, wandering our six acre woods. Now the apples are hitting the ground and no deer are coming to eat them like they usually do every year. Our wild rabbits or bunnies as I affectionately call them, are on the decline also.
I know the cause, we are getting an over run of Coyotes in the area. Neighbors are calling saying have you seen my cat? Sheep are getting taken. They are weaving a circuitous path across the corner of our property, while circling the neighbors 5 acre gentleman farm across the road, stopping and chortling when they catch sign of rabbit, sheep, chicken, or cat and howling and yipping as they wander the skirts of our properties.

This morning about 1:30 am I swear I heard one do the weird and eerie howl no more than 50 paces from our bedroom window. Raleigh our Brittany got up out of his bed and went to the couch, he's a chicken. Both the little girls Emmy and Bella were on high alert and crawling all over the Mr. to see out the window. Oh, and he really loves that abrupt awakening. (g)

I'm hearing some gun shots in the early evening lately, maybe it's coyote control, we do have plenty of gentleman farmers in our area with livestock to protect. I'm wondering what's next...Bobcats, bears and mountain lions? It's possible I've seen Elk and deer.
OK, I'm a little scared of the dark now.

5 days til my "Famous" Pie Social

2009-09-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

I snicker when I say that, ..really, I have never corelated famous and my name in the same sentence before. I kinda like it though (g)

I'm first of all known for my Blackberry pie/cobbler, but in the past years included other fruits and a vegetable cleverly disguised as a fruit in my repertoire or medley of homemade contributions to the NWSA Fall Classic Horseshow.
It's funny every year about this time I get a little nerved up and excited about meeting my deadline and presenting my best and most favorite recipes for not a small amount of people. I average 25-30 cobbler style pies in one day. each serves on the average of about 9-10 people. It's quite a feat. ...it's insanity, I know. It's supporting our Horseshow and giving back to our customers at the same time :)

I'm scaling it back just a bit this year, although even leftovers have never been a problem in the past. But I have a new recipe to present also.
A special thanks to Lee Farms in Tualatin, OR for helping me to fill the fruit order beyond our berries needed to complete my task. They've been here for me for 4 years and counting.

Err2 and no coffee

2009-09-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

The dreaded day has arrived, the day that my 10 cup Kitchenaid coffee maker (has finally died) that replaced my truly loved " 12cup Cobalt Blue recalled model" that matched my mixer and blender that the company chose to not replace. It was a beauty, it made great coffee, and I never got error messages like this one.
Now I have only used this one for about a year and half. I really think with the name Kitchenaid and the price they expect it should have lasted longer than this.
I have had Mr Coffee's with their spill all over pour spouts last a good 5 years for half the price.
Needless to say I think the damn thing should just read "I'm Dead" or "TossOut" or "JustCrap". But no they choose these Error messages that you can only to have deciphered by tech help, It's not in my manual. I think it's so they can sell you a new model. Then you call the number only to find out that they are not open on Sundays and have limited hours Mon-Friday and a few on Sat. Well, today is Sunday and I have no Coffee. Damnit!

I think it's time for a new brand. I'm sick of this crap.
So off I go to check out consumer reports.

Are you a coffee drinker and brew your own coffee? What's your favorite Coffee Maker?

Tuesday...After drinking pressed coffee for two days I've got the jitters, I like it occasionally. I broke down and bought a cheap Black and Decker, no frills, not even a timer coffee maker, 20 bucks...it makes good coffee. I think I'll buy a nicer one someday that has no pot and stores coffee internally, but I'll wait for good feed back on brands.

David Cook Rocked Salem, OR

2009-09-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

First let me say my prayers were answered! Not one drop during Davids perfomance and only about ten drops during the prelude to the Crash Kings, so quick that it was just like God had a sense of humor and said "Just Kidding".
This was an event not to miss. The Oregon American Idol Crowd was there for David, and we were loud and proud! My Mr has a set of lungs on him and knows how to use them, I'm not sure the guy that sat in front of us can hear today. lol.

I found this video on youtube the video was done with great talent. Just wanted to give you a feel of the excitement for those who missed it. High Energy totally.

He had a group called the Crash Kings opening and I guess he hand picked them. For not being familiar with them I thought they were pretty good. He sat in with them during their set incognito but he wasn't fooling anyone. A hoodie and heart shaped sunglasses couldn't hide who he was for a minute. Later one of the crash kings sat in the same way.
It was weird seeing someone that you voted up in the American Idol Show in real life and upclose and personal like, it was surreal, and I'll bet David still thinks this way too. He really was quite the same as on the show but more energizing to the crowd, I'm glad I wasn't disappointed.
David You Rock!

Later we talked with an exhibitor on the other side of the fair grounds and he claimed he could hear us clear over where he was. I belive it.
My slideshow without music so I don't infringe on Copyrights.

David Cook concert Tonight

2009-09-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

I think David Cook is going to get an idea of what us Oregonians can endure. I do have some strings at my highest source that I've been pulling, praying for a break, I know he hears me :)
The yellow hi-lighted area is our concert time frame. It's outside in the LB Day Ampliteater in Salem, Or. I'll be there rain or shine.

I just am so happy that someone that I voted for is finally come to play in our area. Woohoo! I'm so excited! Hello!

The winds of change

2009-09-03T21:21:00.000-07:00

I love the snap and pop of all cotton flags.
I feel fall in my bones, already. The winds are switching up, mornings are cooler, night comes to fast. Darkness by 8:30 and arriving faster every night. Damn I hate how fast the seasons change anymore.
We have been busy little bees trying to get our projects completed before the rains set in and it doesn't stop for months. We had a couple of pads of concrete laid and we finished them. We being the Mr and I, a neighbor and our daughter and son in law and grandson helping.

After the screeting and first float

It's quick work but gratifying also. We're pretty good at it now. So now I have a bonified patio that will someday be my outdoor screen enclosed kitchen for get togethers and canning. The Mr has one more bay in the shop for all his blacksmithing tools. Next is gravel for mud control before it gets muddy.
It's September which is my Pie and Ice cream Social month or the NWSA Fall Classic, actually it's only a 21 days until I serve them up. I have some new recipies and ideas for cobblers this year and have tried them out on a few of the customers that come our way from the east and got some good reviews. I hope everyone else likes them too.
Again, I have committed to helping out with another project out at the Fort of Vancouver. A Christmas party gathering for the Blacksmiths Guild. It sounds fun, and maybe we'll do a Yankie gift exchange too.

She had flowers in her hair....

2009-09-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I get newsletters from lots of places and on many of my favorite topics. Some from places I'd like to return to sender but they wouldn't stop anyway so I just block them in the spam folder.

I recently got one from ivillage and the ten wacky hair treatments, did you get this one?
Holy crapola! There were several that I've tried over the years and they were ok, like clay, but not from Morroco.
Rather it was by Aussie hair products. It worked on my really over processed hair of the 80s-90s. It made it feel somewhat life like again.

Beer, yes it works to a certain degree but tried it once and said Eh and never really liked the smell in my hair. It is supposed to give more body was my understanding. I already used a texturizer at that time and it was called Dippy-do. It worked great for the big hair days.

Coconut oil, hmmm, I discovered this quite by accident. I lived in Las Vegas and was a sun worshipper, well I guess I still am only with more protection and limits to exposure. But you know the coppertone coconut oil that we bathed in while sunning somehow always got in your hair and chlorine always dried your hair out.
But if you took the remanants of the oil on your hands and rubbed it on the ends of your hair the chlorine did way less damage and your hair didn't turn as green or slimy from the chlorine. Baby oil worked too. Then you shampoo'd the hell out of it when you got home.

Chamomille for shine, Eh, it's ok but nothing to write home about. It's for blondes to bring out reflective shine, yeah. Now we have glossers that work 10 times better.

But now to get to the part that threw me for aloop.
Things used in hair and places they do it.

Bull semen in London? Ewwwww! Globs of moisture rich protein at Hari's in London

I can't help it

..."There's something about Mary" with its infamous “hair gel” scene comes to mind.

Emu oil in Australia?

A paste of Pigeon poo (droppings), cumin, horseradish and nettles for balding in Greece?

Shikakia powder in a paste instead of shampoo in India?

Caviar in London? At Hari's salon in London.

Some of these are just nasty...How do you not shampoo your hair? Wouldn't you get fungus or bugs or something?

life lessons

2009-08-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

"There have been times in my life when I thought the best way to solve a problem was to avoid it. But this never proved right."

The most powerful lessons are the ones that come from how we face adversity in our own lives.
I stand up once again and seek the truth, with integrity, try to show a good example and try to be a better person than I was yesterday.

I'm Better today...

Snoring and the Cowboy

2009-08-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

The guys were all at a deer camp. No one wanted to room with Bob, because he snored so badly. They decided it wasn't fair to make one of them stay with him the whole time, so they voted to take turns.

The first guy slept with Bob and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all bloodshot. They said, "Man, what happened to you? He said, "Bob snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all night."

The next night it was a different guy's turn. In the morning, same thing -hair all standing up, eyes all bloodshot. They said, "Man, what happened to you? You look awful! He said, 'Man, that Bob shakes the roof with his snoring. I watched him all night." The third night was Fred's turn.

Fred was a tanned, older cowboy; a man's man. The next morning he came to breakfast bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. "Good morning!" he said. They couldn't believe it. They said, "Man, what happened?" He said, "Well, we got ready for bed.. I went and tucked Bob into bed, patted him on the butt, and kissed him good night. Bob sat up and watched me all night."

Thank's for the laugh Teressa.

Either way you go...

2009-08-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

A family...a man meets a woman and they fall in love. After many years have so much in common and yet so many differences. They have children 3 to be exact. All beautiful kids, smart, in college some of them. A beautiful home with acreage, a pond, a horse barn, an arena, and river, gently trickling through the back side of their property.

He rides an Iron horse called a Harley, She rides Horses of the animal kind. Both seemed happy with their choices.

He's a descendant from the pioneers of our area; roots in Oregon go back to his great- great-grandfather, Joe Meek, an Oregon pioneer who was the first U.S. Marshall for the Northwest Territory. He’s got an interesting heritage of his to say the very least.

Imagine going to Cabo San Lucas to celebrate your daughter’s graduation, a senior trip, I guess is what you'd call it. A family celebration for sure.

Imagine if you will,

A freak accident, probably in a split second, on a surf board I think, I don't know for sure. I couldn't bare the thought to ask. Which resulted in a head trauma and He's gone...as is the perfect life as you’d know it, all gone, you’re all alone after 20+years. You still have things, but nothing can make up for the open pit in your heart. You still have kids that too, are also racked by the gut wrenching pain of sudden loss… and Lots of “what if’s”.

Empathy for the family and friends was my feelings. Helpless was my emotion.

We had a Celebration of life for Doug Meek yesterday, Called “Doug Fest” It was nice. Almost 8 weeks ago this happened. Many showed for this, He was a well loved man. Kind and generous were common words amongst the people, tears washing souls were there too. The band played blues...Pink Floyd-ish , Kids getting to participate by singing peanut, peanut butter. We all tried to be upbeat, we listened to stories. Hugs were everywhere.

Tami spoke with grace, eloquence and mentally practiced poise for sure, just to get through her little part of the speech. She shared a little and then shared
Doug’s last words to her after she asked which way to go back to the hotel the moments before Doug's accident.

…”Either way you go, it’s a beautiful walk”

.

Words that will resonate in her soul forever and a day, but could be applied to life as it goes on also.

The lesson here is, no matter how mad you get sometimes or how you disagree, If you truly love someone show them everyday through your gestures, your kindness, your caring and your love. All we have here on earth is today.
It sounds as if they did and it's sweet sorrow for her and the family.

There was an uncle speaking and he was referring to a quote that a priest had made to him, "bad things happen to good people too". We cannot be responsible for other people and things that happen through a different series of events beyond our control. It was yet another message for me, To accept things beyond my control.

I came away from this as I seem to always do...Wishing you knew half the interesting stuff you hear about people before they are gone that you find out after their long past. This is probably why I the read obits. even for strangers.

Flip MinoHd

2009-07-31T01:33:00.000-07:00

I just added a couple new designs to my online store at http://www.cafepress.com/sweeti/6548937 along with the new Flip MinoHD, It's really cool! Here's the link to the specifications stuff about it. "Click here"
I also added the version that's only 2GB as opposed to the 4GB version above. It's specifications info is "Here" For your comparison. Just thought I'd share.

a little humor on top

2009-07-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Just a funny video to pass on...

I have a problem...

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

I have a problem with people I care about hurting themselves with drugs.
I have a problem with people I care about ruining their lives with alcohol.

I sit back and watch this happen to fully grown adults making these choices to change their lives for the worse, albeit, they are adults and their free will allows them to do this without giving any thought to how it affects the people around them.

Becoming numb to the needs of others because there's a party or worse a bottle waiting for that after work drink. After all if they're not driving and doing it on their own time who the hell is it going to hurt?

It's a dinner or event turned down because of...
it's depression that is brought on by...
It's health issues that develop after years of excuses to...
It's the self imposed isolation that it brings by...
It's the midnight cries for help, the lies, and the no memory of ones actions from...
It's the one that claims to be entitled without the participation and caring and giving of themselves because of...
It's the lies and actions that snowball after the years of...
For some it's the stealing, manipulation, from even ones they love because of...

I guess I am to turn my shoulder to this and look the other way, accept things as they are, after all they are adult choices...and this is who they are today, accept it or not.

...I guess this is my choice now?

Let me say...once again, I Have a problem because this effects my life too, even if they are adults.

I'll have to choose self preservation for the good of the rest that still participate, give, care, and love because of choices already made for me...

It's my rebirth... May God bless you and keep you safe.

If this rings true for anyone, please consider the other side along with your personal choices to...

Beauty is?...

2009-07-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

...Twisted.

Happy Birthday to my Mr. and his Brother Mark

2009-07-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

Yup, lucky for me he's still a youngster too! I baked him a big birthday cake, marble chocolate and white cake with raspberry filling and butter cream frosting. He'll be a happy camper. We have volunteer appreciation night at the Ft. Vancouver, so his birthday will end in a picnic. I love him! He's one of the good guys. Happy Birthday.

PS. I'd drag out the liquid eyeliner, but we have the youngest grandson for the weekend. Uh-humm.

Now by some strange fate through his years of child and adulthood my Mr has always shared this date with his much "older"(2 years) brother who is also having a Birthday today. Sibling rivalry I'm sure was present during those years after hearing all the stories. Let's just say I'm glad you both survived. We hope you are having a good Birthday too Mark.

107!!!!

2009-07-09T20:15:00.001-07:00

Donors Keep 107-Year-Old Va. Man in Home

This story made me feel good in more ways than one...

