Living on Parker Street

A little this, a little that

First, I want to say the video in the blog entry below is amazing!  Please watch it!  I first saw it on YIN's blog, and was really touched.  Of course I knew that people live like that, but when you see them it's a little different, isn't it?  I have heard of women making mud cookies to feed their children, because they have no food.  A mud cookie is clay mixed with shortening, or lard, and salt.  Not a bit nutritious, but I guess when your babies are crying from hunger, you do what you have to, right?

What else?  Oh, I know!  I Face Book now.  Yep, I am one of the masses.  I started to play Knighthood yesterday, though I don't think I am going to do well at it.  If I send you an invitation, please be a sport and accept.  You can just ignore it afterward, if you like.  I need some people in my kingdom, and I would be delighted if you accepted! I think that I  am not social enough, or I am too timid, or something.  Anyway, I have a healthy respect for the dangers of meeting people on line.  I am usually quite cautious, so this is a stretch for me.

Bill is kind of working.  Mostly not working.  The mill he works at is struggling.  But, the good news is that they got a new benefit from the Employment Department which supplements their wages if they only work 22-30 hours a week.  This is cool, because I think they can keep the mill running, and keep the employees they have if they aren't afraid to only work them half time.  Bill is all for it, since he will probably work in the 22-30 hour range, and still get full time pay!  Cool huh?  Let's pray that they keep working!

Mom is almost done getting her eyes fixed.  She had her second cataract surgery last week, and she has one final procedure to do her pretty soon.  Her retina is folded, and they need to fix that.  She is a little anxious about this surgery, so if you are a praying person, please keep her in you prayers.

Really not a lot of other things happening right now.  Of course I take what seems like thousands of photos a week of Dylan, and once in a while Maddie.  We sure enjoy those little ones!

Easter was awesome, by the way!  I was exhausted when it was over, though.  We had a sit down dinner for 17!  It was really fun, but I was really glad I didn't bother cleaning my floors first!  YIKES!  What kind of host am I?  I let company come to a dirty house, and clean it when they leave!  Really, there were enough people, that if anyone really noticed anything dirty, I would be surprised.  Oh, Easter...  We had church, Bill sang in the choir, dinner, an egg hunt, and Peeps wars!  Crystal won with her Pink Peeps! 

Okey dokey.  I don't think I really have much else on my mind today!  Well, except that we have had perfect weather here lately, and I am totally energized by it!  Yeah for sunshine!!!

Culture Unplugged Video

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

It's pretty embarrassing when they laugh at you at McDonald's

Ok.  If it were that we went to McDonald's, a lot, to eat, that would be one thing.  Or even if we knew someone working there.  But we aren't known for those kind of things.  Nope.  Every time we go through the drive through, we see people pointing and laughing, and here's why... 

Bill is always the driver, and I go along as his interpreter for the microphone.  He can't hear well enough to do this thing on his own, so I help.  Well...  most of the time.  We usually order ice cream cones.  That's how we portion control our ice cream.  Any way, we went there for sandwiches one day.  I ordered a cheeseburger, and Bill, with a very sincere and clear voice  ordered " a Big and Nasty."  I kid you not!  All we heard in reply was that big guffaw!  Poor man looked bewildered, and I am just about falling out of my seat I am laughing so hard.  Then a sheepish voice comes back over the intercom "I thought you were joking. You want a big and tasty?"  By the time we got to the first window, the gal was laughing so hard she was crying.  By the time we got to the second window, everyone was laughing.   I still laugh uncontrollably every time I think about it! 

OK.  That was 2 months ago, and still, each time we go there, they laugh and point at us!  Of course, all I have to do to get Bill laughing is to say the words Big and Nasty, so it isn't shocking that they all still think it is funny, too.  It's still embarrassing.

Other than that, what is happening?  Well apparently I look my age.  I didn't know that.  People usually tell me they can't believe I am how old I am.  OK, I'll turn 50 this year.  The gal at Albertsons, that I talk to all the time, asked my why I cut my hair, and that led to talk about exercise, sweat, and shampoo.  Oh, and the fact that I think I am too old for super long hair.  She, of course, asked how old I am, and I told her.  She never batted an eye.  She didn't argue it.  What?  I am screaming in my head "What? What ?WHAT?  Tell me I look 35 for peets sake! Tell me I look young!"  She never did, now I feel old.  I woke up this morning with stiff legs and a back ache.  ugh.  old.  me.  sniff aniff.

ugh

  As it happens, I have yet, again, written a very long and wordy post about all that is happening in my life, and whining about being a bad blogger.  Oh, I also thanked all those who regularly check in here, even though it can be months between posts.  But, like many times, I accidentally closed my browser before saving, and thus losing the entire post!  I hate it when that happens! 

