Sick, Sick, Sick of it!!!!

I really tried hard NOT to get this virus - it is called a Super Bug and the title is appropriate. I did go in to see my sister as we both have it, she was worse. I am glad I was able to give her a little TLC and getting her to rest. We went to bed at about 6:30pm on a Saturday night, both exhausted from making a small shopping trip for meds. Sunday we felt a little better, she slept some and I slept off and on. We had breakfast, went to the mall to get my books that I have been waiting for, and got my dirty car washed at the robo car wash. She was exhausted from the trip and I dropped her off to rest and I went to the store for a few supplies I had forgotten the day before. Sooo... I woke up several times during the night last night, coughing my head off and will be staying home today as not to infect my co-workers. Carole and I stayed completely away from my parents and sanitized everything, so hopefully they will not get it. It is not fun, believe me and I am a not a happy person when sick, it is such a waste of time!

Weekend Sickies

Dex hurt his back on Friday, while he lifted a ladder he tried to slide a brace under it with his foot, shifting all the weight on one side of his body and thus tweeking a muscle. On top of it he developed a cold too. My weekend was spent nursing him back to health. I was feeling like a cold was coming on myself, so it was Zicam for the both of us all weekend. We did manage to get a few things done, but I now know what the term "stir crazy" means. I have been cooped up in our house for at least three weeks now, due to snow and sickness. I am determined to go into town this coming weekend and visit my parents, check on my daughter's rental and do some shopping! There is a car show at the expo and I will try to fit that in as well. I am a social being and being away from people for a long time, it is not good for me or my psyche. Hopefully the week will go by fast.....

Math Paranoia

My dear friend Lin has went back to College at the grand old age of 56 years of age. Now there is a great advantage to returning to school at this age. You take all your life experiences with you and you just want to learn, learn, learn. She went to the same lousy south L.A. school I did. Many of the teachers were no longer interested in teaching anymore, just retiring. We were both poor math students. That's okay, girls do not have the aptitude for math anyway, we were told. She was really worrying about this math test as she was afraid she had forgotten what she had learned from last term and she had barely made it through. I assured her "It will all come back to you" and not let our Math Paranoia set in. She called me last Sunday with the good news, she passed her math test with flying colors! I knew you could do it! Way to go Lin!!!

Pet Peeve - Storms and Speeding Drivers

Well, we have been having quite the stormy weather and I am a big chicken when it comes to driving if there is a slight possibility of ice. I have a small hill to travel up and down about 1600 feet and they keep it gravelled during the bad weather and that's not what I am really afraid of. It is that "other"driver, who must get in front of the pack, travel too fast and too close. I don't understand it especially in bad weather. Do they not want to make it to their destination without possibly killing themselves or someone else? Usually in the end, I meet up with them at the stop light in town and they have made no headway by driving in such a manner. What they have accomplished is putting their life and those of others in danger, wasted gas, made other drivers extra nervous and showed themselve for the stupid idiots they are.

I watched one of those silly shows on TV this weekend, I think it was called "Speeders" and I just could not believe the excuses people tell police when they get pulled over. The number one excuse is they have to go to the bathroom! One woman said "My car doesn't like going under 40 miles an hour - she had a speeding ticket for every year for the last twenty years - I just hope her insurance company was letting her pay for those tickets through her insurance rates. Even her kid in the car in the front seat was concerned and watching the "speed-mom-meter", I thought that was rather interesting, a child filled with anxiety about his mother driving too fast and she, had no concern at all.

Oh well, maybe I should write off all the agitation to old age, but I just don't remember wanting to get in that kind of hurry, especially with my children in the car and maybe that is why I have never had a speeding ticket in my forty two years of driving. And just maybe, that is why both of my girls are such good drivers.

Hopes for 2008

Happy New Year everyone! Ours was a quiet one at home and off the streets, although I did try and lure my sister with a game of late night bingo! The pots are always huge, but our weather has been icy at night and we do not get home to my mothers until 2:00am or so. Good call sis, I stayed home and got some things done and so did she.
My hopes for this year is for people to take a moment from their busy lives to stop and take a look at who is governing them. Just register to vote! Have a say in how you feel about things. At least you will have tried to make a change.

I would love to see the way the primary's are set up changed. I hate the fact that four or five states set the conventions - how about holding all primarys on the same day? Will someone tell me what is wrong with that? It just seems so much more democratic!

