Had a great phone conversation to catch up with my little bro'. He is recovering from a nasssty virus that kicked his arse, the docs thought it was spinal menengitus & gave him a spinal tap to check his "fluids" but could thankfully rule that out. Turns out it's some morph of the swine flu, huge fever & blinding headache, he was a sick little puppy but feeling much better now. It was great to talk to him & we need to plan a trip up there to visit.
Alex called me up this morning because he's BORED. Poor fellow, nothing to do on his fabulous summer vacation. Oh if only we had those troubles!!! I came up with several very good suggestions but they weren't tempting I guess. I stepped outside my office while on the phone with him & I told him "Hey, I'm looking at a very cute snake". He said "I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!", hopped on his bike & pedeled furiously to my work. The snakey was still there & we admired it, took a phone pic, & then wondered if Alex could catch it. "If I catch it, do you guarantee it won't bite?" Uh, NO! But I can guarantee it's not venemous & won't leave any lasting scars. That wasn't good enough. Then our friend Mark stepped out & came over to see what we were up to. He channeled Steve Irwin & was quickly down on all fours poking around under the bush the snake was hiding under. I enjoyed watching both "boys" try to be brave & grab the snake's tail even though the snake was defensive & posing as a fierce critter & even 'striking' at their hands (can I interest you in a lot of false starts & cringes?!!) but finally I swooped in & snagged it, triumphantly holding up my prize which hung limp & docile in my hand. It was a pretty black snake with long yellow stripes, quite fat & sassy, not the biggest garter snake I've seen but good sized. Do you know what the first thing a garter snake does when it's been caught by a predator? I know this from experience, and it was confirmed when this guy (named BUSH) oblidgingly peed on my hand. Or is it poop? Yellow and extremely, I mean really, stinky. But hey, it's one of his few defenses! I handed him to Alex, and yes he peed on his hand too. We admired him & petted him for a bit, marveled at the soft scales & bad odor, & then let him go. Then we went inside for a good hand-washing! After which Alex pedaled back home. It was a very nice morning adventure....
Casey had his fourth day at "Little Beavers Summer Camp" & had a good time. Next week he begins his 4 day/wk swim lessons, whoopee! We came home, picked up Alex & Bear, then headed to our city's Central Park to meet up with some of Casey's school buds. His Little Peeps. They played good & hard, countless kids came up to meet Bear, then Alex tossed some balls for Bear, then we tucked the pup into the shaded car & walked to the library, where all The Little Peeps went to see the Magic Show. This was a "Join the Library Summer Reading Program" event & they had a very fun magic show, the kids thought it was hilarious & he did a great job. Now we're home, relaxing, thinking about wrangling up some sort of dinner, relaxing, wishing daddy was here with us but he's heading home soon.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Second Memorial Day - May 29
This weekend was our real Memorial Day because we went up Friday afternoon to the big cemeteries in Portland, Lincoln Memorial & Willamette National. We put flowers out for (on dad's side) Gram, great-grampa Ted, grampa Ted, and Grandma Betty, then (on mom's side) grampa ashford and mom. It was a nice, relaxing evening, the weather was wonderful, the boys enjoyed exploring those gorgeous cemeteries, and we let Bear explore a bit too although I promise he did not embarrass himself on anyone's grave!
Saturday Derek drove up to meet Gene & Bob & the Astoria Angora hiking club for a morning hike up Saddle Mountain. He said the weather was amazing & he enjoyed it a lot although he desperately needs some new hiking boots to keep his feet comfy. The boys & I went to town and got Alex a new bike helmet. All next week they're doing "Bike Safety" at school and riding for two hours each day. His old helmet had a wicked crack in it. While we were "downtown" we cruised through the Farmer's Market. Our Saturday's were full of soccer til now but have now opened up. It's a neat little market and we saw friends and the boys each found a classmate. Ah, I do enjoy living in this little town! A hands-down highlight was when we stopped to check out a lady farmer's honey bee display, and she asked if we wanted to hold a bee. Wish I could have seen our expressions! She told us these were male bees which don't have stingers, can't collect pollen, and only leave the hive to find a lonely lady bee. So I put on my brave face, also called "show no fear so my boys can experience the wonder of nature even if inside I'm doing the scaredy-dance" and I held out my hand and damned if she didn't set a buzzy bee on it. This was actually very very cool, and I was pleased when each boy held out a hand too! Neat-o!! Surprisingly they opted out of the downtown water fountain, but were instead eager for the store tgrip that would add Popsicles to our house!