I also wanted to say that I am now not only a sorry blogger, but a sorry facebooker (is that a word?).  As of today, I have one friend.  whoo hoo!  Really, I just signed up a couple of days ago, and I haven't spent enough time there to make heads or tails of it all.  But, since I am still a baby in the facebook world, why don't you invite me to be a friend?  After I figure it all out, I will start inviting, but until then, it might just be easier if you invite me!  Pretty please????? 

Life is busy these days.  I babysit a couple of days a week, which I love, love, love.  And, I am now the historian at our church.  It feels a lot like doing genealogy, but there aren't any family trees to build.  It is just the fun part.  You know, news clippings and photographs.  That kind of thing.  I am so excited about doing that.  I have proposed a book, which I will start working on as soon as I have all the materials digitalized.  I have 3 banker boxes of stuff here, that I am working on now, and there are two more at the church.  We also have gobs of video to transfer.  Thankfully I don't actually do that part myself!  Oh, I also working the nursery at church once a month, and in AWANAS once a month.  So I get to play with lots of babies! 

Those of you who know of Maddie's problems, I want to say she is doing very well!  She is growing at an amazing rate!  She is 4 months old now, and weighs 15 pounds!  Her cousin, Dylan, is now 2 years old.  And, I think he doesn't weigh 25 pounds yet.  They are both beautiful children, and they both have very nice dispositions!  Here are a couple of photos of them, and I am going to try to add a video of Maddie's Daddy, Dennis, last 4th of July.  I just love this video.  It makes me laugh every time.  Oh!  speaking of video, have you seen this one from You Tube?  Seriously, I couldn't get the song out of my head for days!

Click on the thumbnails to see the photos bigger, if you want.

      

just double click on the video to run it 

We had an awesome time at the coast!

First I wanted to clarify a couple of things.  I know it probably isn't the brightest thing to post that we are leaving town.  But, I figure that most local burglars aren't keeping tabs on my house through my blog, and second, we have a security system, and friendly neighbors who notice when something isn't right.

Far as Bill having to work, he talked his supervisor into letting him have the weekend off, and then, came home really, really early on Friday.  We ended up doing a bunch of work here around the house, and outside, and then took off for the coast on Saturday morning.  So, it was all really great!  We had a fun time away, and still got all our normal weekend stuff done, too!

At the coast we seemed to have a kind of retro weekend.  We stopped at a place to eat lunch, and the decor was pretty retro, and may I say, I think the dust was genuine antique dust.  Really, I don't think they have dusted there since the early 30's.  ugh.  The food was good, but the service was really slow.  I did learn something, though. Please pay attention, this is something you will probably need to know in the future.  When you are in a public restroom, save yourself some embarrassment by not using the flash if you have the desire to take a photo.  Yes, I took photos in the bathroom, and yes, I used a flash, and yes, I ended up red-faced when I came out to see people wondering what the heck I was taking photos of.  Wanna see?    Be sure to click on the thumbnail if you desire to see it closer.

Now, we both had the same hotel in mind, so that made things easier.  It was built in 1936, and was the first hotel in Florence.  They had some guests of repute, movie stars and the like.  But, now it is just quirky.  I like quirk, so we are good.  We registered in time to load up on snacks and get back quick enough for Bill to eat and sleep through the Duck game.  You know, the one where they slaughtered WSU so badly it couldn't keep our attention.  We also hit some antique stores.  Bill calls them "used" stores.  But, if that is what it takes to get him in there, I don't mind.  It makes me laugh when he tells people I buy my dishes at used stores.  The men don't usually care, and the women usually know better. 

Sunday was gorgeous!  It was 80 degrees, no wind to speak of.  We didn't see any whales close up but we did see tons of spouts and I saw a fluke and Bill saw a dorsal fin.  We both saw breaches, so there was apparently a pod traveling through, just a little early, I might add.  We took a couple of nature walks, and a tour of the Heceta Light House.  I got a gorgeous photo of the lens! This is the very top of it.  I just like it, and no, I haven't done any editing yet.

Wanna see another photo I haven't edited yet?  It is amazing, how much color it has.  Often I have to increase the saturation to get these kinds of colors, but this time I think it is good the way it is.  Likely I'll crop it later, and that kind of thing, but here you go!  Oh, the white spot on the right is the lens of the light house.  I snapped the photo just before the beacon flashed.  I got some of that, too, but they aren't that great.

