Bowling Queen

Lovely,......Like I said before, I do not have my camera, but took my scooter around the neighborhood, to Safeway and picked up some on sale pork chops,(unfortunately Kane is not coming over but I will make them all anyway) and then to the bowling alley to watch my mom bowl.  She has not bowl much since April, because of David's health, my health, Kris health, vacation trips, etc..  She did really good.  We, Bailey and I saw her get many strikes and keep up with many who are much younger than her.  Bailey, who adores her Grandma said, "Oh she is just too cute".  I must agree and although she is a bit tired, it is nice to see her doing what she loves and feeling good doing it!

I, myself am not a bowling queen, I am a scooter queen.  Although I have not scooter lately because either the weather or "digestion does not cooperate.....today, I am a happy girl.

I have been spending quite a bit of time with Mom.  Going over there this morning and will see if she needs to see doctor again.  Max's big meeting was yesterday.  3 hours long.  Don't know how well it went.  I will know the results of it in a couple weeks.

Since the weather will not be so good tomorrow, I am not scrabbling around to get things done for the weekend.  We won't be in a rush to get to the camp spot so I will take my time this evening and tomorrow getting food and items ready.  Then even if it is raining, we will mosey on to Miller's Crossing in the afternoon tomorrow.  That is if I feel Mom is on the mend.  David will be around for her Friday and Saturday if she still needs lots of help, but I just get nervous when she is so ill.

Quick post

My plans change always.  Yesterday, my mom needed to see the doctor, so I took her and spent a little time with her afterwards.  Today I am planning on spending the morning with her.  I thought I stayed away from her while I was contagious with the cold.  But I am afraid I am the one that gave it to her and of course she ended up needing medication.  Hopefully, she will be feeling better after a couple days of medication.  So I gotta go.  Have a nice day.

I need a Yogi

Time gets away from me so easily.  My days blend in and before I know it, another week has gone by.  I know, it's only Wednesday, but when you belong to a large family and you personally have things going on, even a hermit feels like there is not enough hours in the day.  Hermit..........I really have been less of a hermit lately, thanks to watching my diet like a hawk.  Anyway..........I ended up spending most the day with Mom today.  I also got great news.  My doctor told me my scans showed no existing cancer.  I also have OK news about Kathy.  We have been granted an extension on her funding.  This means she does not need to move right away, but we will need to still aggressively look at all our options.

When I think about my days and wonder why I feel like I am always trying to catch up, I do know I have the privilege of being able to help when things get hairy for other people.  My mom hasn't felt well this week.  Probably a bug, but today we got her into the doctor and took her to the hospital for a couple tests.  Nothing bad developed from the tests and hopefully in a few days she will feel better.  Then there is my son Max.  When dealing with his disabilities, there is always going to be bumps in the road.  And he has been feeling low.  But again, I have been able to help him through this and I hope he will be feeling better for a while, (until next time).

Thinking about my own "issues" and how time consuming it is to keep me functional, and losing sleep over any aches and pains until test results come back, well that is the real enemy.  Worry.  Worrying really does no good and at times makes things much worse.  I can go a few weeks living my simple life, feeling peaceful, sometimes joyful, sometimes lonely, but all in all.......Well and thankful to be alive.  And then I go through days like the last few where I worry about my health, worry about my mom, worry about Max, and worry about LIFE.  And it feeds off itself and does no good. 

But I know myself and know that this too shall pass.  It comes in spurts.  I should be celebrating my good doctor's report, Kathy's reprieve, and the upcoming Easter holiday.  But because of lack of sleep, and wanting my mom to be her spunky self, wanting Max to be his delightful self, I am just running on empty for a bit.  Hopefully, a good night sleep, and a good day for my mom and Max will make things better.

On a up note, when waiting at the hospital today, I looked at a magazine called Cure.  It is a whole magazine devoted to Cancer.  Well I swiped it.  Oh I will return it, but there was a couple articles I wanted to read.  One was on Chemo brain.  It does exist.  Some doctors for years denied that chemo damaged the brain.  But now I know there is evidence that the treatments can cause a lot of cognitive damage and that it sometimes takes a long time to recoup the brain function.  So I am not crazy.  Just taking my time to recoup:)
Also, another article talked about the huge benefits of yoga for cancer survivors.  I have not started doing yoga which was recommended by my doctor.  I think, had I been doing yoga these last few days, I might have been able to sleep better and feel less stress.  So anyone who talks to me for a while, ask how my yoga is going.  Need to stay accountable, you know!