He's been alive long enough to outlive his pension and still looks this good and is proud of himself.
He gives hope for a long happy life.
I've just celebrated my 11th anniversary of my 39th Birthday and compared to him I'm still a youngster.
Also that there is still people that care about our elderly these days.

Who knew?...Tires Expire

2009-07-08T16:28:00.000-07:00

Did you know your tires expire? I didn't. yup, in as little as 6 years...some tires sit on the shelves for as much as 4 years before being sold. They actually have the date made right on them and we as the general public were never really informed of this.

What's worse is there are tire salesman still trying to off these tires to us in the general uninformed public.
If you've never heard of this please watch the video, I am including the link (click Here) go get informed please.

Thank a Veteran for your freedom today!

2009-07-03T22:13:00.000-07:00

...and I'll never stop saying this, God Bless America!
Now go have a good time and be safe.

Got a pocket knife and want to keep it? Here's How.

2009-07-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that the Mr. and I are creating Damascus steel knives and blades, along with nice scabbards and attending Knife shows. We see thousands of people throughout the year buying up pocket knives, some old some new it all depends on the flavor you like so to speak.
Please read on if you are interested in preserving your rights as a knife owner.
It wil require some swift action and feel free to pass on a link.

I normally don't mass email members, but we need to take action on this NOW!!!!

Spark
Owner, BladeForums.com

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URGENT ACTION ALERT: Write your Senators NOW to STOP funding for Customs' Pocket Knife Grab.

AKTI STATEMENT -
AKTI Opposes U.S. Customs' attempt to classify assisted-opening knives and all one-hand opening knives as switchblades.

Customs' proposal will make criminals of 35.6 million Americans
The definition of a switchblade or automatic knife has been clear and explicit in federal law since 1958. There have been several state court cases in California, Texas, Illiinois and Michigan on the issue of assisted-opening knives. Every judge in every case has ruled they are not switchblades because they do not possess an activating button on the handle.

In fact, AKTI' s bill on the Texas governor's desk now clarified their statute, reaffirming the 50-year old federal definition, and clearly distinguishing one-hand openers and assisted-openers from knives classified as switchblades or automatics.

Be warned … AKTI fears that all folding knives will be at risk. U.S. Customs’ proposal indicates it is directed at only the importers of assisted-opening knives. However, the language used in their revocation document is so broad and uses virtually every term ever applied to any knife that opens with one hand. We fear that they are attempting to bypass the will of Congress and that once they succeed in getting assisted-openers defined as switchblades, they could move against all folding knives. These include multi-tools, traditional pocket knives, one-hand openers, and assisted-openers.

If you want to view a video of what AKTI fears about this situation and about your being branded a criminal if you carry a folding knife, go to … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5KINtCajwI

AKTI's Knife User Data ( http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-KnifeUserData.pdf ) documents that at least 35.6 million folding knife users would become de facto criminals if Customs has their way. AKTI's Talking Points ( http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-CustomsTalkingPoints.pdf ) tells you in simple language what Customs is really trying to do. Share these documents with other knife owners and your elected representatives at the federal and state level. . When you are write letters or emails on this issue, you can use this data.

AKTI learned, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on June 10, 2009, that U.S. Customs has denied the AKTI request for an extension of the comment period.

We must now ask our national lawmakers to help us. That should be the first letter you write.
You can find out who your lawmakers are and their email addresses by going to …

Find your congressional officials
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

Review our communication suggestions
http://akti.org/legislation/communicate.html

This is the absolute # 1 action step you must take TODAY.
Please use one of the following letters to email your lawmakers (You can also follow up with a copy sent via regular mail or fax to help reinforce your request. If you know the lawmaker, please call them. Even if you don’t know them, an assistant will make a note of your concern and convey it to the lawmaker.)

Be sure to personalize your letters
Individual Letter to Legislators as Word Document (.doc)
http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-LegislatorIndividualLetter.doc

Individual Letter to Legislators as Rich Text File (.rtf)
http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-LegislatorIndividualLetter.rtf

Company Letter to Legislators as Word Document (.doc)
http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-LegislatorCompanyLetter.doc

Company Letter to Legislators as Rich Text file (.rtf)
http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-LegislatorCompanyLetter.rtf

Now … if you have the time, please also voice your objections to U.S. Customs itself. You can only use regular mail to them. Your letter must be received in the Washington Customs office officially by June 21st (but that’s a Sunday, so shoot for June 20 or sooner).

Address your letter to …

19 CFR Part 177
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Office of International Trade, Regulations and Rulings
Attention: Intellectual Property and Restricted Merchandise Branch
Mint Annex, 799 Ninth St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20229

Please send a copy of your email or letter to AKTI so we can keep track of totals. This will be powerful information that allows us to tell Customs we know how much opposition there is to their proposed action.

While U.S. Customs has officially denied our request (on June 10) for an extension of the comment period, we believe that letters sent to them objecting to their proposed action would still be helpful. You can use the following short models. Please make sure they get to the U.S. Customs office in Washington, DC by Saturday, June 20 (Note that Customs will only accept letters sent via regular mail.)

Be sure to personalize your letters
Individual Response to Customs as Word Document (.doc)
http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-IndividualResponsetoCustoms.doc

Individual Response to Customs as Rich Text file (.rtf)
http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-IndividualResponsetoCustoms.rtf

Company Response to Customs (as Word Document) .doc
http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-CustomsCompanyLetter.doc

Company Response to Customs (as Rich Text File) .rtf
http://akti.org/PDFS/AKTI-CustomsCompanyLetter.rtf

Click for more information on how you can help Save Our Knives
http://akti.org/legislation/uscustoms-help.html

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KNIFE RIGHTS STATEMENT!

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Write your Senators NOW to STOP funding for Customs' Pocket Knife Grab.

Knife Rights News Slice Vol. 2 Number 11

Write your Senators NOW to STOP funding for Customs' Pocket Knife Grab. As you are aware, Customs is proposing to prohibit the import of assisted and one-hand openers and in the process has broadly re-defined what a Switchblade is to cover almost all pocket knives, with potential far-reaching consequences. Our best bet to stop Customs in the short term is for Congress to prevent them from spending a dime to implement their proposed ruling. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Bill will be taken up by the Senate on Tuesday, July 7th. We need your help NOW to rally support for an amendment to stop funding for this Customs rulemaking.

Timing has not worked in our favor as D.C. has become a ghost town due to the July 4th recess. We will have two days to make this work upon their return. Your emails to Senate offices will get their attention and be a huge help as our lobbyists and legislative representatives work Monday and Tuesday to get an amendment introduced and voted into the DHS Appropriations Bill. Contacting Senator Patty Murray [D-WA] and Senator George Voinovich [R-OH] is particularly important because they are ranking members on the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Homeland Security. Still, contacting your own Senators is also very important and their support is needed as well.

Pass this Action Alert to everyone you know and urge them to ACT NOW! Post on every online forum and social networking site you can. We need to generate thousands of emails before next Monday. If you have a personal relationship with any Senators or their staff, now is the time to call (well, maybe Monday since nobody is in the office now). Personally know a radio or TV talk show host? Please have them contact me (http://bit.ly/vo1uA ) so we can reach out to a wider audience. Help save our Knife Rights; STOP this ridiculous and illegitimate rulemaking by Customs. WRITE TODAY!

Please note that multiple members of a household can and should each write separately.

We encourage you to use the two sample letters below and copy and paste into the email forms. If you want to further personalize your letter, please be POLITE and NON-PARTISAN. The "enemy" is Customs, not the Administration. We can only succeed with the support of both parties. DO NOT yell, don't rant and don't be rude! Stay focused and stay on message. This is NOT the time or place to express your frustrations or make any other political points or complaints.

Just four simple emails can make a BIG difference!

NOTE that there are TWO different letters , one for Senators Murray and Voinovich and one for your own two Senators (unless Murray or Voinovich happens to be your own Senator):

Email forms for Senators Murray and Voinovich can be found here:

Senator Murray: http://murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm
Senator Voinovich: http://tinyurl.com/2rpu4p

1. Sample Letter for Senators Murray and Voinovich:

RE: U.S. Customs & Border Protection Proposed Revocation of Ruling Letters and Revocation of Treatment Relating to the Admissibilty [sic] of Certain Knives with Spring-Assisted Opening Mechanisms

Dear Senator [Murray or Voinovich, as appropriate],

As a pocket knife owner, I am extremely concerned about the recently announced Customs ruling, which wrongly interprets federal law and would prohibit the importation of many of the sporting and utility knives that I use and enjoy. Their overly broad and novel new interpretation of what a Switchblade is could make me a felon for carrying a simple pocket knife. Additionally, the economic impact of the ruling on the knife trade would be severe. Pocket knives utilizing assisted or one hand opening technology are the dominant share of the market, and prohibiting the use of the technology would force significant job losses, and the potential loss of entire businesses.

This type of Federal regulation is totally unnecessary, and I strongly urge you to work with representatives from Knife Rights and other and advocacy organizations on an appropriate restriction to prevent Customs from implementing this ruling.

Knife Rights and other advocacy organizations will be contacting your office to discuss with you concrete ways to prevent Customs from acting on their intention to reclassify sport/utility knives as switchblades.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Individual Signature]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2. Locate YOUR OWN Senators and their email forms here:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Sample Letter to YOUR Senators:

RE: U.S. Customs & Border Protection Proposed Revocation of Ruling Letters and Revocation of Treatment Relating to the Admissibilty [sic] of Certain Knives with Spring-Assisted Opening Mechanisms

Dear Senator [Insert Senator’s Name],

As a pocket knife owner, I am extremely concerned about the recently announced Customs ruling, which wrongly interprets federal law and would prohibit the importation of many of the sporting and utility knives that I use and enjoy. Their overly broad and novel new interpretation of what a Switchblade is could make me a felon for carrying a simple pocket knife. Additionally, the economic impact of the ruling on the knife trade would be severe. Pocket knives utilizing assisted or one hand opening technology are the dominant share of the market, and prohibiting the use of the technology would force significant job losses, and the potential loss of entire businesses.

This type of Federal regulation is totally unnecessary, and I strongly urge you to support efforts by Knife Rights and other advocacy organizations to prevent Customs from acting on their intention to reclassify sport/utility knives as switchblades.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Individual Signature]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Be a Knife Rights Spokesperson on the 4th!

Attending a July 4th party or celebration over this holiday weekend? Talk to everyone you meet. Ask them to write their Senators and Representatives. Send them to Knife Rights for more information and the sample letter. YOU can make a difference in this fight. Speak up and be heard.

It's worth noting that virtually every Member of Congress heads home for the July 4th holiday, in large part to attend celebrations and meet with their constituents. If you happen to run into one of your Senators or Representative at a July 4th event, please take a moment to ask them to help stop funding for Customs' Pocket Knife Grab. Be polite, non-partisan and sincere, and if they tell you it's nothing to worry about, suggest to them that they are being bamboozled by Customs and to take a closer look. Nothing beats a personal, one on one, request for action. All the facts are available in our Comments submitted to Customs: http://bit.ly/1NqNYi

NEW: Show Off Your Support for Knife Rights

Celebrate Independence Weekend by supporting this fight for our freedoms with a "STOP U.S. Customs' Pocket Knife Grab" t-shirt, mug or any of the other clothing or accessories from the new Knife Rights Online Marketplace on Cafe Press: http://www.cafepress.com/KnifeRights 100% of the profits go to support this fight.

If you are graphically talented, please submit your own design and/or slogan for possible use on a shirt, etc. Designs must be in good taste and be 10x10 in., 300 dpi, JPG or PNG format. All designs submitted become the property of Knife Rights, Inc. Email to: customs@KnifeRights.com

Knife Rights on Twitter

Follow Knife Rights on Twitter and receive the latest updates and notices as soon as they occur:

http://twitter.com/KnifeRights
Join or Donate to Knife Rights

Your membership dues help support our efforts to protect your rights. Invest a modest sum in A Sharper Future™. Join at the Benefactor level to help us even more.

JOIN NOW! http://tinyurl.com/qnu988

PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT THIS FIGHT FOR YOUR KNIFE RIGHTS!

We need your help: http://bit.ly/Scvp9

Copyright 2009, Knife Rights, Inc.
This may be reproduced. It may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.

Doug Ritter
Chairman and Executive Director
Knife Rights, Inc.
a 501(c)(4) Member Organization
dritter@KnifeRights.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KnifeRights

PG 13 and Year One

2009-06-22T00:59:00.000-07:00

The Mr. and I went to see Year One and made the mistake of taking the youngest grandson with. Thinking it's PG 13 how bad can it be?
Can we say, he got an education. Oh, and he sat and tee-hee'd like he already knew everything. He's only "11", I never would have understood that adult humor at 11. Oh, and if you go see this ...for go the snacks, especially anything chocolate.

I'm just sayin'

You gotta see what I can do it, can do!

2009-06-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Dinner and Star Trek

2009-05-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

We had Date night last night, Our place of choice was PF Chang's, it was pretty good although I think the one in Eugene has better food...Just an observation.
I like the Mc menamins North Bank pub there by the river too. The best thing about all of these mentioned besides the food is the prompt service and friendly staff.

We had a nice dinner, some crab won tons, salt and pepper shrimp and spicy chicken. Dang, we always get the spicy chicken mixed up with the spicy orange chicken somehow. The spicy orange is the best by far.
We went to Bridgeport Mall to have our evening, the theater there is new enough and clean. Comfortable seating and with it being a week night, kinda slow but nice. The pictures were taken after the late show so it was pretty cleared out.

I could have lingered around for hours, The ambiance was nice. Music playing softly, a perfect temp outside, a few people sitting around visiting. The only thing missing was a open bar for refreshments ;)

There's an area on Portland's waterfront that is perfect this time of year also. They have outdoor cafes and bars with patios and Music it's just a lot of Fun!
That reminds me it Rose Festival time now too. Hmmm, I may have to propose another date.

We went and seen the New Star trek Movie. I used to watch Star Trek as a kid and liked it for the most part. I didn't understand the innuendo's of Capt. Kirk then but after seeing the old versions and now the new, It made me remember and understand his character (horn dog) a lot better.
I'm still confused on the whole Spock thing, ...a little bit. I will watch it again and try to figure it out. I liked it though and it was fun to see on the "Big Screen" you feel like your right there.
I want to see that new Jack Black (YearOne) movie next, out on 6/19. I know, not very deep...But hey my brain needs to relax and enjoy sometimes too.

Then we get ready to leave and I decide to take a few pictures to share and meanwhile the Mr is packing around all my stuff for me, He does that for me a lot. I love him for that too.

Then I spot him checking out the bronze statue, I know he must of been looking for seams in the cast (he is a Blacksmith) or was it panty lines? Hmmm...

