Refrigerator

Home Depot called on Thursday afternoon to let us know our refrigerator was in but they couldn't deliver it that day (as had been promised). Was that "okay"? No, it was not okay. However, not much to be done about it. We got a call nice and early (8 a.m.) this morning that our refrigerator was ready to be delivered. However, there was just one little problem. It has a dent in it. Do we still want it for $100 off? Need to see this dent. Turns out it is pretty small and on the side where it won't show. They are installing it as we speak. I am staying out of the room because the deliver guy insulted me. Dad directed them around back like the guys took the old one out. I suggested maybe it would be easier to go through the front door. Without even glancing at the direction of the front door, he proceeded to give me a lecture on how wide these refrigerators are and how you usually have to take the door off its hinges, etc. So much for his tip!

Please let me know whose stuff that is Dad described in his comment to Greyson's post--the t-shirts, sock and DVD. Thanks.

Grandma FarAway went to the doctor yesterday and he told her she can start eating "more complex" foods over the next couple of weeks. After that she will finally get her gastric tube out.

While Dad took down the Christmas lights, I dusted and cleaned floors -- swept, swiffered and wet-swiffered. Then I left to take Grandma to the doctor and he vacuumed all the floors. Apparently, the floors still looked dirty to him. Then he came in and started cleaning the TV screen (which I had dusted earlier). Seems we have a slight communication problem.

The chauvanist delivery men are gone so I'm going to go admire my new frig.

Christmas has come and gone

We have been cleaning house for two days now. Mom had me take down all the holiday lights. Everything was either wet or wet/dirty so I coiled them on the garage floor to let them dry out before I box them up. The vaccuming is done, the floors have been swiffered, and the beds are in different stages of sheet washing and making them up. It seems like the washer and dryer have been running for days. I decided to open the dryer compartment up and check for lint. When I removed a metal funnel piece that directs the air thru a large fan and out to the dryer hose I found a huge plug of compacted lint and dirt. I removed it, washed the piece because it felt oily/sticky and then checked the vent hose and found more lint, but not as bad. Spent a couple of hours trying to get all the pieces back together and pulled the dryer back into position after pulling the washer out and away for room/leverage. I can only hope that everything stayed connected.

Well, we never got our refrigerator today. I thought Mom had called and found that it wasn't in yet, but later she told me it was in but thought I wouldn't want to pick it up myself. Anyway, hook or crook I had better have refrigerator tomorrow; either they bring or I will drive to Albany and pick up (HMMMMMMMMMMMMM but then how do I get rid of the one we have since Home Depot was to pick it up for free ----- cancel that idea). Living out of iceboxes is getting really old (this escapade has been going on since Thanksgiving with a straight 8-9 day diet with ours out of service completely) and I am worried about the safety of the food; I think a lot of stuff will go to landfill.

Hope everyone had a great time. I started using that mechanical flashlight; it is really cool and holds it's charge for a long time with just a little turning. Christian called to thank us for his basketball Xbox game which arrived today. I have read the dog book and hope to start the science book that the Deans got me. Believe it or not but there is still good fudge left and I have two big slabs in an icebox in the garage. Does fudge spoil when it is just cool? I would hate to throw it away.

I truly had much more fun with the grandkids this year and look forward to more good times in the near future. Love, Dad

santa giveth

and santa taketh away. This entry is for folks who are missing one thing or another.

Our found and lost list includes a video game:
Ghost Recon 2 Summit Strike.
and
the wireless network which is plugged into Jan and Larry's machine.
2 xbox controllers (regular xbox off brand names)

meet Napolean

leaf
Originally uploaded by wgrudd.

This is the newest addition to our family. This photo was taken after he inhaled (literally) 9 half inch minnows with his barely 2 1/2" long body. He is barely thicker than a leaf, his namesake. He's still eating as I type.l

ezza mase

It was my first consumer experience in downtown blustery Chicago. They didn't take cards there, but were willing to cut my hair on my word that I would go to the ATM next door to get cash out. How could I possibly walk away from such kind people in such a long standing establishment? The three of them were fully italian, with the thickest accent belonging to my barber. I said "You must really think I need one", sat down and he began. I told him "1/2" off and get rid of some of the bushiness" and he nodded quickly and said "oh ok". After a few 2" long clumps of hair thudded in my vinyl covered lap, I knew this was a big mistake. He and I had a bit of a communication breakdown somewhere, from his incomprehensible answer to my question of where could I get a good pizza, to his comment "You have a lotta nice hai bot ezza mase", which was far more worrisome. With that, he cut and cut. I went in there against my better judgement. I thought "They must know how to cut long hair in Chicago". I soon learned that there is no long hair in Chicago, and this place was exactly why. The place had intensely loyal customers, all entering with a "left-parted George Bush", and leaving just the same.

I left the barber shop to get my cash with even less insulation in the windy 19 degree weather. My scalp was now seeping whatever heat was left in my body to the environment. If anybody should grow their hair out, it should be the folks in Chicago! I requested $60 and waited about 5 minutes for it to process. I tried to cancel but it was too late, and to walk off would leave someone else $60 richer. It was that cold. It finally said "take your cash" and I reached, but no cash. The receipt mentioned no error other than there were 60 fewer dollars in my account. After calling the atm company and waiting for them to call me back in the warm chamber of the barber shop. I ended up leaving my laptop at the shop for collateral, going north few blocks to a bank (with an indoor atm). By that time, I couldn't feel my face. People on the street had suits on with leather coats, wool scarves and knit caps, bare minimum. I eventually returned and paid the barber, and the atm company called me. The technician apparently looked at the machine and said it was fine, and this $60 was now "disputed". After making enough fuss over my cell phone, no one in that barber shop likely thought that that I was scamming the business for a "free whacking".

