It's snowing!
And I have a pile of kids in my house!
and I love it! THIS is what I always envisioned for my children.
Thank you strange teenagers for making my dream come true!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Times.. They are a'changin'
Christmas is over. Whew. I have to confess, it wasn't one of my most favorites and I'm glad it's over. Dont' get me wrong. This Christmas was a fine Christmas spent with people I love. It was just so very different. 10 years ago I served dinner to close to 20 people. Chaos thrived and family ran willy-nilly everywhere. This year, there were 3 of us at the dinner table. I miss my son and I miss my mom.The good thing we did, I suppose, was totally change things up. Dinner was wonderful dungeoness crab, salad, potatoes & home made bread. Untraditional but quite tasty. I think that helped with the whole "weird factor."
Today we went in search of brew supplies. Not having ENOUGH to do with wine and potatoes, we're going to try to make mead. No stores were open today so we'll have to wait awhile. I'm thinking we should try vodka. Afterall, Peter still has a thousand pounds of potatoes to eat before they go bad.
After our failed attempts at finding an open brewing supply store we headed south to check out Salt Creek Falls. Salt Creek falls is at 4,000 feet elevation along hwy 58, east of Oakridge. The icy roads started at about 3,000 feet. It is the second highest waterfall in Oregon.
It was absolutely worth the drive.
The temperature was well below freezing. But we posed for a photo anyway.
See? Here we are. You can see the waterfall in the background.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Hitting is NOT allowed!
I got called to the principals office this evening. It seems like my mom felt compelled to defend her table mates from the criminals that were lurking about the dining room. She started swinging. She even connected a right hook along the way. Fortunately my mother has no strength or weight behind her punches so minimal damage was inflicted.
New Topic!
I finished a knitting project today. A lovely green coffee cozie.
I don't have much to say about it other than it is what it started out to be (No changing projects along the way), it looks much like I expected and it is what I intended when I started the project.
It's a complete success! YAY! This must mean I'm ready. Bring on the goats!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Yabba Dabba Boo Hoo
Remember that episode of The Flintstones where Fred is working in the rock quarry, get's momentarily distracted and has his Dinosaur drop a boulder on Mr. Slate's new Cadillac? Mr. Slate really let Fred have it.
Today I was Fred. I didn't drop a rock on anyone's car but I did make a mistake. I compromised the entire State of Oregon network infrastructure. Or.. at least you'd think I had. I did leave a door unlocked on OUR network infrastructure. More of a window really. Upper story window. I suppose it was more than unlocked though. It was wide open with coffee and donuts being served. And a big sign out front that said, "Open House."
Honestly, I screwed up. But the boss overreacted because, at the end of the day, no one came to my party (they rarely do.. I'm not a very good hostess) and a really good lesson was learned. I maintained my composure all the way back to my cube and then broke down and sobbed like a little girl. Not very professional was I!
I don't like getting yelled at. I don't like getting yelled at in front of people either.
Poor Fred. He needs more wine. Enough wine to last the next 536 days.
Today I was Fred. I didn't drop a rock on anyone's car but I did make a mistake. I compromised the entire State of Oregon network infrastructure. Or.. at least you'd think I had. I did leave a door unlocked on OUR network infrastructure. More of a window really. Upper story window. I suppose it was more than unlocked though. It was wide open with coffee and donuts being served. And a big sign out front that said, "Open House."
Honestly, I screwed up. But the boss overreacted because, at the end of the day, no one came to my party (they rarely do.. I'm not a very good hostess) and a really good lesson was learned. I maintained my composure all the way back to my cube and then broke down and sobbed like a little girl. Not very professional was I!
I don't like getting yelled at. I don't like getting yelled at in front of people either.
Poor Fred. He needs more wine. Enough wine to last the next 536 days.
Monday, December 14, 2009
It was weekend.. now it's Monday!
Saturday we went a'huntin - Victory was ours! Our prey was clever, but we were cleverer. We strapped our prize to the roof like any successful hunter.
Then we decorated. Mostly Jill, but Peter and I pitched in too. Mostly Jill though.
We took in the Salem Festival of Lights Parade. Jill marched for two miles. It was cold but she was working hard and stayed warm. I dressed in layers and my fancy schmancy algorithm is still unproven.
We went to dinner after the parade and met delightful strangers.
On Sunday we went for a lovely hike at Silverfalls State Park.
Normally, in the cold, I would hunker down in my warm house and look at the world through the window. I have to thank Peter, from the bottom of my heart, for all the beauty and wonder he has shown me. He has opened my eyes to the most amazing things that this world has to offer. He is truly a remarkable human being.
He left last night about 6:00. I hate it when he leaves. :(
Today mom called me. It seems someone sent all her furniture to Placerville, Ca. I took care of that and a few hours later she called me to ask me come pick her up. It seems she was at the service station and needed a ride home. (not). I went over and spent some time with her. She was in her paranoid phase. She was sure her family was in danger. She was quite anxious. According to the front desk, she had yelled at the staff earlier. They were taking out the garbage, she yelled across the common room, "Stop!! My daughter is in there!"
She's very confused. But I love her.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese
A loyal and faithful reader found this book and suggested it. It looks fascinating.. and it IS Christmas season... I'm just hinting.. :)
Speaking of Christmas season. Last night was the McKay High School Band concert. I have a video.
Tomorrow the McKay HS marching band is marching in Salem's Festival of Lights. The temperature has not been over 32 degrees here in a week (this morning it was 12). But fortunately it's been dry. Tomorrow it's supposed to start precipitating with freezing rain. Poor Jill. Poor Sharon and Peter who must go stand out there and watch. brrrrrrr..
There is a mathematical formula I'm working on.. If you take the ambient air temperature and divide it by the value assigned to the precipitation (freezing rain=2, snow=3, regular rain=1), minus the speed of the wind you come up with the temperature of my butt.
I'm figuring tomorrow my backside will be about (22/2)-5=6 degrees F. If they gave us relevant questions like this in high school algebra I probably would have gotten a better grade!
Speaking of Christmas season. Last night was the McKay High School Band concert. I have a video.
Tomorrow the McKay HS marching band is marching in Salem's Festival of Lights. The temperature has not been over 32 degrees here in a week (this morning it was 12). But fortunately it's been dry. Tomorrow it's supposed to start precipitating with freezing rain. Poor Jill. Poor Sharon and Peter who must go stand out there and watch. brrrrrrr..
There is a mathematical formula I'm working on.. If you take the ambient air temperature and divide it by the value assigned to the precipitation (freezing rain=2, snow=3, regular rain=1), minus the speed of the wind you come up with the temperature of my butt.
I'm figuring tomorrow my backside will be about (22/2)-5=6 degrees F. If they gave us relevant questions like this in high school algebra I probably would have gotten a better grade!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
They're back!
Those stinky invisible people have returned. This time they've been sleeping in my mom's bed. How rude!
You see.. it all started at 2:00 am this morning. She called me and told me not to be shocked - but that she was at my house and would I please come downstairs. She said she didn't know how she got here, but here she was. She needed help re-making her bed because she had removed the sheets and washed them in the shower - "those people" had been sleeping in her bed and she didn't want to sleep in their dirty sheets. She wasn't here, of course. But I called the caregivers at her building and "we" (they) got her settled back in and taken care of.
I was so tired when my alarm went off at 5:30 that I decided to go to work late. Only before I could go back to sleep she called to tell me she was at my house again. She couldn't understand that I wasn't just upstairs.
She called again about 6:30. Same story, but this time she was hungry and wanted food as well.
I stopped by her place on my way to work. She was in the dining room, toast in hand. I said, "oh, you finally got breakfast!" She said, "I haven't had breakfast. They haven't fed me all day!"
You see.. it all started at 2:00 am this morning. She called me and told me not to be shocked - but that she was at my house and would I please come downstairs. She said she didn't know how she got here, but here she was. She needed help re-making her bed because she had removed the sheets and washed them in the shower - "those people" had been sleeping in her bed and she didn't want to sleep in their dirty sheets. She wasn't here, of course. But I called the caregivers at her building and "we" (they) got her settled back in and taken care of.
I was so tired when my alarm went off at 5:30 that I decided to go to work late. Only before I could go back to sleep she called to tell me she was at my house again. She couldn't understand that I wasn't just upstairs.
She called again about 6:30. Same story, but this time she was hungry and wanted food as well.
I stopped by her place on my way to work. She was in the dining room, toast in hand. I said, "oh, you finally got breakfast!" She said, "I haven't had breakfast. They haven't fed me all day!"
Monday, December 7, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Is it Snowing??
No! But it's Snoball season just the same!
Jill is going to the big SnoBall dance tomorrow. It's a City-wide winter formal here in Salem. It's a pretty big deal.
The girls ask the boys in some extravagant fashion and then the boys pay for everything. Weird system, but it seems to work.
A couple weeks ago I helped Jill ask her boyfriend, Zeke to the dance. It was quite an adventure. Jill's great idea was to get all her friends to drive by Zeke, one at a time, each with a different word written on their cars..
ZEKE, WILL YOU GO TO SNOBALL WITH ME? ♥JILL
It was a great idea... until her friends started dropping out of the plan. Last minute phone calls to several of my dear friends and we managed to get enough cars afterall. I was "Zeke" Jill was "♥Jill". It was great fun. Zeke said yes. My friend Lori drove around with "Me?" on her car for three days. I wonder what people thought?
So now we've been in the last minute preparation frenzy..
