Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for a few reasons. The yummy food, spending time with family, relaxing and no pressure with presents. Corey's family has a tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving the Sunday before at his aunts house. This is great since his whole family including cousins and second cousins are all there because there isn't any other conflicting dinners. This year at the McManus/Goin Thanksgiving there were 5 kids under 2 1/2. I totally got my baby fix that day. We might need to add another room on when these little ones start to eat.
On Thanksgiving we spent the day at my sister Lora's house in Corvallis. We brought the appetizers and the traditional spinach casserole. We were late and there was a hungry crowd waiting for us but we still left with leftover appetizers. I am fortunate that my divorced parents can actually be in the same room and have conversations with one another. It was what you could call the "modern" family Thanksgiving. My dad's side of the family including his wife, my grandparents and my aunt mingling with my mom and her husband. Of course the star of the show wasn't the food or the games (which Auntie Pam continued her 5 game winning streak) but Ms. Bailey. My niece wowed everyone with her ABC's, songs, numbers, shapes and bowling abilities. She preformed well under pressure, she is a star in the making. Hope you all had a good thanksgiving. Bring on Christmas!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Other Blogs
I thought I would add a few other blogs or websites I like to follow for information and recipes to further our goal of living simpler.
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com This is a blog filled with recipes using your slow cooker
http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com Just started to follow this but seems to have good information
http://sewmamasew.com This website has tons of creative craft and sewing projects.
http://www.myrecipes.com I use this to look up recipes by cookinglight magazine.
Enjoy!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com This is a blog filled with recipes using your slow cooker
http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com Just started to follow this but seems to have good information
http://sewmamasew.com This website has tons of creative craft and sewing projects.
http://www.myrecipes.com I use this to look up recipes by cookinglight magazine.
Enjoy!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Pumpkins and Halloween
Our first post written together.
We had another successful Pumpkin Carving Party on the 28th. It has become a tradition since moving into our house three years ago. Corey made his families Rumpunchkin, a rum drink served from a pumpkin. He also got the materials and painted an OSU beer pong table, which distracted him so much that he didn't get his pumpkin carved. It seemed to be wildly popular even among the older adults. For those of you who are beer pong novices, you make a pyramid of cups partially filled with beer and try to toss ping pong balls into the other teams cups. Yes, we still are playing drinking games, our future kids will think we are awesome!
We had quite a crowd, enough people we had to moving the pumpkin carving station into the garage. There were a bunch of great pumpkins and Carol's skill seem to be approving each year.
Carol had a good time making treats for the party this year. The list included pumpkin bread, pumpkin bars and caramel corn. There diffidently wasn't a shortage of food to eat.
We really enjoyed that this year included a bunch of first timers and third timers.
On actual Halloween we dressed up for the first time in years and headed out to our friends John and Natalie's house. Our costumes were couple theme Carol was Alice in Wonderland and Corey was the King of Hearts. We rented them from a local costume shop. The choices were slightly limited due to Carol's size. She ended up wearing a kids costume. We had a great time hitting up a few haunted houses. We always have a good time with John, Natalie, Heidi and Tyler.
We had another successful Pumpkin Carving Party on the 28th. It has become a tradition since moving into our house three years ago. Corey made his families Rumpunchkin, a rum drink served from a pumpkin. He also got the materials and painted an OSU beer pong table, which distracted him so much that he didn't get his pumpkin carved. It seemed to be wildly popular even among the older adults. For those of you who are beer pong novices, you make a pyramid of cups partially filled with beer and try to toss ping pong balls into the other teams cups. Yes, we still are playing drinking games, our future kids will think we are awesome!
We had quite a crowd, enough people we had to moving the pumpkin carving station into the garage. There were a bunch of great pumpkins and Carol's skill seem to be approving each year.
Carol had a good time making treats for the party this year. The list included pumpkin bread, pumpkin bars and caramel corn. There diffidently wasn't a shortage of food to eat.
We really enjoyed that this year included a bunch of first timers and third timers.
On actual Halloween we dressed up for the first time in years and headed out to our friends John and Natalie's house. Our costumes were couple theme Carol was Alice in Wonderland and Corey was the King of Hearts. We rented them from a local costume shop. The choices were slightly limited due to Carol's size. She ended up wearing a kids costume. We had a great time hitting up a few haunted houses. We always have a good time with John, Natalie, Heidi and Tyler.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Field Trips Part II
Alright I promised myself I would have some follow through on something today. I decided this was much more enjoyable then cleaning the house.