Thanking them for their patience, I began to leave when the owner said "Don't you have a coat?". I replied "No it's in my luggage at the airport" and left it at that. I walked absolutely hunched and pathetic, all ashiver, down the street in my search for not only more clothing to buy, but some hot legendary Chicago pizza. I must've looked like Gollum, leading the hobbits down their path to the cracks of doom. The pizza I did find, and it was Z best I have EVER had. I kid you not. Spinach, mushroom, 2" thick. It was at a place called Ronnie's steakhouse. This concluded my experience in downtown Chicago. The cook at Ronnie's had said that not but 3-4 blocks down the road, there was a place to buy clothes. I took his word for it and scurried back to the subway. Did I mention that my sweatshirt was elastic around my waist, and was constantly pulling my shirt upward toward my ribcage, and exposing my mid-section from my low-cut jeans on up? Yeah...it was sized for a 13 year old girl. The subway car was moderately warmer, and the ride lasted about 20 minutes each way. The scenary was something else. Skinny classic old industrial brick buildings leaning precariously, smoking furiously. It was beautiful in a desolute urban sort of way. There was a real order and stylization to the architecture, and gave me more of a sense of Chicago's grace and history than my interaction with its business facade.

I spent the next 7 hours looking for wireless spots in the airport where I could game with a friend of mine to no avail, and eventually picked up "memoirs of a geisha" which is a really good read so far.

The flight, landing, finding my car, driving home on the icy and incredibly windy I-84 was fairly uneventful, but when I reached duncan creek road and started up, my tires began spinning, and my car slowed to a stop, sideways in the middle of my first steep hill off of hwy 14. My only option was to back down the hill, and as I attempted that, my car further angled itself towards the edge. After some discussion, breaking, steering wheel flailing, sliding, and cursing, the car aligned with the road again and I eased it back down to the store where I parked and called mel. She put on her chains, now at 2:00 am, came down, and I drove us back without a hitch. See, I was insistent on personally tackling the hill with chains after my defeat, and was confident in my worst case scenario experience. Notta problem.

real quick

Dean family update: Ok- well we have snow issues at our house…our power keeps coming off and on.  Our fridge keeps coming off and on- and I didn’t have water until this afternoon…so no shower yet today.  My bball practice got cancelled today- but I haven’t heard yet about tomorrow’s game.  Well I’m only here for a second…to pick up my address book.  So hopefully I will update you all from home- need to get some more shopping done and some ice is  on its way.

The windy city in December (without a coat)

Just thought I would update you all on my hubby's progress. As you may guess from the title he is in Chicago. His flight from Chicago to Portland last night was cancelled and the next 5 flights were booked. So he has a flight that leaves tonight. He had to spend last night in a hotel there at the airport and for all his trouble all the airline gave him was a coupon off part of his hotel bill. So he still had to pay $90 for a room and he was not allowed access to his luggage to get a change of clothes or a coat. Also, the only room left at the hotel was a smoking room so he said he is smelling a little funky today. Hopefully he will be home tonight.

My drive to work today was slow and cautious. It snowed about 2 inches and then had about 1/4 inch of freezing rain. The snowy roads were predictably slippery but were you really had to be careful was were they had previously plowed and the snow layer was gone just leaving the freezing rain. Those were very slick but don't worry parents I went slow. I did have some issues this morning with my car. I was defrosting it and started to drive out of my driveway when I decided to run back in and get my gloves so I could knock some of the loose ice off my car. So I turned off the car to get my keys to unlock the car. Came back and knocked all the ice off and went to start my car and got that dreaded "I really want to but I just don't have enough juice to start" sound. So I had to search the garage for our battery charger. When I entered the garage there were the two cats sitting five feet from a bird that had got stuck in the garage. I left the door open to free him and dragged the battery charger to the car. I held my breath as I attached all the leads hoping it wouldn't explode. After about 1 min. I gave her a crank and off she went. I was really impressed by the speed of the charger. I definite must have for people like me. Anyway, all is good. I am here at work and Greyson should be home tonight.

Will my husband make it home?

My hubby is flying in at midnight tonight. I am wondering if this freezing rain will materialize or not. Normally it takes them much longer to get the runways clear with freezing rain. He may just get stuck in Chicago. He didn't seem worried and told me that they checked the weather and it would be just fine in Portland tonight (implying I didn't know what I was talking about, Ha!). So we'll see who is right.

It has only been above freezing a few times since that snow we got. I already lost my power this morning. It didn't stay out for too long but I was glad to have my woodstove. I have even gotten down the "stoking to last all night" thing down so I have coals left in the morning. It can usually last a good 12 hours if I do it right. There is kind of a science to mine because you can actually close it down too much and it will go out. I think I am going to take Ada for a quick bike ride to the end of the street and back to wear her out before the ice and wind comes and she doesn't want to be outside.
-Mel

Progress report from Mom

Party mix -- check
Caramel corn -- check
Candied Pretzels -- check
Fudge -- Houston, we have a problem. The fudge is not setting up. I have two batches I want to throw away but Dad is guarding them, doing patrols with his gun at the ready. I'm working on more today.

Shall we try to move the swim to Friday?

Dean family news

Bad news:  boys have to return to their father Monday morning (Dec. 26^th).  So we will be leaving the 26^th and miss the swimming fun. 

Good news:  I’m getting them Monday morning (the 19^th)

Bad news:  I have a game on the 20^th and we can’t take off until that is over and Brian is off work.

Potential good news: if cousins or aunts are arriving earlier than Wednesday and have room in the car, maybe the boys could catch a ride.

Brian decided we will just drive up two vehicles ( I won’t categorize with the good or bad- on the grounds that it might incriminate me)…so I probably will arrive after the family without children so I can tie up some Christmas shopping loose ends. 

its been a long, low sleep week for me- I’ve been unable to successfully end my “work” day until after 8 in the evening every night this week…with one day going until 1:20 the next morning.  I’m ready to sleep in- yes I’m canceling Saturday’s basketball practice.  My in-laws are visiting- and we’re doing our first mini-Christmas celebration.

