Well said, Oliver

Amen, brother. Every night when I turn on NBC Nightly News, I fear for my son's life when he's 20yrs old. I worry for my grandchildren and THEIR children. I can credit all of my fears for him and the rest of our entire nation on our own dear Mr George W Bush. And to think there are still people that support him! You're right .. we're SO MUCH better off now than we were 8yrs ago! What was I thinking!!!! Heh. I didn't realize that dillusion could run so deep...

"Who needs it?" WHAT!!?

Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, has announced he will not be selling rights to Craigslist, even though MySpace was recently valued at $15 billion. If you've never used Craigslist, I'd like to encourage you to do so. It's a very helpful tool to manage your needs in more than one way. It's refreshing to see a human being actually let the system do what it was meant to do, instead of occupying time trying to achieve capital gain.

New things:

So, what's new in my life? I haven't written in awhile. Little things here and there, but it's worth keeping everyone squared away on what home improvement project I completed on what day!

1) Hung new basswood blinds in our bathroom. Got rid of the old crappy vinyl blinds - and man! What a difference! Really brings the room together.

2) Our house appraises for $35000 more than what we bought it for in October 2005.

3) My sister's wedding for October is cancelled. Long story - well. Sort of. Complicated and confusing is more like it. We used to talk 194 times a day and we no longer talk anymore. Sad, considering how family oriented (considering she's all I really have left in my family) she used to be with me, Maysen, and Nate. I fear that phase is over.

4) Maysen's vocabulary has exploded and now includes things like: butterfly, Jurny (cousin), potty, water, bath, night-night, juice, shoes, socks, movie, stop it (sign language), do it, got you, poopy (that's a fun one) ... and it amazes me how I could look at him and say just about anything and he'll know exactly what I'm saying. Well, anything but "Do you know why Columbus thought the world was flat?" ... he might not know that one ... yet.

5) We changed bathroom light fixtures this weekend from the old generic cheapo ones to more elegant bright ones. That actually included cutting the power off and messing with cords/wires and stuff. Mrs Bob Vila again ... I held the flashlight. Does that count?

6) Got my house decorated for fall - will post pics later.

7) Getting ready to redecorate Maysen's room for his Big Boy 2nd birthday. Theme is Planes, Trains, and Trucks. Planning of the 2nd birthday is still in the works. Oh. And there's Halloween. I think we're doing Superman?

And that's all I know. (I think).

BOY! to BRRRR! in 48hrs!

So, this past weekend we were in Bend (see post below). I could not believe how quick the weather turned. Papa and Sherrill took Maysen swimming in the kiddie pool on Wednesday afternoon and it was about 80. He wasn't too sure about it at first, but after about 5 minutes he warmed right up, getting a running start down the slant into the pool, and falling down on purpose with his little feet kicking and arms waiving. It's good to see he's go the brains to know the beginnings of how to swim!

And then this picture was taken Friday night. 2 nights later, at approximately the same time of day. We had driven up to Lava Lands, but it was closed so we drove about 4 miles further and discovered hiking trails to the falls. So, we decided to go! Since all of this was on a whim, we didn't have Maysen's coat. We did, however, have this GREAT hoodie hat that Papa and Grandma Sherrill bought him, so that fit snuggly on his head. I had bought Nate a University of Oregon hooded sweatshirt earlier in the day, so Maysen got to wear dad's old hoodie and we improvised on the sleeves! When we got back in the van it was 41 degrees! I most certainly did enjoy the fire in the fireplace that night.

And so since I started it, I know I'll get flack: How about that Oregon Game, huh?? Okay, Okay. So the officials weren't on their mark 100%. But WHO IS?? Calls went in both favors at times, so it was pretty even on bad calls .... but in the end Oregon has the "W" on their side. And Oregon still had to make plays. If the Sooners were the better team, they would have stopped us! There, chew on that!

Cozy Inn...

I'm in heaven. I left Eugene on Wednesday and met my inlaws up here at the Inn at Seventh Mountain near Mount Bachelor. When Maysen and I got up here, it was near 80 degrees. We swam, laughed, went to the park and fed ducks, shopped, and watched movies. We had a great time. Maysen got great "Papa and Grandma Sherrill" spoiling time. It was great to watch him identify Papa and grandma Sherrill because he doesn't see them all that often. Yesterday a cold front moved in, and today's high was only 45! I'm so glad there is a wood-burning fireplace. I'm planning on firing that baby up soon! Papa and Sherrill took off this morning and Nate took off early and will be here soon.