So Honey, Who Am I Really Like?

My husband and brother-in-law adore my Aunt Leone.  You remember her, she is my enabler.  In fact, LL and Steve call her the perfect woman.  Why do they think this about her?  Because while driving her to Reno, she can go forever without shopping, food and going to the bathroom.  Put her in the back seat on the way to a casino, and she will fall asleep and wake up only when she senses a casino in the vicinity.  LL and Steve's wives, Kris and I will want to stop at any shiny place with food, baubles and bathroom. 

LL from time to time will say, "you are just like your Aunt Leone."  It is not because of the traits up above that he says this.  It is because I have no qualms putting my fingers up a chicken's behind.  Still don't understand why that is weird:) I choose to think I am like my Aunt Leone because she is who she is.  She is one of the most comfortable person in her own skin.  Frankly, I think she is delightful.  Yes, I choose to think that.

LL from time to time will say "you are just like your dad".  I think it is when I am at my quirkiest and saying things that make total since to me, but will be botching the English language terribly.  I choose to think I am like my dad because I will choose to have empathy for the less fortunate and am quick to give hugs.  Yes, I choose to think that.


LL from time to time will say "you are just like your mom".   It usually is when I am seen in his eyes as stubborn. (Mom, you know Allen loves you more than his luggage).  Steel Magnolia quote.   I choose to think it is when I am showing strength.  After all, she is the strongest woman I know.  Yes, I choose to think that. 

But I know I am not as strong as my mom, as loving as my dad, and not as comfortable in my uniqueness as my Aunt Leone. 

But this evening, while feeling a little down, I am just like my Mom.  What has my Mom done ever since I can remember to get through things?...........She goes outside and is useful.

My Aunt Leone is not just my enabler and supplier of chickens.  She also supplies me with garden plants.  A couple weeks ago, she gave my mom a whole bunch of strawberry plant starters for me.  My mom has kept them alive but I need to do something with them.  I did turn my raised garden beds, added compost and aged manure, but it is too wet to till it and plant the strawberry plants. 

But I decided to take the starters off my mom's hands and put them in small pots until I have a few consecutive dry days to till up my garden.  I am not sure where I am putting them yet.  Hate to take up space in the raised beds, but LL has promised to build 2 more beds this year for me.  OK, he actually said one, but I think he meant two.  (See why he prefers Aunt Leone over me). :)
So, like my mom, I went out in this rare beautiful weather this evening, spend time with my chickens,(my sweet Henrietta actually came in the greenhouse and stood next to me while I planted)  I transferred my plants, and hope they will hold off long enough for the weather to cooperate and for me to figure out where I will put them.

I feel so much better now:)

Lucy and Ethel are back....along with Mrs. McGillicuty

Ok, I have to admit, for a year, I have been looking for an excuse to put the song Funeral For A Friend by Elton John on my blog.  But when talking about a real funeral, it just seems inappropriate.  But because of the wind at the beginning of the song, I felt, for this post, the time was right to play it.  It is a long one so it will be on for a couple days.  But since it it a great song, I hope no one minds.  And now, the first post about my fun but as usual, not normal weekend....

Had a great few days at Seaside.  LL and I met Mom, Kris and Steve around 12:00 on Sunday, and we caravaned to Seaside.  The accommodations were excellent as usual.  While there, the weather was pretty stormy.  LL and Steve left around noon the next day.  So then it became three women who might have one brain between them.  Let me give you an example.

Monday, around 5:00, we decided to go for a nice Valentine dinner.  We had coupons to two different restaurants and thought we would decide which restaurant we would eat at depending on the weather, since we were walking.  Kris and I had ate at one of the restaurants before and knew it was good, but the other one that was a little farther sounded excellent and was recommended to us.  Since we had a 20% off coupon, we thought it would be nice to try something new.  So we walked a block and thought, "the weather is not so bad", so we turned the corner and continued to the new restaurant.  Keep in mind my mother is 80 yrs old and does not do well in the cold.  Well, we turned another corner and the wind hit.  It was cold.  "Do you want to keep going Mom?"  Of course, anyone that knows my mom knows she will push herself.  So we continue.  So we go a couple more blocks and I see the restaurant sign ahead.  I wish I had the writing capability to describe the whole walk.  It couldn't have been more than a half a mile or so but we were walking against a wind in a storm that I can not describe.  So we go up the stairs and into the restaurant......