- dress? check
- shoes? check
- handbag? check
- jewelry? check
- corsage & boutonniere? check check
Ahh.. to be young again.. here is a photo from MY first winter formal... Don't all laugh at once!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
I love long weekends
Long weekends with friends and family are even better. We had lots of fun.
We survived Thanksgiving - again. Peter has developed this odd inclination to risk our lives on holidays. Last Thanksgiving he got us lost in Minto Brown after dark. At Christmas he got us stuck in the snow up in the woods for several hours. (All wheel drive doesn't help when the snow high-centers the car and the tires don't touch pavement.)
This Thanksgiving it was my turn to risk our lives. I cooked a turkey that I found at the very bottom of our large chest freezer. I know it was purchased after July, 2004 - because we moved the freezer empty. But other than that I have no idea when it entered our deep freeze. I cooked it anyway.. and risked us all getting food poisoning. We didn't! whew.
The weekend didn't pass without injury though. I did something quite foolish - which I won't go into detail over (mostly because I'm embarrassed by it) - and nearly broke two of my fingers. I whacked 'em good. They are now black and blue, swollen and quite stiff. THIS is what happens when I break the rules. Rules exist for a reason and I challenged a rule. I've learned my lesson. When a sign says "No" or "Don't" or "Caution" I shall pay attention.
In the summer of 2007 Peter and Kyle went on
some errand. On their return, they came in the door with arms full of grapes and an incredibly mischievous grins on their faces. With a twinkle in his eye Peter announced.. "We got grapes. I'm going to make wine!" Those grapes and a whole bunch more made a fine batch of "Peter's Perfect Pinot." Last night we had some dear friends over for wine tasting. We had 7 slightly different variations of the same batch. 225 bottles of the 2007 vintage (2008 & 2009 are still processing). #7 is my favorite. #5 was Cheryl's fave. Len said he liked them all. We never got around to opening bottles 1 & 2. It was just too much wine!
The weekend has been fun. I wish it didn't have to end. sigh...
We survived Thanksgiving - again. Peter has developed this odd inclination to risk our lives on holidays. Last Thanksgiving he got us lost in Minto Brown after dark. At Christmas he got us stuck in the snow up in the woods for several hours. (All wheel drive doesn't help when the snow high-centers the car and the tires don't touch pavement.)
This Thanksgiving it was my turn to risk our lives. I cooked a turkey that I found at the very bottom of our large chest freezer. I know it was purchased after July, 2004 - because we moved the freezer empty. But other than that I have no idea when it entered our deep freeze. I cooked it anyway.. and risked us all getting food poisoning. We didn't! whew.
The weekend didn't pass without injury though. I did something quite foolish - which I won't go into detail over (mostly because I'm embarrassed by it) - and nearly broke two of my fingers. I whacked 'em good. They are now black and blue, swollen and quite stiff. THIS is what happens when I break the rules. Rules exist for a reason and I challenged a rule. I've learned my lesson. When a sign says "No" or "Don't" or "Caution" I shall pay attention.
In the summer of 2007 Peter and Kyle went on
some errand. On their return, they came in the door with arms full of grapes and an incredibly mischievous grins on their faces. With a twinkle in his eye Peter announced.. "We got grapes. I'm going to make wine!" Those grapes and a whole bunch more made a fine batch of "Peter's Perfect Pinot." Last night we had some dear friends over for wine tasting. We had 7 slightly different variations of the same batch. 225 bottles of the 2007 vintage (2008 & 2009 are still processing). #7 is my favorite. #5 was Cheryl's fave. Len said he liked them all. We never got around to opening bottles 1 & 2. It was just too much wine!The weekend has been fun. I wish it didn't have to end. sigh...
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Telephone Game
Remember that game from your childhood?
It all started out so simply. My plan: Phone my mom to tell her I was on my way to take her to a doctor appointment.
Ring ring. ring ring (times a gazillion.. it takes her forever to answer the phone!)
Her: Hello. Hang on.
(shuffle shuffle, rustle, wheeze, pant, shuffle. I hummed the theme from Jeopardy at least twice while waiting)
Her (finally): okay.
Me: Hello
Her: What?
Me: Hello There!
Her: You're going to the fair?
Me: No. I wanted to say Hi.
Her: You're crying??
Me: No. I just wanted to.. sigh.. How are you today?
Her: Who is this?
Me: It's Sharon. Your daughter.
Her: Who?
Me: SHARON.
Her: oh. what do you want?
Me: I was calling to say I was coming over.
Her: Come on over then. click.
She called me tonight after dinner to tell me how lovely and surprising the evening was and how gracious everyone was. It was a lovely party and she was sorry I missed it.
I love my mother. She is one of things I am thankful for.
I hope one and all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you can all find something, anything, even weird things, to be thankful for.
It all started out so simply. My plan: Phone my mom to tell her I was on my way to take her to a doctor appointment.
Ring ring. ring ring (times a gazillion.. it takes her forever to answer the phone!)
Her: Hello. Hang on.
(shuffle shuffle, rustle, wheeze, pant, shuffle. I hummed the theme from Jeopardy at least twice while waiting)
Her (finally): okay.
Me: Hello
Her: What?
Me: Hello There!
Her: You're going to the fair?
Me: No. I wanted to say Hi.
Her: You're crying??
Me: No. I just wanted to.. sigh.. How are you today?
Her: Who is this?
Me: It's Sharon. Your daughter.
Her: Who?
Me: SHARON.
Her: oh. what do you want?
Me: I was calling to say I was coming over.
Her: Come on over then. click.
She called me tonight after dinner to tell me how lovely and surprising the evening was and how gracious everyone was. It was a lovely party and she was sorry I missed it.
I love my mother. She is one of things I am thankful for.
I hope one and all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you can all find something, anything, even weird things, to be thankful for.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thank you. Thank you very much!
My mom called me at work today. She was upset.
She could not continue to live where she was. She wanted me to find her a small house where she could live out her days. SOMETHING had to be done.
I assured her I would be there shortly and would take care of everything.
I arrived just before dinner. I sat with her during dinner to see if I saw the situation she was having so much trouble with. I didn't. But during dinner a table mate shared the story of her surprise 90th birthday party. Shortly after than my mother said, "Isn't this a suprise!"
The other diner said, "Why yes, it was wonderful."
A few minutes later Mom said, "I'm so surprised by all this."
The other diner said, "It was very lovely."
(obviously two different conversations going..)
When Mom was done eating I asked her if she was ready to go back to her room. She couldn't understand why we would leave before all the other people.
After much persuasion she finally got up out of her chair to leave the dining room. As we were leaving she turned to the room, and in a very loud and clear voice she said,
"Thank you everyone for coming. Thank you. It was lovely."
One lady on the other side of the room replied, "You're welcome!"
I almost laughed myself silly.
(and by then she had completely forgotten about her earlier issues.)
She could not continue to live where she was. She wanted me to find her a small house where she could live out her days. SOMETHING had to be done.
I assured her I would be there shortly and would take care of everything.
I arrived just before dinner. I sat with her during dinner to see if I saw the situation she was having so much trouble with. I didn't. But during dinner a table mate shared the story of her surprise 90th birthday party. Shortly after than my mother said, "Isn't this a suprise!"
The other diner said, "Why yes, it was wonderful."
A few minutes later Mom said, "I'm so surprised by all this."
The other diner said, "It was very lovely."
(obviously two different conversations going..)
When Mom was done eating I asked her if she was ready to go back to her room. She couldn't understand why we would leave before all the other people.
After much persuasion she finally got up out of her chair to leave the dining room. As we were leaving she turned to the room, and in a very loud and clear voice she said,
"Thank you everyone for coming. Thank you. It was lovely."
One lady on the other side of the room replied, "You're welcome!"
I almost laughed myself silly.
(and by then she had completely forgotten about her earlier issues.)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Inger, The Traveling Goat
At work today something didn't go entirely my way (what a surprise!!) - I was locked out of the very program I was supposed to be managing. I sent an email to Darryl and Lori asking them if this was their way of sugggesting I find new employment... The following electronic conversation ensued.
Darryl: It’s about time you retire and focus on goats, donchya think?
Me: yes.. it is. I think I shall name my first one Inger.
Lori: can I borrow Inger to come and mow my lawn?
Me: I’ve been reading.. Goats are browsers not grazers. Sorry. And… Inger will be living near the Canadian border… want to haul her that far?
Darryl: Is she a pigmy…can we fit her in the trunk?
Lori: We can write a book called ”Inger, the Traveling Goat” and write all about her experiences traveling from the Canadian border to Salem. Then, a movie can be made and then we can all retire!
Darryl: Kind of like the traveling guitar. We can send her on to someone else when we’re done with her. There could be a blog – in SharePoint, of course – where everyone who gets her can write about her experiences while “browsing” their lawn. She’d become the most famous goat in the world…even more famous than Dolly the Sheep.
The people I work with are so weird!
Darryl: It’s about time you retire and focus on goats, donchya think?
Me: yes.. it is. I think I shall name my first one Inger.
Lori: can I borrow Inger to come and mow my lawn?
Me: I’ve been reading.. Goats are browsers not grazers. Sorry. And… Inger will be living near the Canadian border… want to haul her that far?
Darryl: Is she a pigmy…can we fit her in the trunk?
Lori: We can write a book called ”Inger, the Traveling Goat” and write all about her experiences traveling from the Canadian border to Salem. Then, a movie can be made and then we can all retire!