We got back home, ate some popsicles, and then realized it was a perfect day to walk to our neighborhood pool. Alex and I were very impressed, and Casey very proud that he could independently play in the deeper water, navigate the "channel" that has a current, and go down the huge water slide. So Cool! I'm one step closer to kicking back beside the pool with a good book!
Now the hot day has gone and we're blessed with a cool evening breeze that passes thru the house. The boys have full tummies (for now), Alex is playing "age of empires" on dad's laptop, and Casey is exploring some old-style Legos that his dad & uncle Garth played with as little boys. Derek's on his way home after his adventures, and I'm heading out to water the veggies with my shadow Bear. [note, Alex just announced that he's going to get a banana. So much for a full tummy!] Out of curiosity I looked up the Cherokee word for 'shadow', imagining a cool buddy nickname, but although it's a perfect description of Bear "U da yv la dv" doesn't roll off my tongue. I've been intrigued with the language courses offered thru the cherokee nation website but I suppose it'd be more practical to brush up on my Spanish.
Saturday Derek drove up to meet Gene & Bob & the Astoria Angora hiking club for a morning hike up Saddle Mountain. He said the weather was amazing & he enjoyed it a lot although he desperately needs some new hiking boots to keep his feet comfy. The boys & I went to town and got Alex a new bike helmet. All next week they're doing "Bike Safety" at school and riding for two hours each day. His old helmet had a wicked crack in it. While we were "downtown" we cruised through the Farmer's Market. Our Saturday's were full of soccer til now but have now opened up. It's a neat little market and we saw friends and the boys each found a classmate. Ah, I do enjoy living in this little town! A hands-down highlight was when we stopped to check out a lady farmer's honey bee display, and she asked if we wanted to hold a bee. Wish I could have seen our expressions! She told us these were male bees which don't have stingers, can't collect pollen, and only leave the hive to find a lonely lady bee. So I put on my brave face, also called "show no fear so my boys can experience the wonder of nature even if inside I'm doing the scaredy-dance" and I held out my hand and damned if she didn't set a buzzy bee on it. This was actually very very cool, and I was pleased when each boy held out a hand too! Neat-o!! Surprisingly they opted out of the downtown water fountain, but were instead eager for the store tgrip that would add Popsicles to our house!
We got back home, ate some popsicles, and then realized it was a perfect day to walk to our neighborhood pool. Alex and I were very impressed, and Casey very proud that he could independently play in the deeper water, navigate the "channel" that has a current, and go down the huge water slide. So Cool! I'm one step closer to kicking back beside the pool with a good book!
Now the hot day has gone and we're blessed with a cool evening breeze that passes thru the house. The boys have full tummies (for now), Alex is playing "age of empires" on dad's laptop, and Casey is exploring some old-style Legos that his dad & uncle Garth played with as little boys. Derek's on his way home after his adventures, and I'm heading out to water the veggies with my shadow Bear. [note, Alex just announced that he's going to get a banana. So much for a full tummy!] Out of curiosity I looked up the Cherokee word for 'shadow', imagining a cool buddy nickname, but although it's a perfect description of Bear "U da yv la dv" doesn't roll off my tongue. I've been intrigued with the language courses offered thru the cherokee nation website but I suppose it'd be more practical to brush up on my Spanish.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day - May 22
The long Memorial Day Weekend! Our friend borrowed our driveway Friday for a garage sale which we took a turn tending on Saturday. Bear-Bear was our official greeter and had a great time with all the people. We got rid of some crap and made some moolah, but still it's a lot of work so we were happy to put it up and enjoy the friends that were trickling in to make our house oh-so-pleasantly full! The boys hung out all weekend with their bestest ever friends, while the grownups played board games and cards. We had such a great time & I always feel sad when everyone goes back home!