A memorable Memorial Weekend

2009-05-26T23:41:00.000-07:00

Our Memorial Day Weekend started off with the thoughts of where to hang our new flag. I bought a new one with hopes to proudly present it some where in our front yard for all to see her waving with pride in the gentle breezes.

The Mr. on the other hand was having a "Big Heart" moment and seen different visions for my old glory. I left to go get my workout in at the gym and came back to him trying to erect a 35' pole he had just cut and limbed from our forest. It was straight and limbed and friggen heavy!

He was trying to surprise me with the tallest flag pole on our hill, maybe the tallest for miles around. He tried but couldn't get it up by himself.

I thought Holy Toledo, "you think big when you have a mind to don't you", I only required a bracket mounted to the carport for my flag pole, Not a skyscraper that would need a beacon so planes could see it.

This is the difference between my thinking and his sometimes. We almost always meet in the middle somewhere along the line.

So, I jump in and try to help him and even with my help all we accomplished was denting the roof of his truck, Albeit its a small dent but, nonetheless its a dent.
He finally relented and only long enough to go and find a standing dead tree that was dryer.
What a Man...
Then he proceeded to limb it and put all his homemade fittings on for the cords and a cap for the top. We erected it together and stood there in our moment of great accomplishment. Pride rings true here on our hill, It may look like it belongs to a post or fort but we here at Union Hall Forge have an immense amount of pride in our fallen Soldiers, our Country and Armed Services.
Most of our weekend was spent at a Horseshow about 5 miles from home at a beautiful facility called Singing Hills it was called UPHA CHAPTER TWO SPRINGFEST HORSE SHOW. Here's my link to my web albums of the Horseshow. Springfest web Album
I hope everyone had a great weekend

Ha!... back at the top.

2009-05-19T23:27:00.001-07:00

Well, 3 months ago I re-joined the gym and have taken a hostage(the youngest Grand son) and I have gone 3 times a week for the most part. I've not lost a pound. I've actually gained. Crap!
The Mr. quits soda pop and Bam! 30 pounds gone. This is so wrong. I limit my food intake and my body thinks it's starving and puts on fat like there's no tomorrow.
I'm wishing I would have measured prior to starting again, at least then I would have been able to see some difference and could muster up some positiveness out of all this. I do have the really irritating problem of having to keep tugging at my pants now. I'm hoping it's my waist shrinking and not my hips expanding. I refuse to buy a bigger size!
The one really encouraging thing is my new medication for Fibromyalgia and RA is really doing the job for me. I used to exercise for 20 minutes and be sore for 3-4 days...no kidding. Sometimes I'd try walking out from home 10 minutes and then turn around and wonder if I could make it back. Some days I was too painful to even do my light housework.
It wasn't only a backache but also my legs would hurt and at times I couldn't tell what part of me didn't hurt.
So now powered with daily pills, and 5-7 years later, I feel normal again, It's kind of scary to think of ever going back to that place again. Hopefully I won't ever have to.
Now, if there was a pill to make the fat just go away I'd be deliriously content. Oh, I'm reasonably confident at this point that it will go away one way or another, I'm just hoping it's sooner than later.

My daughter has been shoving the 5-0 birthday thing down my throat lately and I hate it! (I hated 3-0 also, I cried all day.) I don't especially now, feel a day over 35. If I have to be this age, then I think I've earned the right to be the number I want to be. Next thing you know she'll be talking nursing home. Hummmph! lol.

On a fun note I had some baby time again with my grand daughter, which is growing leaps and bounds every time I see her, soon to be 9 mos, has spoken her first words, Bye-Bye and Momma, and as her mom says can now grit her little teeth. The mere thought of that gives me that shiver.

But wow that grin...she's gorgeous!

Oh, and before I go again, Let me Wish my friend Jeannie a very Happy Birthday coming up.
...And you name the number you'd like to be and I'll honor it ;)

I already knew this secret.

2009-05-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Back in the days that my kids were in school, I took in kids and did childcare as an option to stay home and raise kids. I loved getting them as babies, watching them learn to walk, talk and talk back sometimes, I enjoyed taking care of them until preschool or kindergarten age.
This picture of this zany, bright spirit above (in yellow) was part of my home care kids back then. It's great to see her as she has gotten older and has become a responsible young adult.
...yet more proof that women are amazing survivors and can raise kids right even if marriages don't survive.
Yay Moms!

We've been busy

2009-05-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

First I'll have to say I had a very nice Mothers Day. It was love and affection from the kids and Grand kids. Perfume, Dark chocolate and roses too. The best part really was my first volunteer kiss from my grand daughter Amalie. She just leaned over and planted one on me, open mouth, slobbery and all. We had breakfast together, she had tastes of country gravy and toast. She was loving it.

Speaking of little ones...I finally got to see the 2 baby girls born into our family this last March, Remember they were born one day after each other. One is a second cousin and one is a niece. Both very cute, both really resemble their parents. Both sets of parents seemed a little tired still but, I think they're gonna make it.
We also had a Wedding, The Mr's Cousin Kenton and his Fiancee Erin were married on 5/2. It was a outside wedding, Between rain showers, it stopped for a couple hours during the wedding and was warm and beautiful then it poured at the tail end of the dinner following. We escaped the home front long enough to help out just a little and snap some photos and we were off again back to home base.
It's quite the day trip to the Eastern side of the state for us it's just short of 7 hours driving pretty steady to get there.
We stayed in a B&B where the Wedding was held, Stupid me I assumed someone would be cooking breakfast. Guess again, it was search and find...and I ended
up making the Mr. and I breakfast. It was just weird. We were all pumped to have our first B&B experience...you know the awesome cooked breakfast, and the quaint room. The Wedding was the main focus so we made do.
It'll be do-overs someday and I'll ask instead of just assume if that's what to expect.
We still had a good time, visiting with the family, well, the Mr visited more than me, I made rounds with the camera. They would expect nothing less.

Introducing MR and Mrs Kenton Seiders

Love Nest

2009-05-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

I think someday I will request a bed like this. I know my Mr. could make a fine rendition.
I think it gorgeous. It's forged steel.

2009-05-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

Do you know anything about this Swan?

2009-04-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

I shopped a favorite little haunt and found my treasure for the day. It's beautiful, fragile and vintage. The body was probably molded but theres flowers that must have been added after the mold process. Then hand painted and enhanced with lots of liquid gold detailing. It measures 14"long x6" in height at the top of the neck, 8.5 " across the basket. It's signed by Beulah Casterline April 11, 1956. (no mold marks)
Have you ever seen this before? Do you know anything about the piece?

Points to ponder...a reminder to self

2009-04-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
�9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Happy Easter

2009-04-11T00:32:00.000-07:00

It was war in my world

2009-04-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

My favorite talk radio today announced there was a new law that took affect today. It was regarding women and SUV's. At first I laughed and thought "Yeah Right". Supposedly women as of today in Oregon were driving illegally if...They were driving alone in a SUV, They could drive them if...they had a male driver in the passenger seat next to them or if they applied for a commercial drivers licence and passed the testing. They supposedly passed this bill with little rebuttal and kind of under the radar.
Now get this, If you were caught driving after a certain time frame, say 7-10 days in grace period the police could and would start pulling women over and start giving tickets and fines of $300.00 and eventually suspend your drivers license for abusing the new law. I'm thinking at this point that I'm pretty furious and I'm driving. An SUV! Holy crap!
I'm thinking I've never heard of such a law, Then people kept calling in saying how outraged they are and how sexist it is, this is ludicrous, and so on. I was fully prepared to sit my butt on the steps of our state capital if this was true, and by no means was I giving up my SUV. It's my only vehicle.
(It was just an April fools Joke, By Mark Mason & Dave Anderson on kex 1190 Portland, OR.)
It was not so far fetched really, with the unpredictability of this topsy-turvy world we live in nowadays, I was already feeling our law makers had way too much power. It was totally possible. After all they are talking about a prescription for cigarettes and snuff now and that's no joke. Are people not allowed to make a choice for themselves any longer? Does our Government need to be in every facet of our lives?
Oregonians are paying a combined tax of $2.19 in taxes on cigarettes and .50 on a bottle of alcohol that will simply disappear into thin air. Oh, it's for the children but with little or no accountability I'm sure. We are so in trouble. Nothing makes sense anymore.

"Too many irons in the fire usually leads to a disaster"

I hope you had an unduped April 1st.
Oh, and Megan Joy deserved to stay Simon.

I had a dream...

2009-03-31T14:27:00.000-07:00

In my dream I was on vacation for a week, it was the Mr and I and we were at a coastline of some sort. I dreamed that it was a nude beach and it was as acceptable as a beach that you'd wear a swim suit on. There was a line drawn in the edge of the sand like an invisible barrier and before that point you had to cover your body and after walking over that line you could drop your towel and your body would be perfect. I mean, your body would be sensed as perfect. Even if you were not. It had no bearing on gender, race, or creed. Everyone looked and felt perfect.
I remember jumping and playing in the light green waves. The sun was shining brightly and I was splashing and rejuvenating my spirit with self love and it was almost heaven-ish. Looking down the beach there was other people walking and playing but none were recognizable to me and even appeared as only silhouettes in the distance, I couldn't see any shades of clothing on them so I'm assuming they were naked as well. I did get the feeling that they were as joyful as we were though by the movement in the shapes. I could only see the Mr, and I don't remember thinking about him being nude just free from inhibitions and preconceptions of what he thought he should look like also.

I realized when The Mr came to wake me for breakfast that all I wanted to do is roll over and go back to dreamland.

Canby's Cinema 8 Coming Soon

2009-03-19T14:37:00.001-07:00

The Official Ground Breaking Ceremony

So, as many of you my or may not remember we moved to our property now from the area now being developed as a Cinema and small town shops in Canby, OR., our little humble abode was a cute little home built in the 1890's and was laboriously being restored by us from the inside to the out, I know, kind of backwards.

We had a little corner lot, a home and a shop for blacksmithing, a cute little yard that I managed, keeping it looking pretty cute for the most part. The Mr built me my little meaningful stretch of picket fence that added all the sweetness to the place.

When I pulled up to my home I fell in love with being there every time, It was home.
Here I am all happy and Errrch, The Mr gets approached with an offer on our home. A chance to better himself he thought and add property to expand so we moved. Our lot was one of the prime lots needed to make this new project in Canby happen. That was Oct. 1997

>====>Fast foward to yesterday

At the end was our house. Where they are standing will be the entrance to the Cinemas.

The word has been said by our very own Mayor of Canby, Or, mark Oct. 26 with a big red circle.That's the estimated target date (Week) for the Canby Cinema 8 theater will most likely open her doors and bring the first theater movies to Canby.

Up until now Canby has offered bowling and swimming as alternatives to entertainment, oh, and the occasional play at the High School as a form of family activities. I always thought we should of had a drive in, even if it was seasonal , a roller skating rink or Ice rink, Something for the youth to be active and a family nights at a drive in during the summers.

Hey, it was a blast for me as a kid and my kids loved going also, albeit out of town, to Woodburn, OR.

We have always enjoyed the 6 days of family fun at the Clackamas County Fair also, and we continue to bring the new generation of our family to the events too.

I was part of the crowd that stood next to the theater site Wednesday night to witness the official ground-breaking of a project that's been in the making for a many of years, the news paper says 3 years but I know for a fact it's been way longer than that.
Try 12-15 years if your counting acquiring all properties to actually even begin to think of it happening.
They (City & U.R.A.) made it pretty clear to me that they intend to continue building more in that area as they are able to acquire more property, even putting a plea to the public with property in the area to come forth and let them offer you a deal. It felt to me "a little peer pressure-ish".

"What a very, very exciting day," said Mayor Melody Thompson as she looked out on us in the crowd. "Today, we have another key piece in the economic revitalization program. It's an exciting time for us." Joining our Mayor in mini speeches at the ground-breaking was the theater developer named Chuck Nakvasil of Scappoose, OR and Urban Renewal Agency President Tony Helbling.

So if you see us sitting in the parking lot in a certain place on the back side about the middle set of parking spaces. It would be our old home space and we'll be reminiscing about the olden days...

Anyone wishing to contact the Cinema for employment purposes or other can do so by going to the links below. I don't take resumes. However, I have met the manager and she is willing and able to assist you, Contact Linda Benjamin 503-819-0600 or at linda@canbycinema8.com
and for further info and to join their newsletter you can go to their website. http://canbycinema8.com

Baby blessing's by the Pair.

2009-03-17T00:21:00.000-07:00

I've been absent from my blog for some time now due to a bad chest cold that hung on fore-v-e-r. It's mostly gone but still a coughing fit from time to time. Needless to say I just felt tired, sore all over and like crap.
During this period of time we in our family have been blessed with not 1 but 2 little youngsters, one was born on 3/10 and the other was born on 3/11.
Both are on the Mr's side of the family.

Clara 6lbs 10oz, 20 1/2" long
The Mr's brother Carl and his wife Michaelann and his cousin Justin and his wife Rachel.
Both families are welcoming home their very first babies, and the other commonality is they are both little girls.
Both babies are happy, healthy and at home in loving arms.
Now except for a few of the Mr's relatives, they have prided themselves in having the little boys, I've even heard someone say a time or two, "We produce boys on this side of the family".
Well welcome to the new generation boys. The scales are starting to balance out.

Morgan 8lbs 3oz, 201/2" long
Needless to say, I have not seen either of these lil' darlings due to being sick, but, oh boy my time is coming and we have a wedding coming in May for another cousin so I hope to get to see both of them then.
But in the meantime Congratulations to all the families, and to the new Moms my best advice is to delegate duties when you can and try to nap when your baby sleeps, You'll need the rest.
Woohoo! For little girls!
Maybe we'll have a new little Rodeo star someday.

Fort Vancouver Update as promised.

2009-02-28T21:42:00.000-08:00

I am so proud and I know you will be. The Mr. is now a working Blacksmith for Fort Vancouver the historical site in Vancouver, WA. thru the National parks Service. He will be helping to build a new building on the Fort this summer with his gift in blacksmithing. He will be helping a team of blacksmiths do all the needed hardware and fittings such as hooks, hinges, latches, locks, nails in all sizes. Maybe even a plow share if he's lucky.

They gave him a tour of all the archival blacksmith artifacts, and we know what a buff he is anyway. There is tons of it that he gets to go and touch and figure out how things were done and then replicate to museum standards. There's so much of the puzzle there on how things were done, He's over the top excited.
He may even get to be a part of the Black powder firings and cannon blasts that he thinks is so cool.

BTW, you can make an appointment to view the artifacts there at the Fort also.

He volunteers there on Mondays so far, but they will be changing his days to meet the demand of the schedule and his priority's also. He will dress in 1840's-50's and also interact with the public by teaching, demonstrating and answering questions. I'm so proud.

