Interesting past few days...

It has been an interesting past 4 or 5 days.

My husband gets nervous when I say something is "interesting". Especially when I am referring to something I have cooked. And I suppose he is right to be nervous about my cooking if I am describing it as "interesting".

I could use more accurate and descriptive words, but when all the past week's events are compiled together, I think "interesting" fits.

For the first time in 27 years of marriage, we have an actual bed!
Not a makeshift, homemade headboard I nailed together in the garage.
And not a makeshift fabric draping that gives the illusion of a headboard, but an actual bed!
I like it!
I am happy to have it after all these years.
I thought about matching furniture to make up the full bedroom set, but just couldn't see spending that much more on furniture just because it matched. I will admit to being 'cheap'.


We had a chance to go to the Oregon Brewers Dinner on the waterfront in Portland with a 750 other "SNOBS" (Supporters of Native Oregon Beers). Thirst quenching Beer, Delicious Food, relaxing music and just the two of us. It was a perfect evening!


But perhaps most "interesting" was Saturday and Sunday spent in Portland with family and friends. We enjoyed the company of my sister Chris, and my brother-in-law Dan, along with Dan's parents Irv and Mary Ellen from Texas.
Now that in and of itself may not be that "interesting" until you know the rest of the story.
Many years ago I was engaged to Dave (Dan's brother) who is Irv and Mary Ellen's youngest son.
I know a lot of time has passed, but I wasn't quite sure what to expect when we all got together.
But it was more than "interesting".
It was even fun!

And on the way to Portland we say a Pacer on I-5!
Imagine that! A Pacer. Still Running!
The kids thought it was one of the funniest looking cars they had ever seen!
We used to call them, Portable Windshields.



I can't wait to see what comes my way this week!

So Many thoughts. No Words.

I've been wanting to blog for a while now. It feels as though I have so much to say.
But unfortunately the words aren't coming.

I thought about blogging last week around Jeff's birthday. He turned 46 and caught up to me, at least for a few months..

I've also wanted to just share/vent about the struggles at work, but 'where to begin' has prevented that too.

I came close to pulling out the keyboard the night I really needed someone to just listen instead of criticize, but I was too angry and ended up just cleaning house. I've done a lot of cleaning since that night.

There was the day I got the call from Rob saying he was no longer working at St. Ed's which meant there was now a job opening for a youth ministry coordinator. I wanted to blog about that and all the options and possibilities that opens.

But again.... The words weren't coming and I didn't know where to begin.

I guess this is what some would call writer's block.

I think what would really help would be time to just reflect and contemplate; some uninterrupted time. I am in need of time on the beach away from all the demands and all the people pulling at me for one thing or another.

It used to be I went to work to escape all the people pulling at me for help, support, or just desparate attention.

But somehow in just 7 short months at my job I have come to be the one people come to for help, support, guidance and sometimes even 'desparate' attention.

I thoroughly enjoy some aspects of the work I do.
And
I thoroughly wish I could run away from of other aspects of the work I do. I guess I just haven't struck a balance yet.

But I am trying.

Mid year already?

July 14, 2007
I always think of today as the middle of the year.
I've never actually counted the days to see if it was the middle, but that is how it feels to me.

So here I am in the middle of 2007. Half the year is behind me. And the remaining half ahead of me.
I can't help but think about my 2007 expectations, goals and resolutions; met and unmet.
I think about all the things I wanted to do, hoped to do and even sometimes planned to do.

But in looking back I am not disappointed. Perhaps there were a few missed opportunities to spend more time with family and friends, but I don't have strong regrets.
Mostly I am left feeling thankful.
I am thankful that Jim is recovering from a broken neck instead of being paralyzed or worse.
I am thankful that Sonny is recovering from a mild heart attack and has heard the wake up call.
I am thankful that Cherie is finished with Chemo and doing well and still with us.




And I am thankful for a new, happy, healthy, grandson even if he lives too far away.


I feel incredibly grateful that we were able to gather with all our children and grandson last weekend. There was the usual amount of laughter, games, great conversation, noise and frustration. At times, I longed for just 5 minutes of quiet, but I would not have had it any other way!

For a short 24 hours we were all in the same house, and our house felt more like home.

Many people will remember 07-07-07 as a special day because of the date itself and the 'perfection' of number 7 alining.

I will remember it as a perfect sun filled Saturday morning when we all gathered in the front yard for a family photo.



But I am not one to look back for very long. I am now looking ahead to the rest of the year. I wonder about my expectations, my goals, my resolutions and can't help but feel hopeful and filled with anticipation for what might be.

All together!

Today I spent nearly 5 hours in the car. What usually would have been a 2 hour drive to and from the Portland airport took 5 hours. But it was well worth it to pick up Brad and get him to Salem, (in spite of the terrible Friday 5:00pm traffic) to finally have all my kids together.
I don't remember the last time.
Maybe it was 15 months ago.
I have pictures to share later.

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing all of you (all 6 of you that read my blog) a Happy 4th of July!


I talked to Jim today. He is recuperating in Grand Island and has many family members around to support and care for him.


We are excited as we head to the Portland airport tomorrow morning to pick up our oldest daughter, Melissa, her husband Justin and our 7 month old grandson, Cale!
This is their first visit to Oregon.
Friday, Brad is flying in to surprise his sister.
This will be the first time we have all been together in over a year, and the first time since Cale was born!

As Grandma, I am hoping for a BIG photo opt!

Grandma...
I am still getting used to that name for myself.

More later...

AKA ... DWNTWN