Free Geek 1731 SE 10th Ave
This was our first stop on our 2nd field trip. I really enjoyed touring this place. They are doing amazing things on keeping e-waste (electronic waste) out of our landfills or even worse in third world countries. Starting January 1, 2010 disposal of computers, tv's and monitors will be prohibited in Oregon. Free Geek is a drop off site for the Oregon E-Cycles program but also so much more. Free Geeks mission is to reuse, recycle and educate the public on computers. One way they accomplish their mission is with two programs. The first one gives people a free computer with monitor after volunteering 24hrs of service. These are great refurbish computers. 2nd program teaches people how to build their own computer. If you don't want to volunteer to get a computer they have a store you can purchase from. I dropped off a few computer parts that we no longer needed. They will either use the parts to refurnish a computer for someone or break down the parts into individual pieces and recycle it safely.
Community Warehouse 3969 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Community Warehouse collects and redistributes donated furniture and household goods to families in need with no charge to them. The warehouse is open to the public to donate but they go through agencies to distribute the items. One of the main agencies they work with is the Department of Human Services (DHS). One great way individuals, groups or offices can do to help this nonprofit is to hold collection drives. Items most often in demand are blankets, towels, twin mattresses and kitchen items. Community Warehouse can pick-up the items but currently only go out to 185th in Hillsboro. Next time you do a little spring cleaning or have a garage sale take a look at the items and drop them off at Community Warehouse instead of Goodwill. Nothing against Goodwill but the families that the Community Warehouse serves Goodwill isn't even an option.
SCRAP 2915 NE MLK Jr. Blvd
Now this place is a creative persons dream. SCRAP (School and Community Reuse Action Program) started with a couple of teachers collecting end of the year art supplies to pass along. Now they host their own art classes, no-school day camps for kids and inspiration to artist all over. They sale a bit of everything at very low prices. You can find old magazines, feathers, tiles, fabric, crayons, and so much more. SCRAP is a great place to visit with little ones and also to take unused or unwanted art supplies.
Rebuilding Center 3625 N Mississippi Ave
Corey and I have visited this place a few times. On this field trip I learned more about the passion and mission behind the organization. Sadly I don't remember our guides/founders name but he was very funny and entertaining. The Rebuilding Center helps redirect construction materials from the landfill. They sale doors, door knobs, windows, light fixtures, floor broads etc. This place is huge and in the middle of Mississippi Avenue. The rebuilding center in its self is a showroom of what you can do with the material they sale. The ceiling, doors, walls and floors especially in their offices are made out of old windows and doors. I wish I was that creative. Other services they offer is deconstruction of buildings in a eco-friendly way. Taking the building a part piece by piece to preserve material for reuse. The Rebuilding Center also offers classes in reusing material for household items such as tables or art work. The center is a part of Our United Village whose message is to strengthen neighborhoods in Portland to better support the community.
At the end of the day I felt the take home message was there should be little material that ends up in our landfills. If we purchase, use, reuse, and donate wisely we should produce very little waste. Just by visiting or in your case reading about these amazing organizations we are now aware of a place to take our computers or buy our next one, donate that unused guest bed, take all those old Altoids tins and where to find the matching light fixture in our houses. If you have any of these items and don't have the time to take them where they could go let me know. I would be more then happy to drop them off for you. Happy reduce, reuse and recycling too you all.
Free Geek 1731 SE 10th Ave
This was our first stop on our 2nd field trip. I really enjoyed touring this place. They are doing amazing things on keeping e-waste (electronic waste) out of our landfills or even worse in third world countries. Starting January 1, 2010 disposal of computers, tv's and monitors will be prohibited in Oregon. Free Geek is a drop off site for the Oregon E-Cycles program but also so much more. Free Geeks mission is to reuse, recycle and educate the public on computers. One way they accomplish their mission is with two programs. The first one gives people a free computer with monitor after volunteering 24hrs of service. These are great refurbish computers. 2nd program teaches people how to build their own computer. If you don't want to volunteer to get a computer they have a store you can purchase from. I dropped off a few computer parts that we no longer needed. They will either use the parts to refurnish a computer for someone or break down the parts into individual pieces and recycle it safely.
Community Warehouse 3969 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Community Warehouse collects and redistributes donated furniture and household goods to families in need with no charge to them. The warehouse is open to the public to donate but they go through agencies to distribute the items. One of the main agencies they work with is the Department of Human Services (DHS). One great way individuals, groups or offices can do to help this nonprofit is to hold collection drives. Items most often in demand are blankets, towels, twin mattresses and kitchen items. Community Warehouse can pick-up the items but currently only go out to 185th in Hillsboro. Next time you do a little spring cleaning or have a garage sale take a look at the items and drop them off at Community Warehouse instead of Goodwill. Nothing against Goodwill but the families that the Community Warehouse serves Goodwill isn't even an option.