Darryl: Kind of like the traveling guitar. We can send her on to someone else when we’re done with her. There could be a blog – in SharePoint, of course – where everyone who gets her can write about her experiences while “browsing” their lawn. She’d become the most famous goat in the world…even more famous than Dolly the Sheep.
The people I work with are so weird!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Big Day for BOTH my kids!
I've got News..
Tonight was yet another tedious, boring after school affair where I get to s
it on hard benches listening to teachers and coaches spout how wonderful ALL the kids are.. yet turn around and give awards to just one or two students. These events always make me cranky. I think it brings back bad memories of my own shortcoming at school. I would join an activity, try my absolute hardest and then get blamed for the team loosing.. oh wait.. That's MY baggage! This is about Jill!
She got an award in Marching Band. Finally! Someone with my genes running in them won something! She won "Director's Choice" which means that of all the kids SHE was the one that impressed him the most with her good attitude and improvement. That's my girl!
and still MORE news..
Kyle got his bandages and stitches out today. The doctor removed the packing in his nose and guess what happened?? My son passed out! He went white, his eyes kinda rolled back in his head, he muttered a "I feel woozy" and ... BANG he was gone. I remained completely calm.. NOT. The doctor remained calm, Kyle's dad remained calm (yes he actually has one) so I felt it was totally in my rights to panic a bit.
He doesn't look too bad! He still has a lot of swelling. If you look at him in profile his nose is about an inch shorter than it used to be. He has to go back in late December after the swelling completely goes to figure out what to do next.
Tonight was yet another tedious, boring after school affair where I get to s
it on hard benches listening to teachers and coaches spout how wonderful ALL the kids are.. yet turn around and give awards to just one or two students. These events always make me cranky. I think it brings back bad memories of my own shortcoming at school. I would join an activity, try my absolute hardest and then get blamed for the team loosing.. oh wait.. That's MY baggage! This is about Jill!She got an award in Marching Band. Finally! Someone with my genes running in them won something! She won "Director's Choice" which means that of all the kids SHE was the one that impressed him the most with her good attitude and improvement. That's my girl!
and still MORE news..
Kyle got his bandages and stitches out today. The doctor removed the packing in his nose and guess what happened?? My son passed out! He went white, his eyes kinda rolled back in his head, he muttered a "I feel woozy" and ... BANG he was gone. I remained completely calm.. NOT. The doctor remained calm, Kyle's dad remained calm (yes he actually has one) so I felt it was totally in my rights to panic a bit.He doesn't look too bad! He still has a lot of swelling. If you look at him in profile his nose is about an inch shorter than it used to be. He has to go back in late December after the swelling completely goes to figure out what to do next.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
I can run.. but I can't hide
I'm home. It's quiet at the moment. My kids did an excellent job of watching out after each other. They can be pretty good kids when they are forced to be!
Last night my mom phoned. It seems a bunch of kids set up a jewelry store in her room. They were making such a racket she couldn't sleep and she wanted her privacy and would I PLEASE come home and kick them out. I assured her they were imaginary. Then I called her caregivers and asked them to go check on her... which they did. And we decided she would eventually go to sleep despite the "ruckus" in her room plus she promised the staff would check on her several times throughout the night.
I called mom this morning, she was surprised to hear it was morning.. "They" told her it was but she didn't believe them. She was also still concerned about the kids that had been in her room. She was worried someone went through her purse and stole her hearing aids.. she couldn't find them anywhere.
I called Jill and explained the plight. (Sometimes I have a very weird sense of humor..) I asked Jill if she would please go over to her g'mas and *pretend* to purchase jewelry from these imaginary people in order to satisfy Mom's imagination. My request was met with dead silence and then Jill said.. "I'm not going to do that. That would be stupid!!"
I giggled heartily at that because, of course I was teasing. I did ask Jill to help her find her hearing aids (located on the floor behind her bed..)
And all is well. My break was wonderful and I am now renewed to face whatever next week holds...
Last night my mom phoned. It seems a bunch of kids set up a jewelry store in her room. They were making such a racket she couldn't sleep and she wanted her privacy and would I PLEASE come home and kick them out. I assured her they were imaginary. Then I called her caregivers and asked them to go check on her... which they did. And we decided she would eventually go to sleep despite the "ruckus" in her room plus she promised the staff would check on her several times throughout the night.
I called mom this morning, she was surprised to hear it was morning.. "They" told her it was but she didn't believe them. She was also still concerned about the kids that had been in her room. She was worried someone went through her purse and stole her hearing aids.. she couldn't find them anywhere.
I called Jill and explained the plight. (Sometimes I have a very weird sense of humor..) I asked Jill if she would please go over to her g'mas and *pretend* to purchase jewelry from these imaginary people in order to satisfy Mom's imagination. My request was met with dead silence and then Jill said.. "I'm not going to do that. That would be stupid!!"
I giggled heartily at that because, of course I was teasing. I did ask Jill to help her find her hearing aids (located on the floor behind her bed..)
And all is well. My break was wonderful and I am now renewed to face whatever next week holds...
Saturday, November 14, 2009
A Day in the life of a future Goat herder
I left! I abandoned my family and headed north. I left Kyle and Mary to watch Jill and Sparky. I left Jill to ensure that Kyle and Mary obey the house rules. I left Jill and Mary to take care of Kyle. I left all three of them to tend to my mom. And I ran as fast as I could north to Peter. Guilt lives in every pore of my being - but I think I can tolerate it.
Today I slept in late and leisurely drank my coffee. Peter went to the office. I read a bit of the book that he bought me, showered, went to town and did a bit of shopping, met Peter, came back to the house, drank mimosa’s and took a nap.
I like it! This seems like a perfect way to spend the rest of my days.
Of course.. Then the obligatory autumn leaf raking began. It started out such a nice day too. There was ice in the pond and yesterday’s hail still on the ground and we’re out there raking leaves for … like… 12 hours! I might’ve gotten frost bitten! I almost have blisters! My lips are chapped even!
If it weren’t for the fact that Peter is cooking dinner while I sit here doing nothing I might get cranky. But I wouldn’t dare or I might end up with the cooking chore. Yikes!
Now I need to read more of my book. So far I’ve learned that you don’t call goats Nannies or Billies in polite company. I’ve learned that goats must be milked every 12 hours - whether you want to or not. I’ve learned that Goats are browsers not grazers. I’ve learned that goats are related to deer, not cats or dogs (honestly.. It said that in the book!) And I’ve learned that goats are not pets and should not be treated as such. I can’t wait to see what else I will learn!Thursday, November 12, 2009
My son get's to pick his nose!
He get's to pick out a new one anyway.
I'm going to crawl into bed and stay there. I will pull the covers up. WAY up over my head. I will stay there for the next 570 days. Please take turns poking cheetos and glasses of wine under the blankets for me to find.
I used to work with a guy who had this black cloud hanging over him. If something was going to happen.. it was going to happen to HIM. I would tsk tsk his direction and wonder what fate and kharma had against him. It's horrible to think it's my turn.
Late Tuesday morning my son called me from Redding, California. In a muffled, slurred voice he said to me.. "uh.. Mom. I've been in an accident."
I, of course, pretended not to understand him. (It was my brief moment of denial..). But it was useless and the truth prevailed. Kyle said his car was a bit bashed up - but drivable, his nose was broken and he had split his lip. It didn't sound so bad. He was 6 hours away, his girlfriend, Mary, was already there as he had called HER hours earlier. I decided not to go. Then I decided to go. Then I decided not to go. Then I decided to go. Then I decided not to go. Ultimately I grabbed Jill and off we went.
On the way there Mary called and said he was going into surgery that would take about and hour and a half. Surgery?? I was quite puzzled as it hadn't sound so bad as to require surgery. Apparently Kyle wasn't really paying attention to reality when he called me (the pain meds were talking I'm sure). His nose wasn't just broken.. it was well.. mostly gone. The outside was there - but whatever is inside a nose was gone. His lip was split - but it was split from lip up into his sinus cavity. He had a big steering wheel shaped dent on his forehead. It took hundreds of little tiny stitches to put things mostly back together. The surgeons reported that they had a very hard time telling what went where. The boy is messed up and his face is swollen almost unrecognizable. His truck is totaled. Want to see a picture? I have one I'm saving to torture him with when he recovers and even THINKS about driving dangerously. My beautiful son isn't so beautiful at the moment. However - he was glad to see his mommy despite his tough guy attitude and I got to bring him home last night. He is my baby after all.
We have an appointment next week at OHSU to see how he's healing and to get hooked up with a plastic surgeon to finish rebuilding his nose.
On a funny note - We also had to buy him some clothes because the paramedics had cut his off of him. Jill said to me..."it seems the only time Kyle get's new clothes is when his old ones get cut off!" It's true. The last time was early last year when he was on his bike and got hit by a car. They cut off his clothes then too!
I'm going to crawl into bed and stay there. I will pull the covers up. WAY up over my head. I will stay there for the next 570 days. Please take turns poking cheetos and glasses of wine under the blankets for me to find.
I used to work with a guy who had this black cloud hanging over him. If something was going to happen.. it was going to happen to HIM. I would tsk tsk his direction and wonder what fate and kharma had against him. It's horrible to think it's my turn.
Late Tuesday morning my son called me from Redding, California. In a muffled, slurred voice he said to me.. "uh.. Mom. I've been in an accident."
