Blazer Game

Spent last evening watching the Blazers beat the Celtics while chaperoning some really great kids who earned a reward for awesome grades. We had a great time, and the win was icing on the cake!

Michigan - Day 3

Today was about animals. We headed north with a couple destinations in mind. Our first stop was the Country Dairy in New Era. My dad grew up on a dairy farm, but this is a FARM. The Country Dairy milks 1300 cows three times each day. They give tours, have a farm store, deli and pizza shoppe. How could we pass that up? Actually, we love factory tours. They're usually a lot of fun and educational.

On this tour we got to pet calves, saw cows being fed and had a tour of the processing plant. At the end of our tour we were offered free moochie (cheese curds) and chocolate milk samples. Since our tour ended just before lunch, we ordered from the deli and ate on the patio. Our sandwiches came with bottomless cups of milk. Did I mention our family drinks a lot of milk? That was definitely a win.

Our second stop of the day was near Ludington at the Amber Elk Ranch. This was so much fun. We paid for our tour and boarded a tractor-drawn wagon. Over the course of about an hour we drove through several pens of elk: Mature bulls, cows and calves. But the best part was getting to feed them. Some of the bulls were pretty aloof. The calves avoid people and the cows were total pigs. 

This was the closest I've ever been to elk. They tend to be shy and like all wild animals, can be unpredictable and aggressive. As our tour guide said, these tours don't happen in the fall when the animals are in the middle of the rut. It's simply too dangerous.

We got to back to Muskegeon in time to meet some cousins for dinner. The Station Grill came highly recommended, so that's where we went. They have huge hamburgers, homemade potato chips, fries and onion rings, all served in a '50's themed restaurant. The food was excellent!

How do you battle a heat wave?

You put on your swimsuit and make a backyard water slide, break out the buckets and enjoy some sun with a pair of little hams!

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day Weekend at Newport. We walked on the beach, ate carmel corn in Old Town, had dinner at the Newport Cafe, and relaxed. It was pretty typical of our weekends at the Coast.

But the tall ships were in town. The Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain are replicas of 18th century ships. They are owned by the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, and each year they sail the Pacific Coast. The crews are all volunteer, and they spend anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks in each port. They were regular visitors to the Port of Brookings when I lived down there, but I never took the time to visit. It was fun to finally tour the ships.

School Carnival

Friday night Mom and I helped my sister corral the kids at the Preschool Carnival. Face painting and throw the ball in the bucket were popular, the popcorn was a big hit, but the their favorite activity was the fish pond. It's interesting, but I remember that one being pretty popular back when I was in elementary school.

Oregon Zoo

Today we had our end of the year field trip to the Oregon Zoo. It had been years since I'd been there. I think the last time was for a friend's wedding reception (yes...the reception was at the zoo!) in 1998, so I was really looking forward to the trip. We had a fabulous day. The weather was perfect, the kids were awesome and it was so nice to be outside instead of in the classroom.

So, here's a few shots of the zoo's inhabitants. They can be very photogenic.

Unexpected Gifts

My upstairs neighbors are moving. Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal since I live in an apartment, and upstairs neighbors can be good or bad. These particular neighbors have been awesome. I hardly even know they live there.

So...they're moving. Which I didn't know until today when she asked if they could use my parking space for the u-haul. No worries. I will be at work all day tomorrow. Works out perfectly for both of us. Not five minutes later, there's a knock at my door. It's upstairs neighbor and adorable baby. "Do you craft?" she asked. "I have some stuff to give away if you want it."

So, I scored this.

New stuff is always inspiration in a box!

Rodeo!

Home from a weekend at the Sisters Rodeo. The weather was sunny. The wind blew like crazy. It snowed while I drove over the pass on Friday. But the rodeo was fun, and it was good to unplug for a couple days.

Waiting for the parade to start.

Wild horse race

Rodeo mares and foals. So darn cute!

Ride em, Cowboy!

I write like who?

It's getting close to NaNoWriMo time. I'm not sure if I'm going to participate this year, but I've been reading about other people's preparations and anticipation. Today on the NaNo Facebook page was a link for I Write Like. It's a program that will analyze a piece of writing you enter and compare it to a database of writers. Out of curiosity, I had to try it.

First, I copied part of the dialogue I entered in the DAR American Heritage Contest in 2010. I won second place at the national level, so I figured it was a good place to start. According to the program, I write like....Cory Doctorow. I've never read that author.

Second, I entered the blog post just proceeding this one. This time, I write like...Kurt Vonnegut. Another author I've never read.

Third time, I entered the first few paragraphs of my NaNo book from 2009. At least I've read this author...James Joyce.

