I can't believe!!

...that those babies are both due so soon

...that I have such nice daughters (also including present and future daughter-in-laws at the time not to exceed 3. and legally)

..that I almost face planted in Baker City, Oregon. I forgot to tell you guys that. IT was outside a McDonalds (hi, kev). I was talking to Ryan who was ahead of me on the sidewalk. I tripped on one of those cement thingies that keep you from driving through the building. Luckily, having fallen before, I acted like an acrobat. I SLIGHTLY scuffed my palms, rolled over onto my left shoulder (which hurt for like 10 minutes), then onto my back. Ryan came running over thinking I might have broken something (and thereby delayed his trip to his honey) (no, really he was more worried about me). I was fine, he helped me get up, I went to the bathroom (the purpose for stopping at Mickey D's), he bought a sausage biscuit (no vegetarians for a long trip), and we got in the car and resumed the drive, ending about 5 hours later with no ER trips.

...that I will have 9 grandchildren by the middle of November.

...that I have so much time and so little to do, although the book reading is coming along nicely, thank you.

...that Ryan is going to be a FATHER...so soon (he is already somewhat assuming the role)

...that I am in Portland and it hasn't rained yet (I know, wait a month)



not related to subject line, but I am trying a blocking test with my guaifenesin today. That means I take double the dose in the morning, and unless I feel remarkedly worse, I am blocking and I have to find out what the product is that I am using that has an ingredient I cannot use (because it blocks). I have checked my products with myself 2 or 3 times and with the fibro board person who really knows this stuff inside and out. Here's to feeling bad today!

love you all

I live in a little house

This is very cool that if I have to stay away from home for so so so so long, that I get to live in a little house like it's my own. It has a mud room, kitchen, eat-in space with small table, small living room, bedroom and bathroom. So much better than a motel, and free besides.

I went swimming today. Last time, I went to the Aloha swim center, but when I went there today, they informed me that they had no water. Actually, i think the pool itself had water, but none for showers or flushing toilets. So, I looked on the net and found the Beaverton swim center about 15-20 minutes away. I went swimming, but it was SOOOOO crowded. Like 3-5 people per lane. Lotsa wave action. I was glad when a few of them went away.

I was going to buy a new portland map today since mine is 24 years old. (wonder how I can remember that so easily) I put $5 in my pocket, went to the store and found one for $4.95. Darn tax!! Maybe I can buy it tomorrow or the next day.

Just came over to the big house after watching a DVD and wanting to discuss it, but the lovebirds are out on a walk.

I miss my husband. I'd come home if I could, but I can't. Darn money.

love you all.

Oh, I haven't taken any pictures yet, so I can't put them here to show you.

Swimming

I have found a place to swim here, and swam for an hour today. It is about 5 minutes from where I am staying, so, uber convenient.

Ryan is tending boys today and sending out resumes. It is interesting to see him in charge of the kids.

Other than that, today is boring. am reading, well, rereading wicked. After having listened to the score from the musical several times on the way here, I wanted to reread the book and see how they got from one to another.

I have arrived...so has Ryan

I think the last I posted was from Nebraska. The next day we finished Nebraska (thank goodness) and went all but 3 miles of Wyoming. also yea!!!!! They are both so boring, and I personally (with no offense to wyomingans), hate wyoming. It is so desolate looking. and long.

The next day took us to Baker City, Oregon. At least there were no more state lines to pass. With each one, Ry had to call Vicki and request a kiss. mush mush...
The super 8 had a bigger pool than Evanston, although I did swim for 45 minutes there. Super 8, however, had the pool closed. It looked like crime scene tape around the hot tub (which i wasn't going to use). Where are the CSI's when you want them???

For some reason, on Saturday, Ryan wanted to get going early. He was very excited, and we only had a 5 hour drive. We got to Aloha (pronounced aloa) about 2 pm. The little house I am staying in is soooo cute. And it's nice to have a place to go away. Vicki put in some stores for us, including the only western fabulous stephen's cocoa. Yumm.

Vicki is very nice. The kids, Sam and Jacob are nice also. We will be getting better acquainted as time goes on.

In very sad news, Kevin has moved to Detroit to stay with his girlfriend, Debra. For scripture last night, Dad had us read the parable of the prodigal son. Instead of hope, as it should give me, it instead makes me want to cry. Everyone knows that it was time for Kev to move on, but the circumstances of it are just so wrong. Please keep him in your prayers.