Tonight's agenda: Comedy movie, crackling fire, and s'mores. Mmmm....

First Zoo Experience

Last weekend was Maysen's first zoo experience. We met up with Matt and Jenn and went to the Portland Zoo. Maysen loved it! He would start throwing fits in between animal cages thinking it was the last one. The above picture is of Maysen watching the monkeys. His overall favorite, though, was the petting zoo where he got to pet the goats.

In fact, there was a black and white goat that Maysen must have irritated because when he walked past it, it put it's head down and butted him right in the side!! What's even more funny is that Nate got it on camera! Might have to submit that to America's Funniest Home Video. It was hilarious!

And I'm finally mobile/wireless again. I got a new laptop! Apple must work great for some people, and perhaps I am a creature of habit, but I'm happy to have a Windows machine back!

This weekend I am husband-less. Nate is going hiking/backpacking with his dad and brother up near Bend, OR. Saturday I'm getting a babysitter to go get a haircut and who knows! I might go shopping or something BY MYSELF! I don't think I've done something like that alone since Maysen was born. I can't imagine what it feels like to actually have a cart all to myself. And then I get the TV all to myself. Ahhh, the simple freedoms that are happiness!

Is it weird to look for 2yr old playmates for Maysen on Craigslist? I'm taking him to a story-hour at the library on Thursdays so he can start go get around kids, but he's mainly interested in playing in the back with the toys and dancing to the music. I have one lady who wrote, J, whose husband is owns his own brick mason company and is gone alot. They apparenlty have a lot of land, and tons of toys, but no friends for their 2yr old son, C. We're supposed to get together to have our boys get together. I'm just wondering if that sounds weird ... or much like "today's world"?

Mmm...cinnamon-y drizzle

Daddy and Maysen: Dorena Lake, April 2006

These days are fading. The temperatures are falling around Oregon. Well, I say that today, which high is only 71 today. However, this weekend will be back in the 90s. Perhaps I'm just ready for fall. I took a bath last night in my jetted tub and watched the wind blow through my bathroom window. I love the coziness that fall brings: chili, dark evenings, cinnamon candles, blankets, drizzle.

And I love Netflix. We order a movie, takes 1 day to process and 1 day to get here. And you set up a queue and when they receive the movie you sent back, they'll automatically send you the next one on your list. We usually watch 2 a week, if we have time. But I love being able to get just about any movie (no matter how new or old) for a mere $10/mo.

This past weekend we went to a furniture store "moving" auction. I really wish I had a moving van in the parking lot. We would have bought a ton and resold it for profit. We went the last day, and things were going for dirt cheap! Solid oak table/chairs $500, entertainment centers $200, leather theatre sectional with all reclining seats - $600. We ended up getting a new couch and loveseat - originally $2300 for $500. Then I turned around and sold our old love seat/sofa on craigslist for the same - $500 within 1 day. We got some Thomas Kincades and a nice big mirror for our bedroom also. This weekend we'll mount our flat screen LCD TV on the wall. This should be an adventure because it calls for power tools and cutting a hole smack dab in the middle of our living room wall. I'm scared as hell. If you don't hear from me for awhile, that means that I'm in jail for mudering my husband for a gigantic hole in the middle of my living room wall ... and no TV covering it!

My family rocks

So, as many of you know, my sister Jenn is getting married in October. Now, I'll be the first one to say how much I love my sister. With all my heart I love her. But ... she has no clue about this wedding! Which is cute, in a way. "Do you guys want a unity candle?" *blank look* "What are you doing for pew bows?" *even bigger blank look*. So, we sat down and started a mondo details list. Mainly so details could get figured out: cake topper, punch bowl, cake cutter/server, flowers, center pieces...all things she really hadn't thought of. And with the wedding being a mere 2 months away, we had to get settled.

