quite the man

my father's birthday was on the 19thand i'm late to posting
about such a great man in my lifealthough the favorite may have gotten

a few extra points in getting married firsti still am the first born

and think i still have a twinkle in his eyei successfully learned how to
change my car's oil and flat tires

from himstrangely enjoy yard work

and pulling weeds

(he's a plant boy)he's put up with 3 woman

for his married/children life

and in his early years with 2 sisters as well

my mom loves him

his daughters love him

he's been a spiritual leader in our home

supported his daughters in our endeavors

given us dudley squinty eyes

gone along with our girly ideas

from yoga shots

to trying fondue...

he's driven snowy roads

so that i could be home in time for Christmas

along with used to be strangers

he's been an example of patience

hard work

perseverance

devotion to the gospel

service to others continually

and has been a support

of love and encouragement

through the years

he came from humble beginnings

was the first to graduate and go to college

as i've matured through the years

i've realized how

lucky i am to have

my father

that always provided for his family

he served God, his family,

and his fellow man
as best he could
and still does

p.s. i wish i had his fire fighting picture

to post...

NYC meets Bagby

so a little crew was up to show steve,

jenn's good friend from nyc,

some unique places of oregon

bagby...check!

(don't worry that's rain

not snow)

let's just say...

we waited for a while

jill and i got the tree tub

that we couldn't turn off

the hot water coming in

and without a stopper

luckily a nice man

clogged the tub so it'd fill

we had to get cold water by the buckets rub a dub dub

corina, steve, russ, kate, jenn
ickes even came to play!
jessie and kirstin

and we made it back by 9ish...

a lot better than 1-2 am last time!

sometimes...

a green bean casserole can't cook quick enough...

rainy tuesday

some days look like this:

saving winchester from the rain and cold he didn't bite me!

it was the first time

i've picked him up

by myself...

because i've been scared

it was like we were best friends

isn't he cute!

then working hard on the computer

wearing my leopard print snuggie

thank you spencer again

for a great present last year

it was cold today

... 46 degrees!

i also tried out a new zumba class tonight

i decided i like the other instructor better

sorry lady at 5:30

it's me...

not you!

catch-up: greek festival

beautiful greek orthodox church...
with my favorite kind of christian art

check.

delicious greek food...

check youth dancing...

check.

i loved the closeness of the teens

that danced together

i wish every youth had a group

to be close and connected to

whatever their interest/passion

may be

off church grounds yo!

president obama visits portland

i was there...
waiting in line...
to see the president of the united states

so it was almost 2 weeks ago

but i'm trying to catch up! we all said the pledge together

the gal from the band

pink martini

sang the national anthem

and we all were singing along

by the end

the d's

showed off their peeps

kitz is now our new governor

after a tight race

then we got to hear from

our president

i have to admit...

my tears were a little misty
when he came out
he spoke about
the right things take time

and they're worth the time

and sacrifice

like women's and civil rights

i told myself i can stay

in social work longer

emily and i enjoyed ourselves!

our first political rally

sporting our blue

i rode my bike to the convention center

then back home

i felt like a portlander

and the night skyline

continues to enchant me here

some days

are like this... well snake
(my plant i got from juli
when she moved back
to Arkansas in 2004)
are in need of a new transplant
to a bigger and better pot/life/etc.
he got pushed over in the wind
i'm getting pushed to open my mind
accept changes daily
including things i don't want to do
like moving half of my stuff from salem...
a tree fell down on the garage of my old neighbor
and i'll having to move the end of january... again
that's basically 4 small moves in 6 months.
all my choice none the less
my friend/hometeacher will be gaining
his sainthood moving merit badge.
there's days that coordinating things
take up some days
which drives me crazy
when it's not related to a job

as my kind mother reminded me today...
at least i'm not moving in a shopping cart.
i'm grateful i'm not in that circumstance...
and have empathy for those that do.

the sun is still shinning
and it's warm for oregon in november
i even have gone to a zumba dance class
twice in the last week
to cheer me up and dance my worries/other peoples' worries
that i'm worried about away
i'm glad i don't know anyone there

a new pot to grow in
i guess we're both ready
the end. :)

carnie halloween

BK's theme this year was excellent cotton candy
a fortune teller

i didn't dress up like anyone else this year = success

i was a snake charmer...

(yes it was my mother's idea)i hope to always be a good one

VOTE!

you would think
i might be swayed to vote a certain way
because of a particular name tempting with name association
but... i didn't vote for him.

hard voting decisions today...
but...

another reason to love oregon
getting your ballot in the mail
and just dropping it off
no lines
quick & easy

i hope you voted today.