SCRAP 2915 NE MLK Jr. Blvd
Now this place is a creative persons dream. SCRAP (School and Community Reuse Action Program) started with a couple of teachers collecting end of the year art supplies to pass along. Now they host their own art classes, no-school day camps for kids and inspiration to artist all over. They sale a bit of everything at very low prices. You can find old magazines, feathers, tiles, fabric, crayons, and so much more. SCRAP is a great place to visit with little ones and also to take unused or unwanted art supplies.
Rebuilding Center 3625 N Mississippi Ave
Corey and I have visited this place a few times. On this field trip I learned more about the passion and mission behind the organization. Sadly I don't remember our guides/founders name but he was very funny and entertaining. The Rebuilding Center helps redirect construction materials from the landfill. They sale doors, door knobs, windows, light fixtures, floor broads etc. This place is huge and in the middle of Mississippi Avenue. The rebuilding center in its self is a showroom of what you can do with the material they sale. The ceiling, doors, walls and floors especially in their offices are made out of old windows and doors. I wish I was that creative. Other services they offer is deconstruction of buildings in a eco-friendly way. Taking the building a part piece by piece to preserve material for reuse. The Rebuilding Center also offers classes in reusing material for household items such as tables or art work. The center is a part of Our United Village whose message is to strengthen neighborhoods in Portland to better support the community.
At the end of the day I felt the take home message was there should be little material that ends up in our landfills. If we purchase, use, reuse, and donate wisely we should produce very little waste. Just by visiting or in your case reading about these amazing organizations we are now aware of a place to take our computers or buy our next one, donate that unused guest bed, take all those old Altoids tins and where to find the matching light fixture in our houses. If you have any of these items and don't have the time to take them where they could go let me know. I would be more then happy to drop them off for you. Happy reduce, reuse and recycling too you all.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Field Trips
Seems I get on a roll of posting and then fall off. Today I am going to attempt to write about my two Master Recycler field trips. The first field trip was back in September to the Hillsboro Landfill, Metro Central and Eco Trust Building. The second field trip was last weekend we visited Free Geek, Oregon Community Warehouse, SCRAP and Rebuilding Center. Okay here I go.
Hillsboro Landfill
I sort of have a history with this landfill sounds weird but its true. As a child I lived in the Meadows which was a neighborhood a few blocks away from the landfill. Strange to think my parents felt buying a house near a landfill was a good investment. I also attended elementary and high school in the same area. Another interesting thing putting schools near a landfill. I guess it was perfect since the schools were also near the sewage treatment center and a slew of dairy farms. You never new where the smell was coming from. But I digress. I always thought the Hillsboro Landfill took garbage, your run of the mill neighborhood garbage. Was I shock to discover that it only takes Construction and Demolition waste. Not smelly at all. The main attraction at the landfill is the Material Recovery Facility or MRF (recycling center) I believe it is the only LEED certified MRF in the nation (??) What is LEED certified? It stands for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) that was created by the U.S. Green Building Council as a rating system for green buildings. The MRF used green design from the floor, walls, ceiling all the way up to the lighting of the facility. Contractors or homeowners come and deposit their materials and the workers at the MRF go through it to divert as much recyclable goods as possible from the landfill. You can take toilets, cement, metal and wood to the Hillsboro landfill where they separate and crush up the material to be reused.
Metro Central at 6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland off of highway 30.
This place is owned by Metro the recycling gurus of Portland. Have questions regrading recycling you can contact them at www.oregonmetro.gov. This is where people can take their hazardous waste to be safely disposed of. If you think you don't have hazardous waste laying around at your house your wrong. Paint, cleaning products, items made out of mercury, propane, pesticides, and compact fluorescent light bulbs are all toxic if they end up in our water systems or soil. Through out the year there are neighborhood drop off sites Metro puts on. Can you believe that they come to you and take your hazardous waste away. I took some old paint there last weekend. I literally drove up, popped my trunk and they collected the material and I was back on the road. And what did they do with my old paint? They actually create 15 different Metro colors out of used paint that you can buy for cheap directly from them or at select Miller paint stores. The paint is Green Seal Certified one of the highest levels of environmental integrity you can get. I have a brochure of the colors if anyone is interested or call 503-234-3000.