I talked to Sherrill (mom-in-law) and was telling her the comical stories of Jenn's blank looks. And she picked up the ball and started helping me with more things to think of and do. We started talking about flower bouquet center pieces and arrangements at the church. I said I didn't know, but was thinking Jenn wanted some sort of floral arrangements and she has come through 100%. Sherrill's mom, grannie Shirley, has Parkinson's. Back in the day she arranged flowers and all that jazz. Her Parkinson's was getting bad until 2 months ago she had the deep brain stimulation surgery and almost all her tremor is gone. My point is, she said she'd be willing to do Jenn's flower arrangements for all that -- Nate's dad is a minister, so the church is flooded with silk flowers and greenery. So, all those materials are free (well, most of it). I even asked if soemone could be over at the reception hall to make sure the cake got set up right, and Sherrill replied with "You know I'll do whatever needs to be done". It's a huge weight off my shoulders because I know it'll get done ... right ...

My point is that I really love my family! Not only my biological one, but the one I married into. They've not only accepted me as their own, but MY family as well. When my mom was here in December visiting from NC, they welcomed her with open arms and invited her to our Christmas dinner/gathering. They offered their home to my sister when she was traveling from Chicago to here, as a stopping resting place. Always been the one to ask "How can I help?". And I know that if I ever needed anything, they'd be right there with whatever I needed. It amazes me everyday at how great these people are.

Shirley's sister, Bonnie, watches Maysen on Wednesday's and Friday's. They are so good to Maysen and are always there for us when we need them. Bonnie even sewed 2 of my shirts today and was 'happy to do it'. It's just very heart warming to realize how lucky you are to have the family you do. I truly love them all.

Please Help.

Growing up in Kansas was at times boring, lonely, isolated, dry and hot. That is a big change to how I live now. I was used to the rolling prairie, miles and miles of nothing but pasture. After moving to a busier NE Kansas, and evenutally Oregon, I didn't realize how much I took that for granted. I recently stumbled across a blog that takes me back to those days. Susan used to live and work in busy California owning and running her own bakery cafe. She gave all that up twelve years ago and now lives on a huge sprawling 280-acre, 140yr old farm out in the middle of Missouri. She writes about the daily, innocent mishaps that take place with her animals (kids), takes daily pictures of life around the farm (which are absolutely refreshing), and shares recipes and things from her garden. I read her blog yesterday and it broke my heart. Click here to see why:

The Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation, or Wildlife Animal Sanctuary, has been the home to more than 155 lions, tigers, bears, jaguars, leopards, Mountain Lions, Lynx, Bobcats, Servals, Wolves, and other wildlife since 1980. The residents of the Wild Animal Sanctuary were abandoned, abused, illegally kept, or came from other terrible situations. The vast majority of the animals were so-called “pets” - and were confiscated by law enforcement officials - usually within the first six months of their lives. They also provided permanent refuge to surplus animals from zoos and other wildlife facilities, where they face euthanasia due to over-breeding. Due to limited funds, the Sanctuary is being shut down, and any animal not adopted or financially supported will be euthanized. You see, I have always been an animal lover. And although reality sunk in long ago that I could never save the world and all the stray animals, things like this still tug long and hard at me. Susan brings light to ways (despite how little those ways may seem are) can really effect other things in a big way. Her refreshing idea of donating money in someone else's name is a great idea. I encourage each and everyone one of you (how few of you there are) to do the same thing. I know I for one am hoping to buy even ONE more day in honor of the Big Cats. Please visit the Wild Animal Sanctuary's website for information on how to help.

http://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/

Ms Martha Stewart

Ok. I feel much better now. I am not sure what brought on that melt down a few days ago, but with the help of brownies, I'm much better. I'm off all week this week (Dr D is touring Stanford with his son). The joke around work is "Do you still work here Leslie?" Uh. Well, sort of, maybe? I still get paid and benefits, but am I really there? 2 days a week, maybe? Yes, I have the perfect job.

I am just turning into all sorts of TV personalities lately. Yesterday I took the latter part of the morning and did some shopping. I was amazing how well Maysen did in an actual STORE CART, but he did great. I was impressed with how well this floral arrangement turned out for my dining room table. The vase and silk flowers were all on clearance, so I had a hay day. I think my limited flower-arranging skills came out in full force and didn't fail me, although there really isn't much there to arrange. I think that I may even ask my sister if she would like to borrow this for her wedding. I will be in a burgandy dress, and the other bridesmaids will be in a similar color as the vase. Like my new fridge? Well, we've had it for about 3 months now. That was the last of the changing out all appliances to stainless steel.