I, of course, pretended not to understand him. (It was my brief moment of denial..). But it was useless and the truth prevailed. Kyle said his car was a bit bashed up - but drivable, his nose was broken and he had split his lip. It didn't sound so bad. He was 6 hours away, his girlfriend, Mary, was already there as he had called HER hours earlier. I decided not to go. Then I decided to go. Then I decided not to go. Then I decided to go. Then I decided not to go. Ultimately I grabbed Jill and off we went.
On the way there Mary called and said he was going into surgery that would take about and hour and a half. Surgery?? I was quite puzzled as it hadn't sound so bad as to require surgery. Apparently Kyle wasn't really paying attention to reality when he called me (the pain meds were talking I'm sure). His nose wasn't just broken.. it was well.. mostly gone. The outside was there - but whatever is inside a nose was gone. His lip was split - but it was split from lip up into his sinus cavity. He had a big steering wheel shaped dent on his forehead. It took hundreds of little tiny stitches to put things mostly back together. The surgeons reported that they had a very hard time telling what went where. The boy is messed up and his face is swollen almost unrecognizable. His truck is totaled. Want to see a picture? I have one I'm saving to torture him with when he recovers and even THINKS about driving dangerously. My beautiful son isn't so beautiful at the moment. However - he was glad to see his mommy despite his tough guy attitude and I got to bring him home last night. He is my baby after all.
We have an appointment next week at OHSU to see how he's healing and to get hooked up with a plastic surgeon to finish rebuilding his nose.
On a funny note - We also had to buy him some clothes because the paramedics had cut his off of him. Jill said to me..."it seems the only time Kyle get's new clothes is when his old ones get cut off!" It's true. The last time was early last year when he was on his bike and got hit by a car. They cut off his clothes then too!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Down to business
My mother has been in her own apartment for nearly a month. Wow. 4 weeks. It's been a bit of a rough transition with still more work to go. However things are looking up and starting to get "normal" - as soon as we figure out what that is.
Jill and I have been having fun rearranging, redecorating, purging and more. Shower doors have come down, vertical blinds have come down, rooms have been switched, furniture moved, dishes and pots and pans reorganized. We can't find a thing in our kitchen anymore.. but that's not hugely different than it was. Except now when we DO find it, it's where we wanted it. We'll get used to it soon I'm sure. We've put up curtains and are planning new paint colors.
When it comes to decorating we are keeping in mind the goal of selling this house in the summer of 2011. Everything we do first get's the "what will this do for re-sale" process applied to it.
Another thing that we've discovered is that the house is staying cleaner. My mother was not a messy woman in any way - however there is almost never a dish in the sink or a mess on the counter now. I can't figure THAT out at all.
This is all such an adventure and I mean that in the most positive way. It's so exciting (when it's not exhausting) and it's looking so . . . good. :)
Jill and I have been having fun rearranging, redecorating, purging and more. Shower doors have come down, vertical blinds have come down, rooms have been switched, furniture moved, dishes and pots and pans reorganized. We can't find a thing in our kitchen anymore.. but that's not hugely different than it was. Except now when we DO find it, it's where we wanted it. We'll get used to it soon I'm sure. We've put up curtains and are planning new paint colors.
When it comes to decorating we are keeping in mind the goal of selling this house in the summer of 2011. Everything we do first get's the "what will this do for re-sale" process applied to it.
Another thing that we've discovered is that the house is staying cleaner. My mother was not a messy woman in any way - however there is almost never a dish in the sink or a mess on the counter now. I can't figure THAT out at all.
This is all such an adventure and I mean that in the most positive way. It's so exciting (when it's not exhausting) and it's looking so . . . good. :)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Secret cat language!
Totally by accident we discovered that whistling is the secret cat language for.. "Attack the dog!"
Repeated experiments proved this to be true. Poooooooor Sparky!
Repeated experiments proved this to be true. Poooooooor Sparky!
Monday, November 2, 2009
580 days.. or so
I worked a full day today.. 10 hours. I believe today was the first day in about 2 months that I've managed to work a full day. I'm tired! This work business is not all it's cracked up to be!
I brought Mom home (to her apartment) from the hospital on Friday afternoon. Friday night she called me and said she felt SO much better and thought she might like it there. How exciting is that?
The weekend was pretty good and today Mom reported she went for a couple of walks, went down to the common area and sat by the fire and got in a bit of a "set-to" with one of the ladies at her dining table. At first I thought the squabbling at her table was a bad thing but it seems to give her something to talk about and get involved in. I moved her to another table but she has moved herself back. I think she thrives on the dischord.. wait.. of COURSE she does.. had I completely forgotten how I was raised??
Anyway.. things are looking up. I'm ready to go visit some goats.
I brought Mom home (to her apartment) from the hospital on Friday afternoon. Friday night she called me and said she felt SO much better and thought she might like it there. How exciting is that?
The weekend was pretty good and today Mom reported she went for a couple of walks, went down to the common area and sat by the fire and got in a bit of a "set-to" with one of the ladies at her dining table. At first I thought the squabbling at her table was a bad thing but it seems to give her something to talk about and get involved in. I moved her to another table but she has moved herself back. I think she thrives on the dischord.. wait.. of COURSE she does.. had I completely forgotten how I was raised??
Anyway.. things are looking up. I'm ready to go visit some goats.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Here I am.
Let's get in the w-a-a-a-y back machine. 1993. June I'm sure. My gorgeous son is 2 and a half years old and is spending his first night in the "big boy" bed. I wanted to keep him safe so I put a railing up to contain his bouncy little body. I kissed him and tucked him in and said all the appropriate things mommy's say to their precious babies. Then I closed his door and left him to go to sleep.
Soon thereafter he called to me.. "mommy?"
I said, through the closed door, "you stay there and go to sleep!"
seconds ticked by..
Then another quiet little "mommy."
"shhhh. Stay put!"
and again.. "but mommy."
Back and forth we went.
He never yelled, he never screamed. He just spoke quietly and calmly.
I finally got cranky and went in to get my message across in person. And there was my beautiful baby boy, hanging upside down by his pajama bottoms from the "safety" railing. Dangling head first over the precipice of his bed.
I was the worst parent on the planet at that moment. Partly because I didn't respond to his pleas for assitance - and partly because the image of him dangling there was so very funny.
I tell this story because my mom has been quietly pleading for my attention in the past week. Well - not always so quietly. But certainly just as insistantly. Today, I got quite cranky with her and hauled her up to Portland to the Doctor. The doctor immediately checked her into the hospital and said something to the affect of.. "this has been going on for how long??". Bad daughter.
I really shouldn't be allowed to take care of other living things..
Soon thereafter he called to me.. "mommy?"
I said, through the closed door, "you stay there and go to sleep!"
seconds ticked by..
Then another quiet little "mommy."
"shhhh. Stay put!"
and again.. "but mommy."
Back and forth we went.
He never yelled, he never screamed. He just spoke quietly and calmly.
I finally got cranky and went in to get my message across in person. And there was my beautiful baby boy, hanging upside down by his pajama bottoms from the "safety" railing. Dangling head first over the precipice of his bed.
I was the worst parent on the planet at that moment. Partly because I didn't respond to his pleas for assitance - and partly because the image of him dangling there was so very funny.
I tell this story because my mom has been quietly pleading for my attention in the past week. Well - not always so quietly. But certainly just as insistantly. Today, I got quite cranky with her and hauled her up to Portland to the Doctor. The doctor immediately checked her into the hospital and said something to the affect of.. "this has been going on for how long??". Bad daughter.
I really shouldn't be allowed to take care of other living things..
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Less that 600 days!
592, to be exact. Just thought I would throw that out there because, on occasion, that is the only thing that keeps me going.
What an adventure today was! I'm supposed to be going back to work now. The "company" says they need me. I suppose maybe. Anyway, the great plan was to take mom back to her place about 8:00 and show up at work at 9:00. Only two hours late.
There were two snags in my little plan.
What an adventure today was! I'm supposed to be going back to work now. The "company" says they need me. I suppose maybe. Anyway, the great plan was to take mom back to her place about 8:00 and show up at work at 9:00. Only two hours late.
There were two snags in my little plan.
- Mom didn't wake up until after 8:00; and then when she DID wake up
- She refused to go.
#2 was the big problem. She told me that she felt abandoned and wanted to go live in Texas, or wherever my brother lives (he lives in Florida) and be with someone who would actually care about her, take care of her and help her. She wanted someone she could count on.
I probably don't need to go into detail on my feelings about those statements. Not that my brother wouldn't fill all those rolls. He's utterly awesome and would SO be there for her if he didn't live 3000 miles away. My thoughts really centered around me. It's all about me, after all.
But I digress.. After an intense, long and emotional discussion she agreed to go back and CONSIDER living there. But first I took her to get her hair done (I know.. girls! The things that make them feel better!) and then I took her to lunch (Food! The universal fix for anything!). I settled her in and left her alone for two hours - as a test. She passed.
I have charged a couple lol's (little old ladies) with bringing mom into the community environment. Yeah Cinny and Barb! They promise to drag her kicking and screaming (if necessary) to bingo games, bunco games, crossword puzzle hour, music minute, wii bowling..
Now we wait to see if she is able to tolerate the night and the next few days.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Slumber Party!
This is Silverton Reservoir. It's beautiful in it's fall colors. I was there today enjoying beautiful weather and gorgeous scenery.
