Sweeti's Ramblings

...still need some gifts?

2009-12-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

NEW ITEMS IN THE STORE

Cups, Travel Mugs, Steins, T-Shirts, Aprons, Carry Bags, and even Water Bottles

12/07-12/09

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.