It's really neat to think that this new out building will be there with the rest of them for many years to come as a restoration, or recreation of a building that once stood there, and his mark will be in there on the doors in locks and hasp's and hardware, even some the poll axes that will be made there.

We just got a heads up that soon will be the season of class field trips and the mentoring of young minds. The Mr. has good practice in this area. Remember we have 2 grandsons. He'll reel them in somehow if he has to talk video games with them. They do have Blacksmiths on video games too. Oh, I know it would be out of character since in the 1840's there was no such thing as a TV much less a video game.

He went in for his fitting for clothes last week, I'm thinking they'll be done sometime soon. I'll definitely do pictures then.

Past to present meme

2009-02-28T01:31:00.000-08:00

circa 1994

circa-now

It's weird to look back and see yourself, I remember it like it was yesterday but there's been a whole lot of water under the bridge since then.

Still in love after all these years

Sorry, Wrong Number

2009-02-06T19:08:00.001-08:00

Me-"Hello",
Caller-Hi, how are you??
I'm fine
Hey do you have some tights that would go well with (her little girls) dress? She's wearing black patton leather shoes.
Um no, all my kids are grown and my daughter is 30.
Oh my God, I got the wrong number again...I'm so sorry.
That's Ok, I'll talk to you next time.lol

You know how you unconsciously look at the phone number of a person calling, well I guess if you have caller ID you do. I have a perpetual wrong number caller that I recognize and know her name and number, above is one of our many conversations and have had for years now.
I think it's funny how sometimes you get one that after you say "Hello" you don't get a word in edge wise until they take a breather and ask you a question. Then it hits them they have just rambled on and told you things that you probably shouldn't know. This has happened on my phone before with both guys and women.

But this ones different, she's now like an old friend. Familiar and friendly, and me, I’m a fun loving prankster.

I'm having fun with it, because I never know what she's going to ask next. I try to always come up with an answer though.
I don't know if she is dyslexic (she once laid claim to it) or I'm on speed dial and she doesn't know how to change it.
Either way, she's a nice woman, so I don't get mad.

Now I answer and say, is this S.? She's says yes… Oh hi, I got the wrong number again huh? And I say "yes". We again chat a bit and I say we should meet for lunch or something after all we had talked for years now, we laugh and hang up, 'til the next time.

Tonight was a little added twist though, her sister the real number she intended to call, called me back and told me who she was and her phone number. I said: I know your number because S. tells me it quite often in explanation for the repeated phone calls.
She's only one number off out of 10 and it's the last very digit and come to find out her phone number on her cell are the exact last 4 digits as my home phone however the first part is different, She tried for the last 4 of our phone number to make it easy to remember both her numbers with the last 4 matching, but we already had it. So she’s one digit off everytime.

I used to have another one also but it was a person that had the number before us and she didn't pay her bills so every bill collector this side of the Mississippi River and maybe beyond, but they were insistent that I was lying and should cough up a payment. WTH?

That used to piss me off. It wasn't until I threatened to turn then into the law that it stopped. But the charity's never have forgotten the number and still say April Redwine can we put you down for another 25.00 this year, and again I tell them I have had this number for 12 years now so I know that April didn't contribute last year because you called me. I've told you for 5 or more years and counting to stop calling this number; April Redwine doesn't own this number any longer.

Fun with phones....most days I love them, but some days I just pull the covers over my head.

Got 6 million?

2009-02-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

In the news in our world, A recent abrupt closure of a really cool Grand old Hotel due to the times.
Evidently they have had it on the market for over a year and almost sold it twice. I've wrote about this place before and it's little supposed hauntings. I've been in there and never seen anything, Although I've never stayed the night, but always wanted to.
This excerpt from the Oregonian newspaper online:

Landmark Columbia Gorge Hotel Closes Abruptly as Foreclosure Proceedings Begin;
Hood River, Oregon Hotel Built in 1921 as the "Waldorf of the West" By Richard Read, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
February 3, 2009 - The Columbia Gorge Hotel, fully booked for Valentine's Day and set to host more than a dozen wedding parties, has closed abruptly as foreclosure proceedings begin.

The romantic Hood River hotel hosted presidents and stars ranging from Shirley Temple to Burt Reynolds. Timber tycoon Simon Benson built it in 1921 as the "Waldorf of the West," with European-style elegance and sweeping river views.

The gorge landmark, rescued from its fate as a retirement home and restored by current owners Boyd and Halla Graves of Hood River, is for sale at $5.9 million.

...just in case your curious or you've hit the lottery and are looking to invest.
Here's the link to the real estate info. Columbia Gorge Hotel

Oh, Clementine Oh, Sweet Clementine

2009-02-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad your mine, Oh Clementine. OK, kinda corny...But seriously have you had these this season? I could eat my weight in them I swear they haven't been this sweet for a few years. Even Chocolate pales in comparison to the little jewels, Although it might be a nice complement to the citrus...

Sweet,sunny and juicy, they paint your palate with goodness

Oh my darlin', oh my darlin', oh my darlin'
Oh my darlin', oh my darlin' sweet Clementine,
You may be gone
But!
You're not forgotten,
Fare thee well
So long, Clementine

Learning an ol' dog new tricks

2009-02-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

Today I learned a new trick thanks to Brent Deming Photographer Extraordinar, for a while now I have been tinkering with trying to get my pictures to post larger on the page. I couldn't figure it out so I blatantly just asked him. So thank's Brent.
Taaadaaa!
Now on to the reason for Itsa Bella's mug, I have been trying to get her to do tricks like say "I Love you" and "momma" in dog speak of course, she's already speaking a sound that sounds like she's saying "up" followed by a snort and an ear flapping when she wants up.

I can tell her to do the "stinky" and she rubs her eyes and nose as if something offends her nose. It's really cute.
But now, I wink at her and she is winking back when I say wink. She's so smart.

So there you have it 2 very cute dogs, one young at 7.5 years in doggie years and one 39 years young, learning new tricks.

Sharing reluctantly...

2009-02-01T22:01:00.000-08:00

This evening I sat down to check my email and there was a forward from my sister in law. It was about a product that in our household has to be hidden to have. There are a few of such items that the Mr. and I share reluctantly, some of them are Awesome orange cleaner from the Dollar store, Teflon Tape, black electrical tape, and WD 40. For all the afore mentioned items, I have mine and he has his... and sometimes mine.

I thought we hid this pretty well. I know she couldn't have known...I now hide it and make him ask, he now says "hey babe, where's your Wd 40?" See I buy 2 cans one for me and one for him, Because he hides his in the Blacksmith shop and it's never to be found again. The shop also hides wood glue, tools, and anything I need in a hurry.
See our little power struggles are over power tools like Dremmels, cordless drills and attachments and Wd 40. 2 crafty do it our-selfers in the same house, and one that's learning to bring things right back or I say "Hey, where's my can?"

So here's the email, I just thought I'd share some hints for this prized possession in our house and then at the bottom of the post, a link to 2000 more uses.

A lady got up very early one morning and went outside to pickup the
Sunday paper, she noticed someone had sprayed red paint all around the sides of
the neighbors brand new beige truck.

She went over and woke him up and gave him the bad news. He was, of
course extremely upset.
And they stood there trying to figure out what could
be done about the problem. They decided there wasn't much recourse but to wait
until Monday, since nothing was open. Just then another neighbor came out of his
house, surveyed the situation and immediately went to get hisWD-40 out and
cleaned the red paint off with it. Guess What! It cleaned up that paint without
harming the original paint on the truck! I'm impressed!!

Water Displacement #40. The product began from a search for A rust
preventative solvent and de greaser to protect Missile parts. WD-40 was created
in 1953 by three Technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name
comes from the project that was to find a water displacement
compound.

They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The
Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.Ken East
(one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt
you...' IT IS MADE FROM FISH OIL' .

When you read the shower door part, try it. It's the first thing that
has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as
well as glass. It is a miracle! Then try it on your stovetop... It is now
shinier than it has ever been before.

1) Protects silver from tarnishing.

2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.

3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

4) Gives floors that `just-waxed` sheen without making it
slippery.

5) Keeps flies off cows.

6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.

7) Removes lipstick stains.

8) Loosens stubborn zippers.

9) Untangles jewelry chains.

10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from
oxidizing.

13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.

14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.

17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in
homes

18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Open some
windows if you have a lot of marks.

19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car. Removed quickly,
with WD-40!

20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast
slide.

21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers.

22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky
noises.

23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to
open.

24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and
close.

25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, well as
vinyl bumpers.

26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

27 ) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for
easy handling.

29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running
smoothly.

30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other
tools.

31) Removes splattered grease on stove.

32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

35) Removes all traces of duct tape.

36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve
arthritis pain

37) Florida 's favorite use 'Cleans and removes love bugs from grills
and bumpers.'

38) Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you
will be catching the big one in no time.

40) Ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the
itch.

41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark
and wipe with a clean rag.

42) If you've washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of
laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and Presto! Lipstick is
gone!

43) If you spray WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will displace the
moisture and allow the car to start.Keep a can of WD-40 in your kitchen cabinet.
It is good for oven burns or any other type of burn. It takes the burned feeling
away and heals with NO scarring.
Remember, the basic ingredient is FISH
OIL

Need more uses? Click here

Just like you...another feel good Friday.

2009-01-30T14:52:00.000-08:00

A friend of ours named Carl Faddis, he's singer/song writer has helped produce a sensitivity training tool.
We first met Carl in an outdoor backyard type concert, We were invited by another friend named Rod Casteel to come and join him and his band for some entertainment and a nice afternoon out listening to music. It was a potluck style and the hosts supplied the wine if I remember right. Donations could be made to help support the band.

To shorten the story a bit, Rod Casteel with Moondanse Trio introduced us to Carl Faddis and gave Carl the stage and he sang. Wow, He was great. Nice tones to his voice, and a great spirit. Well, we chatted for awhile and he has sent emails since then telling us of his progress in his new venture.
This was his little note today;
"I had the honor of co-producing a video for LTD to use in our annual training classes. Wrote a song and we threw in the camera work and now this thing seems to have a life of its own. Other transit agencies around the country are requesting it for use in their trainings as well. I co-produced it with my dear friend Richard Shrope, a fellow bus operator. There were others involved, providing wisdom, encouragement, camera time, graphic support, computer support and so on. Wonderful people who all believed in the power of image and music to touch the heart and perhaps turn the keel to feel. A labor of love. 1st project like that I'd ever been involved with."

"You will see the stars of the show. People. Wonderful, beautiful, kind, diverse people...Just Like You..."

This is his Video...

Yay! Carl I'm so proud!

A fun day at the Oregon Wine and Seafood Festival 2009

2009-01-25T17:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday we left the farm early, a day off, So we tried to squeeze in a fun day at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR. It was for the Wine and Seafood of course. Now in the same center, this BTW, is absolutely beautiful and amazingly huge.
Fun, Fun, Fun. First off, we bought our glasses to do the wine sampling and then we searched out food. The food was incredible; we had a crab sandwich made by the cooking school, and while I waited in that line the Mr. searched out pizza.
After he seen the crab sandwich we all know what was his choice, let’s just say it was a Wine and Seafood extravaganza, Yum. My lips never touched my slice of pizza.

They had plenty to see and do, I played crab shuffleboard, and was able to put my crab into the pacific ocean and not touch the shore or the picture that were strategically placed to screw you up and make you lose, although I seen the judge give a few away that I would have called loses.
So I played and won a free shrimp cocktail and a fish necklace that looks like the necklaces for a New Orleans Mardi gras celebration only in linked fishes instead of pearl shapes. So YaY!

Hip Chicks that Do Wine. Great Labels!

We sampled a few wines, had fun checking out all the vendors, Many were very friendly and had great gift ideas. There was everything from alpaca wool capes to hand knitted mittens to wine cozies, cheese platters and more.

Cute Wine cozies

We visited our favorite little vendor Rose City Pepperheads, we sampled and chatted and had a good old time. Mango Madness jelly is a flavor that I personally like the best and their most popular, but, Oh my goodness they all are good. They are online too! www.rosecitypepperheads.com you’ve got to try them out. Mango Madness jelly put on Salmon and baked is incredible served with some small baby reds and some sautéed asparagus. Just made you hungry, huh?

I should have taken a picture of this and didn’t but, There was a guy that made they platters out of wine bottles in a kiln and melted them flat on their side, put a picture on the back facing up and hook to hang it , and along with a cheese knife it was gorgeous, and ingenious too.

There were two other events happening at the same time.
• The celebration of the Chinese New Year Cultural Fair 2009 - Year of the Ox
• The Vietnamese Community of Oregon - TET 2009.
Our first stop was the Chinese Cultural Fair, My impression…A lot to watch. The people are interesting and the talent was awesome, what I liked, they made it English friendly. I felt welcome and truly did enjoy the shows they put on for the public.

I bought a few bracelets two made from agate, 1 tiger striped brown and white and 1 in a ocean green color and two made from cinnabar, carved in the Chinese styled carving of flowers and dragons they are really pretty in the traditional cinnabar red and black. I already have a carved necklace that dates back to the 30’s or 40’s in carved cinnabar.

My first show was a bunch of really cute little girls doing a fan style dance. They were gorgeous, each trying their hardest to do their best…Beautiful. Then it was Susan Chan singing Lemon Tree, she was cute and sort of pop culture, every once in a while she would say some English words I could understand.

Next up was the Lion dancers or dragon dancers I don’t know how to tell them apart, what can I say they were incredible! It was completely entrancing to watch. How do they do that? They are not only dancers, but, acrobats also. Simply Amazing.

I was supposed to have Kim, a friend of mine come and meet us there if she could get away from work. It ended up that she got too busy and couldn’t come. She is Vietnamese and I know would have made the Vietnamese TET way more fun for us with her being able to interpret and point out things of interest. I really wanted her to come to be able to see her way of life and culture; I know she was disappointed too.

It was like going to a foreign country for the first time, not very English friendly and frankly, I didn’t know where to start or what to look at. I recognized certain vendors like State farm Ins.Looked for egg rolls, didn't find any, But other than that we just did a run through and left. I have to say though, the costuming for Vietnamese girls are very pretty.

Coming up in April you'll have a chance to relive the Astoria Crab seafood and Wine Festival April 24, 2009 - April 26, 2009 in Astoria, OR., only my favorite little city in oregon. Maybe my blog friend Elleda in Astoria will be a vendor and I'll finally get to meet her there.

Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Ox, Meaning: forge ahead, be strong.

