It's All Fun!

Yesterday our church had a free community fair. It's hard to tell what was more popular, the watermelon eating contest, the dunk tank, or bounce houses (along with many other games) but Gracey kept going back to the face painting booth!

Staff Picnic

Another successful use of the backyard tonight. (Only one bee sting) We had our elementary staff picnic and a huge number of families came. I didn't count while everyone was here but it was 50+ including spouses and children! The weather was perfect and many folks stayed. We began at 4:30 and the last left about 8:00. I'm sure our neighbors will be glad we are done with hosting outdoor "events" now!!!

Friends

It doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, old friends just always slip back comfortably into our world when we are fortunate enough to spend time with them again! A trip to Eugene on Sunday to meet with friend Sherry from Roseburgwas one of those times.

Youthful Energy

We decided to squeeze in another summer activity and maybe fool ourselves into thinking summer isn't over. We had the youth group from church over for a barbecue to thank them again for the great job they did serving at the wedding. The night included the ever-popular water balloon toss, a miniature course with 9 holes of frisbee golf (which I found out is called "folf"), beach ball volleyball, and an outdoor movie! We have a huge screen up in the trees (left from the wedding,), a borrowed projector and amplifier so it had the flavor of the old-fashioned drive-in. Along with watching the movie, we had the fire pit going for roasting marshmallows and making 'smores, and of course popcorn. It did get a little chilly but a few trips to the house for sweatshirts and blankets helped with that.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho..It's off to work I go

I only have less than a week before the official start of school for teachers in my small district but like educational folks everywhere, we are in working long before the required (and paid) start time.

I've already been in to move furniture and set up the space but since I'm babysitting grandkids, yesterday I decided to share the experience with them. I had to change rooms this year so everything is in boxes. They helped open a few and then were happy to play while I began the unpacking. Deciding where to put things is as hard as the physical aspect of lifting and moving mountains of those heavy books. Corbyn was a huge help breaking down the empty boxes for recycle too. We only got through about 20 boxes and there's at least that many left. ~SIGH~ I may go back again today and there is an upside--the building has AC!

Here we go again

My good friend, (and former sister-in-law) got married yesterday to a wonderful man that she actually had dated way back in high schooll! It was wonderful to see how happy they were and also get to spend time with our two neices. Tammy lives in Denver so visits are rare!

Welcome Home Newlyweds

It was a late flight (11:20 pm) and they offered to have someone else pick them up, but I have to confess that I wanted to be there to hear their stories first while it was all fresh. A friend rode along with me since Dan works all night and he didn't want me driving alone but all went well. (Except I can't believe how many flights come in at that late hour-the arrival area was very congested!) But eventually the bride was carried over the threshold and now they have the fun task of opening presents, moving her things into the house, and settling in as a married couple. Ah, the circle of life!

PS-I got to bed at 3:30 a.m. and woke at 7:20....about the amount of sleep Dan gets many days and then goes to work! How does he do that??

Oregon Coast

My dad lives in Spokane so a trip to the ocean is always a treat. Since he was here for another wedding and we had an opening at the condo, we made a quick trip over. The unit was a 3 bedroom one though so a couple of friends came along too. While we didn't see any of the famed sharks in Depoe Bay, there was a lot of whale activity. Try catching on on camera though! Use your imagination, there was one just a second before this picture was snapped!

Salmon and Chicken

I'm always so impressed you those of you (Karla) that post pictures of incredible meals-so I couldn't pass up the chance to show you the salmon & chicken that was served at a wedding I attended! They were both fabulous! The chicken had citrus and blueberries in the sauce, such a wonderful marriage of flavors! (The sides of garlic mashed and steamed vegetables were served family style.) Of course, the bride and groom were fabulous too. I accompanied my dad to the wedding and reconnected with cousins I hadn't seen in years and wondered why we hadn't kept in touch like my dad has. In any case, it was a great evening at the Zenith Vineyard out Wallace Rd. and we enjoyed the view, the celebration and....amazing food!

A sneak preview

I spent the day at school today--I know, it's really not time but I had to go in for a grant meeting so while I was there anyway, I got caught up in beginning to arrange (but not unpack yet) my new room. It takes so much time and not just because of the overwhelming nature of the task, but because many other teachers are in setting up their rooms too and we have to stop to visit and catch up on summer activities! Five hours later I decided that I'd better go home and leave school for another day. PS-The meeting only took less than 30 minutes!

The Mystery Trip

Our yard became a destination today! A group of lovely seniors from a retirement village came out for their "mystery trip" picnic today. We enjoyed talking with them and found so much knowledge and wisdom in one bus load! Among the group were a couple of retired teachers and a dear lady who had great advice for taking care of roses too! Of course, the fact that they loved my son (the activities director) and thought I was too young to be his mother made them all the more precious! (Isn't the eye-sight the first to go?!)

Visitors

Look closely and you'll see the two deer (bucks) who made themselves at home in our garden. One was laying down and the other feasting on the tiny apples on our trees and they weren't even spooked as we got close enough to snap the pictures! Eventually they decided we were too close and as they left we got another picture as they passed the neighbors wood chip pile.

Birthdays

Gracey's birthday was a week ago, Morgan's is a week away so we had the joint party today at Nana & Pa's house. Friends and family are always a combination for a fun afternoon!

A little job

It didn't sound like it would take long, just paint a couple of small bedrooms for Randy & Gina. These were the rooms that the previous guy roommates had occupied. The kids picked out the colors and left us instructions. However, two of the rooms also had glaze colors, which means a faux finish. I love painting that way but it's a pretty individual taste kind of thing too and I'm not sure I have the same vision as this new daughter-in-law. Shouldn't mess up something like this right off the bat, so I think we'll play it safe and just have the base coats on and then after the honeymoon and Randy is back at work, I'll go up and do it when she can tell me if she likes the look and we'll go from there. I know, it's the chicken's way out but a mother-in-law should always play it safe! PS-Dan actually did the painting today. He's so picky and wants to do it himself so I removed switch plates, mowed the lawn and cleaned up behind him. :>)