Happy Friday to all…..

cholesterol levels

Brian’s doctor says alcohol consumption can really contribute to those HDL levels.  Soooo mom have you been boozing it up lately?

great find (author Mom)

Went to Trader Joe's to get a case of their $3 buck Chuck and they were out of merlot so bought another red wine I've never heard of. Its great, but I don't know how to pronounce it--"gamay beaujolais"

Hit and run...really

We were in a mild accident around Thanksgiving. We'd merged and were ahead of the truck behind us for say, 10-15 car lenghts time, and she (the truck) bumps us and the van door pops open and we get pushed toward this really wide shoulder...the Camas semi-highway, still in town 35-40mph, but preparing to get onto the freeway after a few lights. We try to get her to stop, but she won't. We keep her in back of us for a few minutes, get her plate number, then let her pass us. She zipps ahead, then takes a quick right at the next red light. We follow her and the semi-chase is on. She makes a loop, us still following her and she finally gets onto the highway. We call the police and make a report of hit and run, all the time following her. After about 5 minutes they tell us to stop following her and pull off to the shoulder. So we do. They don't find her, but take pictures of the nice dent and take Tim's statement. The officer said he was giving her a $500 ticket for negligent driving, and backing us about it not being a merging issue. We find out she does have an insurance.They're claiming it was a merging issue. I don't know her excuse for not stopping. We got a check today from our insurance, not the full amount. They're claiming it wasn't Tim's fault, but advised us that we will probably have to pay our $250 deductible because it's her belated word against ours. Go figure.

MEALS

I love to cook- so I’m willing to do any cooking needed- just won’t have time to gather/fit all ingredients in our trailer fridge.  So….I will be a helper on any meals not spoken for

Cholesterol

So Mother, what is up with that Cholesterol level. From what I have seen that looks extremely high, which is surprising given how much you workout. So what did your doctor say you have to do? Is it just a food thing for you or what? I pledge to ease the temptation of fudge and party mix by eating all of that myself so it isn't around to haunt you. I am sure some of the other family members will volunteer to step up and fill in where ever I fall short in eradicating your home of those bad fats.

I went for a run for the first time in quite a while yesterday. I had an extremely painful side ache during the first 30 seconds, but I ran through it and made it the full 25 minutes. Next time I will wear a hat and gloves. It is really brisk this winter. Yesterday was the first time the temp. has been above freezing during the last 2 weeks at my house. I even put the chicken's heat lamp back in the chicken coop just to keep their water from freezing solid. I am not sure how effective that has been.

On the subject of chickens; my chickens are really quite smart. They heard that Greyson was leaving on a trip so this week instead of laying their usual two eggs a day they decided that they should only lay one egg a day since they had half the eaters. They are really quite bright chickens. I also told them about my mother's cholesterol issues and they said they would start working on some low-chol eggs. Yes, my babies have got to be the strongest, brightest, funniest, prettiest, most sensitive...... What? You are saying they are just pets? How dare you.

Anyway, my husband has been gone Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and has only called me 1 time. He must be having so much fun he forgot all about me.
-Mel

The Plan by Mom/Grandma/Janice

Okay, here's the tentative plan. If anyone has a suggestion for changing something, I'm open to just about anything. Some people might want to swap dinner days or activity days or whatever. Of course, there can be all kinds of added activities like card playing, x-box playing, movie watching, talking pleasantly about non-violent topics, etc. My cholester is 278 so I will probably just eat celery for the next year. :-(

Thursday - December 21 - Mexican Day
Grandma has surgery - Deans and Porters arrive
Burritos for lunch
Taco Salad for dinner (how good can this be with no meet, no cheese, no sour cream & no chips?)

Friday - December 22 - Asian Day
Sumo (pillow) wrestling
Ping Pong tournament
Rice and pork casserole for lunch (I think I can have a little of this)
Chinese take out for dinner (poor me eating left over pork & rice)

Saturday - December 23 - German Day
Rudds arrive - maybe Grandma comes home
Snow play (ala the Alps)
Movie at local theater - Narnia
breakfast - pancakes and sausages (those with high cholesterol may have oatmeal & skim milk)
lunch hamburgers and hot dogs (celery time)
dinner - corned beef and cabbage (but I don't like cooked cabbage)

Sunday - December 24 - Italian Day
Grandma home for sure
Catholic Mass (pray that my choleslterol goes down)
Soccer
Art (drawing, sculpture, pictionary)
breakfast - pastries and fruit (just fruit)
lunch - pizza (looking at pizza raises cholesterol)
dinner - spaghetti (ditto)

Monday - December 25
Christmas
breakfast - French Toast & Bacon (glass of orange juice)
dinner - Ham, etc. (etc.)

Tuesday - December 26 - N. American
swimming
gym and/or bowling
breakfast -cereal & cinnamon rolls (cereal and one bite of cinnamon roll)
lunch - chicken strips (I think I can eat this if its not fried)
dinner - roast beef (vegetables, which I also don't really like)

Wednesday - whatever you can find to gnaw on
P.S. - notice there was no fish involved in these menus in honor of the departed.

In the x-mas mood

Well Greyson said he wasn't feeling in the Christmas spirit so he went into town and got us a Christmas tree. It is a beautiful 5 foor noble fir of the live, plantable variety. We decorated it and Greyson got the stair banaster part way decorated. We also went over to a Christmas gathering at my co-worker's house. Greyson is leaving early tomorrow for a 6am flight to Lousiana. He is staying the week there at his mom and dad's new place in Baton Rouge. So I will be home with the Pooey to guard me at night. I think I will let her sleep on Greyson's side of the bed with her head on the the pillow and the electric blanket on about 4.

I have started practicing some christmas songs on the guitar. The about.com site has a bunch with cords if anyone out there also wants to practice. We could have a concert on Christmas eve. I also saw a couple of short plays for kids that I think the newphews and nieces should practice and perform. I have all but one person shopped for; the last on the list is giving me a hard time.

Our doggy slumber party got booked up. Ada is 4th on the waiting list so she may have to attend Christmas. I may bring my portable heater that I have at work next to my desk. If I set that up in the garage next to a doggie bed Ada may be much more content outside.

We went shopping for some replacement fish last night and got a leaf fish(that looks like a leaf), a knife fish (that looks like a knife), three clown loach, and a pink tailed something. It is fun to have more fish but they are pretty small right now and need to do some growing to fill up the tank.
-Melanie

star wars battlefront

Now that battlfront 2 is out, the first one costs $19.95. It's a huge multiplayer game. All kinds of vehicles and roles to play. Most of the things you saw in the old starwars movies are pilotable. That includes the 4 legged walkers, tie fighters, x-wings, and taun tauns to name a few. Check this out:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/starwarsbattlefront/review.html?page=2

So for our next tourney, I recommend you guys pick up a copy.