It's feel good Friday

2009-01-23T12:02:00.000-08:00

Julia Nunes
I love, love, love her spirit. The blog post title links to her site. Most of you probably already know about her, I'm usually the last to find them. That's me, Slow but steady.
There's a little something for almost everyone, Buttercup I dedicate to my Mr. Enjoy!!!!
baby now that I found you.

all my lovin

raining men

buttercup

you're my best friend (to all of you)

Historic Fort Vancouver, WA

2009-01-22T01:23:00.000-08:00

A view from the lookout and guard post, John Mcloughlin's personal view of Mt.Hood way back when.

The carpenters shop

Examples of Items used and made there.

Items from officers quarters, and below is the dining hall for officers.

The Mr's favorite place the Blacksmith shop, To bad it wasn't open. There may be more to follow on that topic. Stay tuned.

The jail and the lookout w/cannons all the way around.

Reenactors dressed in standard dress for the time frame

The kitchen area that cooked all the food for the post and personal. It has great bones but I'd miss my kitchenaid's pretty bad.

Ahhhhh, the sun, It revives my spirit. Could it be any more gorgeous? Really?
This is the Columbia river looking toward Oregon. This is near the historic Fort Vancouver. This is what you would have seen if you were traveling by river to the Hudson bay Trading Post back in 1825, Well, maybe not this sailboat but many others I'm sure. We did a tour there Sunday, That seems so funny to me that we had not gone there before. We only live 25 minutes away.
There's a sobering feeling when you go to a place like that and see the way of life back then, Man, do I appreciate all my things and all my appliances, and my hot water heater. But most of all my indoor plumbing.

It's pretty neat to think about all the famous people that walked the same grounds that you were walking and some actually lived near by. I took a few shots of little vignettes that they painstakingly put together for the public to see and experience.
Sunday when we had our visit it was windy with the wind blowing from the east from the Columbia River Gorge and rarely when that happens is it warm air. I'd say it was maybe 38 and that not including a wind chill. I gotta give this person credit on the sail boat, It had to be frigid out there but they just sailed around like it was 70. It made for a great picture, even though I froze trying to get it.

Fog is only romantic in London

2009-01-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

I'm fogged in and cold, I've barely got above 37 degrees today. My fire builder, will be home soon, He's working and the whole time he's been gone I've been fogged in,...for 3 days.
In this image you see some with sun and some without. The without would be me. The with is just 3 miles to the west of me. Living on a hill can have it's advantages, When the fog rises, this is not one of them.
I'm ready for summer.

An airplane in the arms of angels among us

2009-01-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I believe 155 people were saved by the hand of our Lord.
I also believe that all the history and training and experience that put Pilot Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III on that plane yesterday was not an accident. He has spent his life preparing for this event, preparing to save these very lives. He is a true hero along with his crew and it by the power of God and his angels that he was able to pull it off, and thank the Lord he did.

Can you imagine how this must be changing the lives of these people that experienced this "Miracle on the Hudson"?
I bet theres some that went home and hugged their kids, wives, husbands, or family like they have never hugged them before and expectedly so. Some that realized that what they are doing is not the path they should be on. Some probably are making a new commitment to their marriage, family, their religion, health, or whatever is important to each of them.
I'll bet there were many bargains made in prayers, I'll bet even non believers were praying and are now believers because they recieved this gift. I'd be willing to bet that there was even some new alliances to come from this. New friends, new ways of life, new ways of thinking.
I thank God that all of you surviviors are safe, a huge thank you to "Sully" and your team for choosing to fly that flight., To the people that helped keep the babies safe and looked after the ones that couldn't seem to help themselves, To the people on the river, the ferry driver that was there so quickly and so jubilant and joyful that everyone was saved, Yep, you all were placed in the right places yesterday and are Hero's of the human kind by the hand of God. Humbling isn't it?

What if you were one of the people on board...think about it...
What would you change in your life if you had experienced this and had this second lease on life?

How long has this little locking tab been there?

2009-01-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

After getting this forward and the response back from those unfortunate souls that I rarely send these out to, I decided this has got to come to light and be announced by someone.

Because I missed it, and everyone I sent it to missed it too!

"If you knew, why didn't you tell me? I had to go into the kitchen and check this out for myself. Whoever looks at the end of your aluminum foil box? You know when you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time. Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I we nt to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, Press here to lock end. Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place. How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too! I can't count the number of times the Saran wrap roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up. "

...Ok, so I go to the drawer and pull out the tin foil and sure as s*** there's a marking to press here on both sides of the box. I tried till I almost broke a nail to push there. There is supposedly perforation, and you know what, it is still intact, I can't break it. Go figure. Sweeti

here's just one response to good to not pass on...
do you know how many years (50+?) that i have struggled with
aluminum foil boxes??? i called my neighborhood housewives, they didn't
know about that little thingy either. duh-h!

...I wish this was so

2008-12-30T19:50:00.000-08:00

I think our newspaper weather person must be sitting on a beach somewhere sunny and warm...and rubbing it in.

A postcard from home...

2008-12-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

To all my family far and wide, To our family and friends in the Armed Forces (We wish you home very soon) and to my fellow bloggers I hope your holiday is the absolute very best.
Were going to try to get together here for our annual Christmas Eve dinner, Hopefully everyone can make it, And just make the best of a very cold wintery situation.

We have power and water again, Yay!

2008-12-23T00:46:00.001-08:00

Life's good, We have electricity back finally! I think we were out about 12 so hours in extreme weather conditions. You sure learn a new appreciation for having the niceties of electricity and running water, and especially running hot water. It was a long night. The Mr was the fire watcher last night and he fell to sleep on the job. I woke about 4:30 am and was freezing, It was so cold in our room that it felt like I had brain freeze, because my head was out of the covers. Bella was shivering under the covers laying next to me.
So I got up and restarted the fire and got him back on the job and went back to bed.

I woke to see a ton more of new snow, no lights yet and no water either. I thought hmmm, do I think I can get out of here to my daughters house? I want a shower really bad. We had one cup of coffee via my coffee press, Mmmm, at this point it was the best part of the morning. Thank goodness for bottled water. Then it happened, a flicker, it was a flicker that made your heart jump with total excitement, Boom on come the lights, Yesssss, We had lights and after a few minutes we checked the water and we had water too.
All I could think was Merry Christmas, it was the greatest gift. I really am a creature of comfort. Roughing it was fun for about the first hour.

Thanks to all of you PGE workers out there giving it your all it this terrible weather. It's really not fit for man nor beast out there. Our mayor of Portland has declared several counties emergency disaster areas due to the impassable roads and the fact that they can get help to many people. We managed really quite well as far as being prepared, Candles, flashlights, wood stove and dry wood made it bearable.

This will soon be declared the most snowy December in Portland's history, and right now the record stands since 1968. We are expecting another 3-4" to come in on Wed-Thurs and then we cross our fingers for so good ole fashioned rain, and most likely flooding because of the amount of snow to run off.

The grandsons are gonna love this Christmas eve. A built in slide off the back deck.

See the trees just hanging with ice, we have had so many tops just snap off from the weight. When the melt finally happens its going to look like a bomb went off in out forest area. We lost a cherry tree to the ice already, it just snapped off right in the middle. It's kind of eerie that when it snows it so quiet and you can hear thing like trees snapping and crashing in the woods. It's really dangerous to even get close by to them right now.
I hope everyone is ready for their Christmas, I'm not but it's not in my power to change things right now. Maybe the weather will give me a little reprieve and I can get something done.

Frozen, Iced, Snowed on, Rained on again and NO Power.

2008-12-21T21:29:00.000-08:00

This was the picture for most of the Portland area today, Although we live a little ways from there our elevation usually dictates more in the form of snow. This storm has been a rough one for all involved. We've mostly stayed home except for our trip to Freddy's the other night. Now we're home by choice and without power. All the fridge things are in big cooler chests with snow for ice. We have no water now due to the pump on the well not running.
We amongst the 44,000 without power in this area. I'm sitting in my car with my laptop and posting while charging. I have to say this is way better than no laptop at all and not being connected to everyone somehow.

The Mr is trying to save our phone and cable lines in this picture. There is 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of ice on the limbs laying across those lines. If the come down the whole road of 13 families loses phone service.
Back behind our property the neighbors trees layed over the power lines and took them out and that's the reason for no power in our home this evening. I was hoping for a utilty worker by now but no such luck. It's only been 9 hrs but it feels like days. I want a shower.
If you are at all interested in our weather problems and would like to listen to some of the goings on there's a few portland radio links on my sidebar and they arew doing contant updates on our weather. Right now Portland International airport is get very few flight in and hardly nothing going out. They think it will be this way til Tuesday or Wed. Well wish us luck with our power, I have a Christmas Eve dinner to prepare for.

How to rid yourself of your pet peeves...with assistance

2008-12-19T23:35:00.000-08:00

***Winter Storm Warning***
Updated: Friday Dec.19th, 2008 5:30 p.m.
A WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. A SNOW TURNING INTO AN ICE STORM EVENT LOOKS LIKELY.

The moisture from the storm will arrive around noon tomorrow. Look for snow accumulation into the night. All valley areas will likely get 6" or more of snow. Scattered areas and into the hills could see 12" of snow. Look for an icy mix to develop Saturday night.

Well, we've survived 2 blasts of arctic air from the north, and now are faced with the third punch that promises to be worse than the rest and it isn't even winter yet. Our thermometer at it's lowest this year has read 11 degrees above 0.
Tomorrow promises to be interesting, we already have 2-3" on the ground from last night and today and "The worst storm in five years" as the local meteorologist puts it, is supposed to hit us tomorrow afternoon. He is promising Snow and possible ice in the form of freezing rain and strong winds, all of which are never a good combo in the same sentence ever!

Living on our hill sometimes gives you a false sense of true weather reality, All day I contemplated going and trying to get some shopping done and I'd look outside and see it snowing like a banshee. So I'd put it off, this went on all day. Come to find out it was only this bad on our hill today. The problem is there are hills to climb to get to our road and some steep embankments and curves with no guard rails to make it past in one direction and a busy hwy in the other direction with a slick hill to stop at the bottom to avoid the Hwy traffic.

So I waited to see if the Mr was willing to take me into town when he arrived home from work, He shows up and says the roads were all clear until you get to our hill, ...it figures!

I did end up going in and buying some grocery's like a gazillion others, The stores were packed, well at least Fred Meyer's was. I'd head down an isle and I'd just get to thinking seriously about what I needed and someone would say pardon me or excuse me an blow my train of thought all to hell. I forgot some things that I needed just because of all the herding down the isles of the grocery store, I hate that.

We decided to stop at the Burger king on the way home to get a burger since I'll probably be cooking for the next week and have a bad case of cabin fever before it's all done. Now, I do not have the best of luck with fast food joints, They on purpose leave something out of my order just to piss me off I swear.

Kentucky Fried Chicken in Canby never seems to get my drive thru order right, They try to save by jipping me of something every time I go there, If it isn't the biscuits, it's the coleslaw and almost always the napkins. I think, when they figure the price of these meals, the price of napkins are figured in there some where, So essentially they are ripping you off and saving the company money at the save time.
Now In Oregon City, where we went tonight, Theres a Micky D's and a Burger King within a 1/2 mi. radius of each other and both are absolutely grating a nerve with me as far as the stupid napkin thing.
Don't they realize you are eating in your car and there is nothing to wipe your hands and face on? What do you do if you spill? I hate food in the car and dislike food on my person even worse. Let's just say, they peeve me the most.
I get through part of my meal and go to reach for the Burger King napkin in the bag and without fail it's not there, Now after being cooped up in the house and then being herded like cattle through the grocery store I needed that napkin to be there for me. But No!
At that point I said to the Mr. You know just once I'd like to smear hamburger all over my face and go back through the drive thru and complain about no napkins. Almost without hesitation he takes what I couldn't finish and smears it all over his moustache and beard and I mean there was chunks of cheese, all orange-ish and gooey and some small amounts burger and bun hanging from his beard. I laughed so hard I almost pee'd myself. He was laughing too.
Then with a straight face he starts the car, I think "Oh no, he's gonna do it." We turn around and he drives into the drive thru lane, They say, "can we help you?" bear in mind at this point they can't see him yet. So he says "you forgot my napkins" I need some napkins and pulls forward to the window.

He pulls up and pokes his head out the window to give the attendant a good view, I'm watching for reaction and for a minute the young girl window attendant reaches to open the window and then in mid reach pulls back, and then thinks to herself Ewwww, but opens the drive up window.
This time there was two attendants that between customers appeared to be having a conversation in the drive up space.
Both were just staring at the Mr. with food hanging from his face. The portly young man had his hand up to his face kind of cupped under his nose and covering his mouth, but I could see in his eyes water welling, he was dying on the inside, Ready to bust a gut at any given moment. Yet with a straight face the Mr. requested his napkin, The young gal hands him a fist full and just stares, Now I'm to the point that if he doesn't pull off I'm gonna lose it. Not that they even knew I was there, They never took their eyes off him in disbelief.
Now that's how to get past being pissed off about no napkins.
I bet they don't forget anyone else's napkins the rest of the night after that one. I got the release I needed, I haven't laughed that hard in ages and found the Mr. is a pretty good actor. How he ever was able to do this without breaking into laughter I'll never know, especially with me snickering under my hand on the other side of the car.
I'd have loved to have been the fly on the wall watching when we pulled off.

2008-12-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

Want to be happier?

2008-11-28T11:01:00.000-08:00

We had a very nice Thanksgiving, filled with family, No friends this year. Everything turned out perfect except my pecan pie for some reason didn't completely set up all the way.
I was just a little disappointed by not having more response to my I'm thankful for... cards placed on the table. I wanted to save them in a scrap book for years to come and bring it out each year for all to see and be able to look back on and remember. I think we all have so much to be thankful for in our lives.

I stumbled across an article that I thought was pretty fascinating about having gratitude and it's affect on the human spirit. If you click the title to this post you can read it.

I'm Thankful for...

*Family.

*The Beautiful Granddaughter that was brought into our lives this year, also that she was born happy and healthy and that she has 2 wonderful parents that love her so much.

*The two grandsons that are different in every way but good hearted and good spirited. Also to their families for being tolerant of the pre teen antics and doing their best to help guide these young and worthy spirits in the right directions.

*the folks at Palm Harbor homes for their help in trying to get all this stuff figured out.

*Tom Stewart who is no longer my Doctor but was certainly more than helpful in getting me to the right people and figuring out how to treat my problems. I miss you.

*The drug called Meloxicam for giving my mobility back, reducing my pain and stiffness and helping me regain my participation in my own life again.

*for our kids, each and every one of them. They inspire such pride in the way they carry themselves and the ways they interact with others in caring and giving ways. They are not just good, but also good for something.

*Craigslist for all the great finds and nice people I've come across in the last year, I almost felt guilty for buying some of these items, but, the people assured me they were as happy to sell them to me as I was to get them. "One mans trash , another mans treasure."