You see.. I made a mistake at work. About 3:00 I said to a co worker, "Only 3 more hours and I'll have worked a WHOLE day! How unusual will that be??" Shortly after my phone rang. My mom was in a panic. She was claustrophobic and wanted me to come and remove all the stuff on her walls - and her furniture - and well.. everything. I went over and whisked her away for a drive in the country. I thought for sure that would make her better. Then I bought her ice cream and a hamburger. Ice cream almost always makes ME feel better and I was raised to believe that food fixes everything. ("Here Sharon, have some cookies/cake/soup/jello/pork/potatoes. That will make your stomach ache/broken heart/fender bender/bad day/lost car keys all better!")
When I got her back to her apartment she was still unsettled. I removed all the photos that we painstakingly hung. Not good enough. I removed the TV I had Peter take over there on Sunday. Not enough. I removed the lamp and hid the plants and clock and .. well.. everything. she was still in a tizzy.
So I brought her home. I hauled Peter's bed down the stairs, set up her room for her and made her comfy. She was asleep in less than 20 minutes.
Tomorrow I will feed her a really big breakfast and add some ice cream and cookies. That'll fix it!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Halloween costume?
Guess again..
I'm sick. I have cooties. A wracking cough, stuffy nose, laryngitis, a bit of a fever even. I was all snuggled in on the couch, covered up, working at sweating away my germs.
The phone rings. The mom is in a panic - she's having chest pains and she needs her niece there. I resisted suggesting she call her (don't you think that took amazing self control?) and told her I would be right there.
Once I got there I was issued this lovely accessory. The on-call nurse and I determined that the chest pains were "normal" and that she just needed to breathe as her heart was oxygen starved. Of course Mom couldn't hear me and with the mask she couldn't read my lips so fun and games ensued.
Now I am going to reposition myself on the sofa - I wish someone was here to bring me a hot toddy!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
It's a hat!
I know.. It doesn't LOOK like a hat.. but it is. Or at least it started out that way. 64 stitches wide.. just like the pattern prescribed. But as I completed rows I noticed my stitches were not a consistent tension. So I decided to turn my hat into a practice piece. The good news is that I've picked up the knitting again.
Things have been a little crazy in my house in the last week. We moved mom into an assisted living facility last Friday. My office, not satisfied with my return to normal hours, has yanked my telework priveledges, plus we have the mandatory furlough day tomorrow, my laptop died and Jill and I have cooties.
Work, cooties & laptop issues are transient and not a big deal. Mom is settling into her new place fairly well. I've gotten three or 4 phone calls from her in a panic, or semi-panic asking how to turn on the shower, how to get to the dining room, that sort of thing. I called the facility and THEY took care of her. How nice is that? Don't get me wrong - except for today I've been there at least twice a day to help her adjust. But she sure doesn't need my germs so I will keep my distance until I'm germ-free.
I heard from Korinna of The Goat King's daughter this week. She has offered to let me milk one of her goats. How cool is that? I'm thinking of making this a Sunday excursion.. but I haven't contacted them yet and don't know if they are available - it may have to wait a few weeks.
So there you are.
Friday, October 9, 2009
My little baby bird had flown the nest
I feel so bereft. I am so worried. Will Mom make friends? Will she be late for dinner/breakfast/lunch? Will she be frightened? Will she miss me? What if she needs me and I'm not there? What if she can't find the light switch? What if she can't find the bathroom? What if she get's hungry? What if she get's cold? What if she can't figure out the heater? What if she hates me for putting her in that place?
Sparky thinks all the same things. I know.. she keeps going into mom's room, looking at the room and noticing the missing stuff and then she glares at me like I'm evil.
What do you suppose she thinks? First Sophie left us. Then my son, Kyle left us. Now Mom has left us. Do you suppose she's frightened that she might be next? Poor Sparky. She seems very worried.
Not only that but do you suppose I'm just the type of person who HAS to worry? Do you suppose I'm just a nut case, following close in my mom's footsteps?
Sparky thinks all the same things. I know.. she keeps going into mom's room, looking at the room and noticing the missing stuff and then she glares at me like I'm evil.
What do you suppose she thinks? First Sophie left us. Then my son, Kyle left us. Now Mom has left us. Do you suppose she's frightened that she might be next? Poor Sparky. She seems very worried.
Not only that but do you suppose I'm just the type of person who HAS to worry? Do you suppose I'm just a nut case, following close in my mom's footsteps?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I'm getting professional help.
oh.. not THAT kind of professional help. Some day maybe, but not just yet.
My goat cheese was a success. The flavor, a bit bland. So I went out and purchased a book.. "Making Artisan Cheese"
I still have 1/2 gallon of Goat's milk in the freezer to experiment with and now I have professional help and actual recipes.
On to the "mom" front. We have a move date. Friday, October 9. We found a lovely place with a studio apartment, a view of the garden and solarium and appropriate assistance. She's already picking out what she wants to take and was ready to start moving today. I think that's a good sign. It might mean she is sick of me though. Sometimes I don't blame her.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Success!
Finally, at long last, I made goat cheese! Picture me dancing, because I am!Yesterday we took a country drive out to The Goat King's Daughter in Willamina and purchased fresh, out of the goat, goat's milk. It's a lovely farm with goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, cats, dogs, children and more.
Korinna told me that store bought goats milk will NEVER make cheese because of pasteurization process and how it alters the proteins. Brand new goats milk doesn't work either. You must let it get a day or two old.
I used the same process as before but instead of lemon juice or apple cider, I added Rennet.
Change happened! It was so exciting!
Before you knew it, I had cheese hanging and dripping.
It was perfect.
I wish I could taste it - but the directions say to let it refrigerate for at least 24 hours before tasting. Patience is not my virtue!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Do you feel it?
Fall is in the air. There is a cool rain out tonight. The weight is lifting.
Today we found "THE Place." Monday we have an appointment for Mom to be assessed. Assuming there are no surprises Mom could be in her new place within a couple of weeks. She's actually somewhat excited about it and has decided this move requires a new wardrobe. She will, after all, be socializing on a daily basis.
Peter arrived HOURS early tonight. The house is cool.
I took this photo this evening. It reflects my mood.
Today we found "THE Place." Monday we have an appointment for Mom to be assessed. Assuming there are no surprises Mom could be in her new place within a couple of weeks. She's actually somewhat excited about it and has decided this move requires a new wardrobe. She will, after all, be socializing on a daily basis.
Peter arrived HOURS early tonight. The house is cool.
I took this photo this evening. It reflects my mood.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Bad daughter!
or bad grandaughter! Jill filmed this today while I was at the office. There are probably at least a zillion reasons why I shouldn't put this out on the web. Maybe even a law or two..
Monday, September 28, 2009
In search of the perfect place
The search has begun in earnest to find mom a nice place to live.
Thursday we looked at one place that wasn't too awful, except the Host or Manager or whatever you want to call him made my skin crawl. He spoke in a child-like voice, was condescending and treated my mother like an idiot. My mother is NOT dumb. She is confused. There is a HUGE difference. We left that place with a very bad taste in our mouths.
Then we went to another place that was much smaller and homier. On our way out Mom said, "are we leaving? I wasn't paying attention!" So we made an appointment to go back on Friday.
We went back, but because of some confusion we went to the wrong place. There were two very similar places, side-by-side and I had accidentally made an appointment for the other place. My mother liked it very much. I liked it better than the place next door. We thought we found a good fit. Only, they have no private rooms available - nor will they as they move people from shared rooms to single rooms within the house - and she's not willing to share.
We went looking again today. We found a place that was decorated so very lovely. The hallways were made to look like streets and the offices & rooms were shops on the street. The old ice cream shop, the beauty parlor, and more. They had "apartments" and 2 chickens and a rabbit. It was lovely. Mom said, and I quote, "I will commit suicide if you make me live here."
Not a good sign. I've run out of options for places with memory care. Now we have assisted living (which isn't really enough assistance I think) or a nursing home (which is WAY too much assistance).
Tomorrow we are going to look at a standard assisted living place. Cross your fingers for us.
Thursday we looked at one place that wasn't too awful, except the Host or Manager or whatever you want to call him made my skin crawl. He spoke in a child-like voice, was condescending and treated my mother like an idiot. My mother is NOT dumb. She is confused. There is a HUGE difference. We left that place with a very bad taste in our mouths.
Then we went to another place that was much smaller and homier. On our way out Mom said, "are we leaving? I wasn't paying attention!" So we made an appointment to go back on Friday.
We went back, but because of some confusion we went to the wrong place. There were two very similar places, side-by-side and I had accidentally made an appointment for the other place. My mother liked it very much. I liked it better than the place next door. We thought we found a good fit. Only, they have no private rooms available - nor will they as they move people from shared rooms to single rooms within the house - and she's not willing to share.
We went looking again today. We found a place that was decorated so very lovely. The hallways were made to look like streets and the offices & rooms were shops on the street. The old ice cream shop, the beauty parlor, and more. They had "apartments" and 2 chickens and a rabbit. It was lovely. Mom said, and I quote, "I will commit suicide if you make me live here."
Not a good sign. I've run out of options for places with memory care. Now we have assisted living (which isn't really enough assistance I think) or a nursing home (which is WAY too much assistance).
Tomorrow we are going to look at a standard assisted living place. Cross your fingers for us.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
If at first you don't succeed..
Goat's Milk Cheese - Try #2
I took my failed attempt at making goat cheese a bit hard. The concept was good, the recipe wasn't. I found another recipe - not much different from the first - but this one includes specifics like temperatures and amounts.