The cute little restaurant waitress looked at us with a cute little smile and asked in a cute little way...."Do you have reservations?"  What!  I tell her I looked at their advertisements and no where did it say reservations required.  Not even recommended.  Well, Something about it being stupid valentines day.!!  I guess we should have called ahead.  Kris said, "do you have a bar we could have a drink and rest?"  Well, cutie putudie said "yes around the corner".  Well I knew mom could not make it to the next restaurant.  So being the upstanding wonderful person I am, I said, "I'll walk back,(In the hurricane!!) and get the car and pick you guys back up.  Kris give me mom's car keys".  She gave me the keys and I start my way back.  Do dodo do do.  *I am such a good person doing this for my mom and sis*.  I must admit here, if you didn't do all the backtracking we did to get to the restaurant, our hotel was not very far, but still, I treaded through the storm of the century to get back to the hotel.  I go up to the 5th floor where I was sure the car was parked. Walked around and thought ummmm not here.  So I go to the 3rd floor parking and low and behold, Mom's car waiting there for me to rescue Mom and Kris's butts.  So I take the keys out.  Must say, they looked a little strange, hit the unlock, hit it again.  Damn Damn Damn.  These are NOT my mom's keys.  What to do?  Well I thought I could call them on my cell phone and scream at them, but being the high minded person I am, I decided to try to find my mom's spare keys.  Knowing she is always prepared, (unlike two of her dim witted daughters).  So I go down to the room, (wasn't I smart to have the room key with me?) and I go into the room.  As I walk in, a phone is ringing, where is this phone and what stupid person did not take it with them?  I ask, feeling a bit superior at this time.  I look at who's calling and it says "Konnie's calling"......  I am?  How can that be?  I am here and I am not calling.  I answer "Hello".  I hear wheezing on the other end.  you know the sound, like somebody laughing so hard they can't get a word out.  I knew then it was Kris.  "What are you doing with my phone?"  She says "I don't know, I think mom picked it up, but it started ringing and after mom and I found it we started laughing because we thought somebody else was sooo rude having their cell ringing so long."  Oh isn't Kris cute.  Like the wretched waitress!  She says "we just wanted you to know they had a cancellation of a reservation,  so we can have dinner here at 6:00."  At this point I did not give a damn.  But I said "Oh good"  because I am a team player.  I then say "well I am in the room trying to find keys for the car".  Well the high and mighty Kris starts to say in her most supreme voice "I gave you the keys".  Well I let loose then.  "For A SUBARU!!".  Which is her car which is about 115 miles away.  Instantly she knows what she did and giggles like she is so cute.  That damn waitress's influence again.  "Oh, I guess I gave you the wrong keys".  Yes I guess you did.  So I find Mom's keys and drive to the restaurant.  Go to the bar.  Mom and Kris are still doubled over from laughing.  The bartender asked me what I wanted, I said,"Gin and Tonic, make it a good one, I deserve it!!"  He looked at me with pity.  After all, he had been dealing with Mom and Kris for the past half hour or so.  So we eventually have a lovely but expensive dinner.  They charged me for four Gin and tonics.  Although I admit I would have liked four of them, I had two, so we corrected that.

We had a great day afterwards but this morning, while getting ready to leave; and Mom, since you payed for our dinner, you might not find this funny...... but while emptying out her pockets, Kris found the coupon which was the reason we went to this expensive restaurant in the first place.  I can not believe we forgot to use the coupon, darn it!

Week 2, 2011

Last week was a mixed bag of happenings.  I had a wonderful birthday lunch with my mom, siblings, and Kane.
                                   
We went to a restaurant named Wooden Nickel.  Of course we made fun of each other and caught up on what each other was doing.

That evening, I was able to open my gift from my kids.  What a surprise and treat.  My kids pulled their money together, ordered my gift and picked it up that morning.  It was something I was going to save for and hoped to buy for myself in a couple months.  They bought me a KOBO.  It is a e-book.  It came with over 100 classic books already on it, and I will be able to download new books when ever I want.