*for Faith and her health, for the doctors that helped her reach this stage of "Cancer Free" and for the many prayers that helped get this all done. She is a blessing and has a purpose in life yet to complete. For her parents and family, We have reached a new level of appreciation in life due to their willingness to share Faiths story.

*Maddy who is no longer with us but for the joy she brought to so many lives in her almost 4 years of life. She was a beautiful spirit.

*My Mr., each and everyday for working so hard and being the man that I have always wanted. For his persistence, patience, good heart, and loving ways. I'm more than thankful, I'm most appreciative.

*our customers, that are like friends, and some like family. We truly are thankful for you.

*my blogger friends, for their compassion, wittiness, and caring spirits.

*The Good Lord that hears my prayers and shows us the beacon to light our path.

...and Itsa Bella my little 7 lb licker upper.

30 years and 80 days

2008-11-15T12:32:00.000-08:00

I went to see my Grand Daughter On Tuesday, ...Oops, I mean I took my youngest son AKA #2 son his Birthday present 1 day early so he'd have his Birthday dessert on his birthday. Which has been the same for as many years as I can count a pumpkin pie, homemade just for him. I remember a time when it wouldn't last the whole day. I'm sure he shares better now.
He was my last of my 3 to turn 30, Beings though I'm not aging past 39, soon they will be as old as me. lol.
We do have one more to turn 30, the Mr's son but not for 3 more years.

Now on this very evening Amalie was 79 almost 80 days old. She in her short little span of time has grown to 9 lbs., and 23 or something inches, She's getting the tall figure like her momma and daddy. She's got the most gorgeous eyes, they are big and going to be blue.

A prelude to a kiss

She is now able to giggle, smile, do air kisses and tell stories and tries to hold a conversation with you when you talk to her. She's got some of the best facial expressions, and reacts to familiar sounds of her peoples voices with excitement.
I held her, cuddled her, she napped on me, we did fish lips, then she told me how the west was won.
I studied her face as if to get my eyes full, She is such a blessing. Just the addition to our family that we needed. Although I'll always have room for more.

Hello Everyone

2008-11-15T10:25:00.000-08:00

Those of you who know me, know we have been on pins and needles waiting for a home construction loan to go through. Well, on that front we still continue to wait. Good Lord, the anxiety is tremendous for me. It's hard to think of anything else right now, We are just trying to remain focused and make sure everyone has what they need, making follow up calls to make sure it's not in limbo somewhere. It's tough.

Pick me please...I'm a loyal listener.
Today I signed up for a radio show contest at our local radio station, Kex 1190 100,000 bailout give away, They are giving a bailout to the tax payer instead of banks and whatever other institution needs it. Good Idea. I listen to this talk show radio as often as I can anyway and always with my travels, I found that I lose reception just as I leave the Olympia,Wa area and usually right at a good part of the conversation. Damn, I hate that.

Anyways, we could certainly use that bailout right about now and I bet others could too. I'm entering everyday with my first cup of coffee, first thing in the morning. ***Wish me luck***

Do you know that a septic system permit alone with the "pre inspection" that's no longer referred to as a "PERC" test as I was informed by the inspector, and now called a site evaluation runs some where in the neighborhood of 1400-1500.00 by itself and I'm still not sure if the charge you for a final inspection. That's just to get approval, Then you pay close to 5000-6000.00 for the septic system itself.

...On a lighter note.
Does anyone remember that commercial where the guy is standing there with his family and telling how he lives in the perfect community and has a 4 bedroom house belongs to a golf club, drives a new car and is in debt up to his eyeballs? We're joining that club too, really soon...Hopefully it's not that bad.
I'm not endorsing Lendingtree.com, ...unless they will do a good Refi for us at a good percentage rate, But this is the video I'm talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn5EP9StlVA
Isn't it funny things said in jest draw some close comparisons sometimes. I've talked with other friends about it and they just say welcome to the real world where the rest of us live.

Finally the weekend

2008-10-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

Good Lord what a week.
The Dow up slightly giving hope to most, I hope were leveling out now
::Fingers crossed::

Bella my little sun worshipper is a giving me the thankful look, I moved her little bed to the table she's not supposed to be on, But, it's the one that has the warm sunny window. Life is good.
Have a great weekend.

Picket fences, love and new chapters

2008-10-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I drove up to the old house we used to own prior to the 6 acre woods.
I swear I cried on a daily basis for having to leave that house to move to the sticks. It was like leaving a loved one behind.

The 6 acre woods were no picnic when we moved here either. There was crap and garbage all over the place. The Mr really only had his mind on the property and the big shop that came with it. To me it was awful for the longest time and a big muddy work horse that seemed never ending. Way more work than I ever thought could be manageable for us two.

I was a city girl, used to a 1/4 acre lot in a town that already felt country to me compared to Las Vegas.

I used to drive back there to the old house to recapture some of my fondest memories of the Mr and I's beginnings. It always gave me comfort to go back in time to our first years. I love him as much and more than I did back then.

I remember landscaping our yard and creating a place of pure Eden for him to come home to after a hard days work, Roses in the front yard smelling so sweet, dahlia's in front of the porch blooming flowers the size of small dinner plates all in cheery colors, a beautiful shade garden along the side of the house under the big firs, lilacs blooming with their sweet scent filling the air.

We were refinishing the interior and taking her back to a time that was appropriate for her grand old age, it was a labor of love. She was originally built in 1889.
Small with tall ceilings and an upstairs attic with steep small stairs, scared up wooden floors and a smallish kitchen that I'm sure was added on later. It also had a master bedroom as an addition, not in tune to the old part of the house but spacious and comfortable a little cool in the winter though.

The main part of the house had 4 rooms, all of which were very small. You could really tell she had charm in her younger years. I loved that house.
We haven't lived there for a many years now but seeing her always takes me back. The new owners used her as a rental and some disrespecting families lived there and thrashed her beyond recognition. It's vacant now and so I peeked in the door and the only thing I recognized in there was the shadow boxed ceiling the Mr and I so laboriously and lovingly restored. It was sad.

Out front and miraculously still standing was the small but meaningful little stretch of picket fence, See the Mr built it for me as a show of love and way to give me one of the things that in my youth I had always wanted. Since about the age of nine I always knew it was having a family, and babies, being married and having a house with red and white checkered curtains in the kitchen window and a white picket fence that would make my life complete.
He built that fence knowing that. I was never so happy as that moment of completion. I knew I was in the right place. I knew he loved me, and never have doubted it since...

Soon she'll be gone for good, a movie theater is scheduled to replace her, I think it will be sooner than later, she's looking pretty tired.

Welcoming in Fall

2008-09-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

The 2 girls(Emmy lou and Bella) and I were out for our morning mile long walk in the Enumclaw, WA area and I spotted a really cool old barn way back in the landscape so I took the girls and snuck through the fair grounds where no pets are allowed and took a few shots for you. They never pottied once in the Fairgrounds I swear.
The barn looks to be almost like the old kit barns from the 1920's and 1930's probably cost 3500.00 in it's day, the rounded tops stored a lot more hay and was mostly a matter of function rather than beauty, especially in this type of climate at the base of Mt. Rainer, it's like a little rain forest.
Don't get me wrong in my time spent here I have seen my share of sun also. But sometimes I have to go a meer 12 miles down 410 from here and have found it not to be drizzling but the clouds cleared and the glorious was sun pouring down on us.
Along with the drizzle though, you get beauty, and greenery, it's a really beautiful place here.

Well, better go, it's time to pack up and go home.

I Love old barns.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

She's Chocolate, who couldn't love that.

2008-09-07T17:25:00.000-07:00

Maddy Mae

Well last week little Maddy Mae got to go home to part of her family, sadly I missed her like crazy and my Emmy even more so...Maddy would sleep under the covers and Emmy on top side by side. They were pals and Emmy really missed her little buddy.
She spent 2 nights digging at our bed covers looking for Maddy and her days were looking out the windows for her to just reappear at any given time, between the whining and the "go get her" Mom expressions, I knew what we had to do.

Emmy Lou

Maddy is Little Faiths dog, While Faith is still in Boston trying to get her radiation treatments, struggling with one hurdle or another, poor girl. She still very much wanted little Maddy.
I needed to search for a little one to keep Emmy company and for her to have a travel buddy to play with. She in essence needed another non aggressive like Maddy. So I searched for a miniature Daschund to have for ourselves. I was looking for a long haired red solid, But I found a little smoothie, at 7lbs full grown, that was chocolate like I wanted and the best part she's out of the puppy stage at just a year old. She has the same sweet personality as Maddy does, Just a little more playful. We are her forever family. Emmy likes her and has already snuggled with her on my lap.

So Meet our little footlong Chocolate Mini Doxie,

Bubbles is her name now but I'd like to change it to Bee Bee or Bella.

***Update***I Think we settled on her name, "It's-a Bella" and Bella for short. She even comes to it surprisingly enough.

Miracles in the form of babies, you gotta love it.

2008-08-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

Back in the day of wedding plans

I was at the hospital with Carl and Joelle awaiting the birth of the 3rd grandbaby and the Mr. calls with anticipation of news on that front and also to spring the news of another pending baby in the family.

This news was so great, Brother Carl and his Mrs., Michaelann are expecting sometime near mid-March. I wondered if it was going to happen for them, I knew they wanted it, but sometimes we don't get the choice. So YAY! I'm so happy for them!

Lil' Cowpokes prints by Michael Miller

I can see the nursery now, She loves the Lil' Cowpoke boys and girls retro prints.
With Carl being a steer wrestler and cattleman and her doing some barrel racing, it's really the only choice. Brother Carl thinks he's gonna pass out during the birthing process, He says he has problems with cows calving. Maybe he'll have to be sitting so he doesn't have so far to fall. lol.

Congratulations you two.

I want to vote today.

2008-08-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

We all know that I really don't care to discuss politics, and if Hillary was the topic I was even more turned off. With that said, I watched the Republican party renew my faith in the political realm of things to come yesterday.
Finally I feel and know, I have a choice.

I was really still unsure of who to vote for other than I knew I couldn't let the first woman be Hillary. I wanted so much more than politics and court cases. History just couldn't be written like that, it was way to big for her.

Finally, a refreshing change, Palin will do great I felt it in her spirit. I only wish the ticket was reversed. However, giving credit where credit is due, She was a very smart choice for McCain.

I can't believe I just wrote this post...I must be evolving.

Happy Birthday to Joelle

2008-08-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Amalie last night @ 2 days old

I got to go visit my grand daughter last night, I held her, watched her expressions, rocked her and consoled her. I loved every second of it. She really looks like her Daddy, but has her Mommys lips and possibly eyes. It's still kind of hard to tell yet
We brought her mommy a present because it was her Birthday. A ring with Peridot stones in it, to create a family heirloom. She someday at her own discretion, will pass it down to Amalie. But for now, its Joelle's ring that symbolizes both of them. She was a little overwhelmed, but it was "All Good"

A mothers ring.

starting new family traditions...making memories for the future.

...And baby makes a family.

2008-08-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

OK everyone, it was a long day and night. I am trying to get some pictures posted for you all and share some good news so bare with me here. The kids had an even longer day and night than I did.

Carl and Joelle spent actually a couple days in labor, Joelle labored very hard for a full 24 hrs. Carl never left her sight. I was so proud of both of them, he was so attentive and kind and caring and when she needed him to be strong, he was there and accountable too, through it all, and when he needed her to be strong, She absolutely was with all her resolve.

Nothing went according to their plans as far as the process of delivery, They planned to go completely natural, it was to intense for too long, Joelle tried very hard to resist, eventually it was time for an epidural, She absolutely needed it. Joelle had a very hard time from the pain of it all with nausea, the poor girl is going to have some very sore innards for some time after this one.

The Dr. was hoping to see 1 centimeter every hour and a half or so and it just wasn't happening, Joelle and the baby managed to squeak out 6 centimeters of dilation and no more. She started to spike a fever, things were in my mind changing and I began to pray and worry for all of them.

The Dr. inserts a probe to measure the contractions and they were absolutely strong enough to deliver naturally but he suspected trouble and muttered the phrase C Section, the mood changed and the questioning began.

They had watched this documentary before the baby was to be born about how many C sections were performed each year unnecessarily and tried to reason it all out before finally settling on the the best decision, just go with your Dr.s advice.

So to make a long day short for you, Amalie was born to Carl and Joelle via C section at approx. 9 something last night. My prayers were answered, Mom and Baby are both happy and healthy and with us today.

...It ended up she was turned a little in the wrong direction with her head and not able to come any further down the birthing canal, she was stuck.

The seemingly endless contractions

Joelle trying to smile though a rough time with her mom Darci

Carl getting ready for the surgery to birth the baby, Steady and strong

Carl and Joelle going to delivery, Scared but strong in union to come out successful on the other side.

And here she is about 2 hr.s old first picture taken by her Daddy. 6lbs 12oz.s and 19.5 ins. long

Me and my new Grand daughter Amalie

Her foot print on her Daddy's shirt

just the beginning of the footprints she'll put on all our hearts in the years to come.

In overtime...

2008-08-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Here we are 3 days over due by our schedules but not quite ready by Amalie's schedule, Joelle seems to be doing fine. I'm sure she is uncomfortable and probably ready to have this baby. Carl says she's been quite the trooper through this whole pregnancy.
I worry about her though, she's been sick after eating either in the morning or the evening for awhile now poor girl. The OBGYN is talking to them about inducing after this coming Mon. and neither of them really want to do that. They'd really like to wait her out.

The best we can figure she was conceived on Carl's birthday and now the cool part, if Amalie hangs in there a little longer she could possibly be born on Joelle's birthday on the 26th. The Mr. thinks she'll come on the 23rd which would make her a Virgo instead of a Leo, I'm OK with that. If she comes on the 25th she'll be born on the Mr's sons birthday.
Time and plans are pending on her now, I afraid to go anywhere without a phone. I am so excited for them and this baby's arrival, I just pray for happy and healthy.

In other news, I seen my Rheumatologist last Wed, He diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia and has ran a few more tests and wants me to come back in for a consultation. It kinda freaks me out but at least they are figuring something out so it can be treated. I'm all for feeling better sooner than later and getting rid of my "hit by a mac truck mornings".

now on to a lighter side...
I was going to the grocery store the other day and seen something pretty unusual, I'd like to say this is why I carry a camera with me most of the time, You never know what you'll come across even at the grocery store.