So.. Here I go again!
First, heat 2 quarts of goats milk to 190 degrees (a step missing in the previous attempt) - in a stainless steel pot (another missing step - but one I happened to follow anyway).
Then, take it from the heat and let it cool to 100 degrees THEN add the lemon juice. 2 teaspoons to be exact. (yet more missing details)
So.. I did that..
I added 2 teaspoons of lemon juice..
nothing..
I added an additional 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar..
nothing. It was supposed to get all chunky and curdly and .. well CHEESY.
I guess I shall try again someday. I'd like to
find a supplier of fresh outta the goat goat's milk rather than processed and pasteurized milk.. Maybe THAT's my problem.
I'm sure I'm not making any mistakes. (HAH!)
I took my failed attempt at making goat cheese a bit hard. The concept was good, the recipe wasn't. I found another recipe - not much different from the first - but this one includes specifics like temperatures and amounts.
So.. Here I go again!
First, heat 2 quarts of goats milk to 190 degrees (a step missing in the previous attempt) - in a stainless steel pot (another missing step - but one I happened to follow anyway).
Then, take it from the heat and let it cool to 100 degrees THEN add the lemon juice. 2 teaspoons to be exact. (yet more missing details)
So.. I did that..
I added 2 teaspoons of lemon juice..
nothing..
I added an additional 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar..
nothing. It was supposed to get all chunky and curdly and .. well CHEESY.
I guess I shall try again someday. I'd like to
find a supplier of fresh outta the goat goat's milk rather than processed and pasteurized milk.. Maybe THAT's my problem.I'm sure I'm not making any mistakes. (HAH!)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
76 trombones in the orchestra!
Only two trombones in this marching band though. Last night was my daughters big debut as a member of the McKay High School Marching Band, trombone #2.
I arranged for a "grammysitter" and off I went to the football game - primarily for the half-time. I have not been to a football game in 33 years (I did the math). Go Centennial Eagles!! The marching band was awesome. They've been having grueling practices for weeks and their work shows.
I really do need to learn to guard what I'm saying when I'm in public though and not just spew whatever words come to me like my mother does. Once mom said to me, in what she thought was a discreet tone, about a woman with a baby... "How can a girl that ugly have a baby?"
I can't get away with that. So here's MY story. When we first got there the cheerleaders were chanting, "Stetsman! Stetsman!" I took out my program, thinking Stetsman must be a key player and that they were cheering him on. No stetsman in the line-up. I said to my companion, loud enough to be heard over the din, Who's Stetsman? She said she didn't know.. perhaps they were saying "Statesman?" No.. that's our local newspaper. Finally, we figured out they were saying "Scotsman!" That's the name of the team! I said, (again, loudly so my friend could hear me) "They weren't very good cheerleaders if you couldn't understand what they were saying!" I got the real stink eye from this lady sitting in front of us.. It seemed she was the cheerleading coach. Ooops.
Then there was this little child sitting next to me. About three years old. Screaming with glee over the game. Jumping up and down. Having a blast. Absolutely piercing my eardrums with enthusiasm. Cutest little child. Long curly hair, Petite little features, huge sparkly earrings. I said to the mother.. "I love her enthusiasm!" Mother said to me. "he's a boy." and I got the stink eye from her too! I think I should stick to clapping.
I arranged for a "grammysitter" and off I went to the football game - primarily for the half-time. I have not been to a football game in 33 years (I did the math). Go Centennial Eagles!! The marching band was awesome. They've been having grueling practices for weeks and their work shows.
I really do need to learn to guard what I'm saying when I'm in public though and not just spew whatever words come to me like my mother does. Once mom said to me, in what she thought was a discreet tone, about a woman with a baby... "How can a girl that ugly have a baby?"
I can't get away with that. So here's MY story. When we first got there the cheerleaders were chanting, "Stetsman! Stetsman!" I took out my program, thinking Stetsman must be a key player and that they were cheering him on. No stetsman in the line-up. I said to my companion, loud enough to be heard over the din, Who's Stetsman? She said she didn't know.. perhaps they were saying "Statesman?" No.. that's our local newspaper. Finally, we figured out they were saying "Scotsman!" That's the name of the team! I said, (again, loudly so my friend could hear me) "They weren't very good cheerleaders if you couldn't understand what they were saying!" I got the real stink eye from this lady sitting in front of us.. It seemed she was the cheerleading coach. Ooops.
Then there was this little child sitting next to me. About three years old. Screaming with glee over the game. Jumping up and down. Having a blast. Absolutely piercing my eardrums with enthusiasm. Cutest little child. Long curly hair, Petite little features, huge sparkly earrings. I said to the mother.. "I love her enthusiasm!" Mother said to me. "he's a boy." and I got the stink eye from her too! I think I should stick to clapping.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Make it stop!
I have a song stuck in my head. It's been in there all day running about willy-nilly. (I suspect there is some empty space inside my head and it's picking up speed going around the corners). It started when I drove the car. The car which was playing Jill's choice in music. So.. not only do I have a song stuck in my head but it's one I don't recognize as well as one I don't particularly care for. The melody keeps playing over and over and over again. I can't make out the words. It's a woman's voice though. The tune goes something like this..
da da da da, da da da dada da.. recognize it?
I should go listen to something dramatically different just to shake it loose.
House news. The big fish died. I want to be sad, but inside I'm thinking one less fish tank to clean and one step closer to Goat Shop dreams! He was a very beautiful fish. A fancy goldfish that looked something like this... Only his eyes bugged out and his tail was frillier. I would have taken a picture but of course I didn't think of it until AFTER he died and he wasn't so pretty then. We are now down to one fish. A little black skirt tetra. I considered making it a double burial at sea.. but couldn't bring myself to it.
Mom was watching monkeys on TV yesterday. The TV wasn't on.. and I think she was trying to tell me they were ON the TV.. Like on top of it. I couldn't see them so I'm not really sure. I'm also back to being Susan today and thinks I have two daughters. Tomorrow, if all goes well, we're going to go look at a couple places she might want to live. If all goes well. It was the plan for today, but today didn't go well. Tomorrow will go well.
da da da da, da da da dada da.. recognize it?
I should go listen to something dramatically different just to shake it loose.
House news. The big fish died. I want to be sad, but inside I'm thinking one less fish tank to clean and one step closer to Goat Shop dreams! He was a very beautiful fish. A fancy goldfish that looked something like this... Only his eyes bugged out and his tail was frillier. I would have taken a picture but of course I didn't think of it until AFTER he died and he wasn't so pretty then. We are now down to one fish. A little black skirt tetra. I considered making it a double burial at sea.. but couldn't bring myself to it.
Mom was watching monkeys on TV yesterday. The TV wasn't on.. and I think she was trying to tell me they were ON the TV.. Like on top of it. I couldn't see them so I'm not really sure. I'm also back to being Susan today and thinks I have two daughters. Tomorrow, if all goes well, we're going to go look at a couple places she might want to live. If all goes well. It was the plan for today, but today didn't go well. Tomorrow will go well.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
I'll not be the next "Cake Boss!"
I made a cake for Peter.
It was a sour cream chocolate confection with a chocolate fudge frosting. Or at least that was what it was intended to be.
The cake sunk. Then crumbled on it's way out of the pan. I doubled the frosting recipe and still didn't have enough frosting. I made more. I burned it. I know.. you ask.. "How can you burn frosting???" This frosting required that the chocolate be melted in a double boiler. Since I had not anticipated the necessity for a second batch my butter was still a little solid so I tossed it in with the chocolate to melt. I finished the frosting only to find it tasted quite scalded and icky.
I tossed that entire second batch of frosting away and discovered I was out of chocolate. Cleverly I thought that perhaps there was WAY too much chocolate in this cake anyway and that it might be tasty to cut the chocolate with another flavor. So.. White, vanilla, 7 minute frosting it was. I figured that I could swirl the white with
the brown and end up with a swirly marbly effect that would made a lovely cake.
Not so much.. I'm quite embarrassed (but at the same time morbidly entertained) by my efforts. The overall taste was way too sweet, diabetic coma inducing but other than that the flavor was quite okay.
Thanks to my daughter's willingness to hang with the g'ma (who has returned to her confusing world) Peter and I were able to go on an actual date last night. Sushi and bowling. He won. For the first time ever, he won.
It was his birthday after all. It wouldn't have been very nice to beat him.
It was a sour cream chocolate confection with a chocolate fudge frosting. Or at least that was what it was intended to be.
The cake sunk. Then crumbled on it's way out of the pan. I doubled the frosting recipe and still didn't have enough frosting. I made more. I burned it. I know.. you ask.. "How can you burn frosting???" This frosting required that the chocolate be melted in a double boiler. Since I had not anticipated the necessity for a second batch my butter was still a little solid so I tossed it in with the chocolate to melt. I finished the frosting only to find it tasted quite scalded and icky.
I tossed that entire second batch of frosting away and discovered I was out of chocolate. Cleverly I thought that perhaps there was WAY too much chocolate in this cake anyway and that it might be tasty to cut the chocolate with another flavor. So.. White, vanilla, 7 minute frosting it was. I figured that I could swirl the white with
the brown and end up with a swirly marbly effect that would made a lovely cake. Not so much.. I'm quite embarrassed (but at the same time morbidly entertained) by my efforts. The overall taste was way too sweet, diabetic coma inducing but other than that the flavor was quite okay.