Saturday, I spent quite a bit of the day with my mom.  LL was at a church retreat, and everyone else was busy.  It was nice not spending the whole day alone.  On the way home, I heard about the shootings in Arizona.  Don't want to talk more about it on this post.  I just can't:(

Sunday, I went with Kris, Karen and Bailey to my sister Kathy's.  She needed a haircut.

She was so excited to see Bailey.  She pretty much could care less that the rest of us were there.

Eventually, Karen and Kris were a tag team cutting Kathy's hair.

After the haircut, Kathy still wanted to be only with Bailey.  Bailey enjoyed her time with her Aunt and was talking about how cute Aunt Kathy was all the rest of the day.

 
Kathy had to show Bailey her favorite stuffed animal.  Her doggy dog.

Later, Bailey, Max and I went to Mom's and we along with Kara played Scrabble.

Today Beau gets groomed, I am hoping do a lot of cleaning, and tonight is the big Oregon Duck's game.  We will probably all be downstairs eating and watching the game. 

Not sure what Tuesday and Wednesday holds.  Thursday afternoon, LL, Mom, Dave, Aunt Leone and I are going out of town over night and be home late afternoon Friday.

My heart is hurting right now for the victims and families from the shooting in Arizona.  I have lots of thoughts on this, but don't know if I will blog about it later.  I hope you all have a safe and peaceful day.

M.I.A.

Over the last few days, I have been missing in action when it comes to my blog.  It isn't that I didn't want to blog, it's that I didn't want to be on the computer at all.  Over the last few days, I put away most of the Christmas decorations, dealt with "digestion" problems, researched my "issues" and diet further, and had a fun day on Monday.  Monday, LL, Max, Bailey, Rett, and I went to Portland.  We went to Pittock Mansion, Powell's Book Store and out to eat.  I have truly found heaven on earth.  It is amazing how all my life, I have never been to the downtown Powell's Book Store.  At one time, I don't know if it still is, it was the worlds largest book store.  It is the size of a city block and several stories high.  You need a map when browsing the store.  Max and I felt like it was the most magical place.  We love book stores, and this is the grand daddy of them all.  I ended up buying two normally very expensive vegetarian cookbooks.  They were used but like new and I got them for $13.00 total.  SCORED!!! 

To rewind back to Christmas day.  I took a lot of pictures before dinner, not so much after because..........well you know.  So I have chose some pictures randomly of the family. 

This is Kris's kids.  Kara, Kyle, and Kelli

I took some single pictures of the three of them.  Here's Kara

Bailey and Grandma Evelyn

Max and his Godparents, Karen and David

Bailey and Rett

Here we are waiting to do the gift exchange.  Notice I brought Beau to my sis's house and he wore the antlers most of the day.  What a good boy.  Todie also wore her dress all day.  Strange dogs aren't they?  After that, well I really had "issues" so my celebrating was done.

Today, I am going to Mom's to help put some decorations away.  I am going to try a new recipe from my new cookbook for dinner.  Lentil Roast.  It's like a vegetarian meatloaf.  It looks good.  We'll see.  If not, the chickens will love it I am sure.

Kathy's Christmas

Sorry about the size of the pictures.  When I tried to enlarge, they got very grainy.  Kathy is my oldest sister.  She is actually the oldest of the family.  Kathy was born with profound mental challenges.  She is one of the bravest people I know.  And probably the strongest.  I have to believe when she goes home to heaven, God has a very special job and rewards for her. 

When we arrived at her home, she had big hugs for everyone.  This isn't the case for all our visits.  So boy did we enjoy the hugs.  The biggest welcome she had was for our mother.  The excitement on Kathy's face when she saw Mom was priceless.

She was very patient and seemed quite entertained by her brothers.

And us girls never forget who are big sister is and that she is in charge.

We gave Kathy her gifts.  Lots of clothes, stuffed animal and of course, her Dairy Queen gift card from Doug.

Kathy gave all of us tins of cookies and a wonderful refrigerator magnet shaped like ornaments, with her picture in the middle.

She was definitely Mom's little girl that morning.  Insisting on sitting on Mom's lap.  We wanted to move Kathy for fear of Mom getting hurt.  But Mom wouldn't hear of it.  So Kathy stayed on Mom's lap for quite a while.  It was such a fun time.  Kathy eventually got tired and fell asleep.  So we took our cue and left her to her nap.  She was the perfect hostess and we all love her very much.

