Surrender to the Flow

No. 19 Ducks Crush No. 17 Beavers, 65-38

Might as well bask in the glory while we've got it!  Ducks won the 112th Civil War game yesterday...take that Beaver believers!

No. 19 Ducks Crush No. 17 Beavers, 65-38

A Positive Note

Just went out and grabbed the mail...My neighbors put up their Xmas lights today...Whoa! They really went all out...the whole 9 yards.  I have mixed feelings about this....but anyway, in the mail was Ben's test results from the GIT he took in October...ta dam.....he passed! A positive glimmer of hope in these unemployed times...he passed, he passed, he passed!!  Now he can start studying for the final Geology state registration test but more importantly he can put that GIT after his name on his resume...and the job hunt continues...

Turkey for me, Turkey for you

For some reason this Adam Sandler song never gets old to me.  Love how young he is here too...and he represents New Hampshire so he's all good by me!  Happy Turkey Day!

Giving Thanks

"The First Thanksgiving" by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris

That Rare Jewel

"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece."

~John Ruskin

Rockin' Fall Weekend

It doesn't get much better than hanging with great friends and going to see some live music on a Fall weekend in November.  It's been clear and sunny too which is a great bonus at this time of year when it can go either way. Our friends came from south and north of the Oregon border this weekend to take in the Medeski, Martin & Wood show Friday at the Aladdin Theater; one of our favorite spots to see music in Portland.  The show was amazing of course and the scene at the Aladdin was great, very laid back.  I also made some Homemade Mac&Cheese the night before everyone arrived and baked it on Friday before the show.  It was a big hit with everyone! 

We had five overnight guests on Friday and we woke up yesterday and all had coffee and made a yummy breakfast.  A few left yesterday to go down to the Duck's game (which I'm happy to say we won!) and my husband took everyone else out to play disc golf at Milo McIver State Park.  I was off to the hospital yesterday afternoon to volunteer in the NICU; it was a busy day in there and I snuggled and held three babies.  When I got home we all headed out to The Barley Mill which is the original McMenamin's brew pub; all Grateful Dead style.  Seriously, they have quite the amount of memorabilia in there, it's great.  It had been awhile since I had a Rubinator...yummmmmm...

We hit up The Goodfoot last night and took in the Will Bernard Trio which was some really great live jazz.  We were all pretty beat last night and nobody stirred this morning until mid-morning.  We then proceeded to make the best breakfast (or brunch I should say) of scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes...and of course about 3 pots of coffee.  It just doesn't get much better; Sunday morning brunch with visitors and another sunny day at that.

After everyone departed today I swept the leaves off the deck, planted a whole bunch of daffodil and tulip bulbs in the yard, sprinkled a little more grass seed down in a few spots, tidied up my geraniums and trimmed back the hostas.  Ben finished fencing in our backyard a few weeks ago and I have to say it's awesome.  We can finally just turn the dogs out there and not have to keep an eye on them.  They love the freedom too of coming in and out at their leisure. 

Another busy week at work lies ahead before the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  I can't believe how quickly the holidays always sneak up on us each year.  Pretty soon we will be heading outside of town to cut down our Xmas tree.  I've got the perfect place to put it this year in our new living room.  We also have some of our old friends coming into town for three nights over New Years for Railroad Earth...'tis the season to celebrate!  

Pass It On

I stumbled upon this live Marley tonight.  Bob's message is timeless and so relevant to us all.  Listening to some reggae is a sure way to enlighten your mind and lift up your heart...enjoy.

Being Resourceful

A few weeks ago my husband was laid off due to lack of work.  Many of you know he has been working as a staff Geologist & Geo-technician for the last 5+ years here in the Metro area.  Well, the housing slow-down took longer to hit here than other parts of the country but inevitably it has hit.  As well know the economy is currently in peril and people are losing their jobs left and right.  The housing market has come to a screeching halt.  The residential development that has been literally non-stop for the past five years is slow to the pace of a tortoise.  I know Ben is doing everything he can right now to find another job, but unfortunately most of the other companies in the area that he could work for are in the same boat.  The developers can't pay the bank or their contractor and sub-contractors...or Geo-engineers needed to begin these large scale housing developments.  We are now the people on "Main St" that were so discussed during the presidential campaigns who are struggling to meet their financial obligations.  I will save you all my lamenting (that's all been done already over the past weeks) and woes by saying that I don't think we are in any danger of losing our home.  I like to try to think optimistically...really, the unemployment checks and my income will get us by, but it's going to be a lean winter. 

I think most people who have been in this situation realize quickly that there are things we can cut out of our budgets. I am trying to embark on our current situation in a positive light.  I am hopeful that things will pick up in the spring again; the winter has typically been the slower time for earth work an construction with all the rain.  I am also hopeful that our new President-Elect can actually have an impact on our country's current state of affairs.  I am trying to remember all that I still DO have and how it is still much more than many around our planet have.  We still have warmth and a nice home to hang out in and most important of all we have each other.  We can deal with these challenges head on and do what we need to do to make it though together. 

I have been learning to crochet and I'm really enjoying it.  I am planning on making things for holiday gifts this year.  I am getting more into cooking and trying to be frugal and resourceful.  Today I am finally using my Crock-Pot for the first time since we received it over four years ago as a wedding gift.  The smell of the Pot Roast is filling the house with warmth as the rain an leaves fall outside the windows. I can still go hiking, biking and walking for free anytime I want with my dogs like I did today.  I can focus inward as I usually do during the wintertime and clean, organize, craft, bake and renew and get back to basis.  We are really doing that now, getting back to basics.  What do we really need and what are just luxuries we have become accustomed to?  I think it is really easy to let yourself be angry in these kinds of situations; angry at the world an angry at yourself but ultimately if you let these things get the best of you, you're done for.  Although the current unemployment situation in the country is rather bleak at the moment that doesn't mean it will be forever.  Life is cyclical in nature and I like to believe that what goes around comes around again.  When you come to the bottom the only way to go is back up.  What about all of you?  What have you done to make it though these types of situations?  What sort of crafty and creative ideas have you come up with?  How have you been effected by the epic economic crisis of 2008? 

History is Made...the real 21st Century Begins

So I'm def not moving! :)  I have to say my faith in this country has been boosted big time with Obama's win.  Last night was historic and I'm so proud to see this happen in my lifetime.  Now it's time to get down to business!  Way to go America!

Canada?

Will Katie be packing up and heading for the border?  Stay tuned to find out...