Thanks to my daughter's willingness to hang with the g'ma (who has returned to her confusing world) Peter and I were able to go on an actual date last night. Sushi and bowling. He won. For the first time ever, he won.
It was his birthday after all. It wouldn't have been very nice to beat him.
Friday, September 18, 2009
It's Friday!
It's been a good day!
I took my mom for a ride today. I built it up.. I told her we were going to go have some fun! In reality - I had to get some stuff done and the only way I could do it was to take her along. We went to the car appraiser place and arranged to get the car fixed. What a relief to finally have THAT chore done!
Just a couple minutes after we left the repair shop my mom looked at me and said, "I get it! It all makes sense!" I've fallen for that before and had her turn around and ask me if my parents were alive or dead.. so I didn't really believe her. But.. it was true! It was like someone had flipped a switch. She new it all. Everything. How exciting! She knew who I was (and am!), she remembered Jerry and all of her grandkids, she remembered old things and new things. We chatted up a storm. It was such a wonderful feeling to have her back. I don't, for a minute, think this will last but I shall enjoy it for all it's worth while it does.
After her revelation we went shopping and had lunch, just like old times. During our shopping excursion I found lovely gifts for Peter.
And.. I would like to thank one and all for your great suggestions. EJA.. great ideas! Tara.. awesome (that's what's in the blue bag)! Cybil.. you rock!
I took my mom for a ride today. I built it up.. I told her we were going to go have some fun! In reality - I had to get some stuff done and the only way I could do it was to take her along. We went to the car appraiser place and arranged to get the car fixed. What a relief to finally have THAT chore done!
Just a couple minutes after we left the repair shop my mom looked at me and said, "I get it! It all makes sense!" I've fallen for that before and had her turn around and ask me if my parents were alive or dead.. so I didn't really believe her. But.. it was true! It was like someone had flipped a switch. She new it all. Everything. How exciting! She knew who I was (and am!), she remembered Jerry and all of her grandkids, she remembered old things and new things. We chatted up a storm. It was such a wonderful feeling to have her back. I don't, for a minute, think this will last but I shall enjoy it for all it's worth while it does.
After her revelation we went shopping and had lunch, just like old times. During our shopping excursion I found lovely gifts for Peter.
And.. I would like to thank one and all for your great suggestions. EJA.. great ideas! Tara.. awesome (that's what's in the blue bag)! Cybil.. you rock!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Shiver me Timbers! Avast Yon Matey!
My best friend is turning 50. It's true.. I'm "the older woman" by 15 days. Peter turns 50 on Saturday. That would be international "talk like a pirate day" as well.
Normally I'm quite an organized sort. I would have planned and purchased and crafted and hunted down the perfect gift.
Not so this year. I'm completely disorganized. I did find one thing but it won't be ready to be given until next week. Very poor planning. I wish I could tell you what it was, but then *he* would read about it and the surprise would be gone. I'm not very good at keeping secrets to start with.
Not only that but the thing I got for him is a bit lame. It's not bad.. but it really doesn't have that "wow" factor.. especially when he gave me candy, a book (something about getting old so that shouldn't really count), two dozen roses, this head scratchy wirey thing and this...
In case you're wondering.. It's a custom made, stylized "S" with an intertwined heart. Pendant and earrings. It had "wow" factor. I'm quickly running out of time, I can't hardly leave the house and I'm out of ideas. Anybody got any good ones?
*Oh.. and Peter? You're not allowed to read the comments!
Normally I'm quite an organized sort. I would have planned and purchased and crafted and hunted down the perfect gift.
Not so this year. I'm completely disorganized. I did find one thing but it won't be ready to be given until next week. Very poor planning. I wish I could tell you what it was, but then *he* would read about it and the surprise would be gone. I'm not very good at keeping secrets to start with.
Not only that but the thing I got for him is a bit lame. It's not bad.. but it really doesn't have that "wow" factor.. especially when he gave me candy, a book (something about getting old so that shouldn't really count), two dozen roses, this head scratchy wirey thing and this...
In case you're wondering.. It's a custom made, stylized "S" with an intertwined heart. Pendant and earrings. It had "wow" factor. I'm quickly running out of time, I can't hardly leave the house and I'm out of ideas. Anybody got any good ones?
*Oh.. and Peter? You're not allowed to read the comments!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Back to real life...
Let's start with a pretty vacation picture...
Let's reflect on the peace.
The beauty. The serenity.
The warmth and comfort of the sun.
The feel of the warm sand under my feet.
The scrambling up and down cliffs.. (No. let's not reflect on that).
The relaxing sound of the waves and the wind.
Breathe deep. yes. I think I've re-found my chi..
That's enough! Back to real life!
My daughter has "back-to-school" cooties. Every kid seems to get them at the beginning of the school year. You throw 2000 kids together in close confines and cooties swarm like South American Killer Bees. She has been huddled near the toilet most of the day. Poor baby. I really feel bad for her. She doesn't need a lot of attention, but she does need her Mommy a little. (YAY for Mommies everywhere!)
Then there's my mother.. she started the day by playing the game "who am I?" I only got a few clues..
She took a nap and shortly thereafter we began the "I am the enemy" thing again. I really hate that. She was sure that I was doing something illegal by purchasing my home without her signature. I could not explain it to her satisfaction and finally had to call in the the big guns - aka my brother.
I made a beautiful pot roast with home-grown potatoes and onions cooked to a lovely tenderness. No one ate it but me. :(
This evening we noticed Mom had started to puff up like a balloon. Her legs are so swollen she can hardly bend her knees. I've given her an extra "water pill" and called the cardiologist. If she's not better by morning off we go to see them. Or.. maybe we will make a trip to the ER tonight.. Let's just see how it goes. Isn't life a great adventure?
Let's reflect on the peace.The beauty. The serenity.
The warmth and comfort of the sun.
The feel of the warm sand under my feet.
The scrambling up and down cliffs.. (No. let's not reflect on that).
The relaxing sound of the waves and the wind.
Breathe deep. yes. I think I've re-found my chi..
That's enough! Back to real life!
My daughter has "back-to-school" cooties. Every kid seems to get them at the beginning of the school year. You throw 2000 kids together in close confines and cooties swarm like South American Killer Bees. She has been huddled near the toilet most of the day. Poor baby. I really feel bad for her. She doesn't need a lot of attention, but she does need her Mommy a little. (YAY for Mommies everywhere!)
Then there's my mother.. she started the day by playing the game "who am I?" I only got a few clues..
- My ex sister-in-law, Madge used to be "the talk of the town."
- I was just an innocent little kid.
- Effie did the same thing, only was more discreet and looked down her nose at Madge.
- Madge lived around the corner from the post office.
She took a nap and shortly thereafter we began the "I am the enemy" thing again. I really hate that. She was sure that I was doing something illegal by purchasing my home without her signature. I could not explain it to her satisfaction and finally had to call in the the big guns - aka my brother.
I made a beautiful pot roast with home-grown potatoes and onions cooked to a lovely tenderness. No one ate it but me. :(
This evening we noticed Mom had started to puff up like a balloon. Her legs are so swollen she can hardly bend her knees. I've given her an extra "water pill" and called the cardiologist. If she's not better by morning off we go to see them. Or.. maybe we will make a trip to the ER tonight.. Let's just see how it goes. Isn't life a great adventure?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Vacation is over.. Sharon got cranky.
Gosh I love Peter. He's like.. the bomb. The best. The most wonderful guy.
However..
Sunday we left here, got there, parked the trailer, got in the car, pointed north and ran up and down hills and cliffs and rocks. The weather was stormy, the seas were whipped to a frenzy. There was drama at sea.
We got back to the campsite just in time to start a campfire, admire it for a few minutes and crash.
Monday we got up, headed south, ran up and down hills and cliffs, rocks and lighthouses. We made it all of 10 miles in 10 hours. We saw beautiful scenery. The ocean had quieted and the weather cleared. The sun was out and it was hot! We dawdled for about 2 hours over lunch (at the brew pub!), but other than that.. we were on the go all day.
Tuesday we headed south again. The weather was still fabulous and the scenery continued to amaze. I've lived in Oregon my whole entire life and I've NEVER been very far south of Newport or north of Florence. We went to the original Yaquina lighthouse. The coastline get's fantastic. We made it as far as Cook's Chasm, a particularly rugged bit of coast. We got back to the campsite after dark - just barely in time to enjoy a fire for a little bit.
Wednesday, again it was up and going. We headed south again to view the wonders. Up and down the cliffs. Wandering around on rough shores and rugged landscape. Peter took lots of photos. To pass the time while Peter photographs EVERYTHING, I've taken up a hobby.. the ancient art of rock stacking. This is one of my better masterpieces.
By late Wednesday afternoon I was dragging. I was uncommunicative. I was cranky. I'd been having a good time, but I'm overweight and out of shape and scrambling up and down inclines for 4 days was definitely wearing on me. It's not unusual for Peter to spend hours a day shoveling, digging, hauling, moving, planting and more. He's fit. I just wanted to sit. I wanted to poke at the campfire and read a book and drink too much wine and nap if I wanted to.
I whined and complained.. Peter listened. Funny thing.. it really is true, men CAN'T read your mind! You have to tell them what you want.
Thursday we slept in, We meandered north to Depot Bay, I poked in the shops, bought a few gifts. We saw a whale. We went back to the beach, Peter flew kites while I relaxed with a book and a bottle of wine. We watched the sun set. We had a campfire. I fell asleep by the fire, only to be disturbed by an angry racoon (did you know they growl?)