We spent an evening with dad & his bride. Dad's looking great and they have such a happy energy with each other, I gotta say it's fun to see dad giggle. She's such a great 'earthy' resource and I made her explore every inch of our baby veggie garden and give me hints and tips, move this, divide that (and that, and that, and that...) but overall I feel we're sitting on a good first big garden. Then we had dinner out where I wore two glasses of peach tea on my lap, it was a very unlucky drink for me, but otherwise a very nice visit. Grampa got to read Casey a bedtime story which was a treat.
We spent an evening with dad & his bride. Dad's looking great and they have such a happy energy with each other, I gotta say it's fun to see dad giggle. She's such a great 'earthy' resource and I made her explore every inch of our baby veggie garden and give me hints and tips, move this, divide that (and that, and that, and that...) but overall I feel we're sitting on a good first big garden. Then we had dinner out where I wore two glasses of peach tea on my lap, it was a very unlucky drink for me, but otherwise a very nice visit. Grampa got to read Casey a bedtime story which was a treat.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Boys have three days off this week
Because evidently their recent Spring Break wasn't enough?
Today I participated in a conference call while sitting in my comfy family room, hanging out with family, and throwing the occasional ball for Bear. Thank goodness for that Mute function!! Later we went to a local plant shop & picked up some wee baby lettuces, chard, kale, spinach, shallots, etc etc and planted them in our new, fabulous veggie raised bed Derek made. We've grown things each year but this is the first time we've deliberately planned a veggie garden..... so honestly I don't know how it's gonna turn out but it's been fun so far! I am feeling very protective of those little baby plants and will probably go hunt slugs tonight!
Alex & I enjoyed watching Casey's swim lesson this afternoon. Now daddy's tucking the littlest mister into bed, Alex is typing a school paper, and I'm thinking about our next 2 days at home. I've got to pick up some eggs & egg decorating supplies, that's what we'll do tomorrow!!
Hope all's well with you & yours!!!!
Today I participated in a conference call while sitting in my comfy family room, hanging out with family, and throwing the occasional ball for Bear. Thank goodness for that Mute function!! Later we went to a local plant shop & picked up some wee baby lettuces, chard, kale, spinach, shallots, etc etc and planted them in our new, fabulous veggie raised bed Derek made. We've grown things each year but this is the first time we've deliberately planned a veggie garden..... so honestly I don't know how it's gonna turn out but it's been fun so far! I am feeling very protective of those little baby plants and will probably go hunt slugs tonight!
Alex & I enjoyed watching Casey's swim lesson this afternoon. Now daddy's tucking the littlest mister into bed, Alex is typing a school paper, and I'm thinking about our next 2 days at home. I've got to pick up some eggs & egg decorating supplies, that's what we'll do tomorrow!!
Hope all's well with you & yours!!!!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Beautiful Saturday
This is hands-down the nicest weather we've had all year. We were blessed with a perfect day for the boys' first soccer games!! Now Derek & Gene are helping a friend move some furniture, the boys are relaxing with full bellies, and I'm looking at 5 cubic yards of good soil in the driveway. I feel compelled to pour some love into our neglected garden! Can't type ... must ... get ... outside!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Job Change For Derek
As of April 1st, I will no longer be working for Old Mill Center but instead be working for The Easter Seals Children Therapy Network in Salem. Hey I know about the economy and all but when an opportunity comes along, you just have to take it. I really wasn't looking for a new job (though things at work have changed considerably, and not all changes are for the better), but The Easter Seals has a much more stable funding stream than the situation I am in now. I will esentialy be doing the same thing I have been doing for Old Mill, but now I have a slightly longer commute, a more stable income source, and a slightly larger income. :)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Our Glorious Day
This morning was cold and foggy but we were determined to get out and do some hiking. So we bundled up & grabbed Bear & headed to a dead-end road at the edge of town that leads to a plethora of trails. We walked, jogged, and explored our way up towards McCullough Peak. Let me tell you a little something about my boys – they are Troopers! Yes there were a few whiny moments (focusing on their boundless hunger) but mostly we just enjoyed the great outdoors. We're so blessed to live here, the woods were damp & dim but as we reached higher elevations we got above that fog and found honest-to-god Sunshine, mmmmmm.