Dean meal

WE are bringing a corned beef dish, side dishes of cabbage, baked potatoes (with fixings- boys like these), and a green salad.  Desert will be a pumpkin cream pie…if I have time I’m going to try out another chocolate pie and white chocolate covered pretzels (unless mom is making those for me)…Brian insists he’s doing the pumpkin recipe..that’s his cooking territory.  The only day he says he’ll have time for the three hour baking process is Saturday.  But we’ll take whatever day is not spoken for- and I’m sure I can handle putting it in the oven and starting the timer.  Although- remember in the day- (to my sister Traci) mom would ask us to take out the cookies when the timer went off…and no matter how hard I tried to remember…I’d miss the timer and smell the burning cookies.  Its one of the few vivid memories that remain for me of the time at the house in Castle Rock….besides chasing you with baby snakes.  So speaking to mom here…why didn’t you buy one of those timers that keeps going off?  My boys get quite annoyed at the one for our oven…and what’s really nice is the oven turns itself off.  Well now that I’ve gotten completely off topic..back to the meal list.  Brian wanted me to post this…and I’m sure we’ll bring much more than this.  My weekend is packed with basketball, shopping, watching Narnia and decorating the house and Christmas tree…so I probably won’t revisit this topic until next week.   FYI:  Nicholas, Emma, Gabe and myself got the chance last night to enjoy sitting in the hot tub with snow still on the ground and the sky was so clear---Nicholas asked why the constellation is called the Milky Way…and I don’t entirely know the answers to all the astronomy question that they have…and how to distinguish stationary satellites vs. stars/planets?  I’d love to get this book that shows what the sky looks like on each night in our area- the presenter at the Goldendale observatory talked about it- it sounded really neat. 

death in the family

jack
Originally uploaded by wgrudd.

I had to pause in my project development to lay a dear friend to rest. Ada and I had a brief memorial service. She watched and I had to remind her that we are holding a celebration of his life, not mourning his death. I have a few pictures of him not but a day or two ago.

I just added 45 min. to my day

Well, I really mean it this time. I am finished cooking. It is a job I really don't enjoy and don't do all that well. And it is a big waste of time. You slave away for most of an hour then poof, the food is gone in 10 minutes. So on Sunday I decided the heck with it. We don't have enough money to eat out every night but we can get takeout for a reasonable price. So I hit the Chinese resturant and got a family style meal for 2 to go ($35). Then I hit Safeway up for 3 foot long sandwhiches ($24). That was Sunday and it is now Wednesday night. We have finished 85% of the Chinese and only 1/3 or 1/2 of the sandwhiches. I think by the end of tomorrow (my limit to how long I will keep the food) we will have eaten all of the food. That just leaves Friday, but we have a decent take out burrito spot ($8) in Stevenson to take care of that. So from Sunday night through Friday for just $67 plus some milk and a box of cereal, so let's call it $75. Not bad. Plus there is no rea cleanup. $75x4=$300/month plus Saturday and Sunday till lunch. The chickens give us weekend breakfast and I get free bread at Jujutsu class. So I can spend $300 a month and not cook but a couple of eggs. I am really on to something. The only addition I think I need is a casserole of some sort to cook on Thursdays for some variety. Costco has some nice lasagnas and pot pies for under $15 that last us a couple days. Besides the obvious lack of vegetables it's briliant.
-Melanie

books I want- Jennifer

Our school is having a controversy over this book “Chocolate War”…so I’m adding it to my wish list, so I can read it for myself and I also want to read “Their Eyes Are Watching God”…so if any of you have a used copy- please bring over the break.  Thanks.

RE: [SPRAD Family Blog] Themes

Dean family dates/plans;still not firm on these but; I have a game on the 20 so we are coming on Wednesday the 21 and Brian has to leave on Christmas day (he's working early the next morning)..if we bring up two cars or if someone in the family could loan him a commuter car;then we wouldn't have to leave until around the 26 or maybe even the 27I am looking at this practice calendar- and I'm inclined to cancel this practice for the freshmen that is the day after Christmas. Yikes- are these coaches crazy! Either way I believe Brian has to work on that Monday. Dad could have-well maybe.

Themes

From Mom: Now did you really think Dad had the theme idea??!

I really need to know the dates you are all coming and going. We can probably change the pool date if needed.
The Rudd-Sharps have committed to Dec. 23 through Dec. 27.
How about the rest of you?

So, Italian Day could include sculpting (clay), art work, pictionary game and--soccer?
Give me the days you'll be here and I'll get the themes going and plan activities accordingly.

meals

Dean family message:  I will work on what we can bring- count us in and we’ll stock our trailer fridge and freezer with ingredients/goodies.  The boys really liked dad’s theme idea…are we going to try this?  If so Nicholas wanted to suggest that Italian day would involve more arts/crafts- so he could do some drawing.  Well I’m swamped with work- grades are due in the morning and missed work today to stay home with Kalena.  She’s got a nasty cold- 103 temp and cough/runny nose- she likes to be held at all times.  Well my bball team is 1 and 0…tonight is our second game- so think positive thoughts around 5:45.  Take care all…I will get back with details when I can get on the computer- oh if someone sends me an e-mail at my home account- jkysharp@aol.com I will copy and paste the link that has 14 of our family Christmas shots…don’t have it here at school.

Santa's Elves

I think if we each sign up for one or two meals and kp duty, it will make the whole Christmas experience much easier for Mom. Well, and for Dad too, but that's mainly taken care of by leaving the dogs elsewhere.

Porter: Will buy and cook one roast dinner with rolls and salad. One breakfast of Malt-o-meal and Cinnamon rolls. KP for both meals.

Mel and Greyson should sleep in the back bedroom and Tim and I can sleep in the doorless computer room while the 5 older kids sleep in sleeping bags in the living room. And if the kids are too noisy Tim and I will kick them out to sleep in the garage. How does that sound??

I volunteer to bring sugar cookies and peanut brittle. Mother, you did make lots of fudge right? I think we ran out last year.