Clark Griswold's Flamingos

Tried to find Jingle Bells sung by chickens clucking.  But can you imagine, I couldn't find one recording?  I am wondering if the chicken union knows of this disparage.  Doesn't seem right.  So I ended up with the dogs and of course, had to take pictures of the lazy boys to go with the music.  I don't know why.  Nothing else about my blog makes sense.  But here is how my two boys spent their afternoon yesterday.

Yes, Beau still likes his bed

On my walk yesterday, I had to take pictures of our neighbors flamingos.  On the next dry night, I will walk two doors down and take a picture of their house.  They make Clark Griswold's house look understated.  I am not kidding.  Wouldn't want their electric bill but I must say, we could probably go all night without turning on the lights at our house with the illumination coming from two doors down.

The owner of the house is a pastor of one of the many churches in town.  Got to love their spirit.  Not sure about their taste, but it's all in good fun, so who cares.

Remember my chickens and their chicken door for free ranging.  Well they have now found our compost pile.  Oh the joy of them getting in the pile and feeding off the bugs, worms and who knows what else.

Coming late winter/spring, I am counting on some good brown tasty eggs:)

Today, I am off to Mom's to make fudge.  I have decided not to do a lot of baking this year.  Not good for LL's or my health.  But I always take a plate of something over to some of my neighbors, so fudge will have to do this year.  I can eat one or two pieces of fudge and call it a day, but a platter of various cookies will be my undoing and my "digestion" is doing so good.  Might take my camera, my Mom really hates when I take her picture, so I have to make sure I take a whole bunch:)

Traditions

Seventeen for dinner and 3 more show up for visiting afterwards.  Good turn out.

Had Bailey take this of LL and I before dinner.

One of the things we talked about at dinner was this family's need for tradition. For Thanksgiving, everyone brings the same food, oh, you can bring other things.  In fact it's encouraged, but other things in addition to the standards we all enjoy.  And be careful, if the new thing is a hit, it then next year becomes part of the tradition.  Hear that Josh, the salmon spread was to die for. 

We had 2 turkeys, won't go back to making one large turkey, the smaller ones are much juicier and tasty.  2 dressings, one regular, one oyster.  10lbs of potatoes, gravy, corn, green bean casserole, asparagus, salad, relish platter, homemade rolls, candied sweet potatoes.  I am probably forgetting something, but that is just for the main meal.

Then you have 2 pumpkin pies, chocolate layered dessert, cookies, a new pb and chocolate candies Kara brought.  That candy was a hit so Kara, new tradition.

Champagne, Orange juice, soda, and wine.

And for after movie watching, comes the snacks.  Because we would not want to run out of food and go hungry:)  Karen's yummy nacho platter, Josh's salmon spread, spinach dip, and I can not remember what else.

So that covers the traditional food, but the day itself has a rhythm to it.  Every one gets here and helps with the last minute food prep.  Eat.  Do just a little clean-up.  And here is where we have a tradition unique to our family.  Everyone rolls their bodies downstairs to our family room to watch the movie that officially opens the Christmas holiday for everyone.  Christmas Vacation.  Yes the Chevy Chase movie.  Every single one of us can recite the movie word for word.  I am not kidding. 

After the movie, we waddle our way back up the stairs for some dessert, and snacks.  Wouldn't want to give our stomachs relief.  No Sirree. 

Then comes games.  This year we played Apples to Apples.  Always a good laugh will come out of this game.  Bailey and Kara especially love playing this with their Grandma.  They think she is the smartest, coolest, and funniest woman ever, and when it comes to her playing Apples to Apples............They are right!

By that time my "digestion" was in overdrive so it is nice to have a family who spends a little time cleaning up before they leave.  So that is the traditional Staab Family Thanksgiving.  Wouldn't want it any other way. 

Today I am going to do the rest of the clean-up.  Then if my body lets me, I am going out to practice my photography.  Didn't get out this week at all, its really become my outlet to prevent me from going insane as a involuntary hermit.  Better than any drug or counceling so hopefully, I will get good shots today somewhere. 

Something My Mom Said

Yesterday, while baking with my mom, she said that the Baker City trip and the Coast trip with her kids was the best time she has had in years.  I posted about both of these trips.  But this got me thinking.............