Alex found a nice rock that fits just right in his palm, and he marveled at how different it was compared to the crushed gravel on the forest service road. He loves finding objects, special sticks or rocks, and finds unique and lovely qualities in them. I wonder if he’s seeing some little spirit in each one, something intrinsically worthy in his eyes.
Casey with his short little 6-yr old legs provided a running commentary on our places, who was first, who had slipped into last position. But at one point I caught him singing a wonderful little song to himself, a song inspired by the pile of horse manure he’d just passed, so in his little voice I got to hear how to “watch out for the horse poopoo”.
We saw the occasional other folk and met some nice doggies (good job pups!) along with two especially not-nice dogs that worked together to bracket & intimidate Bear (while their owners just laughed it off, oh they don’t DO anything, just make a lot of noise) but our good-natured fellow did very well and gleefully hiked along with us, sometimes “yo-yo-ing” up ahead then back, but for the most part he just trotted along beside us. Of course if he came upon an especially choice stick he’d scoop it up & toss it hopefully in front of us, wagging his tail. We want him to relax & explore when we’re out not “do his job” of fetching, so for the most part we don’t throw things for him when we’re out walking in the woods. I’m not sure he’s got that yet, I suspect he thinks he just hasn’t found the stick we’re looking for!
After burning off so many calories we piled back into the car & took it to the Ruby Tuesday’s parking lot where it could hang out while we filled our tummies with some good food. Now I’m home with the little boys being mellow, while Derek headed across the valley to do some gaming with buddies Wes & Roger. I’ll do a bit more ‘puter work & then grab my knitting needles & finish up my latest hat (thanks Pamela for the jump-start you gave me!! I’m sure having fun!) I also have about ten more pages in my book but it’s sooooo good & interesting, it’s wrapping up a grand adventure, and I don’t want it to end!!! You know the feeling when you’ve rushed thru a book only to hit the brakes and stretch out those last few pages……
Thank you Gene for researching the spelling of the character Inigo, not Indigo as I thought. Huh! I've been quoting that wrong for many moons!
Alex found a nice rock that fits just right in his palm, and he marveled at how different it was compared to the crushed gravel on the forest service road. He loves finding objects, special sticks or rocks, and finds unique and lovely qualities in them. I wonder if he’s seeing some little spirit in each one, something intrinsically worthy in his eyes.
Casey with his short little 6-yr old legs provided a running commentary on our places, who was first, who had slipped into last position. But at one point I caught him singing a wonderful little song to himself, a song inspired by the pile of horse manure he’d just passed, so in his little voice I got to hear how to “watch out for the horse poopoo”.
We saw the occasional other folk and met some nice doggies (good job pups!) along with two especially not-nice dogs that worked together to bracket & intimidate Bear (while their owners just laughed it off, oh they don’t DO anything, just make a lot of noise) but our good-natured fellow did very well and gleefully hiked along with us, sometimes “yo-yo-ing” up ahead then back, but for the most part he just trotted along beside us. Of course if he came upon an especially choice stick he’d scoop it up & toss it hopefully in front of us, wagging his tail. We want him to relax & explore when we’re out not “do his job” of fetching, so for the most part we don’t throw things for him when we’re out walking in the woods. I’m not sure he’s got that yet, I suspect he thinks he just hasn’t found the stick we’re looking for!