Metro is also working towards composting possibilities in Oregon. There is already a Portland Compost program where a few restaurants and grocery stores in Portland participate in. They have their compostable goods collected and temporary dropped off at the transfer station. Where a large truck comes to collect it and take it up to Washington. It has been slow going finding a large enough location and agreeable neighbors to create an Oregon compost facility. There is a misconception that composting is smelly but it isn't true especially on a large scale with all the technology. Corey and I compost using the Metro Earth Machine (sales for $35 at Metro) and don't notice the smell and I have a sensitive nose.
Eco Trust, Pearl District
Our last stop was at the Eco Trust building in Portland. This building houses the Portland office of Sustainability, a few restaurants and the Patagonia store. It too is a LEED certified building. It reuses a lot of old material and utilizes natural light. I think it is a very beautiful building. You can actually get married there too.
I think this has been a long enough post so I will end it here. Look for the second installment of field trips on Friday.
Hillsboro Landfill
I sort of have a history with this landfill sounds weird but its true. As a child I lived in the Meadows which was a neighborhood a few blocks away from the landfill. Strange to think my parents felt buying a house near a landfill was a good investment. I also attended elementary and high school in the same area. Another interesting thing putting schools near a landfill. I guess it was perfect since the schools were also near the sewage treatment center and a slew of dairy farms. You never new where the smell was coming from. But I digress. I always thought the Hillsboro Landfill took garbage, your run of the mill neighborhood garbage. Was I shock to discover that it only takes Construction and Demolition waste. Not smelly at all. The main attraction at the landfill is the Material Recovery Facility or MRF (recycling center) I believe it is the only LEED certified MRF in the nation (??) What is LEED certified? It stands for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) that was created by the U.S. Green Building Council as a rating system for green buildings. The MRF used green design from the floor, walls, ceiling all the way up to the lighting of the facility. Contractors or homeowners come and deposit their materials and the workers at the MRF go through it to divert as much recyclable goods as possible from the landfill. You can take toilets, cement, metal and wood to the Hillsboro landfill where they separate and crush up the material to be reused.
Metro Central at 6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland off of highway 30.
This place is owned by Metro the recycling gurus of Portland. Have questions regrading recycling you can contact them at www.oregonmetro.gov. This is where people can take their hazardous waste to be safely disposed of. If you think you don't have hazardous waste laying around at your house your wrong. Paint, cleaning products, items made out of mercury, propane, pesticides, and compact fluorescent light bulbs are all toxic if they end up in our water systems or soil. Through out the year there are neighborhood drop off sites Metro puts on. Can you believe that they come to you and take your hazardous waste away. I took some old paint there last weekend. I literally drove up, popped my trunk and they collected the material and I was back on the road. And what did they do with my old paint? They actually create 15 different Metro colors out of used paint that you can buy for cheap directly from them or at select Miller paint stores. The paint is Green Seal Certified one of the highest levels of environmental integrity you can get. I have a brochure of the colors if anyone is interested or call 503-234-3000.
Metro is also working towards composting possibilities in Oregon. There is already a Portland Compost program where a few restaurants and grocery stores in Portland participate in. They have their compostable goods collected and temporary dropped off at the transfer station. Where a large truck comes to collect it and take it up to Washington. It has been slow going finding a large enough location and agreeable neighbors to create an Oregon compost facility. There is a misconception that composting is smelly but it isn't true especially on a large scale with all the technology. Corey and I compost using the Metro Earth Machine (sales for $35 at Metro) and don't notice the smell and I have a sensitive nose.
Eco Trust, Pearl District
Our last stop was at the Eco Trust building in Portland. This building houses the Portland office of Sustainability, a few restaurants and the Patagonia store. It too is a LEED certified building. It reuses a lot of old material and utilizes natural light. I think it is a very beautiful building. You can actually get married there too.
I think this has been a long enough post so I will end it here. Look for the second installment of field trips on Friday.
Friday, October 16, 2009
In the spirit of October
Last weekend we went to Seattle to visit friends and family. We stayed at Corey's sister Kinsey's house. We had a great weekend hanging out with our 8 month old nephew Zander. We went to the pumpkin patch together and Corey taught him the OSU cheer. Sadly I left my camera in Seattle so I will have to add pictures later.
Every time we make a trip to Seattle we wish we had more time. We have so many friends and family up there. This trip we did manage to see my Auntie Pam and her new condo. Always a great time catching up with her. On our way back to Portland we meet up with Corey's high school friend Travis, wife Nomi and their two kids. Travis was the very tall guy in our wedding. They moved back to the west coast last year and like seeing them more now.
Next weekend is our annual pumpkin carving party. It is shaping up to be a good one with lots of new people joining us. In the spirit of Halloween and since I can't add Zander pictures. I thought I would share some past Halloween photos. Enjoy!