I wish this was scratch and sniff

2008-08-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than the warm summer sun and soft breezes and the over whelmingly thick smell of sun warmed blackberries on the vine. It just all of a sudden sneaks up on you with the right direction of the breeze and clobbers you with it's rich aroma.
I swear I've died and gone to heaven with every deep and lingering inhale. It smells like the first hint of a blackberry cobbler, at half the baking time, making it's way from the oven only better, walks this time of year are intoxicating for me. If it ever gets labeled as drug, I'll be in serious trouble. It's pure euphoria.

Check it out, Third Place

2008-08-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

Third place is not bad for as many entrants as there are this year, I'm totally excited! Watch out now, all I needed was a little bit of that kind of encouragement. I think that I shocked myself just by placing, I truely had hoped for just a Honorable mention. So YaY!

Hoover or Boulder?

2008-08-12T15:03:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be fun to share this picture of Hoover Dam taken way back in my youth, by my mom or my dad. The funny thing is, growing up in the area of Las Vegas, NV.
I never gave it much thought on just how impressive this place was, it was just our Dam. Heck, I can recall that my knowledge of the area and our state consisted of the mountain bluebird was our state bird and the sagebrush was our flower, the big horn sheep was our animal and the desert turtle was our reptile, we were known as the silver state and I always thought it was because it had the most silver dollars of any place around and we were the 36th state in the union in 1864, July 28th to be exact.

All through my grade school years I just remember the confusion about this Dam. Is it Boulder dam or is it Hoover Dam? Depending on the person you asked, the answer never seemed to be the same.

Every year it seemed the schools would schedule field trips to this mammoth wonder of the world, Well, you know when your a kid the world is as big as you've seen by your own eyes. I remember touring the hidden tunnels and cave like structures under the ground and in the dam itself, Some of it was scary, It had leaks and even little tiny streams of water in places. I thought it was gonna cave in while I was there.

I always thought it was cool to be able to eat lunch in the workers lunch room area, Don't ask me why, because I have no idea. Maybe it was because of something stupid like a good sack lunch or I was already tired and needed the break. It was so huge and massive that the tour took the majority of the day and you were tired when you got back on the bus. I've heard you can't tour certain places anymore due to risk in security and rightly so.

Then don't even get me started on the "people who died" building the Dam. The rumor amongst all us kids was that we were standing on a concrete burial ground for God only knows how many. Still to this day they haven't dispelled this, I can imagine that there are some buried in there, It looks so dangerous.
I remember looking over the dam down into the lower part and seeing all the cables and wires and then the depth, Holy Toledo, it was totally vertigo, I almost got nauseated and had to step way back to get rid of the feeling. I couldn't even imagine working on that project back in the day when tools and machinery was so primitive.

Slice of Summer in the park

2008-08-05T01:11:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend we threw a party for the oldest of my kids, She was made aware of the party in her honor so she could dress accordingly and help with some preparations, I'm no fool.
We potlucked it for the most part, I brought way to many foot long sub sandwiches and homemade muffin style cup cakes in Raspberry and Chocolate mayonnaise cake with butter cream dollops dotted on top.
I earned the dubious honor of laying claim to the unofficial title of "The Baking Bitch" from an old friend, Hmmmm, perhaps because she smelled the chocolate aroma and couldn't resist, I didn't have any trouble getting rid of those. You know they're good when your grandson thinks he'll get sick if he doesn't stop eating, yet can't throw away the rest because it's too good.
I did some prep work ahead of time, Baked them last week and froze them til the day of, It makes for better flavor and moister, firmer texture in cake, I think.

I did some sleuthing on the net for the band playing at our Slice of Summer concert in the park for the week that I wanted to have Jalana's party, I found them listed and gave them a jingle. Darnell is the lady of the band called Koral Jam (pronounced Coral like the reefs) and I spoke with her personally and she took it from there. Oh my goodness, She was so nice. They went out of their way to make the party so fun. Singing and dancing, Who could have asked for more?
So then I informed all that I could that I'd like to do it in Hawaiian theme and the family did just that. It was fun. 3 hours of party and no house to clean before or afterwards, YaY!

Some of the hi-lights of the party was everyone in a good mood, the sun was shining, it wasn't too hot, and there was good food and live music.
Jalana was in good form as per usual, She can be quite entertaining when she wants to be. I still think she would have made an great stand up comedian. Although banking probably pays better.

Joelle at 8 and half months pregnant danced a graceful and beautiful hula dance for us, She had adoration coming out from everyone. The little girls loved her, The little boys just stood in awe of her and watched, The crowd, I think were amazed at how well she did even being that far along. I even saw the band turn and check her out. She was amazing.
She even got a thumbs up from Joe Fleischmann of St. Josef's Winery here in the Canby area. I've known him for years, because I used to serve him and his family and friends dinner before at the Chez Moustache when I worked there, long before it became an antique store. I've also danced a jig and stomped grapes out at his Winery. That was fun and good food and wine too.
We had friends from the past stop and say hi, I hadn't realized that the concert in the park had been going for 18 years, Mid July - Mid August on Sundays, I don't think I've missed a Summer. So this was a familiar thing for the kids, and now for our grand kids too.
Needless to say, We had fun, I hope our old and new friends of Canby that were there, did as well.

Happy Birthday Jalana.

Slice of Summer 8/3/2008

Click picture above to go to the Web Album

She is just a small town girl...

2008-08-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

The Mr and I snuck off to the Yamhill County Fair and Rodeo in McMinnville, Oregon last night just to see Kellie Pickler in person and ofcourse, hear her sing. It was a fun time, Except we had to stand the whole time and I'm boy am I paying for it today. I'm having a real problem with the standing upright for long periods of time, I think I've got a nerve pinching.
Kellie was in her usual form a whole lot of country with a sweet touch of witty and by her own admission a tad bit of A.D.D., She was loving Oregon from what I could tell and expressed her appreciation repeatedly for so many fans coming out to see her. She seemed really genuine, I like that about her.
I looked around a bit and there was quite a few there to see her. She mentioned winning the 3 awards through CMA, and also told us this was a vote through fans only to win them, Yay for her.
Kellie in the beginning brought out her new puppy dog, and Marianne your gonna love this, it was a little bitty Chihuahua. Black and white, spotted like a cow so she name it

Moo Moo

I went to her Myspace to get the picture of it, I'm sure she took it herself because she had only had the pup a couple days and she got it here in Oregon somewhere.

These are pictures from the concert and if you didn't have a camera like mine I'm sure you'd have only gotten a blur. The lighting was terrible for pictures, These were my best shots of many let me tell you. I learned something about my camera through my own trial and error last night. I figured out all by myself how to take these kinds of pictures in the dark with no tripod. Anybody with camera experience knows that's a real task. So Enjoy and I'm proud to bring them to you.

Even though I was a Hicks Chick in the Season 5 of American Idol,...I've yet to see him, I wish her well, She is gifted and has a new album coming out in September. We heard a few preview songs from the album and "Throwing rocks instead of rice" was a catchy sorta funny song about a girl crashing her ex-boyfriends wedding. Listen for it.

Meandering through the Willamette Valley

2008-07-26T22:25:00.000-07:00

Today we were invited to join in on a mixed family reunion of sorts, Not many showed up. We thought by the sounds of it more from the Mr.s side would be there. It was a beautiful drive about an hour away from us, south to Lebanon, Or. The weather couldn't have been better, 70 something and partly cloudy with a slight breeze. Perfect.
On our way home from the lunch at the reunion we decided to stop and take some pictures of a place that back in the latter 50's the Mr.s Mom and Dad danced away many Friday or Saturday nights. The place has been becoming more run down everytime we pass by it over the past 13 years. So for giggles and preservation of some family history we stopped this time to take photos.

I did a little history search and found out it was called Bohemia Hall which was built about 1922 by the Czechosloslovakian community that settled in the area. Who knew. All I knew is what the Mr.s Dad told us. He danced to

A white sport coat and a pink carnation by Marty Robbins

with the Mr.s Mom and he made the comment that the Mr. was not even a twinkle in his eye yet, at that time.
Sadly though it isn't looking good as far as someone restoring it. It looks to be a pretty neat old building, you'd think someone could find a use for it.

We traveled on past the lodge and decided to go follow the covered bridge path that was marked by signs in which we'd never done before. We found one beyond the Shimanek bridge which is where the Mr. proposed to me at many years ago. This bridge was called the Hannah bridge named after a man that settled by the river that it now crosses which is Thomas creek. It's a neat bridge built in 1936, the construction is quite different. It's pretty cool to see these structures still being maintained for all to see.

The Hannah Bridge Scio, Oregon

Looks like a pretty decent swimming hole too

Finally after turning back on several roads because we couldn't find more bridges we ended up going back to Stayton and got an iced Mocha and went to the town arts festival, we didn't buy anything, but I saw some cute chickens in a nesting style box, We all know I like chickens Right? Well I especially like chicken statuary that is colorful and realistic, these were not but I still liked them anyway.
I'd like to have real ones but the Mr. says it would be too much to take care of and if not protected the coyotes, skunks and raccoons in our area get them.

All in all the day was good, Nice to have a joy ride even at 4.10 a gallon of gas, Honestly I never thought we'd see this high price for gasoline. Something needs to be bartered better. The grain idea seemed to be a good idea to me. Barrel for Barrel. But then what do I know.

Details, Details, Details....

2008-07-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

I learned something about myself today that I never really gave any thought to, My cousin Kristi and I either email back and forth or call. I help her with things in the graphics nature like making or designing wine labels for her homemade wine.

Today she emails me after I send her a little questionaire on what type of wine? What colors? What size?
This is my response from her in an edited version,

Oh my goodness, i forgot you were like a latte stand. details, details, details...
.................(blah, blah, blah).................................................................................
.............(description of size and so on)..................................................................................................

and did i mention i lack imagination? This is why i don't order latte's--- too many choices. lol

Hmmmm, detail oriented, I guess I always knew it, just never had it pointed out before. Also it's not something I've ever added to a resume but maybe I should.

I'm a little nervous...

2008-07-24T01:24:00.000-07:00

I'm busily printing some of my pictures for the County Fair, Mounting them on foam board and carefully labeling each one. 8 to be exact, It was hard to choose I have gazillions of them. ***Wish Me Luck*** It's a new venture, I've never submitted my works to be judged before. I just hope that I don't run to my room crying when it's all said and done, afterall I'm only 39.

Results will be displayed at the fair on the 12th, They will be judged prior to the start. I might be gone and not find out anything until the 14th of August, unless somebody in my family goes and checks it out.
It's looking like I will not get to go to Mariannes wedding and I'm bummed, I so wanted to meet her and Shark. It's just business, and trying to save money for future plans. Sorry Marianne.

The Baby (Amalie) is under the 30 day mark now and I'm trying to be available and at home if I can, so I can be there. I was there during the birth of both of my grandsons by my daughter and really loved every minute of the experience, Only I think, I could of had those babies 3 times over by the time she finally gave birth.

The Mr. and I and the girls(Emmy and Maddy Mae)for the latter half of the day Spent some time together last Saturday, He ran some errands and I rode along with him. We went towards the Sandy area and
stopped to get a few pictures of the Clackamas river. It's always so scenic there.

Portland Riverside, home of the Rose Festival across the river from OMSI at sunset with another Icon of Portland "The Sternwheeler" cruising past probably on a dinner cruise.

In the middle of the picture is the hospital where little Faith had her surgery and Chemo treaments, Doernbecker Childrens Hosp.

...and Finally Nightfall on the Rose City, Not quite the lights of Vegas. This is just a small section of the town too. I gotta go and spend some time during the day, It's really beautiful with old and historic buildings and nice museums.

The Heathman Hotel

2008-07-16T23:38:00.000-07:00

Mt. Rainier from Hwy 410 in Enumclaw, WA

Monday was a busy, busy, day. We traveled home from the Enumclaw, Wa area but not before having to have a valve stem on a tire fixed on the Mr's work truck. Always a pleasure, changing tires and trying to find somebody open to fix it on Sunday. In Enumclaw it's impossible. That's when the Mr. checks out the spare to see if it still good enough to travel on. Me, I take my vehicle into Les Schwabb (my favorite tire store) and have the tires rotated and the spare checked every so often. I hate being stranded.
Well, that's how it started. We drove the 3hrs. and 10 minutes back home and unpacked my car, Got the Raleigh dog from the kennel and took a short breather before getting all cleaned up for a fancy Birthday dinner in downtown Portland at the Heathman Hotel on the tab of the Mr.s son Bo. I was excited to get dressed up for dinner for a change. We dressed just casual nice, The Mr. in his Banana republic rayon softly muted Hawaiian shirt and me in my sundress also somewhat Hawaiian. I noticed we kinda matched on the way there. God, what does that mean?

Visitors are greeted by a 65 foot high "Portland" sign above the Broadway Marquee, at the

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

We got there early and got to people watch for a little while in the Marble bar, Appropriately named, there's marble everywhere. The Mr. had a Zomerwitt wheat ale micro brew which he liked, I tasted it and liked the mellowness, I had just coffee w/ cream, Cold coffee at that. I brought it to the attention of the bartender and he promptly poured another cup for me. It still wasn't piping hot, In a fancy place like that I'm surprised that they didn't pre-warm the cups with hot water before serving, we used to at Chez Moustache restaurant when a customer wanted their coffee piping hot.

Notice my white Zuki parked at the front door, Yep, Vallet parking, Gotta love it.

The ambience was nice mostly professional people in their little chit chat clutches, only very few couples. The tables outside along the street looked enticing except for it was a tad bit windy. The temp outside was perfect for the outdoor experience, you know when you can't feel cold or heat just perfectly in the middle somewhere. Maybe next time.

And our host of the evening Bo

We met up with Bo and proceeded to the dining area, We met our server and she made the remark that it was someone's Bd, I instantly thought oh, no, and became somewhat apprehensive...With thoughts of the whole song and dance routine that some restaurants do.
We ordered, Appetizer of escargot and french style bread. We all agreed the it needed some garlic and a little white wine and Parmesan cheese to top it off, There's always a critic, huh?
We started dinner with an interesting salad that was a island on a big plate not a continent as everyone is accustom to, Nice flavor, it had fresh Raspberries and filberts for crunch with a vinaigrette dressing of some sort and small dollops of soft goat cheese.
I ordered a steak with potatoes and asparagus, The Mr. had quail with some type of fancy styled grits, and Bo had a citrus glazed pork chop. I noticed on every meal the entree came stacked on top of all the little side dishes that came with the meal. Again, an island on the plate not a continent. Good thing I don't mind my foods touching. We sampled each others entrees to broaden our nextime experience. It was all nicely flavorful.
Dessert...Ok I'm starting to sort of prepare myself for you know, the song and dance routine, So I order a dessert so I don't spoil the fun. Bread pudding and the Mr. orders a tapioca rhubarb layered dish, and of course Bo orders nothing. Dessert arrives and much to my pleasant surprise, no singing and no dancing but the impact and statement was made with the serving dishes and the hand written "Happy Birthday" in chocolate syrup and a birthday candle all aglow on the plate. It was pure impact with class. YaY! I made a wish to achieve a little thinness in the year to come and blew out the candle and ate my dessert.