No More PORK! Let's pass legislation without it. In fact. let's put all lobbyists out of business.
Term Limits, woohoo, I would vote for that one. Let's put the professional polititians out of business!
Green, Green, Green - let us all do our part this year to make a difference in our planet. We are a nation of consumers, if we are going to consume, let us do it responsibly.
I personally am going to try and get up and move around more, everyday! I work a very sendatary job and IT SUCKS the life out of you. I will try and be more like my children, who are very physically minded!
Pray, I will pray more for my family, country and world. It never hurts and hey all you sceptics out there? What it I am right?
Finally, Love, Love, Love, I will try and do more of that and serve and be more tolerant of all people on this earth....required by my Lord and hey, it just makes you a better person and feel really good!!!
So here is a toast to a new and better year for all people on this planet!

I have high hopes for us all!

Merry Christmas Family & Friends!!!

Dex and I want to wish all of our family and friends a very Merry Christmas! It is a true Christian Day of Remembrance of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our giving of gifts is in keeping the tradition of when the Magi brought gifts to the Christ child. It is a reminder to us all of the sacrifice Christ paid on the Cross for our sins and a rejoicing of the greatest gift that he gave to all mankind. I rejoice with fellow Christians in celebrating this birth and counting the tremendous blessings HE has given me! St. Nicholas is a representation of the Magi in the giving of gifts and is a delight for Children all over the world. Time to go to sleep now...I thought I heard bells tinkling! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas and all that jazz!

Yesterday my sis and I finished our shopping and it wasn't too bad - we had a great time together and bought the things we had in mind, although I found an extra gift for Mishka that I think she is going to love! It was just sort of a "happening" and those are the best gifts! Dex and I got to spend some time with William and Chicken, we had a marvelous time at the museum and I was turned on to Chuck Close, I got to see a new Van Gogh, aquired by the museum, which was beautiful! I cooked for my kids, beef stroganoff, and they helped me prepare it, boy was it yummy! I left them with some left-overs too! My sis was meeting a guy she has been talking to for quite some time today, through an online dating service she joined. She was like a sixteen year old girl, going on her first date. She asked me if she thought he would like her? I told her if he didn't he was a dumb @?^% and not worth the time of day. At our age, we don't have time to waste on STUPID! I will update you when I get the juicy details. My Christmas message for you all is Love, Love, Love - that is what Jesus, my lord and savior requires of us and guess what, it is fun too!

What I've been up to

Well, we had the company Christmas party, food was good and I was the designated driver so I could drive my sister home. She doesn't usually drink, but she had lots of fun and we all danced our feet off. It is always good to see your colleagues "let their hair down" once in a while. I met some of the folks that I never see face-to-face and that was great. Christmas shopping is just about done, just a few things for some special friends at work and then I am done. I am shopping more and more online. It is a great convenience and it just so happens that my family are all bookworms and music buffs so they make it very easy. They are very socially conscious too, so gifts of Charity were sent in their names also.

I received a big surprise from my son-in-law and I am so proud of it. I received a certificate of appreciation for participating in a work project for him. This means the world to me and it gets a frame and position on the wall above my desk. Thank you J - I was glad I got to help!

Dex and I are going to Portland this weekend to take in a Museum with Shorty and William, see a steam locomotive and just take in the sights and sounds of Christmas in a big city. Maybe we can take the Max downtown and walk around for a bit, if it is not too cold...oh and I do have to make a quick trip to Powell's to get a book for my friend at work. He has never read Con Tiki and it is a must read for anyone with an adventurous heart. ta ta

Another Landmark

Today was a lovely day as I celebrated my 57th birthday with family and friends. Received birthday wishes from my wonderful daughters, bling from my sister, nephew and parents. Had a wonderful breakfast with my childhood friend and her husband was give a beautiful photograph/print of Molokai and a toilet paper butler that matches the hardware in our bath, from my husband. He actually got me a 440 motor to put in my 65 Dodge Coronet, so I will forgive him for the "Butler." I have learned a few things these last 57 years, somethings I have carried with me forever, but other things I have picked up on this interesting journey. I am glad that I am in relatively good health (but too fat). I have the most wonderful family that I Cherise, your family is the most important thing on this earth! I still love GOD with all my heart and soul. I love my country and I am proud to be a patriot. I now feel free to speak my mind about what I think is important. I also know when to keep my mouth shut, and believe me that is hard to do sometimes. I have given up trying to "fix" things that I cannot. I try to look at all people straight in the eye as it is harder for them to not tell you the truth when you do. I hug alot more and say thank you every chance I get. It has been a wonderful birthday!