Since my antique collecting side has come out lately, I've been doing more of a antique look in my living room. I'm not sure why. I added a shelf above our reading chair (and Maysen's "naughty chair") and carried over half of our set of antique Children's Story Time book set from 1936. That lantern is from 1921. Above on my eyebrow (for those of you who don't know, it's the shelf thing built into my wall) you'll see the 1892 set of red encyclopedias that Nate's grandma gave him 2 yrs ago at Christmas with a school box simulated from back in the 1940s. I changed out a reddish vase with a more neutral old-style pitcher I filled with dried baby's breath and eucalyptus leaves. Pay no attention to the cords behind the stand (sounds like Wizard of Oz "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" - hey Jenn: "And now let the joyous news be spread..." inside joke ... sorry). Well, anyway. I did some slight revamp on my decorating. I only wish the stand was a darker wood, but can't bring myself to stain it. It's solid oak and I am afraid I'd ruin it by trying to stain it.

MMmm... I have Crock Pot chili brewing in my house. It was cloudy and cool when I woke up this morning and chili sounded good. That and an apple/cinnamon candle burning. I think I'm ready for autumn!

B---- mode.

I need chocolate brownies. I'm in a bad mood. I had a great weekend with Jenn and Matt for his birthday up in Portland, but today got shot all to hell.

1. 45min from home we hit traffic jam. Took shoulder and took nearest exit, which consisted of an option of hwy 99 to Eugene. Got to top of exit - not sure which way highway is. Looks like traffic moving again on freeway. Got back on. 1/2mi later dead stop again. 15min - still nothing. Took median the rough way and got back on freeway in other direction back to exit. Destined to find 99. Find 99. 1,498 people all going 50mph. Hit *dead stop* on Hwy 99 because of a 4-way stop outside of Halsey. 25 min later at the stopsign we look over at the freeway, traffic moving again. Go to freeway. Every 5 min hit a patch of 987 cars all going 35mph. 2 hours late picking up Bean at inlaws.
2. Go to buy our new laptop (couldn't do the iBook anymore ... I like Windows better). It was on sale until YESTERDAY. Now $200 more. Nate didn't want to pay $2300 for laptop. So, no happy laptop for me, yet.
3. Get home. Bailey, who we left in the backyard, is now laying sprawled out on our driveway. She tore down a weak part of our fence and has been on an overnight adventure around the neighborhood. I guess I was glad she was still at our house (...or am I?), I'm surprised her nose didn't take her on a trip around the town!
4. My Clinque makeup/perfume didn't come. Supposed to be here yesterday.
5. Nate's check ... from Aug 1 not here yet. No biggie, just need/want to shop.
6. I've been looking at Pottery Barn and I'm now realizing my decor in my house is total SUCK ... and I want all new things.
7. Need to grocery shop, but too damn tired.
8. Can't load pictures anymore on my page for some reason using Explorer. I have to use Mozilla.
   

...and I'm not even on the big R ladies and gents! How about that one! I just need to be bit in the ass by one of these babies ... wasps living in the birdhouse out in my yard.

Upclose, wet Birdie

I just bought an iPod Nano this weekend. Holy hell, I can't wait to jam to this thing on my walks. The sound quality is awesome! I waltz around with that thing in my ear and try to talk to people "normally" and apparently I'm screaming at them. In my head I'm all "Ok, Leslie, talk soooffft" and then the horror spreads across their face as I open my mouth. It was as though I was sceaming "FFFIIIIIIIIIRRREE" Oops...guess I'd better turn 'er down some.

Last for Dodge Ball.

Sitting outside today on my picnic table after picking
hydrangeas and black-eyed Susans from my yard.

Maybe it's just us ... but lately I feel like Nate and I are the dorks being picked last for Dodge Ball. When we moved from Kansas to Oregon, we suddenly found ourselves the "new" people in town, as the population is only 4,000. So, we didn't worry too much when we really didn't make "friends" right away. Nate was in college, and it's hard to find people to "hang out" with when you're just taking classes. I had started my job, and although I love my co-workers I am the youngest person there, the next closest being 38 with 2 kids almost out of highschool. After the first year we invited our neighbors over for dinner. They're an OK couple with a son that's only 5mo older than Maysen. They stayed over for about 1.5 hrs and then bolted. When we'd be outside, we'd say hi .. but what's with not returning the favor? I mean, not a "You'll have to come over next time" ... or "come over". Nothing. Immediately when you get married or become a couple, you suddenly have to find other friends who are "couples" ... and it's almost as though you have to start "dating" other couples as friends. So, when we were never invited back it's like reject-mode. What's wrong with us? It was that corny joke you told ... no it wasn't ... it was your cooking ... no! Then it's "Go to church to meet people". Well that's fine ... but what happens when I want to cuss? Then I sort of have to not really "be myself" - not because I cuss all the time, but I think I'd feel like under a microscope all the time. Well you get the picture.