My mom is not elderly, Oh she might be of that age, but anyone that knows her, knows she can keep up with the best of us.  Bailey and Kara can attest to this.  She still gets more done in her day than I do.  She knows more about pop culture, than I do, and although she is slowing down (for her) I just don't think of her as elderly.  I still have so much to learn from her.

So often, I hear of older people being lonely and forgotten.  I am sure not all of them are like my mom, but I would bet they are still worthy of a visit, a card, a phone call.  It is amazing how the depression era people have so much to teach us baby boomers.  Especially in this economy where being frugal is a forgotten art.

I thank God every day that I still have my mom.  I hope she lives as long as her grandma, who lived to be 100.  I don't tell her enough how much she means to me, but now she reads my blog.  So Mom, I love you and we'll be going to the casino in the RV real soon:)

Dough Girl

Still have no clue what I am doing wrong.  But what a difference.  Mom made and rolled out the dough while I filled the tarts.  Because I had her there and the mess was already made.  We ended up making 4 batches.

I guess I just need to keep practicing making her pie dough.  Mom's dough was so much easier to work with so I know I am doing something wrong in the mixing.

We made Marion berry without seeds and raspberry jam tarts.

Gave some away, and taking the rest to the beach this weekend.

I am hoping Max does well this weekend.  Things have been a little hairy with him lately.  LL wants a really relaxing weekend.  Relaxing, and Max in an RV does not compute.  But we'll see.  Hopefully I can post again soon from the RV park.  We leave around 2:00 this afternoon.

A Gift For Marlin

I know, today is Thursday,  It is the day I am suppose to post about a Silverton Mural.  When researching about Homer Davenport, or our local Astronaut, well for some reason right now, my brain is not processing well enough to put things in my own words.  So instead, and a little late this morning I might add, I want to tell you about what LL and I gave each other for our anniversary.  We went to an RV show a few weeks back.  Sure was hard to come home and look at Marlin after that.  But the one idea we came away with, was to buy a small flat screen t.v. to mount on the wall of Marlin.

We found this on sale at Best Buy and because the box was damaged. Got even a better deal.  So for $114 we put a t.v. in Marlin

LL strung the cable so that the hook up will be convenient when we park.

So I am working at getting Marlin ready to take off as early as LL can get home tomorrow afternoon.

We are taking Max.  And not planning on Antiquing or going out to eat (which is what Max likes to do)  So the t.v. will come in handy if the weather doesn't allow Max to be on the beach as much as he would like to.  It also means that the t.v. will most likely be playing cartoons AND horror movies.  Max has a lot of contradictions.  And for anyone that knows him, you know he is high maintenance so the t.v. will be a blessing.

Later this afternoon, my mom is coming over to make her pie dough so I can make Jam Tarts that wont break.  Definitely going to take more notes.  When I make her crust, it tastes the same, but I am not able to roll it out nice like her.  She is also staying for dinner because her house will be getting cleaned about that time.

I don't have posts ready for the weekend because we will be staying at a park that has wi-fi and I am hoping to figure out how to post remotely.  Probably will still post one from home tomorrow though.  So if the weather is bad, I might be posting on line more than you ever wanted to see:)  Have a blessed day.

Welcome Mom

Mom's new computer is up and running.  Up till now, she has seen my blog only a couple times.  Her old computer made it almost impossible.  Now she has a laptop with fast speed Internet.  Best mind my P's and Q's.  No, she knows me better than anyone, so the tone of the blog is not likely to change.

I picked Green green grass of home as the song today in honor of her.  She loves this song.  The thing is, choosing which singer was difficult.  Everyone from Merle Haggard to Porter Waggoner recorded this.  I could of put on Elvis singing this song, but LL said it had to be Tom Jones.  So Tom it is.

Yesterday, I went with Kris to cut Kathy's hair.  They had her dressed so cute.  She had this dress on with black tights and matching shoes.  After Kris was done doing her hair, her staff was doing her nails.  She sure was styling when we left her.  Again, the lighting was not good in the room and my camera is really not very reliable so this was the only decent picture.  Santa, if you are reading this.  Nikon D3000 is on my list.  Along with a goat.  Yes a goat.  Not for me, I want to buy one from I think it is called Heifer International for a woman in Africa to feed and support her family.  We bought a couple of them a few years ago.