Every time we make a trip to Seattle we wish we had more time. We have so many friends and family up there. This trip we did manage to see my Auntie Pam and her new condo. Always a great time catching up with her. On our way back to Portland we meet up with Corey's high school friend Travis, wife Nomi and their two kids. Travis was the very tall guy in our wedding. They moved back to the west coast last year and like seeing them more now.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Master Recycler
I am in the process of becoming a Master Recycler. What is a Master Recycler you ask will this is from their website
Master Recyclers take a eight-week course on the latest information on waste prevention and recycling. They then share this information to their neighbors in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington county. There are more than 900 Master Recyclers, volunteering more than 20,000 hours. Each Master Recycler must payback 30hrs of service.
For the past 4 Wednesdays from 6:30 pm till 9:30 pm at night I have been learning all about waste reduction and recycling. I have 4 weeks left and one more field trip. Our first field trip was to a MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) and a dry waste landfill. Taking this course has inspired me to clean up our recycling area at home and make it more organize. We have a box for scrap paper, a bin for glass ONLY, plastic and aluminum and another for paper and cardboard. The other two bins are for pop cans and plastics you can't recycle at the curb. Of course a separate collection for plastic film aka plastic bags (not recyclable at curb!!!!!). I can't say it enough but please no glass with your other recyclables and NO PLASTIC BAGS AT THE CURB!!!!! At the MRF they have to stop every 2-3hrs to cut out all the plastic bags that have gummed up the system. Better yet don't use plastic bags keep reusable bags in your car for any shopping trip or just say no to bags at the store. Okay I am getting off my high horse now. Feel free to post or email me any questions you might have on recycling. Have a great first day of October everyone.
Master Recyclers take a eight-week course on the latest information on waste prevention and recycling. They then share this information to their neighbors in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington county. There are more than 900 Master Recyclers, volunteering more than 20,000 hours. Each Master Recycler must payback 30hrs of service.
For the past 4 Wednesdays from 6:30 pm till 9:30 pm at night I have been learning all about waste reduction and recycling. I have 4 weeks left and one more field trip. Our first field trip was to a MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) and a dry waste landfill. Taking this course has inspired me to clean up our recycling area at home and make it more organize. We have a box for scrap paper, a bin for glass ONLY, plastic and aluminum and another for paper and cardboard. The other two bins are for pop cans and plastics you can't recycle at the curb. Of course a separate collection for plastic film aka plastic bags (not recyclable at curb!!!!!). I can't say it enough but please no glass with your other recyclables and NO PLASTIC BAGS AT THE CURB!!!!! At the MRF they have to stop every 2-3hrs to cut out all the plastic bags that have gummed up the system. Better yet don't use plastic bags keep reusable bags in your car for any shopping trip or just say no to bags at the store. Okay I am getting off my high horse now. Feel free to post or email me any questions you might have on recycling. Have a great first day of October everyone.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Random things in our yard
Monday, September 14, 2009
4 years and going strong
This past weekend, Corey and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary. Each year we try to do something special. We decided to camp at the beach since we love the outdoors and the coast. We left Friday morning and took a leisurely drive down the coast. Stopping for ice cream, beef jerky and salt water taffy at my great grandma's old candy store. We also swung by our families old beach house. Amazing how much the area around it has changed. I was so happy, I got to share it with Corey. We had a few campgrounds picked out and decided on Rock Creek campsite between Yachts and Florence. Our site was right on the creek and not far from the beach. After setting up camp, we went searching for wood for our campfire. We made a good team. I would scout out limbs and Corey would cut them up. Friday night, dinner was traditional camping food, hot dogs, corn and a salad. No beans sorry dad and John. For dessert, of course we roasted marshmallows. Corey says he has perfected the art of roasting them just right.
Saturday morning, I woke to a warm campfire and hot chocolate. We both wanted to do a hike and play in the tide pools during our trip. We went to the Cape Perpetua visitors center and mapped our itinerary for the day. A 3 mile loop down to the tide pool and a 3 mile hike to the top of Cape Perpetua. Sadly, it was a high, low tided and we only saw one starfish. We both enjoyed the waves crashing against the rocks and seeing the spouting horn (a hole in the rocks that water shoots out of). We climbed the rocks for awhile and saw one sea loin in the Cape Cove. I worried it was sick and dieing, but Corey reassured me they do sometimes travel alone. Our hike up to the Cape Perpetua look out was a harder than we both thought it would be. I was over dressed and very sweaty when we reached the top. There were blue skies but it was still foggy looking out to sea and down the coast. During a good day you can see 34 miles out to sea and 70 miles along the coast. We got our one couples photo of the trip and made our journey down. Back at camp, we collected more firewood and took a nap. My only other goal for the trip was having clam chowder. We drove to Florence hoping to get a good cup and watch the OSU game. Neither turned out well. My chowder had few clams and almost nothing else. We didn't realize we were in Duck country, we went to 6 bars and one Casino, but couldn't find anyone playing the Beaver game. In the end, we listened to the game on the car radio. OSU 23 UNLV 21 (for those other OSU fans).