I have found a pool nearby to swim in---yea!!!!!

love to all
mom

On the mormon trail

I forgot to tell you that we crossed the great mississippi yesterday, although you might have inferred it when we left Illinois for Iowa. Had a good breakfast included with the hotel. yogurt, cereal, bagels, hot chocolate and belgian waffles.

Today we crossed the Missouri river. At first Iowa was flat, but as we approached Council Bluffs, it got very hilly. I kept picturing the pioneers walking up and down while Anna (Ryan's Jetta) struggled to take all our stuff on her back towards Oregon. The corn was not as high as an elephant's eye, but it was about 4 foot high and tassled.

Nebraska, just about my least favorite state is still forever long. Ry says it should be called "Flatska". I think it is about 450 miles long. or wide, I should say. Full of corn and I think soybeans. and very very flat. As I recall, Wyoming is pretty flat also, till you get way west and start the rockies foothills. It also is eternally long/wide.

Oh, I went swimming this morning at 7 am. The bed was not comfy, so I was up. I thought maybe it would make my muscles feel better.

Well, hope everyone is okay. Just heard that Kevo is moving to Detroit saturday. Apparently gave notice 2 weeks ago.

love you, mom

Traveling Tales

Ryan and I are on our way to Oregon. Our ETD was 8:00am and we left before 8:10. Drove to the local dunkin donuts to stock up on munchkins. mmmmmmm

Got on I80, still there. well, actually, we are now in our first hotel, baymont inns and suites, Davenport Iowa, just over the mississippi.

Do you know that in Indiana and Illinois there were lights on signs powered by solar?? I thought that was cool. Oh, they also power the cameras and signs that tell you if an animal is in the road ahead (within a mile)

Do you know if you hit a construction worker in Illinois, you will be fined $10,000 and go to jail for 14 years. And I don't think it matters whether or not you kill them :)

Do you know that Ryan's jetta could not hold another item??? Man, is it packed. and cartop carried and all.

Love you all, hope to update tomorrow. Now we have to find somewhere to eat.

PS: I love gaining time as we go west. won't think about the going east part later.

I'm baaaaack

Did you miss me?? I've been down in Cincy helping with the kids and the house and such. The big excitement was stepping on a nail, necessitating 2 trips to urgicare, a tetanus shot and shot of a reallly painful antibiotic. I was complimenting the nurse about her technique, cause I hardly felt it. Then she pushed in the Rocephin. Yowwwwch!! But all is good, it is healing.

I really enjoyed helping out, and getting to be with my grandkiddies more. oh, and the adults too :))

2008 Ohio Scottish Games

On Saturday, June 28th, David, Kevin, and his friend Deborah attended the 31st Annual Ohio Scottish Games in Wellington, Ohio. Here are some comments and photos from David.
I think I have not enjoyed myself so much in one day in a very long time. We went early and stayed late, and were sad to see it end. The parade of the Tartans (with Kevin and I in our McKenzie kilts), the massed bagpipe bands, and the professional caber toss were fun as always. But I think what I loved the most was the music, especially the Scottish folk and dance music. My favorite group was "The Anonymous String band", a foursome that performs every year. I also listened to folk singer Alex Beaton (and bought one of his double CD's) and a group called "The Brigadoons". Kevin liked the group named "Needfire". I've written a lot more in my email. I'll just stop here and let you see the photos.


The Kilted Mile Race. The brothers, Lars and Ralp, doing their pre-race warm up.


The five kilted runners at the start.



Opening Ceremonies - MacFarlane's Company, a group of historic reenactors, from the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.


Parade of the Tartans - David and Kevin marching with the MacKenzie Clan


The Anonymous String Band (from 2006)


Royal Scottish Country Dancers (from 2006)


John Blakeman with his Red-Tailed hawk "Savanna"


Kevin, with his new wardrobe additions, and his flamberge sword.


Kevin and David


Kevin and David

Chocolate Smoothie

Doesn't it look good???

walmart

So, upon occasion, people at Mormon mommy wars go on an on abut walmart, calling it "voldemart", etc. So I have gotten out books and a dvd. The DVD is called _Wal-mart: The high cost of low price_. I think I too will never shop there unless it is an emergency. Get it from the library. It's eye-opening.

The garden, spring 2008

So, our garden looks really nice in the spring, esp after we plant a few annuals. And, by the way, I love weirdness. in flowers. I plan to show you some of my weird acquisitions.