Traci

ammo box

so somehow I posted early. Anyways, the image below is what I've been tied up with for the last month (and all the stuff leading up to it). I did this with gradients (smooth color blends) in illustrator. Didn't use 3d software for this image. Pretty tedious stuff. There are some other images that I did use 3d features to create, but these are actually better in terms of color and life.

ammo box

flatartworklongrange
Originally uploaded by wgrudd.

So scary

This is a picture of the dinosaur that Ada and I built. I first started building a regular snowman. Ada informed me that she didn't like it by attacking it with paws and teeth until it was destroyed. She told me I needed to make a more scary sculpture. Most of our 3 inches was melted by morning. It seems pretty early for all this snow, I think this could be another fun winter.

Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

We’ve had snow three time now- and it was snowing and sticking when I left this morning.  Its snowing here in Camas- so I know its snowing at our house.  Yeah…maybe I’ll make it home before dark and get some wintery pictures of the kids.  Happy Winter Everyone.
-Jenn

robo-agent

No, not a game. Today, I scheduled a flight with the brightest robo agent ever encountered. I had a complex ticketing need-exchange the old ticket (cancelled in the wake of katrina) for a new one. At first I was a little put off by him, but he soothed me, walking me through the process. He was quite insistent that I stick with him without punching random numerals and other attempts to bypass. His tone of voice was sweet and smooth, and he was so needlessly apologetic in spite of my spewing contradictory info and various obscenities, that in the end I actually was on the verge of telling him "It's ok buddy, I know we all have those days". And I told him thanks. The key word is 'agent'

Maybe we are moving towards a utopian customer service system afterall.

Turns out, I ended up scheduling the same flight that we cancelled months ago because of Katrina.

deal and bargins-the beginnings

Since I know this family loves there bargins, I am going to start another posting where you can post those AMAZING bargins that you find that you are just sure everyone would want to know about. Please limit ideas to real, substantial bargins. "Safeway cheese, $1 off" would not qualify. So in the spirit of Christmas shopping, let's see your best bargin finding skills. (My latest best bargin was Rolling Stones magazine, 3 yr subscription for 4 dollars. Beat that, I dare you)

Footlocker ----------30% off, Valid 12/1 to 12/4
Footlocker.com-------30% off FF5D2FA2
FootAction-----------30% off Valid 12/1 to 12/4
ChampsSports---------30% off Valid 12/1 to 12/4
Sports Authority-----25% off Valid 12/1 to 12/4
SportsAuthority.com--10% off AFFNOV2005
Kenneth Cole---------25% off Valid 12/1 to 12/5
Guess----------------30% off Valid 12/2 to 12/4
Timberland-----------40% off Valid 12/2 to 12/4
Steve Madden --------30% off Valid 12/2 to 12/5
Restoration Hardware 20% off Valid 12/4 to 12/5
Lord & Taylor--------20% off Valid 12/1 to 12/4
Borders--------------30% off Valid 12/1 to 12/4
Staples--------------12% off Valid 12/11 to 12/24

If you are interested in any of these visit this website for coupon details.
http://www.slickdeals.net/category/newdeals/

Weather Report?

Mom: So everyone in Oregon & Washington are predicted to get snow except us?!
I suppose California is sunny and warm.

How many inches does Prineville have? Or perhaps your power is out and you have created an igloo inthe backyard to keep warm?

Does anyone know their Christmas plans yet in terms of what days you are planning to be here. It would help with my activity and meal planning. Grandma Far Away already has the pool reserved for the 26th from 10 to 11:00, I think.

I was thinking of doing theme days like:
Asian Day: Take out Chinese food, pingpong tournament and sumo (pillow) wrestling.
Latin America Day: Soccer match, Tacos and ???

You get the idea. Maybe swimming could be Australia Day but I'm not having kangaroo.

I'm getting excited, but snow would really put me in the Christmas mood.

Greyson - say "Merry Christmas" to the Rudd clan from us.

Thanksgiving and Christmas

Well I had a fun time at Thanksgiving and the dogs didn't bother me. I was sick most of the week however so that wasn't much fun. But at least my mother was there to take care of me. I am feeling almost back to normal. I am probably the only one that hasn't been Christmas shopping yet. I was looking over my schedule for the holidays and I think I am going to take from Dec. 23rd through Jan. 1st off. I will probably be at mom and dads for 4 day of that. We are going to bring Ada to Sweet Home but plan on dropping her off at Field of Dreams for a slumber party. If any other dogs need a temporary home they could share a kennel room with her. She would probably like the company. Greyson and I may try to just stay in the Sweet Home motel for a couple nights when everyone is there. It is just more fun when we actually get some sleep. See you then.
-Mel

giving thanks

Had a great tg. 3 dogs indoors = 1 toddler and consequently round the clock dog issues. Got the old geezer dog with limited excretory controls (doberman). Got the little fox terrier, full of vigor, speed, and tennis ball obsession (also likes to piddle as a show of submission), and got our dog (Rhodesian ridgeback) big and strong and young, who with one whip of her 87 pound frame, literally knocks the tee tee out of the other two. It was quite the ordeal. The whine of the carpet shampooer is a fixture in my psyche.

Thank you for that, the pinochle trouncing, and the always delicious meals and hospitality. It was wonderful.

Grandma Faraway gift ideas

I think this would make a good subject. How about you Grandma??

white elephants

Jen was talking about bringing white elephant gifts, and I wanted to know the details like one for each member of the family - things around the house (gently used or bought )like an elvis wall clock, tacky but possibly funny or even wanted by some member of the family... am I getting this right? Are we opening these the day before Christmas??

Let us know and we'll come up with some good stuff.

the dogs by Christian

is it okay if I brought Greta for Christmas? I will pick up her dog poop and clean up any mess she makes,she will stay out side or in the garage if you let her come that is most of the time and if Marauia gets to go and Greta doesn't? Greta has this question - do you like there type not hers, and if you do, you just hurt her feelings. from Christian and Greta P.S. happy decisions

changed my mind- christian

Instead of x box March madness 2006- I want College Hoops 2k6 and it's about $30. And you're probably only going to get that deal at Wal Mart. I even want this more than Star Wars3 x box !!!