Sunday morning we curled up by the fire and read awhile. By noon our campsite was packed and we headed to Corvallis and my sister's house to see our niece Bailey. Bailey is enjoying her tricycle and her new bike trailer. She wants everyone to take her for a ride. Our last stop was at Corey's parent's for fresh produce and dinner. Finally, making it home around 6pm and welcomed by a hungrily Melvin. Mel over ate and left us a special treat by the front door. I guess it is his way of rebelling against the diet. One downfall of camping is all the clean up when you get home. Better go finish the laundry and dishes.
Happy 4 year anniversary Corey looking forward to many more!
Saturday morning, I woke to a warm campfire and hot chocolate. We both wanted to do a hike and play in the tide pools during our trip. We went to the Cape Perpetua visitors center and mapped our itinerary for the day. A 3 mile loop down to the tide pool and a 3 mile hike to the top of Cape Perpetua. Sadly, it was a high, low tided and we only saw one starfish. We both enjoyed the waves crashing against the rocks and seeing the spouting horn (a hole in the rocks that water shoots out of). We climbed the rocks for awhile and saw one sea loin in the Cape Cove. I worried it was sick and dieing, but Corey reassured me they do sometimes travel alone. Our hike up to the Cape Perpetua look out was a harder than we both thought it would be. I was over dressed and very sweaty when we reached the top. There were blue skies but it was still foggy looking out to sea and down the coast. During a good day you can see 34 miles out to sea and 70 miles along the coast. We got our one couples photo of the trip and made our journey down. Back at camp, we collected more firewood and took a nap. My only other goal for the trip was having clam chowder. We drove to Florence hoping to get a good cup and watch the OSU game. Neither turned out well. My chowder had few clams and almost nothing else. We didn't realize we were in Duck country, we went to 6 bars and one Casino, but couldn't find anyone playing the Beaver game. In the end, we listened to the game on the car radio. OSU 23 UNLV 21 (for those other OSU fans).
Sunday morning we curled up by the fire and read awhile. By noon our campsite was packed and we headed to Corvallis and my sister's house to see our niece Bailey. Bailey is enjoying her tricycle and her new bike trailer. She wants everyone to take her for a ride. Our last stop was at Corey's parent's for fresh produce and dinner. Finally, making it home around 6pm and welcomed by a hungrily Melvin. Mel over ate and left us a special treat by the front door. I guess it is his way of rebelling against the diet. One downfall of camping is all the clean up when you get home. Better go finish the laundry and dishes.
Happy 4 year anniversary Corey looking forward to many more!
A Special Thanks
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day Weekend
Like most of you we had plans that depended on the weather. For most of the weekend the weather didn't go in our favor. We or should I say Corey has been busy all week painting our front door. It was installed last fall and we finally had time in our busy summer schedule to paint it. Corey has been such a good sport about painting the door. We both strongly dislike painting since we have painted every room in our house including the doors and trim work and we painted the outside last year. I of course always wanted a red door just like a red kitchen. I am so thankful I have a husband who has done both for me. We didn't like the original color we picked out but the second color is much better. We hope to have the outside part of the door done this week. Melvin is very hopeful we finish sooner. He has to be locked up since the front door is off the hinges for painting. Everyone knows Melvin despises being caged. Pictures to come of our door.
Our other plans for the weekend were more domesticated. Saturday night we cooked 16 ears of corn from Corey's parents garden and skinned them (not sure that is the right term). We now have 8 Tupperware containers of wonderful sweet corn to enjoy all winter. The other food project was to dehydrate about 3lbs of pears also from Marti and Jim. It is a long process but I had fun pealing the pears and singing "I have been working on the railroads," repetitively to Corey. Our first batch was a little done but I think we figured out what went wrong.
As for the official Labor day we are spending it at our friends Alan and Rheas house for dinner. Hope everyone else had a good long weekend too.
P.S. took Melvin to the vet this week alone (huge task getting him in the carrier). He is now on a reduced calorie diet since he was 16# and the vet mentioned he looked healthier at 14#. Melvin has strongly told us he disagrees with this often times at 5:30 in the morning.