The vacation was wonderful - even the fast paced part. I'd like not to go back to work tomorrow. It's so unfortunate.
However..
Sunday we left here, got there, parked the trailer, got in the car, pointed north and ran up and down hills and cliffs and rocks. The weather was stormy, the seas were whipped to a frenzy. There was drama at sea.
We got back to the campsite just in time to start a campfire, admire it for a few minutes and crash.
Monday we got up, headed south, ran up and down hills and cliffs, rocks and lighthouses. We made it all of 10 miles in 10 hours. We saw beautiful scenery. The ocean had quieted and the weather cleared. The sun was out and it was hot! We dawdled for about 2 hours over lunch (at the brew pub!), but other than that.. we were on the go all day.
Tuesday we headed south again. The weather was still fabulous and the scenery continued to amaze. I've lived in Oregon my whole entire life and I've NEVER been very far south of Newport or north of Florence. We went to the original Yaquina lighthouse. The coastline get's fantastic. We made it as far as Cook's Chasm, a particularly rugged bit of coast. We got back to the campsite after dark - just barely in time to enjoy a fire for a little bit.
Wednesday, again it was up and going. We headed south again to view the wonders. Up and down the cliffs. Wandering around on rough shores and rugged landscape. Peter took lots of photos. To pass the time while Peter photographs EVERYTHING, I've taken up a hobby.. the ancient art of rock stacking. This is one of my better masterpieces.
By late Wednesday afternoon I was dragging. I was uncommunicative. I was cranky. I'd been having a good time, but I'm overweight and out of shape and scrambling up and down inclines for 4 days was definitely wearing on me. It's not unusual for Peter to spend hours a day shoveling, digging, hauling, moving, planting and more. He's fit. I just wanted to sit. I wanted to poke at the campfire and read a book and drink too much wine and nap if I wanted to.
I whined and complained.. Peter listened. Funny thing.. it really is true, men CAN'T read your mind! You have to tell them what you want.
Thursday we slept in, We meandered north to Depot Bay, I poked in the shops, bought a few gifts. We saw a whale. We went back to the beach, Peter flew kites while I relaxed with a book and a bottle of wine. We watched the sun set. We had a campfire. I fell asleep by the fire, only to be disturbed by an angry racoon (did you know they growl?)
The vacation was wonderful - even the fast paced part. I'd like not to go back to work tomorrow. It's so unfortunate.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Break time!
The trailer is nearly packed.
There is vodka in the freezer, Old Benson (which was pretty darn good after the first glass!) in the cupboard, towels, food and firewood. What more could we need?
Jerry is here to stay with Mom, feed the dog, feed the pig, and make sure Jill doesn't run away to Paris to become a starving artist in some run-down sub-let attic. Jerry has been a caretaker in training for two days, I'm confident he'll do a fine job.
Peter and I are hooking up the RV and headed to the coast for the better part of a week. Mentally, I'm already there. Jill has promised me to be on her best behavior.
Too bad we can't check in until 4:00...
See you in a week!
There is vodka in the freezer, Old Benson (which was pretty darn good after the first glass!) in the cupboard, towels, food and firewood. What more could we need?
Jerry is here to stay with Mom, feed the dog, feed the pig, and make sure Jill doesn't run away to Paris to become a starving artist in some run-down sub-let attic. Jerry has been a caretaker in training for two days, I'm confident he'll do a fine job.
Peter and I are hooking up the RV and headed to the coast for the better part of a week. Mentally, I'm already there. Jill has promised me to be on her best behavior.
Too bad we can't check in until 4:00...
See you in a week!
Friday, September 4, 2009
I'm 50. It's official
Jill made a birthday cake for me.
It was her first attempt at fondant. I think she did a marvelous job!
It was her first attempt at fondant. I think she did a marvelous job!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Oh My Gosh
I was dealing with it fine.
It didn't bother me.
Honest.
But then.
The most HORRIBLE thing happened.
It changed my perspective on EVERYTHING.
It's awful!
It's horrendous!
It's heinous!
It's disgusting!
It's vile!
I think I shall pretend it never happened.
It didn't bother me.
Honest.
But then.
The most HORRIBLE thing happened.
It changed my perspective on EVERYTHING.
It's awful!
It's horrendous!
It's heinous!
It's disgusting!
It's vile!
I think I shall pretend it never happened.
Monday, August 31, 2009
fondue
I shall not talk about my son leaving for college today. I shall not talk about being two people or my mom wanting me to promise to keep the butt ugly couch after she's dead. I shall also not talk of today's laundry adventure.
Instead.. let me share with you my lovely evening.. A friend came by.. we had steak and baked potatoes and salad. Lot's of lovely conversation, wine with dinner and chocolate fondue for dessert.
It was a lovely evening. Simple things.. good friends. These are things to appreciate.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I miss my mom. :(
A friend of mine died last week. He had cancer.
I KNEW he was sick. I talked to him in May when he first found out about it. He said he was going to beat it. He said this cancer wasn't going to win. I believed him. I wanted to believe him. It made my life easier if I believed him. People beat cancer all the time these days. I kept telling myself, "I'll call him soon" or "I should send him an e-mail today" but then I never did it - I just kept putting it off.
It used to be when I felt bad I could go to my mom, put my head on her shoulder and share whatever ailed me. More often than not if I were in tears, she would join me. Somehow that helped. If she didn't cry along side me, she offered excellent advise, or on occasion, a swift kick in the backside.
I had avoided telling Mom that my friend passed away - I don't think I even told her he had cancer. She liked him a lot. They were both from Missouri. I never, ever talked with him that he didn't ask about her. I finally told her yesterday because I was making arrangement to go to the funeral. It really didn't register with her. She just shrugged her shoulders.
I'm also ashamed to admit I avoided the funeral today. I wanted to go. I intended to go. I just couldn't.
Gosh I suck.
I KNEW he was sick. I talked to him in May when he first found out about it. He said he was going to beat it. He said this cancer wasn't going to win. I believed him. I wanted to believe him. It made my life easier if I believed him. People beat cancer all the time these days. I kept telling myself, "I'll call him soon" or "I should send him an e-mail today" but then I never did it - I just kept putting it off.
It used to be when I felt bad I could go to my mom, put my head on her shoulder and share whatever ailed me. More often than not if I were in tears, she would join me. Somehow that helped. If she didn't cry along side me, she offered excellent advise, or on occasion, a swift kick in the backside.
I had avoided telling Mom that my friend passed away - I don't think I even told her he had cancer. She liked him a lot. They were both from Missouri. I never, ever talked with him that he didn't ask about her. I finally told her yesterday because I was making arrangement to go to the funeral. It really didn't register with her. She just shrugged her shoulders.
I'm also ashamed to admit I avoided the funeral today. I wanted to go. I intended to go. I just couldn't.
Gosh I suck.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The History of things
Today my mother became obsessed with sharing the history on everything in the house. She had, had, HAD to tell me where this came from, how old it was, how much it cost, who should get it, who I should hide it from as apparently, she KNEW "they" wanted it bad enough to steal it..
She could not be dissuaded from her monologue. She could not be distracted. I was trying to work on a project for the "exec-staff" that had a 5:00 deadline and she demanded I stop everything and listen to her tell stories about these things. So.. what could I do but listen? She dragged me out of the room we were in - because she didn't want the imaginary people listening and then started telling me her stories. The funny thing is she got so much of it wrong! I'm glad I remember the original stories of these thiings. I've been hearing about them for 50 years (shy of about a week!) I know them pretty well by now.
She could not be dissuaded from her monologue. She could not be distracted. I was trying to work on a project for the "exec-staff" that had a 5:00 deadline and she demanded I stop everything and listen to her tell stories about these things. So.. what could I do but listen? She dragged me out of the room we were in - because she didn't want the imaginary people listening and then started telling me her stories. The funny thing is she got so much of it wrong! I'm glad I remember the original stories of these thiings. I've been hearing about them for 50 years (shy of about a week!) I know them pretty well by now.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
I gotta P!
It is Dutch tradition to get your initial in milk chocolate in your Christmas stocking.Peter and I swapped initials after Christmas our first year together. He nibbled away on my "S" while I nibbled on his "P." It was fun. Now, as special treats he gives me chocolate P's. I have been working on one P for about 3 months and it's not done yet. I still have an entire chocolate P left and Christmas is only 4 months away! I better get eating quickly.
Chocolate P's aside, I had a pretty good day today. I went to the office and spent the ENTIRE day there. The first time in over 2 weeks I've left home for more than 2 hours at a time. My mother had a fairly good day today. Apparently her imaginary people have started smelling like stinky old men. She wanted zucchini bread and the best she could call it was "that cake with green stuff" and she was not wearing pants when I came home - and didn't seem at all inclined to put them on when I pointed out their absence. But all things considered it wasn't a bad day at all!
Monday, August 24, 2009
It's Fair Season!
It's fair season and my friends are going to the local fairs. Fairs have neat things like rides and cotton candy and baking contests and.. yes.. they even 
have GOATS! Saturday I received pictures of goats from my friends that attended fairs. Aren't they cute?? I just wanna squeeze 'em! Do I have the best friends ever or what??But this brings a good question.. should I take my goats and goat products to the local fair when the time comes? I think that would be way too much work.
I am so very ready to ditch all that is Salem and find a little place to raise goats.
I prefer to think of it as not running away and hiding. It's embracing the future.
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