Christian
P.S. Happy Shopping

Christmas Wish List

The official Christmas wish list for Tim is as follows:

Any type of OSU Beaver apparel or merchandise
Scandisk Cruzer Titanium
I am always into the latest technological toys
Slippers - size 10 or 11
Wet-Dry Shop-Vac

That is the best I can do for now.

Tim

lunch time

I read these comments (Greyson’s leg hair and women’s rights) at my lunch- and I'm convinced my family is insane!  My fortune in my fortune cookie today says "you have great physical powers and an iron constitution"...not feeling it though.  Basketball has started and motherhood/teaching has not...so I'm ready to collapse.  I hope everyone has a great weekend- if I don't get a chance to blog again until Monday.  Evolution huh...don't get me started.  Thank God (:)) I don't live in Kansas.

greygerbil list

hi guys,

wanted games for xbox 360:
condemned: criminal origins (horror game)
call of duty 2
amped 3

more affordable:
vintage army ammo box (the tin kind with the cool closures and stencil on the sides). I'm designing one this term.
drum sticks
cymbals
copy of moby dick
Anything by charles dickens
Classics-best all-time fiction of any genre (I want to experience the best writing available)

outrageously priced:
snowboard lessons/rentals
more stable bench press bench (old one is getting a little scary)
epson 2200 (or whatever the latest is, which also happens to be cheaper)
a trip somewhere
double bass drum pedal
new coat (low profile–not too puffed, attractive, most importantly warm)

Hi everyone; wanted to say Hi from California!

We're all fine here. We've got a a brand new mall in Simi. It's all outdoors and called a "town center". It's just beautiful with koi ponds, statures, play areas, food and plenty of places to sit and people watch. Mom/Grandma/ Ruby and I walked it last Saturday.
I've never seen a mall with so many bences, tables, rocking chairs , not to mention a large two-sided open fireplace. Can't complain about the weather; in the 80's during November isn't bad.

Michelle and her husband just got back from visiting her sister and his fiance in Chicago. Their wedding is next June, and everyone is excited. Wish you could all join us. Hope to convince Mom/Grandma to go with us. She's very hesitant, even though I would fly back to Chicago with her and Michelle would fly back to California with her. But she is a reluctant long-distance traveler. She is Stephanie's only grandparent, so hope we can talk her into going.

So fun to read your entrys and the love in my brother's family is so obvious. Talk later. And if you ever feel that it is imposing to have your notes being read by me or grandma, just let me know. I'll understand.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving..... I know we're thankful for our family.
Fondly, Chris and Phil

remembered one more christmas item

Brown belt and black belt- with texture but not other colors…I need XL in women’s – most gap pants are low waisted so the belts have to be long.  I’d like something fairly nice quality because I bought one from Walmart- and have not been happy with it at all.  The one I got from Nordstroms Rack I wear all the time- but it’s got three different colors in it- and I’d like 2 that are just brown or just black.
-Jenn 

Melanie's wish list

Well, I feel sorry for who ever has me since I can't think of much that I really want. The one thing my father might enjoy shopping for might be a drill. The last project I did I had to use a screwdriver. I know the cordless are way to spendy but a cheap corded drill would be great.
As for my secret Santa:
-I like earrings, maybe some med/small silver hoops of some sort, just not too gaudy. They don't need to be expensive at all but good enough that they don't make my ears turn red and itch.
-I would like the Tae Bo workout that Traci says is good (check w/her to see which one). If you have a DVD burner like Greyson you could make that a pretty cheap present.
-I would like someone to reinforce my front porch so it is strong enough to hang a swing from.
-Any of the following games (board not video):Check out http://www.boardgamegeek.com/rankbrowse.php3 or
http://www.funagain.com/control/productaward/~award_year=2005/~award_type=IGA/#pagecontent
(I don't want Puerto Rico as we play that at some friends and want a different but similar game) There are lots of others for example:
2 Caylus 8.38
3 Euphrat & Tigris 8.35
4 Power Grid 8.16
5 Princes of Florence, The 8.16
6 El Grande 8.11
7 Macher, die 8.08
8 Wallenstein 8.02
9 Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage 8.02
10 Game of Thrones, A: A Clash of Kings Expansion 8.01
11 War of the Ring 7.99
12 Age of Steam Expansion #1 - England & Ireland 7.99
13 Paths of Glory

I will keep thinking on other ideas and post them when they come to me.
-Mel

My (Dad) ideas so far

It appears that Mom has been listening to some of my ideas about Christmas gifts for "me" from "you all". Anyway I want someone or all to create CD's from your own collections in the following categories: (1) LOVE SONGS (rock)- AS MANY AS POSSIBLE GIVEN INFINITE PREPARATION TIME.
(2) DO WOP SONGS - SAME
(3) COUNTRY - Love songs, cheating songs, Ronnie Milsap, George Strait, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc,etc. If you decide these are good ideas please remmber my hearing is going to the dogs so really complex (loud) and indistinct songs are hard for me to pick out the words.

My daughters gave me some of the above, but over time I ruined all but one by hiking and mowing with a CD player and finding that CDs that rub scratch. I threw the old ones away but Tim says that now you can repair them and I saw an ad where they can be covered and played with the protective cover on!?

I thought this would be great gifts that shouldn't cost hardly anything, totally personal, and I would be sooooooooooooo happy to have for Christmas.

Here is another idea: You guys know the large floral or blue mug that I drink coffee from are my favorites, BUT I have to reheat my coffee every couple of minutes in the microwave because I like it relatively hot and it cools down to much; so it is up and down, up and down. back and forth to the microwave.

There is a Samsung CD/VCR player at Costco that I have had my eye on. One thought we have had is for the kids to watch CDs/VHS in a warm garage this Christmas. Have mounted a 27" tv already.

Here is another idea that probably appeals to no one: gift certicates for "weed pulling in flower beds at Christmas". Great concept huh?!

How's this: a gift certicate for putting on four tubes of moss kill/30# of dry detergent early spring along the ridge lines of our house. This is a difficult strain for me. Perhaps if I start working out I can get some strength back and the new pills Traci got me to get from my doctor have really helped with the jerking and shaking of the hands. (I am a much faster typist now). Wished I had had in my teens, of well.