I enjoyed myself mostly because of the company I was with, The dinner was nice and all but I liked seeing the Mr. get to spend time with Bo too. He Makes him proud in his efforts to become the Professional Chef that he wants to be. He'll get there someday. I think that I really like the adult he has become.
Thanks Bo for a nice dinner out and on the town and making the reservations and everything.

P.S. they made the best kisses list

2008-07-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.bestkisses.com/2008/07/page/3//
with a picture named appropriately "I Love You Already Amalie" Go check it out.

...and baby girl soon will make 3

2008-07-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

I'm getting pretty darned excited, Their baby girl is simply just 30 something days away. Both parents are gearing up to the event and trying to get educated on how this will unfold.
I sense some apprehension on Joelle's part, being both scared and excited at the same time, I remember my 1st one and I felt the same way. She'll do great I know it.

Carl, I think is ready mentally to be the daddy, he's built that way. He's come along way in a short amount of time. Most of you know that they just relocated back to home stomping grounds back in the early part of the year, Only to bring me the best kind of news possible, A baby is on the way...
So from that point on he's searched relentlessly for work and finally found it, not the best job but with many double shifts, it worked. Now, with an even better job things are looking up and falling into place. I admired the strength in their relationship to face these lifes hurdles and be stronger on the other side. This is the good stuff in life.

Fireworks

2008-07-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

We made plans to join to daughter and her family to watch fireworks in a school field in lawn chairs with food and fun for everyone and it ended up being me taking a quick drive to the same area only now it's packed with people and all I want to do is some photography work.

The Mr's having way to much fun...

The Mr's bird dog heard the Mr. celebrating the 4th with his black powder guns and decided to become an idiot and go thru our bedroom window only after clawing the screen out the open window. Then he was gone, We even tranquilized him prior to bringing him in the house from his pasture area, thinking oh, he'll just be down for the count tonight. Wrong.
He just thinks when he hears a gun or fireworks it's time to go hunting. Aughhhhh!

I spent almost an hour and a half frantically looking for a tranquillized dog on the lamb in my car, Because if you pull up in the car he thinks he gets to go with you and it makes it easy to catch him.

Needless to say I didn't find him then and we went home and waited and worried, and hoped someone would call after capturing him. He has more ID tags then carter has pills...honestly!

The tranquillizer did nothing, But add to my worries, ...What if he gets rummy and just wanders into traffic, ...or goes somewhere and goes to sleep until the fireworks start and then goes bananas in fear. The Mr. all the while is keeping a vigilant watch outside and spots him going to the neighbors. So he goes after him and Raleigh just comes to him, WTH.

You know when your worried about your kids and then you find out they're safe and just fooling around somewhere and not keeping in contact, you know how you just want to beat them within an inch of their lives, I was there last night. I didn't whoop him, but I wanted to.

So now the evening plans are spoiled due to an untrustworthy dog that will not stop at a window to reach freedom. We couldn't leave him tied up outside and couldn't leave him in. So the Mr. stayed at home and I went and took pictures by myself and shared them with him when I got home.

He's getting a 8 x 8 jail cell(kennel), We hate to do it, but he has his own mind to do what he wants to do. He'll get exercised morning and night with a shock collar in place and not be trusted without one. I think he needs a good trainer that won't baby him like the Mr. does and a nanny goat for company in the pasture.
...this is why I love my little (almost) dogs they just want to hang with you.

Justin and Rachel Wedding...

2008-07-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Justin and Rachels Wedding (album online here).. Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and more in between from the Mr.'s side of the house. The event was more like a family reunion. I'm not a big fan of doing photography at weddings but I'd like to think I would do OK as a backup photographer doing candids.

A bonafied country wedding in the middle of the Williamette Valley, It started with hot sunny weather 97ish and we ended the evening with Thunder and lightening but no rain. As per usual we were the last to leave, You get us with family and we turn into bucket mouths, it's yak, yak, yak. But we live this close and are busy and we see eachother on just these kinds of events and rarely more than that. It's a shame really.
We finally go home near I think it was almost midnite.

The Bride and Groom (Cousin) are off to Victoria B.C. Canada for their honeymoon.

Birthdays...

2008-06-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

Smells deliciously decadent almost like fresh lemon sorbet.

After my previous week I'm happy to announce Thursday is my Birthday and it's 39 again, Yay! The Mr.'s is exactly a week past mine.
I got a nice surprise from the #1 Son and DIL, April last night, A online gift for shopping in your jammies. I purchased 6 bars of my very favorite extra gentle soap in the nice big chunky bars that I like so much. I'm good for a long time. I purchased 1 extra bar to throw it over the 50.00 free shipping sale and got my shipping for free so it was like a bonus bar and I didn't have to pay to ship them at 8.8oz each.

Some of you know I'm still recouperating from my trip to the Emergency room in Enumclaw, Wa. last tuesday night. The strangest event I've ever experienced. Go from no symptoms of a bladder infection to blood in the urine in 3 hours and 10 minutes flat. That's how long it took to drive there from here and when I left I was going about that business just fine with no pain.
Boy, but, let me tell you I thought I was passing a kidney stone or glass shards it hurt so bad. I'm on cipro which makes me feel a little weird, achey and gives me a strange headache each time I take it, with only two days to go. I'll be glad to be done with it. I am feeling better, but still have to avoid sunlight...and wouldn't you know it, it's beautiful outside and warm :(

Enumclaw Regional Hospital
Enumclaw Regional Hospital took good care of me and sent me packing with Rx's in hand thank's again to the staff for getting me in so quick. I spent 2 days sleeping in the hotel and Emmy and Maddy slept right next to me like a second skin literally holding me down. My little snugglers, I gotta love em.

I did some other photo work while there and I'll post more soon.

Doggy update...

2008-06-21T02:05:00.000-07:00

I was going to name the post Dog days of Summer, Lol, Only it just reminds me how we got jipped on our spring this year, Shoot there was frost and snow in some passes in out state til last week and now it's summer? Maybe we will get an Indian summer this year.

Well, as you can plainly see Raleigh dog is back in full form. he had his stitches out yesterday and and received a great bill of health from his Vet, and now will be a more focused hunting dog.

One of my favorite Brother in laws called when he read the blog and said "Now what did you go and do that for?" He said it half jokingly and with sincere concern, but it is a male dominate dog society in Eastern Oregon "The bird hunting capitol of our state", and being raised to believe you don't need to neuter doesn't help.
Maybe seeing how Raleigh comes along will change some of those opinions. I think he thought we ruined a perfectly good hunting dog. All the info I could find said (not so) He will show him this year that he's better than ever, Raleigh will be in good form. He'll live a longer life because of it for sure.

Now Lil' Ms. Emmy lou on the other hand got caught with shots due and beings that she was with us, ended up getting 3 at one time. Poor girl. She's feeling pretty punky today and mostly sleeping but not without waking and wanting to be consoled for a little while.

He's got his eye on the prize

The good news is the vet came out and complimented us on how well behaved and well cared for our pets are. She said they were perfect weight and their coats are beautiful. Always nice to hear that the things you do to make your pets life longer is helping even if you don't expect to be recognized for it. We are our pets shepherds they need our compassion and caring.

...and little Ms. Maddy Mae is adjusting just fine to the vacation spa at our home, although I think she misses her kids (meaning the 4 kids of her family) especially at around her 9ish bedtime. But seems to like the rations and all the hugs and pets she can get.

With nails held between between his pursed lips and sweat rolling off his brow, He shoes horses one hoof at a time.

2008-06-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

These plus a well fitting shoe made from iron and a well rounded and knowledgeable shoer can help build the horse of your dreams...or just simply it can be enough to make an lame horse sound again.
Horseshoers are a breed all their own, it takes a certain amount of bravery and brawn to crawl under a 1000+ pound animal that really doesn't want you messing with their feet...and no he's not the horse whisperer calming the horse, it's a Horseshoer, Farrier or whatever you would call them, with the ability to know what a horse is thinking most of the time by the reactions of the horse.

He places his hand on the horse and reassures him or her that he's helping and not hurting them.
It's hard to know if a horse is just scared, spoiled rotten, or if he's just a non-thinker and will blow up at any given minute and stomp the crap out of anything or anyone in it's path.

Then you take into consideration that animals are highly unpredictable, and that coupled with the goings on in a barn, like for instance something falling or a wind just blowing a paper across an isle way or a dog running through, it could be anything and you have a horse not paying attention to you as the shoer and that equals Danger.
Shoers take their life in their own hands everyday they work, They freeze all winter and sweat all summer. It is an honest days work. They come home tired and cranky with an aching back, mostly just wanting something to eat and a shower for sure and a bed for rest.

The incredible amount of knowledge that a Farrier needs to full fill his obligation to the horse, & be the best possible problem solver for the horse everytime that he can be is really phenomenal undertaking.

I'm always impressed watching him shoe a horse and seeing his ability put to the test time after time.
Corrective shoeing is even more amazing to observe.
Watch a horse walk in lame and go out looking somewhat normal and by the next day acting like himself again, it's knowledge, trial and error sometimes, but mostly hard work and skilled persistence that works these kinds of miracles.

It's an admirable profession and not to many make it in this field.
If you didn't know before now, My Mr. is a Farrier and I'm proud of his abilities,
That and him in chaps isn't bad either.

So when the week of July 6-12th rolls around and you see your Farrier or know of one give him a pat on the back for the hard work he does. They are humble, but, they appreciate being appreciated, I know this for sure.

We've gone to the dogs...

2008-06-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

He'd rather be hunting, and maybe in his doggie drug induced dreams he is, but for now he is on bedrest with limited walks and activity. And is sporting an elizabethan collar.

Sir Walter Raleigh has been disabled in the manhood dept. His boys are gone. The Mr. is feeling pure empathy for him even though he will not reproduce in numbers and he thinks that's a huge loss with a good hunting dog, he will gain years in his life for it.
We were on the Mr.'s business trip and a phone call from an unknown neighbor came to phone asking me to come and get my dog, Do you have any idea how helpless you feel being 4 hrs from home and not scheduled to be back for a couple more days?
Our daughter was picking him up on the way home from his pasture and then dropping him off on her way to work, allowing him his playtime in the pasture during the day... Yes, we have a babysitter for our dog. Until, for some strange odd reason he jumps the fence. It's not a short fence either. Come to find out it was the neighbors female dog in heat that lured him from his pasture area.
So, poor guy has to get snipped and clipped. Be drugged and tranquillized and stay in the house for 7-10 days. All of which he doesn't like anymore than not being able to lick the area in question.
Boy it's been awhile since the last time I had an animal neutered because I didn't realize how spendy it's gotten. Now I've made the decision to spay my little Emmy also and just get her a baby girl yorkie for a sister and have no babies. She's had 4 heat cycles now and I hate dealing with it. She changes so much when it comes on and it's just icky to have to deal with. So all the animals will be spayed or neutered.

Emmy has a friend for the summer it's little Faiths dog Maddy, a Miniature long haired daschund, and she's a little lover. At first emmy was too bouncy for Maddy but now she seems to have learned what Maddy likes and has become pretty good friends.

Maddy has come to stay while Faith and her family goes to Boston for her specialized radiation treatments. Soon the nightmare for this family will be somewhat over and little Faith will hopefully get to go to Kindergarden in the fall. I'm so happy that the outcome of this ordeal has turned out this way rather than the opposite...which I can't even bear to think about. I know there are some who believe that there is no God and that It couldn't be possible for this to be his will, But I believe she would not be her without all the prayers and the guidance from the Lord, In essence she was a test case and Drs. were learning from her how to treat other children with this type of cancer.

Our prayers have been answered, She is still with us and as far as we know now, She is cancer free for the time being.

Emmy and Maddy (Best friends forever) Camping on the couch freezing because it's Junuary instead of June in our area, Brrrrr!

Meanwhile, it's 70 days or less til my little Amalie(Jayde)sp? will be born. I rubbed her mommy's belly and said hello to her just the other day. I'm so excited! My son just started a new job, things are looking up for them. Now we just got to get her mommy to stop worrying so much and get some rest. Why does it always have to be so stressful to be pregnant, Why do we always worry so much during that time? is it the hormones? Or, just our nature?

Guess What...the 24th is Jeannie's Birthday

2008-05-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

She's one of my longest blog buddies, although I do have them in many corners of the world. It's inconceivable to me still to this day to have friends that you know so much about and yet have never met.
Jeannie My friend, I wish you all the best on your birthday.

Drop her a little note on the 24th and wish her a happy one.
Jeannie's blog

Tyler...

2008-05-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well hey everyone,
Meet Tyler, he's our friendly bar tender at Rainer Pub and Grill in Enumclaw, WA. I love his smile! he greets you with a warm hello and a johnny on the spot attitude every time, Did I ever tell you I love good wait staff before? ...well I do, I appreciate the good ones.

It probably comes from having so many bad ones. That, and I have worked in the restaurant business myself quite a bit throughout my life and I expect courtesy at the very least and some eye contact to acknowledge my being there.

Tyler is young, free spirited, but smart, he knows how to treat people and have them leave happy customers. He has traveled in Europe and explored some of the best places over there, He works and saves his Dineros to travel. He's leaving again here pretty soon to go to Honduras to explore the ruins and do some diving for treasures. He reminds me of a modern day pirate, How fun does that sound?

I think he has like a month before he leaves again, On or about the first week in June. So if your in the Enumclaw, Washington area and need a good place to eat and want to have some fun go see Tyler. Oh, please leave a good tip, it's supporting his travels, Tell him I sent you.

Oh and have a Rainer beer and he'll challenge you to guess the puzzle on the cap, just a fun little game we play.
Ladies, Did I mention he's single? and kinda cute...with a great smile. Go see him.

Duck, Duck, _ _ _ _ _

2008-04-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

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I'm home and rested again

2008-04-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

The weekend was hot and sunny 70+ degrees and we spent most of it in the Oregon Knife Collectors Show in Eugene, Oregon. I'm so proud to tell you the Mr. won "Best Fighter Knife". Our damascus steel saber sword below was the one the won, He fashioned it after Jack Sparrows sword in the Pirates of the Carribean movie. We met and reaffirmed friends at the show, Made new contacts and bought more supplys. Got to spend some time with the Mr's Aunt and Uncle who drove down for part of the weekend, we celebrated the Uncles birthday by going to dinner. We eat at P.F. Changs, Yummmm, We had a great waitress named Erica, She was on the spot before you needed her...It was nice! I love good wait staff!