Sympathy Card Writing and real love

Well, I got cards to write to my niece and two nephews along with Craig's girlfriend. Veronica told me the Rini was engaged to Craig and to be married soon, when he was struck with cancer. She nursed and encouraged him for two years and the impression Ronnie gave me was she virtually willed him to live. It is hard to write when you do not know the person you are writing to, but I will just try and thank her for all the love she gave Craig. When someone walks by your side in the way she did with Craig, well, that is what real love is, isn't it? I am thankful that both of my girls have those kinds of loves in their lives and I in mine too!

Faces locked in Time

A few days ago, my daughters informed me of the death of their cousin. He was a bit older than my daughter Mishka and I think in his early 40's - with much more life ahead of him. Although I did not keep in contact with him or his brothers, I do occasionally email their older sister Ronnie. These kids are related through my children's father, children from his older brother who is also gone from this earth now. I cannot get over the fact that he is still a 10 year old boy in my mind, as that is around the last time I saw him. Isn't it funny how time plays tricks on us. I recently saw some dear friends at a wedding that I haven't seen in a long time. I could tell by the look on their faces at how much older I looked and they also to me, but then of course, in a few moments of conversation and catching up on the children and grandchildren, it was like nothing had ever changed. I guess I will just keep this young, sweaty, smiling boy, in my mind, just as he was the last time I saw him. I know when I see him again in the future, it will be just as if nothing has ever changed again.

Red is coming for a visit - woohoo!

Donna or "Red" as we call her, because of her beatiful red hair, is coming for a visit. She will be here on Thursday evening and spend Friday night as well. She is responsible for introducing me to my Dexter. They were longtime friends from Orange County and continued the friendship through their migration to Oregon. She and I have shared a strange part of my life. I am thankful for our friendship as she helped bring me through a dark period of my life. We will go out for dinner, have a few margaritas and stay up late, catching up. Her current job requires her to travel all over the country, which has been marvelous for her. I will give her the postcard book I have put together of her travels...I do miss not getting to see her more often though!

My favorite time of the year!

It's here! It's here! Yellow, Gold, Brown, blowing in the air. Golden colors so bright that in twilight, it looks like midday. Burn piles, pumpkins, corn stalks and fresh apples, pies and ghosts, goblins and witches....CANDY - Coats and scarves at the ready, mitten's too....Oh joy, Fall is knocking at my door....Come in, Come in!!!

Finally settling in

Well, Mishka and J are finally in their home in Okinawa and finishing up making it cozy. Chase will be home soon and then the whole family will be together finally!!! Fall has arrived, just that first hint - you know the hot part of the day diminishes early and the evening air has a bit of crispness in it. This is absolutely my favorite time of the year. Fall colors coming, some great wind to blow the leaves and whoopee you don't have to water as much! Dex and I usually try and go see Chicken and William at this time of year in Portland. We usually go to a corn maze, but they have decided to take us on a hike on Sauvie Island near the wildlife preserve. I look forward to seeing all the fabulous birds before many of them migrate south. I am going to start my savings for a trip to Oki as I can hardly wait to see it again and I am hoping my Dex will get to go with me this time! I am also going to try and blog more, now that things a winding down. I love that part, a good book, glass of wine and looking out my window at the woods. My winter bird friends will be back soon too!

Sayonara Miska and J

It was so great to spend time with Mishka and J. We gathered the families together for a nice long visit at Gma's and all of us had a great time. Mishka and J were able to sell the Carolina house right away and they have been working on the Washington house and now have it on the market. I know it will sell right away also. It is really a cute house and the price is right. I have to pretend in my mind that they are just on vacation, even though is is going to be awhile before they are back to stay in the U.S. But I feel good about Oki - it is a wonderful place and I hope GOD Willing to visit them there again - I have dreams of snorkeling with the beautiful fish and I want to do it again while I am able to do so. I hope the rest of the family will take them up on their hospitality and see this beautiful island and meet the gracious Okinawan people.
So my Children, have a wonderful vacation and don't forget the postcards...