Our other plans for the weekend were more domesticated. Saturday night we cooked 16 ears of corn from Corey's parents garden and skinned them (not sure that is the right term). We now have 8 Tupperware containers of wonderful sweet corn to enjoy all winter. The other food project was to dehydrate about 3lbs of pears also from Marti and Jim. It is a long process but I had fun pealing the pears and singing "I have been working on the railroads," repetitively to Corey. Our first batch was a little done but I think we figured out what went wrong.
As for the official Labor day we are spending it at our friends Alan and Rheas house for dinner. Hope everyone else had a good long weekend too.
P.S. took Melvin to the vet this week alone (huge task getting him in the carrier). He is now on a reduced calorie diet since he was 16# and the vet mentioned he looked healthier at 14#. Melvin has strongly told us he disagrees with this often times at 5:30 in the morning.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Jimmy Fest 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Summer Biking had me a blast, Summer Biking going so fast!!!
We've been without a second car for over a year and things are still going really well. Biking has become a new hobby and being without a car has, in a roundabout way, been a boon for my health. Assuming I ride to work daily, I go about 60 miles on the weekdays and gain over 3,000' in elevation. I also frequently go on rides with friends, Dan and Brett, on the weekends. Most often, going nearly 50 miles. In early summer, Dan and I rode up bald peak. I had to stop a few times in the middle of climbs, they were too long and our pace earlier had been too hard. The views from the ridge road on top are stunning. You can look down into the valley and there is a great view of Hood. Carol and I need to drive up there for a picnic when the weather is nice. Coming down was a little harrowing. Dan was flying around a corner, but when I got there I braked hard because I missed the apex and lost my nerve. Shortly after, there was a long downhill, where I remember hitting 50 without pedaling. After those long weekend rides, I get home feeling like mush. I move slowly and on Monday while riding to work again, it is a little more painful.
I had a great time riding the rim of Crater Lake, with our friend Tyler, when we went to camp at Diamond lake earlier this month. The ride is approximately 32 miles and the elevation gain is 3,800 feet, very challenging. We both made it, but it took about 4.5 hours. The ride around the rim is never flat. The uphills are long, but the downhills are exhilarating. During one downhill coasting, I managed to hit 40.8 mph. The views while going around the lake are amazing and I feel like I got more out of the trip having ridden the rim than if I had just driven to the visitor's center. We were going to meet up with the others for a hike, but if we had gone hiking, they would have had to drag us most of the way. Carol went on a great hike above the visitor's center for an amazing view.
For the future, I plan to continue my bike commute, but hope to get involved in more organized rides. I had considered doing the Portland century, but that was the weekend of our camping trip. FYI - a century is a ride where you do 100 miles in a day. There is always next year, and I look forward to sometime doing the Seattle to Portland, the bridge pedal, some centuries and maybe put together a trip with a group of friends and bike the Oregon coast south of Lincoln City. Hope to see you on on the roads soon.
I had a great time riding the rim of Crater Lake, with our friend Tyler, when we went to camp at Diamond lake earlier this month. The ride is approximately 32 miles and the elevation gain is 3,800 feet, very challenging. We both made it, but it took about 4.5 hours. The ride around the rim is never flat. The uphills are long, but the downhills are exhilarating. During one downhill coasting, I managed to hit 40.8 mph. The views while going around the lake are amazing and I feel like I got more out of the trip having ridden the rim than if I had just driven to the visitor's center. We were going to meet up with the others for a hike, but if we had gone hiking, they would have had to drag us most of the way. Carol went on a great hike above the visitor's center for an amazing view.
For the future, I plan to continue my bike commute, but hope to get involved in more organized rides. I had considered doing the Portland century, but that was the weekend of our camping trip. FYI - a century is a ride where you do 100 miles in a day. There is always next year, and I look forward to sometime doing the Seattle to Portland, the bridge pedal, some centuries and maybe put together a trip with a group of friends and bike the Oregon coast south of Lincoln City. Hope to see you on on the roads soon.