This is what is still known as "Ryan's Garden", even though he doesn't live here anymore and has no say any longer about what to plant or that they must be purchased and planted in groupings of three. :D Wish I knew how to make smiley emoticons on my blog.:( We (using the term loosely: I buy and David usually plants). This year, I got a bunch of violets from my sister's garden. I love violets. Although they only bloom for a bit in the early spring, I remember them from Linden Lane (where I grew up) and the "forest" in our backyard. The leaves are very pretty and heart-shaped, so even without the blooms, it is pretty. And, I figured if they grew under trees in the "forest", they should grow under this tree. And they spread also.

I also bought 2 and received 3 from my sister of a plant/bush called astilbe. They are supposed to do well in the shade. Well, after 2 weeks, one is nearly dead having been transplanted to the sun because it was dying in the shade. Hope I get my money back. The second one that I picked out (my sister's contributions are fairing slightly better) is showing signs of demise also. I also bought some more hosta for around the edges. The first place I looked, they wanted $20-30 for them. I was in shock. This is HOSTA we are talking about...common, ya know?? Then I went to another place where I got them for $4 each. Yay, me.




This is the garden under the bedroom windows, commonly known as the bedroom garden or the garden by the windows. Clever, no?? I point out particularly the bleeding heart or dianthus (i think). Lovely in bloom. Too bad the leaves die with the blooms. It is a perennial. The border is mostly sweet woodruff, which is a perennial and can usually be found in the herb section. I found this out by searching all over and having to ask. I(we) love the way some of it is poking out through the bricks. There is a new weirdo plant here also, but you can't really see it. I'll show a closeup later. Also, if you can see lots of tall spiky leaves, those are part of the something-bells we purchased a long time ago. Obviously they spread like mad and have lots of purple or white bells (oh, it's bellflower i think) that last all summer.



This is the sun garden or garage garden or front garden...take your pick. Some annuals like dwarf dahlia, cosmos, and snapdragons are there. And some weirdos. Snapdragons allegedly self seed, so the idea was to see if they could come visit every year, saving us from buying annuals. (cheapskates, we) There is also a lot of perennial columbine(which spreads) and bachelor button (which spreads), and sedum (which....spreads).



This is one of 2 weirdo plants. The other is the one you can't see in the bedroom garden. I don't know if they flower or anything, but I just loved the leaves. I think it is a perennial.



Note the big bushes at the end...these are my bachelor buttons, the weirdo plant from last year. Don't worry, I'm gonna show you a close up so you can appreciate its weirdness first hand.


Bachelor buttons in front.



The flowers, if you can see them, have a round purple center, and the "leaves" of the flower are 2 skinny blue things that fray at the end and curl up. Looks like no bachelor's buttons I've ever seen. Weirdos.



And now, my other weirdo plant I just HAD to buy. It is called celosia, and can be either an indoor or outdoor plant. I'm hoping I can bring them inside during winter to keep them for next year.



Another celosia closeup.

It is funny to me to see how much pleasure I get from going out and viewing (and talking to) my garden. While I was growing up, the only thing "garden" meant was the dreaded weeding.

Learning about the Brethren

I stole this from a friend.



May I point out again that the tune of Beverly Hillbillies also fits to the words of "If You Could Hie to Kolob". Try it and see. You'll never sing that song in the same way again.

Poetry in Motion

I just found these poems at lightrefreshmentsserved.com and thought they were funny. hope you do too. and maybe when I'm done telling you theirs, I'll write some of my own.

Emily says:

This is just to say
I bought doughnuts a lot when you were little
And didn’t share them with you
Please forgive me
I needed them more than you did
And your father didn’t know either

{Now that one strikes home?;)}


and the blogger herself, Kacy says:

This Is Just to Say
I have taken the ring
and thrown it into Mordor
You probably wanted to keep it
and use it for evil
Forgive me
It was a great ring
So pretty
and so precious

This Is Just to Say
I killed your parents when you were a baby
They were incredibly talented wizards
but they were probably going to foil my plans
for domination
At least
I didn’t kill you
even though I tried
a lot

And now, mine.

This Is Just to Say
That using all your spare time to paint
And put in tile and decks and such is a pain
but when you consider the money we've saved
By sweat equity
Forgive me, but
It's worth it.
Maybe.
We'll have to see.