I am not sure what we are doing today.  I got very little sleep last night.  The first half of the night my "digestion" was really bad and was up till about 2:30.  Around 3:00 Rufus woke me up.  Usually he is at Max's house but Max slept here last night.  So I get up and both he and Beau run to the food dish.  Pretty sure they were fed yesterday, but at 3:00, who am I to argue.  So I fed them and back to bed I go.  About a half hour later, they are waking me up again.  This time to go outside.  I let them out and back to bed I go.  About 15 minutes later, I wake to barking right outside the french doors in my bedroom.  OK!  I let them back in and back to bed I go.  A little while later, I wake up with the feeling that someone is starring? staring? at me.  Rufus head is just a couple inches from my face.  I get up and ask him WHAT is the matter?  Both he and Beau start running around when I get up.  I think they are so use to spending all their time with me that they wanted me to get up and play with them.  Well, I am not happy or amused.  Unless they are waking me up to tell me Timmy fell into the well, leave me the H*&) alone!  Of course I tell them this, and here lies my problem.  I treat them like they are human.  LL says I am becoming one of those Dog Women.  Like a Cat Lady. 

So Now I am up, rummy and all.  And right now Beau is on LL's lap snoring away.  Should wake him up just to spite him.  I know, I know!  I'm still treating them like they are human.

The Chill in the Air

                            Our days have been cool, crisp and clear lately.  Although this morning it is rainy and warmer.  We haven't turned on the furnace yet.  Just using our more efficient gas fireplace to take the chill out of the house in the mornings.

                                           

I am usually up way before sun rise.  Dawn is my favorite time of day.  There is always so much promise at the beginning of the day.  Although I have not had him around this week.  This early morning time is also what we call Coffee Time.  When I have had a particularly bad night, LL would let me sleep in.  I have told him to wake me up because my whole day does not feel right unless we have that quiet 1/2 hour together in the mornings.

With the weather changing, my ladies are starting to molt.  Egg production is sketchy.  Some days 1 egg, some days like yesterday, two.  Many days I get no eggs, but a couple days last week I got 4.  Harriet worked overtime for me, bless her itty bitty chicken heart.  I am hoping to get another year of egg production from my three girls.  Or else chicken stew they will become.  Oh right, can you imagine me ringing one of my girls neck, plucking them and putting them in the pot.  Not likely.  I will take them back to my enabler where I am sure they will live a long natural life with their sisters.  That's my story and I am sticking to it!

Yesterday, Mom was getting Internet fast speed.  It didn't happen.  Her computer is too old.  So Aunt Linda, you will be happy to know that this morning Karen and I are taking her to Salem to buy a new lap top.  Well I am not totally sure I will be making it.  Not my "digestion" this time.  Max came home very late from work last night not feeling well.  He slept at my house and I will have to see how he is feeling.  But Mom will get her computer all the same:)

Don't know what the plan is this weekend.  Probably get stuff done around here, because next weekend we will be at the beach in Marlin.  Hip Hip Hurray!!!

Added Later-Mom and Karen will have to pick out the computer without me.  Max really does not feel well and I will probably give his staff the day off.  Karen was disappointed cuz she thinks I know more about laptops.  I don't and she will do fine.  Really Karen, You will:)

Jam Tart Bandit

I should not have worried about not sleeping well without LL.  Last night, after I went to bed, Bailey must of came in, picked Beau up and put him on the bed and laid down herself.  I woke up this morning with Bailey cuddled up and Beau in between us with his head on the pillow.  He usually sleeps in his man cave underneath our bed.  He was so cute.  Don't worry LL, I will wash the sheets Friday before you get home.

I made it to lunch yesterday with my friend Michele.  I really miss seeing my friends more often.  Every one's lives change so fast.  Chuck, her husband is also our friend, and their children Alex and Devon are so dear to me.  So catching up on their lives was a good thing:)

LL called last night and the poor guy had to hear me ask "Did you take the Jam Tarts in the baggie?"  Oh I know the look on his face at the time, like "man, how can I answer this without lying."  I made two batches of tarts.  Put most in a container for him to take, but a few in a baggie for my Mom and Karen.  I made those without seeds so Mom could eat them.  Both Mom and Karen love my jam tarts.  Well he did fess up and said he was in such a hurry that he just grabbed the whole thing.  So for today, I will make another batch and take some for Mom and Karen.  They are not hard to make, just messy and time consuming.