How"s this: A load of hemlock barkdust. Hemlock doesn't give people shivers.

How's this: Brain could rototill back by our fence. I probably spend $100 each spring to do this counting rental and truck gas to Corvallis (plus this is an almost all day job what with renting and driving, and rototilling). Brain you should never have shown me your rototiller, at first I thought it couldn't possible do "the Job", but actually it was light enough to be manageable and did very well here and at Traci's and Melanies garden.

How's this: Helping me design railings for both sides of bridge across creek, I purchase materials and we build together.

How's this: Purchase and plant a small ($5) rhody for back fence; one died of our original planting.

How's this: A gift certificate to Home Depot or Wal-Mart, my two favortite stores.

How's this: Move our birdbath in back to a better location and level. The birds seldom use and does not stand out.

How's this: Pegboard holders for screwdrivers, redo my pegboard and tools, or something like that.

I am going to update this list with more (hopefully really cheap ideas) of things I would really like that give people freedom to personalize.

traci gift ideas

The Who's Ultimate C.D. collection.
Black leather tall boots. (Riding Boots or small heels.) Sz.9
Fake or semi precious jewelry. Sz 6 ring - necklaces - earrings - any style to dress up a sweater, Ross has some fun stuff. Antique looking or blue, emerald, turqoise, etc.
sweats or workout shorts/cute tops. sm/med. on bottoms. med on tops. Make sure the sweats won't shrink or are talls.
Slippers sz 9 pastel pink or pastel aqua or white or a combo. Think light!
Fake nails - the "natural" sized kind. Is that an oxymoron?

Gift ideas for Mom/Janice/Grandma

I am hooked on sudoku and I see they make a little handheld one like Grandma Faraway has for solitaire.

Also, my t-shirts are all pretty shabby with fraying collars and holes in various places. It would be nice to have a new one and be able to throw some away. These can just be the utility work out type. A men's XL usually fits.

I would like someone to fix the TV remote in the bedroom. You have to push one number less in each place value to get the channel. For example, if you want channel 22, you have to enter 33. If you want chanel 8, you put in 9. If you want channel 45, you put in 54. I'm quite good at it now, but I think there must be a way to fix it.

I need more dumbbells beyond the one pair of 10 lb. ones I have. I'd like a 5 lb. set to do shoulders or a 14 lb. set for biceps.

I'd like a new charm for my charm bracelet.

Also, I used up all of my bubble bath. So any of that type of thing.

I have a pair of regular pull-on slippers but I can't find the pair of slides that Jennifer got me a year or two ago. In the winter I leave those by the side of my bed so I can slip into them if I have to get up in the night. I wear the others for serious walking around the house.

I would like a business card designed for me, but that would probably be too expense to have done by a professional.

I'd like a supply of small white towels to use while exercising.

Most of all, I am hoping my family will travel safely and enjoy each other's company at Christmas.

Grandpa Gift Ideas

LDS is interested in CD's - the more the better. Of course, I wants country, "hip hop" (I don't know what that is) and the golden oldie stuff from the 60's & 70's, perhaps even late 50's. He imagines himself listening to tunes while he works out. I'm hoping someone out there can just record some rather than actually purchasing. I'm not suggesting copyright violation, mind you.

wish list for Jenn

I want to try out that exercise machine- I’d like to find one that is sturdy- but simple enough to fold up and roll under something or behind something.  We don’t have much empty floor space- but I want to get into a regular exercise routine.  Back to the original reason for this message- for my secret santa:  some ideas

I’d like a dutch oven type pot- it should be able to sit directly on a burner and be large enough to cook a meal for 6 in it.

I’d like clothing- any pants, sweaters, etc….as long as they fit- I’m a 16 ultra long pant (38 inch) and a tall XL tops…not an easy task to find.

I’d like car seat covers that have bags/accessory kids stuff that hang from the back- for kids to put their garbage, toys, books, drawing stuff etc.

I’d like comfortable shoes or boots- size 12 that are brown.

Most of my items are over the budget unless found on sale- so I’m trying to think of other smaller items…I’m always in need of mascara, oil of olay lotion for my face,  any thick nice XL ¾ length sleeve shirts- preferably blacks, reds and whites for school colors. 

Well that’s a good list I think.  Brian will be posting his in the near future.

eco footprint

I took this little 2 minute test last summer and it really changed my thinking. Check it out and let me know what you think...

http://www.earthday.net/footprint/info.asp

an elliptical exerciser

Mom really wanted an elliptical exerciser and I enjoy planning and shopping, so ..... I diligently read articles from consumer reports on home gym equipment, specifically elliptical exercisers, visited manufacturers websites, called excercise equipment stores, dickered for best price, etc. Then Jan, Grandma Faraway, and I drove to Salem and tried out different models in two different brands recommended by CR. Janice didn't want handles and I wanted something sturdy (in case I should do any exercising) and so we purchased a Precor 21i which was one big step up from what I had been researching, but that is OK with me because I felt comfortable on it and Janice seemed happy too. We are waiting for it to be shipped to Salem to pick it up. Most of today I spent shopping for a horse stall rubber matt to go under this equipment, bought a 27 inch tv for the garage, a wall-mounting bracket, and cable to connect to our splitter in the garage to it. Tomorrow I hope to drill the holes and attach the bracket and then Jan & I can lift the tv into place. Love, Dad

puffy coat season

It's time for puffy coats. I see potential for an obnoxious puffy coat competition. Any takers? Maybe the winner could get the obnoxious puffy hat

brother-in-laws

Greyson makes me laugh.

rudd list

Ada: the new "Ridgeback Fantasies" squeeky chicken. It's all the rage. It's the ridgeback tickle me toy of 2k5.

dean family wish list

Gabriel:  GI Joe Sigma 6 toy, Conquer (squirrel vs. teddy bear  X-box game), GameBoyDonkeyKong game, nerf football

Nicholas:  how to draw Manga, Sigma 6 toy, lego set star wars, nerf balls used in PE (dodgeball)

Emma:  dora stuff, care bear read a story, my little pony, I’ll think more on her later

holiday shopping thoughts

Alright, we'll try this again. Just humor me. I like to get my shopping done before all the chaos starts. Make a list knowing it could quell a full blown panic attack. It's like starting with the charitable spirit early.