After burning off so many calories we piled back into the car & took it to the Ruby Tuesday’s parking lot where it could hang out while we filled our tummies with some good food. Now I’m home with the little boys being mellow, while Derek headed across the valley to do some gaming with buddies Wes & Roger. I’ll do a bit more ‘puter work & then grab my knitting needles & finish up my latest hat (thanks Pamela for the jump-start you gave me!! I’m sure having fun!) I also have about ten more pages in my book but it’s sooooo good & interesting, it’s wrapping up a grand adventure, and I don’t want it to end!!! You know the feeling when you’ve rushed thru a book only to hit the brakes and stretch out those last few pages……
Thank you Gene for researching the spelling of the character Inigo, not Indigo as I thought. Huh! I've been quoting that wrong for many moons!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
It's the End o' the Year!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to our friends & family! Wendi here, I hope your Christmas was warm & cozy like ours. As Indigo says "Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up!"
The boys started Christmas break early due to wondrous S*N*O*W ! We discovered how much Bear loves the white fluffy stuff, he frolicked out there like...well, like a puppy. We have Valley Gear which means our poor boys had to play outside in less-than-perfect snow clothes. Of course neither of them complained but we had to have lots of warm-up sessions with cocoa!
Derek was beginning 2 weeks off work (1 week paid vacation, the 2nd will be without pay) so he was home with the guys while I did some work but I also spent time recovering from a kick-ass cold virus, verrrry glad to have that behind us! Daddy caught it too but it didn't take him down quite as hard. I get to visit the doctor on Monday 'cuz I may have pulled something in my back while coughing, ah gee if only you could see the slow and twisty progression from the seat to walking across the room...
On Christmas Eve we of course had two very excited Little Misters. After dinner we "blessed the house" (translated 'put away toys & tidied up') and then they could each open ONE little present. They opened the gift from the other sibling & were both happy & satisfied JUST ENOUGH to go to bed that night. Casey is our early riser so he had explicit instructions to look at the digital clock in our bedroom when he woke up and if it started with "OH-FOUR or OH-FIVE" it was too early in the morning to get up. He woke up at 4:26, came back in at 5:20, & finally we gave in at 5:57 and it was CHRISTMAS MORNING at last!
We sat in our living room where our pretty little tree sat on a table. We tore thru stockings and gifts and then had a pleasant time munching on candy, putting together Lego things and flipping thru new books. Then Derek got the boys to sit beside him & look over his shoulder at the pictures he'd taken that morning. There was lots of grinning until he got to one photo they didn't recognize, a huge box in the family room where the boys hadn't ventured yet. Alex & Casey looked at each other then BOLTED down to the family room & started tearing into the Big Gift........ a Wii! (Weeeeeeee!) What a hoot! I swear Alex did not Sit for 2 hours as he explored the wonderful world of non-couch-potato Wii games & he worked up a sweat! Casey thought the Wii was extremely cool too although he was crawling into the big box within two minutes of emptying it.... hee heee..... [in fact that box has been a tremendously popular Fort & Store ever since, and tonight is the third in a row that Casey's sleeping in it!!!!]
Derek made Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls (mmmmmmmmm!) and we had a nummy Ham/Yam/Garlic green bean (thank you Jorgen!) early dinner with our friend Pamela. She came over with knitting kneedles (ha) in hand & I enjoyed parking on the floor with her for a thorough tutorial on making a hat with circular needles. Now I'm ready to get together again for the next step as I have a knitted column several inches tall that needs to get smaller & joined together (Pamela!!!!???)
Allrighty it's time to tuck Alex into his bed with a book then sneak back into the family room and work on my Wii Bowling...... Love & Hugs & Happy Holidays !!
The boys started Christmas break early due to wondrous S*N*O*W ! We discovered how much Bear loves the white fluffy stuff, he frolicked out there like...well, like a puppy. We have Valley Gear which means our poor boys had to play outside in less-than-perfect snow clothes. Of course neither of them complained but we had to have lots of warm-up sessions with cocoa!