Then we bought a house, and our new neighbors are pretty cool ... the kids are all close, it's a quiet cul-de-sac, would do anything for you, but everyone's sort of always to themselves. They pull up, get out, wave and down their garage doors go. What happened to BS'ing outside on the porch? The other day, Nate took one neighbor's dog back to them because it got in our backyard. The parents came home and Nate mentioned "Did your daughter tell you your dog was in our yard?" Didn't mean a dang thing by it, just an FYI ... and they acted like Nate was saying "Keep your damn dog in your yard!" Because ever since then, they won't even acknowledge us. They pull up and they look like the crash-test dummies - hands on the steering wheel, not a move made. It's like "Oh shoot, honey, those asses are outside - not a move!!! They won't notice that we don't notice them if we don't move". It's amazing what offense people can take over nothing. And the father/husband was coming out the other night. They had a new truck in the driveway. Me, being neighborly said "did you guys get a new truck?" As I started talking he became all rigid, NO EYE CONTACT, and said "Nope .... borrowed it" ... but the "borrowed it" part was said right as he shut the door behind him going inside. I stand holding the garden hose "What the hell?" I'm sure now that Nate is working at Weyerhaeuser he'll come across a couple to date!

I am, however, playing Bunko on Wednesday after work at Lana's, the radiologist's tech. I have no idea how to play, but I'm told it's really fun after a few drinks. And it includes yelling "BUNKO!" at the top of your lungs ... that'll be really fun after a couple of drinks.

Butt Crack Sand

What a cool down! The highs for the last few days have been in the mid-upper 70s. Right now it's 74 degrees and man am I loving that! Nate got off early on Friday so we headed to the coast. He told me some good news on our way ... He's already getting a raise! He's been picking up and becoming lead on a lot of their projects, and after they just released this last program they'd been working on since Nate started, Scott said he was getting a raise -- AND as if that wasn't good enough news, they talked further about Nate's permanent employment with Weyerhaeuser once his contract is over in June. Basically, Scott told him it looked pretty promising that he'd be getting on permanently at that time.

The coast was great! We stayed in Florence. The sun was out, sky a blanket of blue. Maysen was so excited (it's getting more fun and more fun to take him because he's finally "getting" what the coast is and what it's about). Of course it was evening by then and it's always about 10 degrees cooler right out on the beach, so we all had our jackets on. Maysen had his new sunglasses on and his hood up and he could do nothing but jibber-jabber 100mph about this and that and we'd occasionally hear a squeal as he balled his fists up from excitement. On our way home yesterday, however, was an adventure and a half. It's about 1.5hrs from our house to the beach, so I told Nate before we got to the beach that I wanted to stay as dry and clean as we could so we wouldn't have to drive home cold/wet/sandy. It was about 68F and sunny ... No wind. Perfect beach weather! Maysen immediately ran to a low-tide puddle and jumped in, feet first. Of course it was nothing but a 3" deep puddle, but his shoes/socks were goners. So, we took his shoes off. About 10min later, we were standing looking at the water right along the water's edge when a huge wave came in and we couldn't run away fast enough. So there goes my bottom half of my pants/shoes and Maysen saw the wave and just sat down. So it washed around him and all of his clothes were soaked. Long story short, within 20min we were all soaked ... sandy ... and dirty. Of course we had already checked out of our hotel and I was about breaking out in hives thinking of us driving all the way home in this condition. We thought about hitting up a campground close by and using their bath house to wash up, but weren't sure where there was one, and if it had shower facilities. At last avail, my husband remembered from the night before that the indoor pool area had showers ... and he still had a card-key in his wallet. So, we went there and THANK GOD it still worked. We went in and showered up good as new. Maysen and I had tons of sand down our butt cracks. Every time I'd try and wash his out, he'd start just giggggggling, then I couldn't help but giggle. We were a sight!