I had to try one more time, so I just entered this text. Now, I write like H.P. Lovecraft.

This is just too funny! Four pieces by me and the result is four different authors. Who knew?!

Mystery Concert

KRKT, one of the local country radio stations hosted a mystery concert tonight. It required a bit of faith to just show up and see who was going to play. I'm not sure many people would've except that the booking was done with the help of the Oregon Jamboree, which traditionally books some very good acts.

So, my sister and I went to the concert. The opening act was Jackson Michaelson, who won the Oregon state Colgate Country Showdown last summer. Then the lights went down and came back to reveal....James Otto. Neither of us had ever seen him live, so it was a nice surprise. And I have to say that small venue acoustic concerts really do rock.

My Year in Status

Here is a listing of most of my Facebook status postings for 2010. For some reason January didn't come up on the app list. It's kind of a long post, but it brought back some memories while I was transcribing the list.

February: Woo Hoo! Beavers sweep the Men’s BB series for the first time in 17 years! Go Beavs! – is planning to skip the game and scrapbook today instead. – Thanks everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes. I’m finally home for the evening for a little R and R. – may not make it ‘til midnight and the end of the Opening Ceremonies. – is watching a rather lopsided women’s hockey came. Canada’s beating up on Slovakia. – spent the day hanging with Jen. – doesn’t really want to spend Saturday in class. – is watching hockey. Go USA! – should be doing homework. Think I’ll procrastinate a little longer and watch the closing ceremonies.

March: Is looking forward to a Saturday with absolutely nothing planned. – is wishing it wasn’t only the students who get a three day weekend. – just got home from a great weekend at the coast with Mom, Aunt Shirley and Traci. – attended the Taste of Home Cooking School tonight with Mom, Traci & Becky. – just finished filling out the census form. – just got home from cake & ice cream to celebrate my dad’s birthday. Happy Birthday Daddy! – spent the afternoon baby showerin’ for my sis. It was so good to see so many friends and family. – the mini calazones I made don’t look very pretty, but they taste good. – Happy spring Break! Day 1 and I’m….cleaning house. Exciting, huh? – just got home from Spring Break at the coast where I ran into several familiar faces.

April: Happy Easter! – Yeah! Saturday classes are done. – has come to the hard won conclusion that I will never, ever understand certain people. – can smell the chili cookin’. Ahhhhhhh Friday! – Sunny day and no plans. What should I do? – took on the task of sorting scrapbook supplies today. – is still very full from the sushi dinner shared with Erin. But now, I want….chocolate!

May: Woke up ready to go work out and the gym wasn’t open yet.  - is watching Avatar. – should really be working on that final assignment for ESOL class, but I just can’t get motivated. – is waiting….. – attended Shana’s baby shower were we munched on Mexican food, then helped Mom plant some more of her planter boxes. – is tired of the rain. – had a good time at Roger & Kathy’s wedding last night. – just finished watching “Lost”. Hmmmmmmm….. – spent some time cuddling my nephew tonight. – is home from a weekend of camping with family and friends.

June: Just got home from seeing “The Bounty Hunter” with Erin. – Graduation 2010 is done. – is enjoying beautiful sunny weather. YEAH! – is eating yummy pizza at Papandrea’s in Sisters. – is home from the Sisters Rodeo – got the word today that I have a full time job next year! – great….it’s hailing! – Happy Father’s Day! – Sun!!!!!!! – is at a DAR Genealogy Workshop at Newell House. – is watching the replay of the US vs Algeria World Cup game. – spent the day at a science workshop at OMSI followed by burgers & beer with Jen. It was a very good day.

July: Is practicing the Zen of fishing in the rain this morning. – Happy 4th of July everyone! – Mmmmmmmmm. Burgerville. – sippin’ Starbucks and waiting for the ferry. – had a busy day: Picked raspberries, grocery shopping and finally dinner and a movie with Erin. – is grilling steak. – just got back from a matinee of “Eclipse” with my sissy. – is really bummed that the Grind is closing at the end of July. Where will we go for coffee and smoothies? – is reading under the pear tree. Love summer!

August: Is hanging at the Jake Owen concert with the fam. It’s Benton Co. Fair time! – is home after vacation.

September: Just got home from an evening at the State Fair with Jen. – is finally caught up from the weekend at the lake. – had a great evening with Erin, Jennifer & Jennifer. Sushi with a frozen yogurt chaser! – had a great, busy day with the family and the cousins’ cousins. – glad it’s the weekend. Wish the weather was better, though. – Eating yummy sausage & sauerkraut at Oktoberfest.