Again, be sure to click the thumbnail if you want to see the photos better.  OK.  I think I am done rambling for the day.  I might have some exciting news to tell  you in the next couple of weeks, but for now I am keeping it under my hat.  I was just too excited to not say anything at all for the moment. 

Have a great day, K?

SNAP

Nah, not like "cool," but then... maybe.  I love this time of year.  I love the snap in the air!  This week the weather changed, and it is refreshing.  What do I love about this time of year?  I love the first morning that my housecoat feels good to wear, and my slippers, too.  I love the first time a hot shower feels good, and I love soup.  I guess I like warm things, but I don't like to be too warm.  I like the crisp air and wind.  Fog and rain sing to me.  Yep, I am an Oregonian!  Oh!  Did I mention that I love college football?  That would mean the Ducks in particular, but if they aren't on, any PAC 10 game will do.

Today is the last of many things.  I was thinking about this last night.  This is the last Friday that I don't have Dylan, this is the last Friday of the Farmers Market, and the last Friday that Gabrielle will be married with no children.  At least I hope so for her sake!  The baby should come anytime!  The doctor said probably in less than two weeks, and that was two weeks ago!

I am aching for the salt air right now.  We are planning on going to the coast for the weekend.  But, Bill called a few minutes ago, and I think he will be required to work tomorrow, after all.  ugh.  NOT FAIR.  But, that's ok.  I still have the day off, and I am going to sleep in!  I have posted the daily DADs at Divine, every morning except 2 for the last 10 months.  Even with the stomach flu, I posted.  So, for the first time in a long time, I am going to sleep in, whether at the coast or in my own bed.  We will get to the coast, but just when, I don't know.

YIKES!  The man just came home!  I gotta scoot!  Catch ya later!  :D

Phil Wickham

Not one to jump on popularity band wagons, I still can't help but really appreciate this artist.  The power of his music is awesome!  This clip is the song that currently flows through my head, day in and day out.  I just really love it!

Oh, I should say, that Phil posted this clip himself, so there are no copyright issues here.  He's pretty cool, huh?  And, while we are talking about him, check out his blog.  You can download an entire album for free!  And, this is his YouTube channel.

Another funny scrapbooking video

OK,  I have a weird sense of humor, I know, but you know what?  If my hubby made me this card, I would be delighted! 

Very Funny Again

OK, I was looking through some old posts, to try to figure out, again, how to post youtube clips.  I ran across this one, and it still makes me laugh.  So, I thought I would share it again, for all of you with "scrubbies."

OK. OK. I'll update.

  See this pretty girl?  That's our Gabrielle!  She was married to Dennis earlier this year, and now they are expecting their own little girl any day!  We are so happy for them.  I just imagine that this little girl is going to be as loved as any child ever was!  Certainly Auntie Nora and Uncle Bill will be fighting for their share of the baby time!  Oh, and Gabrielle, please don't be mad.  I love these photos.  You are just so cute!  Click on the photos to see them full sized.

Mom had eye surgery yesterday.  Her first of two.  I guess that makes sense, since she has two eyes.  Any way, she had a cataract removed.  She did really well, and didn't have any pain last night.  In fact, she slept all night long!  She was maybe a little fuzzy today, but that's not too bad. 

hmmm.... what else?  Oh, I joined two book clubs.  One on line, and one in person.  I haven't been to any of the local meetings yet, but I have been keeping up with the book list, for the most part.  That's Janie's club.  The other club, led by DeDe is different in a couple of ways.  First, it is on line, and second the genres are much different than what I normally read.  So far I have enjoyed it very much!

I also started to babysit in the nursery at church.  It's pretty fun getting to know some other little babies, and of course getting to see their Mommies as well!  And, if that weren't enough to keep me busy, Bill and I signed up to go to the Truth Project.  Our church is holding these classes in small group settings, and we signed up to go to the home of a young couple.  Should be fun!

Want to see my current favorite photos?  Click on them to see them better.

   

This one is Dylan & I in the tent.   Can't tell we are related, can you?  :D           

                                                                          This  is Bill, his son Andy, and his grandson Aaron.  I love this because they all have the same goofy grin, and their hands in their pockets.  Apparently the Long men style less hair the older they get, too! 

The last photo is Dylan peeking through our neighbors fence.  It's just funny, and it makes me laugh.