It was a good get-away. Of course this morning I washed/vacuumed/carpet-cleaned my van to get it back into shape. Can't stand a dirty vehicle. So, I peeked in Nate's truck. Oh. My. Nate's car seat for Maysen has a cup holder (yea .. a CUP HOLDER) attached to it. Well, Nate pours Maysen's Honey grahams in it, and lets Maysen fetch crackers out one by one. Well, I look in and there's whole crackers, half crackers, and cracker dust EVERYWHERE! I said "What the heck happened?!" and he said "Oh no, honey. I have been scared to death you'd look in my truck and see that mess, I'm sorry" (because he knows my OCD personality with clean vehicles). So that was my morning ... washing vehicles. Oh and patching up Bailey's acid-strong pee spots in the grass. I'm not sure what the hell is up with that. We started getting these dead spots where Bailey would pee ... so I had to hand-till those areas up and use "Patch Fixer" and hopefully new grass will grow. So we're trying to "train" Bailey to pee/poop in a certain area that's mulched - not grass. She just looks at me like "Rrrrrright" and I can relate - it'd be like someone telling me to pee while I was laying down, I don't think I could. Hopefully we'll prevail!

I'm not sure if I'll be working tomorrow or not. Should be except that Dr D started passing a kidney stone last Monday, so he had lithotripsy on Thursday in which they placed a stent at that time. He wasn't sure how passing the fragments was going to go over the weekend. If bad, he wouldn't be at work tomorrow. So far I haven't heard so he must be doing OK. He actually had the attack at work last Monday, and I can honestly say I was impressed at how white his butt really was. Ok, so why did I see his butt? I had to give him a massive Demerol injection. Yea, that was kind of weird ... giving your boss a shot in the ass. But hey - getting to see him vulnerable was sort of a change. Happy Monday tomorrow ...

Gate to the past

This is my new little garden. My mother-in-law, Bobbi, and I went to shop for antiques yesterday where I found this cute little blue bench and a piece of old farmhouse fence. I made a small raised flower bed right underneath the small piece of old fence, which I nailed to our real fence 6" off the ground. Notice it's 102 outside on my outside thermometer. But it was a lot of fun creating this cute little retreat from just a blah little flower bed. I also planted some new flowers up front and removed a shaggy yellow-flower producing shrub from the back. Little did my neighbors know I was outside in only a sports bra and shorts, occasionally soaking down with the hose the whole time I was doing this. This of course was to prevent the heat stroke that was just around the corner!

Last year at this time of (hot) year, our dog Bailey had her first Addisonian crisis. She's starting to exhibit a few of the same signs of another one to come. Goody ... because the last one cost me $600. I am fearful if she has another one, we might have to put her down. She's on daily Prednisone and $60/month injections, but in times of increased stress she can go into a crisis mode because her body doesn't make the normal steriod level to maintain balance in times of stress ... hence the daily/monthly supplementation.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

Blah.

As I sit here, with the cursor blinking at me, I think of something to type - something to talk about. But I realize that I have nothing to say. I'm 26, and have nothing to say ... there's not a whole lot riveting about me or my life.

Today, I turned up the XM radio to The City and Maysen and I danced in the living room all afternoon. Him imitating the dance I'd do, no matter how silly. I'd wave my hands around and turn in circles while he cackled with silliness. Today I bought milk for $1.98. I got red peppers on sale for $0.99 each. I bought rip off granola bars for $3.39. I rocked out to Counting Crows on the freeway with Maysen's head bobbing. I paid $2.98/gallon for gas and could have got it for $2.92 across the street, but that's a bigger pain in my ass. And I found a bomb recipe for homemade salsa that I can make from tomatoes from my garden. See, I told you. Utterly riveting. Or is it ... maybe my simple life - my seemingly care-free life is what some people wish they had. I should feel lucky that I wake up with a majority of my days open with no commitments. In a way, maybe that is riveting in it's own sense...

Happy Birthday to Me!

Tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be the big 2.6. We celebrated it this weekend with Jenn and Matt. Saturday we hit up Bohemia Mining Days which consisted of a parade and carnival. I haven't had cotton candy in a decade! I forgot how gross it really is, pure sugar and air, basically. However, I was impressed to find there was only 114 calories in a whole giant bag of cotton candy! We ate lunch at a hole-in-the-wall BBQ. It was GREAT! You know ... the small tiny places like that are the best. They had their own run down smoker in the back which you could smell a mile away.