October: Is wishing Greg & Tammy a Happy Wedding Day! – is at ‘Music a la Carte” at the MU. – Go Griz! – Griz beat Portland State 23-21! Now it’s time for the Beavers to beat the Huskies. – should probably do something productive today. – Happy Birthday to my Mom! – is gearing up to tackle the ballot. Don’t forget to vote! – had a great time hanging with Jen last night. – Happy Halloween!

November: Had a great time participating in the Albany Veteran’s Day Parade today. – Happy Thanksgiving! Have a wonderful day! – just bought a Christmas tree from Mr. Warloe. – the tree is decorated and now I’m procrastinating the work I need to do for school tomorrow.

December: Had a great dinner and catch up with Jen. So glad she lives closer now. I wish her a very happy birthday tomorrow. – must finish the Christmas cards! – only has one more batch of Christmas candy to make. Whew! – has Christmas music blaring while finishing up the Christmas prep work. So glad to have some time off. – has wrapped the last present. – Merry Christmas Eve everyone. May you have a wonderful evening. – Merry Christmas to All! Have a joyous day. – is putting away the Christmas decorations, which is not nearly as much fun as putting them out. – Happy New Year everyone! Have a safe Dec. 31.

Heather & Nashelle

I met Heather a few years ago when my faux-bro introduced his new "girlfriend" to the family. In the years since, she's gotten married, become a mom three times and founded an incredible jewelry collection which she named Nashelle.

Like any seed of an idea, Nashelle is growing and showing up in magazines, on television and on the runways. Heather's latest news is that Nashelle will be publishing a catalog in 2011. I can't wait to see it.

In the meantime, if you like jewelry, check out the Nashelle website, and if you want to know more about Heather, check out this blog entry by Shine Media PR.

No NaNo this November

That sounds kind of cryptic doesn't it? November is National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo to writing fans and afficienados. I attempted my first NaNo in 2007, but didn't get too far with my 50,000 word goal. In 2008, I was two months into a new job, so writing was the last thing on my mind. 2009 was an awesome year. I met the goal! So, I was really excited to start this year's challenge.

And it didn't happen. I tried. I really did. But there's no story in me this year. Life is chaotic and messy feeling right now. My energy levels are dead low, and I don't know when/how that's going to change. So, no NaNo this year. Maybe, I'm only meant to tackle the challenge in odd numbered years.

Alyssa's Day

During the summer, when we're not quite so busy, I try to take some time to spend with the kids. Today was Alyssa's day. And since she's growing up, it's not always easy to find things that are a good fit, and fun.

So, last week when we made this date, I threw a few ideas out and the plan was to do what Alyssa wanted. Alyssa's choices took us to Riverfront Park. We began with a walk across the Union Street foot bridge that connects Riverfront and Wallace Marine Parks. We had some time to kill before going into A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village. It's a fun little museum/learning center that probably more appropriate for kids in early elementary. But we had fun playing checkers on the giant board, beating on xylophones and marimbas, climbing up and sliding down in the Erector Set tower, and blowing giant bubbles in the bubble room. For those of you not in the know, A.C. Gilbert was the inventor of many toys including the erector set. Gilbert was born in Salem, and the center is partially housed in his uncle's home.

Our next stop was a short walk away: the Riverfront Carousel. We rode several times choosing different horses for each ride.

By then it was lunch time, which was the only time I sat down all day. Alyssa chose the Best Little Roadhouse, but we opted not to play miniature golf. The next couple of hours we did some shopping: Claire's and Candy Tyme at Lancaster Mall. Then a trip to Michael's and World Market at Keizer Station. Our final stop was Baskin-Robbins for Bubblegum (Alyssa) and Oregon Blackberry (me) cones.

I know that I had a good time. I hope Alyssa did. :)

Happy Birthday Oregon!

Today is Oregon'e 150th birthday. To celebrate the state through a birthday party at the Capitol. Thanks to corporate sponsorship there were food goodies. It was a 10 year old's dream menu: Hotdogs on squishy white bread buns, salty Kettle potato chips, cake, ice cream and tiny half-pint cartons of milk. As far as I know all were Oregon products. Umpqua ice cream even created a special "Oregon" flavor (honey, hazelnuts and huckleberries). It was yummy! And did I mention, free? The best deal in town today.
For some photos, check out the article in the Statesman Journal.

The party was packed. My parents and sister joined me in line waiting for food. There were capitol tower tours. I'm ashamed to say I've never climbed the 121 steps. And we didn't do it today. Since the tours happen pretty frequently, we'll do that some other time.

Learning

I'm a huge believer in life-long learning. And as many of you know (from the previous post) I blog surf. In the course of surfing, I discovered the "100 Weird Facts About the Human Body." from a blog entitled A Majority of Two. Enjoy!