Finally Done
I have had scan old slides on my to do list forever. I got them from my sister shortly after my niece Bailey was born 18mos ago. They are slides my parents took when my sister was born 30 years ago. I got put in charge of scanning them so both sets of parents could have copies. Sort of a peace treaty. I ran into a few problems regarding our computer and the scanner. And then of course there was the sheer laziness on my part to do it. But this week I made the decision it was going to get done. I wanted it off my to do list and out of our office. It took me a good couple hours but I finally finished scanning four slide boxes today. Here are a few pictures that haven't been seen in nearly 30 years. One thing I notice is I am totally the second child since I have few pictures of myself and I must of spent the first 20 years of my life looking in the wrong direction during picture time. The first two are of me, the rest my sister Lora.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Bailey Sitting
Sunday, August 23, 2009
HilHi 10 year reunion
I can't believe that I am old enough to have a 10 year high school reunion. The only comfort is if I am older that means you are all older with me. I was in the class of 1999 at Hillsboro High School. I remember we were the last class to graduate in the twentieth century in Oregon. 10 years ago I felt ready to set out on my own and start a new chapter in my life. The world was mine to seize and anything was possible. Now 10 years later I don't feel I have changed completely or captured the world the way I once wanted. What has happened is I have grown to feel more confident in my own skin and know my self more. Our reunion was at Kell's downtown on Friday night and then a free picnic in Hillsboro on Saturday. My class wasn't the most involved or motivated class at Hilhi. I think that in a combination with the cost of the reunion kept some people from attending (lame). I did enjoy seeing those who came and their families. Some people hadn't changed in appearance or personality while others were almost unrecognizable. Some where rocking the single life while others had little ones. One even had four kids! Some lived in the same neighborhood they grew up in while others have lived in other countries. One thing that is still true today as it was 10 years ago the class of 1999 has the capabilities to do great things and change to world for the better. GO SPARTANS!!!!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Summer Time Memories
Sort of stopped blogging for many reasons but recently everyone has been asking us why we haven't updated. Here we were thinking no one was reading it since we rarely got comments posted on the blog. Since our last post in February a lot has happen. But at this moment I don't feel like regurgitating it all, maybe later. What I wanted to share were some past summer memories. I have been feeling pretty nostalgic lately, could be the fact my 10 year high school reunion was this weekend. I have also been thinking a lot about my "Chicky" grandma. Almost every couple days I think I need to call her and then I get busy and remember as I am going to bed. A combination of feeling nostalgic and thinking of my "Chicky" grandma this post is dedicated to my McIlroy family. First I must preference my story with this, these are a little child's memories and so might be slightly inaccurate. As a young girl I spent most summers, a few winters and even a Thanksgiving at the Hanson (McIlroy) Walport beach house. I am not sure the year the beach house was built but it has been in my Grandpa Dick's family for a very, very long time. It is two stories with a green roof and green shutters. Sometimes there are red potted geraniums on the front porch. The house has no phones or television except the one on wheels I have never seen used. There are two bedrooms down stairs usually where my grandparents and my great grandmother slept. The rest of the main floor housed a living room, kitchen and added bathroom. In the living room there was green velvet couch that above it had a painting of naked men and women laying around a pool. I would try to sneak peaks at the picture and giggle that my grandparents owned something so "scandalous." Near the fire place was a large well worn leather chair that I would cuddle with my mom or dad in. Upstairs where two large bedrooms and a bathroom. My sister and I slept upstairs with our parents. Often times we argued over who slept next to the scary closet door. We both believed it was haunted. The next upstairs room my aunt stayed in or my grandfather would use it as his fly fishing room. The house was right on the beach a few yards away from the Walport bay. My summers where filled with sandcastles, sea shells and walks on the beach. We often went crabbing. My sister Lora and I chasing each other with crabs on the dock. I only remember one time catching enough crabs to actually eat. The first time I had shrimp cocktail was at the beach house. I felt so grown up and refined eating the pretty cup of shrimp and red sauce. I believe it was the summers I spent at the beach house that ignited my love for games. There was always a mean game of Gin Rummy going on or someone playing solitaire. The beach house was a place to get away from everyday life and reconnect with loved ones. Where multi-tasking meant soaking up the sun, while listening to soft jazz and reading a good book in the back yard. Where the concept of family meals meant shopping, cooking, eating and cleaning up together. Where my imagination was fueled and allowed to be free. Sadly I haven't been to the beach house since my Junior year in college. I would love for Corey to see the place sometime. I feel so fortunate to have had a childhood that has so many amazing and wonderful memories of the beach and the special beach house with its green shutters. Thank you McIlroy family.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Melvin
Now onto our fur baby, Melvin. Most people have baby stories but Corey and I have Melvin stories. Melvins new thing he loves to do is climb or jump from the dressers into our laundry hampers. He likes to play with the handles on the inside or at least I think. He either jumps out or rocks the hamper back and forth and gets out. At least one time he locked himself in our room when the hamper fill over and didn't right its self and blocked the door. As previously mentioned he can open all the doors in the house. Never a dull moment in our house with our little Melvin.
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