North Carolina and Saying Goodbyes

I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I would update you on my trip to my daughter's in North Carolina. Flight out was great, stopped in Minneapolis then on into Raleigh. I was about an hours drive to Mishka's home and I have to say NC is absolutely beautiful. Very green like Oregon, but the pine trees are reminiscent to our Ponderosa Pines, but with much longer needles. We did something fun everyday. Got in lots of geocaching and eating and bird watching. Mishka made several Asian dishes for me, that were soooo....good. She is quite the cook. I did get to get my feet wet in the Atlantic and brought home some great seashells.
The best of all was helping J on a work project. It was so exciting and I will never forget it, and I got to see my first fireflies. I could live there with no problem. NC reeks of southern charm and hospitality and graciousness. Their storms are pretty awesome to watch too, but you don't want to get caught in them, they are downpours! Mishka and J are on their way west. We will have a gathering of friends and family and we will be saying goodbyes again....I hate goodbyes!!!

A Real Vacation for HaHa

I will be leaving in a week to go a visit my daughter and son-in-law on the east coast. They will be going overseas later this year and they invited me out to see there home before they sell it. I am really looking forward to spending time with them and seeing a few sites. I love there company so much though that we would not have to go anywhere and that would be fine with me too. I am sure Mishka and I will get a few geocaches in and have a few late nite gab sessions as mothers and daughters like to do. My daughter made all the travel arrangements and fixed it so I do not have to change planes but one time which keeps me pretty worry free. I do think it is so important for people to take their vacations. I work in a job that can be frenzied at times and dull others (but mostly frenzied) and your mind just needs a rest from all that. I was fortunate when I was raising our family, that I was able to go on vacation with them and sometimes had a few days off for myself. That is the best of both worlds.

Taxes - At the last minute of course!

Well, I spent all day Sunday, getting all the stuff ready so I could do our taxes. I do not have an organized system like I should have. We just throw all the stuff in a box and then go through it when the time comes. I use Turbo Tax which is a big help and so I finished about 9:00pm Sunday night. I efiled and got a confirmation from the feds right away. That was cool as we owed them a little, but even this morning when I checked for confirmation from the state I could not get one. So I ended up printing out our return, signing and sending Dex to the PO to get it posted with today's postmark. I did put a post-it note on it telling them that I did try to efile and could not get a confirmation just to make sure they did not deposit what they owe us in our account and send us a check in the mail also. We will see how this scenario plays out and I will keep you posted.

Good news and bad news

Well, it has been a week of good news and bad news. Let's get the bad out of the way first. A musician friend of Dexter and me, committed suicide this last week. No, it wasn't because of drugs, wait, I correct myself. It was because of drugs - chemotherapy. Janna had survived breast cancer for two years, she suffered a double mastectomy and lots and lots of chemo. She was one of the cancer patients who have very strong reactions to chemo. I learned the other day that her cancer had returned and she chose not to do chemo again. I do not know if she was already in pain or not, but I do know she was not willing or perhaps the odds were not in her favor, so she chose to end her life. As a Christian, that is not an option for me, but I cannot say for sure, that I would not do the same thing if in the same shoes.

The good news is that Chicken,(my youngest daughter) has a new job as of April 23rd. I am so happy for her and she will be learning a very valuable job. Once you learn purchasing, no matter what the product, you can pretty much go where you want to go. Added benefit, she will get to see MindSprite on a daily basis. I hope Sprite will walk with you everyday at work!

The other good news is that Mishka, (my first born daughter) and J will be returning to a place overseas that they love. This means I may have a chance to go to this wonderful land again. I will have a different set of priorities this time, which I am anxious to share with her and J.
Wonderful family friends will be visiting her soon, I know they will have a wonderful time together. The good things about old friends is the old cliche, "IT's LIKE THEY NEVER LEFT." Wish I could be there too.

global warming in Southern Oregon

I finally went down and bought a battery charger for my camera batteries. When I last tried to take a picture, it was of the snowfall we had a few weeks ago - I thought I had got one pic of the snow, but I wasn't sure. So I charged up some batteries and downloaded 1 pic of the snow. Today it is 64 degrees and we have been outside working most of the day, getting our vitamin D and a little color on our skin and more importantly getting lots of yard work done...hope you all are having a nice sunny Sunday...By the way we ended up with a foot of snow from this snowfall - This is a view from our kitchen window looking out to the road and you can see our pump house and the foundation for the building we are about to erect for our old cars we are restoring.