In the afternoon, Jenn and I went antique'ing again .. I found a jelly cabinet to DIE for. However, it was $900. I just bought an antique clock this month, so I have to pass for now. But seeing it everyday thinking of the families that used it from 1889 to current is an amazing thought. That afternoon we played hard in the water, which was needed because it was very warm Saturday. Maysen's new thing is he loves to "water the flowers". That quickly turns into turning the hose on anyone close by. We left him with our babysitter, Amanda, for the evening and had a GREAT night out. First we ate at The Excelsior which is my new favorite restaurant in Eugene. We had great food, great wine, and great laughs. After we headed to Joe Federico's jazz club for a drink. We were seated in a cozy hidden booth with characteristic graffiti on the wall, which incidentally I leaned up against in my white shirt! If it wouldn't have been for that Long Island Iced Tea (uhh, yea...) I probably would have been more pissed than I was.

We ended the night Cosmic Bowling with Jenn and I whipping Nate and Matt's behinds. Well, not really, but I can act like we did. The only thing that pissed me off was the couple next to us had a 2yr old and 4yr old out after 11pm. They were exhausted, crying, and losing it. Good ole parents weren't done bowling, so the mom kept trying to force ice down the 2yr old and the dad kept swining the 4yr old around like it was fun. Why are some people so selfish? I mean, where does "I can't find a sitter, so screw it, they're coming too I guess" come into reason? I was thankful when Matt approached them when we left and "suggested" it was a tad too late to have those kids out.

Jenn baked me a yummy chocolate cake. I have the best sister ever! And now I'm officially in the "upper 20's". I can remember when I was looking forward to turning another year older. Now I'm like where are the brakes? I'll be 30 before I know it...then 40...

Mary gets Smack Down

One thing that goes quietly unnoticed sometimes is how extremely stressful it is to any woman (and some guys) to get a haircut. For me, it always unleashes that question of "Will she do it right this time, I really love how my hair flips this way, will she know what I'm talking about and get it right?" For those who have their established hairstylist who does it "right" everytime: I hate you. For 2 years back in Kansas I went to the same hairstylist, but admittedly, she did little things different everytime. She meant to do them the same, but some layers wouldn't be the same, or the bangs weren't cut right. Two haircuts ago I found Mary. I walked in, told her what I wanted and before I could say anything like "can you do those shorter?" it was like she was reading my mind and just did it. And the price was reasonable! I walked away stress free knowing that I could reliably go to her next time. So, acouple weeks ago, I decided it was time for a trim. So I make an appointment, go in and sit down. Thank God she remembers me and I proceed to tell her how happy I was with her and what she did the previous time and I want things just how she did before. Now, for some reason ... she has transformed and now believes she owns my hair. I notice she's not layering with the same tool. I think she noticed my quizzing look and so she says "I've decided I'm going to feather your layers instead of cut them blunt". Uhhhh, this is not what we did before, but now it's too late. The "owning" statements don't end there. Then it was "I've decided I'm leaving the front longer this time because I am not sure I like how it turned out last time" I walked away confused. And although my hair is "okay", it's not really how I 'like' it. Not that I'm mondo picky, because I can adjust but you know how you just like things to do a certain thing and look a certain way. So, my options are a) to find someone else, which stresses me out beyond belief ... b)or go back to Mary and lay the smack down on her. I think I'll go with B. And start it out with "Do it right, bitch".

I can't imagine the uses this bridge endured from 1923 until the day it closed. It saw days from when people struck it rich during the Gold Rush, Korean War, WWII, Vietnam, bomb scares, etc, etc, etc. I love history. Under this bridge is the original gold filtering system that was built with this bridge in 1923. Through a series of water falls and pullies, gold was filtered out of the Trinity River. They say 90% of the gold is still in the mountains of California. And with the price of gold going back up ... it might be worth to start mining again. (I'd better go get myself a donkey).

Terrible Two's have set in with Maysen. Not only does he scream at the top of his lungs when you remove him from a situation he wants to stay in plus ball his fists up while screaming ... but his new thing is grabbing the biggest handful of my hair he can muster, and yanking with all his might. He's turning into "one of those" kids you see and go "Oh My! My child will *never* act like that!". We were at a birthday party yesterday when he pulled that stunt. You can imagine the look of "no he just didn't!" that was across my face. Discipline needs to take a turn...