Derek was beginning 2 weeks off work (1 week paid vacation, the 2nd will be without pay) so he was home with the guys while I did some work but I also spent time recovering from a kick-ass cold virus, verrrry glad to have that behind us! Daddy caught it too but it didn't take him down quite as hard. I get to visit the doctor on Monday 'cuz I may have pulled something in my back while coughing, ah gee if only you could see the slow and twisty progression from the seat to walking across the room...
On Christmas Eve we of course had two very excited Little Misters. After dinner we "blessed the house" (translated 'put away toys & tidied up') and then they could each open ONE little present. They opened the gift from the other sibling & were both happy & satisfied JUST ENOUGH to go to bed that night. Casey is our early riser so he had explicit instructions to look at the digital clock in our bedroom when he woke up and if it started with "OH-FOUR or OH-FIVE" it was too early in the morning to get up. He woke up at 4:26, came back in at 5:20, & finally we gave in at 5:57 and it was CHRISTMAS MORNING at last!
We sat in our living room where our pretty little tree sat on a table. We tore thru stockings and gifts and then had a pleasant time munching on candy, putting together Lego things and flipping thru new books. Then Derek got the boys to sit beside him & look over his shoulder at the pictures he'd taken that morning. There was lots of grinning until he got to one photo they didn't recognize, a huge box in the family room where the boys hadn't ventured yet. Alex & Casey looked at each other then BOLTED down to the family room & started tearing into the Big Gift........ a Wii! (Weeeeeeee!) What a hoot! I swear Alex did not Sit for 2 hours as he explored the wonderful world of non-couch-potato Wii games & he worked up a sweat! Casey thought the Wii was extremely cool too although he was crawling into the big box within two minutes of emptying it.... hee heee..... [in fact that box has been a tremendously popular Fort & Store ever since, and tonight is the third in a row that Casey's sleeping in it!!!!]
Derek made Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls (mmmmmmmmm!) and we had a nummy Ham/Yam/Garlic green bean (thank you Jorgen!) early dinner with our friend Pamela. She came over with knitting kneedles (ha) in hand & I enjoyed parking on the floor with her for a thorough tutorial on making a hat with circular needles. Now I'm ready to get together again for the next step as I have a knitted column several inches tall that needs to get smaller & joined together (Pamela!!!!???)
Allrighty it's time to tuck Alex into his bed with a book then sneak back into the family room and work on my Wii Bowling...... Love & Hugs & Happy Holidays !!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
We've got our Tree -- Whoopeeeee!
Hey we're gearing up 'round here for a Big Fun Festive Family Christmas!
We're happy & healthy. A bit saddened by the outcome of the Civil War but we're coping. We got our Doug Fir tree from the local boy scouts and decorated it today and it looks lovely. The boys were singing carols as they covered it with ornaments, soo sweet. It's rather late & Derek and I have a date to sit our tooshies on the couch to watch a DVD so I'll promise to update soon & add some pics, sorry I've been neglecting this blog but we've been beezee beavers :)
What's up with you?
We're happy & healthy. A bit saddened by the outcome of the Civil War but we're coping. We got our Doug Fir tree from the local boy scouts and decorated it today and it looks lovely. The boys were singing carols as they covered it with ornaments, soo sweet. It's rather late & Derek and I have a date to sit our tooshies on the couch to watch a DVD so I'll promise to update soon & add some pics, sorry I've been neglecting this blog but we've been beezee beavers :)
What's up with you?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Yachats Celtic Music Festival
I went with my buddy to the Yachats Celtic Music Festival to listen to some wonderful Celtic music. The concert featured lots of local music. They put on a pretty good show here and I would like to return next year. We spent the days doing some geo-caching both north and south of Yachats. Wendi's dad and wife went to the concert too and I met up with them for some drinks before the show and during the sets. Wendi and the boys came down to the beach and everyone played at the beach before the concert. All in all it was a great weekend though I missed my family.
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