Besides making jam tarts, I need to plant some winter pansies, go to library, then just chores.  I must say, after complaining a lot lately about my "digestion", this past week I was able to take Karen to the hospital and be there all day, go to Kanes show, and make it to lunch with my friend Michele.  Thank you God for a good week.

Life is a Beach

I really need a better camera.  I took lots of pictures, but only half turned out.  Maybe we are a particularly unphotogenic family.  Naaa........It's the camera.

 

Kris made a cake for Mom.

The house was large and beautiful.  Great location, by a great beach and close to the Casino.  Got to have that for Mom.  Actually I think LL was at the casino more than Mom.

The house had two balconies looking onto the ocean.  This is my sis-in-law Carolyn, and Karen my sis.

I was determined to get a decent picture of Kris.  Usually she is sticking her tongue out or doing some gesture that's just wrong.

Karen and John on the lower balcony.

Seems like I always get stuck between these two.  My brothers Dave and Doug.

While on the upper balcony, this lovely guy decided to visit me.  Darn it, I did not have any bread.

Like Kris, LL avoids the camera or does something to make it not blog worthy.  But I did get this one.  Sorry Hun, if you let me take more pictures, I might be able to put a better one of you on here:)

We had a great time.  This is the last of my fun weekends planned.  So back to my boring, I mean fascinating, meaningful, day to day blogs for a while.

Missing Marlin Already

I sure have been a traveling girl lately.  Well I have one more weekend away planned.  I have been spoiled.  Most of my travels beyond 30 miles lately has been in our RV.  It's name is Marlin, after the previous owner.  Marlin allows me to travel without any worries.  It has a bathroom in it.  In the bathroom is all my ointments, diapers, wash toiletries.  I love Marlin. 

Well in a few hours my hubby will be home and we are off for a fun weekend with my siblings and their spouses.  It's our last celebration for Mom's 80th birthday.  We will be staying in a big, nice, house on the Oregon Coast.  So what's the problem?  We are not taking Marlin.  No room in the driveway, and too expensive to take for the 80 miles it will take to get there.  I did well on the Eastern Oregon trip, but all this week, about 3:00, my "digestion issues" have been BAD.  For Hours!  I didn't mind, because I just figured it was a trade-off for my bowels behaving on our Eastern Oregon trip.  So now I am hungry.  I want to eat.  But know that triggers my issues.  So I am drinking all the clear juices I can find in the house, and hoping for the best.  You can bet come around 7:30 this evening, I will be pigging out on something....Anything.

Yes, I am missing Marlin already.

BTW- still have a couple posts scheduled for this weekend.  And hopefully some good pictures of the coast and family on Monday.

Gus and Bud

On our Eastern Oregon RV trip, Kris and I noticed the driver, Gus and his copilot Bud, never had a quiet moment.  What do they have to talk about for miles and miles?  On the surface they are nothing alike.  They can't look more different.  Their hobbies and interests do not intersect.  Steve(Bud) loves sports.  Any sports. ESPN is his channel of choice.  Cole(Gus) aka LL, loves music.  His spare time almost always involves playing, writing, listening to music.  But even though they are different from night and day, they are the best of friends and have things in common.   

They both love our mom and take good care of her.  See here she is bossing them around in her yard.

They both go to all our family get-togethers, but are probably making fun of us and commiserating on their unfortunate choice of marrying two loud obnoxious sisters.

They tend to vacation together alot.

Their sense of humor is different.  Cole, my LL, is a clown.  Always quick with a witty comeback.  Steve sits quietly and then zing, he has the perfect zinger.

The thing they have most in common is their feelings for their wives.  Oh they love us.  We know it.  But for two very different men, it is amazing how when Kris and I are talking, laughing, joking, making fun of them, high fiveing our BRILLIANT whit,  they both get a glazed look in their eyes, look at each other and just shake their heads.  When we are at are "best" with our delightful humor, bossing them around, they have each other to feel sorry for.............Bless their hearts.

This is a bumper sticker that Kris and I saw on our trip.

If a man is talking in the woods, and there is no woman to hear him...........is he still wrong?

That just cracks me up!