This Is Just to Say
That having a baby 18 months after the first
Is very stressful on the body
but when you are thirty
and want more kids
You do what you have to.
Forgive me for snoring.
I'm tired.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

This Is Just to Say
That a degree in engineering is useful
And brings lots of money
but before it can do that
You need an engineering job
Like now.
Forgive me for saying
Quizno's isn't it.
Rats

This Is Just to Say
That McDonald's is a smelly job
And it doesn't pay well
but when you don't have a college degree
And don't want one
Your work options are limited.
Forgive me for pointing that out.
Big Mac coming up.
Boring.

What is a Mormon?

This is probably old news by now, but I really liked this blogpost. Check it out for yourself.

Food and Pets or vice versa

Oh, I've been around about various blogs today. So I will share and hope you have as much fun as I have been having.

I don't care for pets. WOW News flash, eh?? (hope you can understand Canadian). So I read this blog and I knew that I had found a soul sistah (do you read eubonics??). I loved this comment: "When I had a gerbil, I would wait until it was running it's its little wheel then I would spin that sucker so fast he would experience g-forces unknown to the gerbil world." hahahahaha. Comprenden?? (continuing in the multilingual flavor of spanish)

Next, I read this blog about food our mothers forced on us. The comments are hysterical also. Don't miss those. "Powdered milk is a horrible thing to do to perfectly good water. The tendency to inflict it on the family is passed down from generation to generation, like child abuse. Your grandmother did it, your mother did it. Fortunately, you've stopped the cycle of abuse." I expect, no demand, to know your tales as I share mine. Even though some of them would apply to me. And come back and recommend as you think of stuff.

Memorable motherly masterpieces to manger (there's the french):

My mother served me:

Brown sugar sandwiches on days when we'd take communion (Catholic, remember) and we had to fast before partaking. Then, we'd get to eat breakfast in class. Boy what a reward for taking communion. I have been known to treat myself to these very occasionally in adulthood when I need comforting. My mom is always near then.

3 bean salad. very bitter vinegary stuff. I told her I'd throw up, but she insisted. I remained at the kitchen table for HOURS, but no mercy. Finally, I choked it down. Then I threw up. Told ya.

Spanish rice (rice, tomato sauce). Just ask my sister. And spaghetti Creole (spaghetti, tomatoes, tomato sauce). ditto. Chili. I have developed my loathing of kidney beans from this masterpiece. Just ask my sister. My sister found a way to enjoy meatloaf, although I cannot. One time Joan served me meatloaf insisting that it wasn't anything like mom's. I tried, Joan, I really tried. But I couldn't. The memories were too strong. Now, as an adult, I realize that at that time we didn't have a lot of money. So I forgive her (my mommy). But I still can't eat those.

Peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches. Actually, I liked these, even made them for myself.

Giblet gravy. OK, she didn't make me eat this, but the very idea of eating gravy with chopped up organs in it did not appeal.

Liver and onions were marginally tolerable if you had enough onions to kill the liver taste. But again, organs.

Brussel Sprouts. Lima beans. Even Dad can't eat these.

One time they made me a whole pizza with the crust cut off. They weren't always mean ;) And of course, I ate the whole thing. I think they did it as a joke, thinking I couldn't possibly eat it all. But hey, when you are a picky eater, you've got to get your calories for the lean times. And she made good pizza.

Okay, now I've got to eat. But it's within MY control now!!!

Wii are having fun now

Especially for Braden, but I predict all will have a good laugh.

Happy Mothers' Day

I think I have posted this before, but in honor of the day I thought I'd do it again.



Too true, too true.

OH, and I found this too.

Walking zombie

So, when the floor was being installed, Dad would work on it before I got up. One day, I woke up, sorta, and went into the dining room to where dad was, in the doorway between the dining room and the kitchen. I looked into the kitchen and remarked, "Where's the refrigerator". Obviously I didn't count the large obstacle that I had to walk around to even see into the kitchen. duhhhh

New kitchen floor

First, the ugly old kitchen tile that one could never really get clean because of all the crevices, etc. Plus, it's "harvest gold".



Showing you who it belongs to, in case you were going to steal it.



The first piece laid by my handyman.



See him in action. only took a week.



I guess this is just the padding stuff that lays under the laminate. But it looks like it's finally gonna happen.



About half way done. This is so exciting.



eh, voila!!



And from the other angle.



I keep walking on it saying, "I love my new floor". Come see it, you guys.

Kevin and Debra

You've been asking, so here it is. No comment. But you can comment.