Tuck's list
dodge balls - the yellow ones that are soft that they use at P.E. ( Grandma Jan will know)
Nerf Football
WOW 2002 Christian Hits C.D.( MY favorite I've scratched from listening too much.)
Halo 2
Skateboard
Test Drive X box game
Light Saber


India's list
Kitchen toys with play food
joke book
Jeans from Old Navy Sz 10 slim - med. to dark blue
Rollerskates sz. 4
Home Decorating book with lots of pictures, like at Home Depot, etc.
Cat toys ( For all four of her babies )
Bubble Bath
Cranium for kids

Christian
The old Guesstures game...not the dvd one
Madagascar DVD
Pass the Pigs game like Aunt Mel has
Light Saber
March of Maddness 2006

water conservation

So gardening by the yard featured a potential solution (at least partially) for folks who are experiencing massive summer water bills. It involved a system of water collection barrels at the gutters. It was so smart. Some folks had one barrel, but you could really link as many of these in a sort of series as you want. When they fill, a simple bypass method can be used. Now what was really amazing about this is that a half an inch of rain yields either 200 or 400 gallons (on an average sized roof). This not only conserves water for when you really need it, saves money, saves fresh drinkable water, but it also relieves a tremendous strain on the sewer system. Larry, I really thought of you in particular on this.

staying in portland

The whole Porter clan will be spending Thursday and Friday night at the Oxford Suites near Janzen Beach. We're going to support our V.B. team at state. If any Aunts or Uncles or cousins want us/our kids to come visit let us know your schedule. Our hotel has a pool and hot tub! Tim and I will go to all the games, but the kids might get bored and want to play with their cousing. And you don't have to take them all. It might be cool for India is she had some "girl" time by herself with her relatives without the boys there. Is Ada busy, because India has some rubber boots she wants to try out on the trails.

Let us know and we can make some plans.

traci

And More Applesauce

Dad bought 5 bags of apples and we (he, Grandma FarAway and I) made a bunch more applesauce. We filled up every spare plastic container we owned between us. I don't dare have any leftovers in the near future because I have nothing to store it in.

I don't think this batch is quite as tasty as the last. I don't think the apples were quite as flavorful. Still, its much better than anything one can buy in a store and the apples were just $5 a bag.

I have mopped the kitchen floor twice but there are still sticky spots.

I'm trying NOT to think about snow. I always get disappointed if we don't get any.

Mom

gift ideas

If everyone could post some of their gift ideas, including kids since Tim lost all of the cousins slips, it would be very helpful. Grandmas and Parents please put your small and big wish lists too. I'll post my families when they get back from Church. Tuck and I are playing hookey since he still has a bad cough.

Tuck broke our fancy dining light with a bouncy ball, and India hit the living room fan light and broke a big piece of it last week. I'm not sure what her weapon was.

I want snow, but all we're getting is cold rain. Not much else is new. Trying to muster the energy to get ye old family picture taken. I finished off the pumpkin icecream and now am ready for the peppermint candy seasonal flawor.

How is Katia?

The Dean family woes

I had to smile as I read Traci’s or soggy pete’s day in the life with children.  Couples without patience and a good sense of humor- really should think twice..huh?   Emma has the flu….but with a dose of medicine is just well enough to cause trouble and be cranky.  She refuses to eat anything but candy- which is in ample supply in the boys’ bedroom after Halloween.  Kalena has taken to a high pitched scream as a general mode of communication- happy, sad or curious.  She’s just tall enough and strong enough to pull over chairs and stools- and all that gets stacked on top.  The big white plastic gate is up taking up a good portion of the living room after she reached for the pretty fire, leaving her with a nice blister on her thumb….(and just for the record- mom was not home at the time).  The boys are both having their dental/orthodontist night mares.  Nicholas had four teeth pulled and insists on the use of gas- adding an extra 50 dollars not covered by insurance with each visit.  Gabe has those lovely big front teeth- is this a Shull or a Sharp gene? He still has not reached the age where they’ve wanted to start the ortho work…Gabe has his own set of daily struggles with me though. He got a new kitten from the shelter- the first one he picked out (even after four hours of looking/trying to convince him maybe this wasn’t the most affectionate cat)…Boris-the one hundred dollar kitten- (now named Hunter) came home and promptly began to sneeze the next morning (like 80% of the shelter cats we looked at).  To top that event off- a student just had their cat give birth to a litter of FREE kittens- that were quite cute, friendly and not sick.  My play by play is not sequential- just high lights.  But I have to say I’m so thankful for each of my children…I think they are some of the cutest and brightest kids around.  When Emma isn’t telling me “she doesn’t like me” …she’s wanting to read stories, play make-believe and be my cleaning helper.  Nicholas’s reading teacher just visited my classroom and told me he is the nicest kid (her daughter Courtney- he talks about quite a bit…hmmm) and he’s the one who likes to just hang out with me, in the hot tub, up stairs on the couch…and reminds me that “he’s the one I’ve loved the longest”.  Kalena…well she’s a baby- and I’ve got that strange genetic program that dad thinks I should be frustrated by…but instead relish- that makes me like to just spend time holding and smelling her- that is when she will sit still.  Gabriel…the one that takes some true creativity in parenting---he and I have been working on our science and math challenges together.  I don’t have to ask about his homework- he’s proud of being in this special math group and I have to say the latest assignment on a magic square- had me stumped.  He lives his life with emotion- so I see the love the brightest in his eyes- and of course the defiance.  I announced the other day that the “family” would attend the Homecoming football game- no choices in the evenings events- he responded- what happened to my freedom.  I’m especially thankful for such a supportive husband- who has made dinner each night this week- and seems to know the right way to respond to Gabriel.  Well I should be grading papers.  So I’ll get back to the grind. 

Do-over! Do-over!

So when a person, a couple reach that stage where they think having a family would be a good idea, I want to go back there. And I want to travel the non-children route.

I took the children to get their head gear and all that, and Tuck has been sick, so we propped him up in the back of the van and took him with us. Tim has homecomeing week and so I get stuck with all of them. Then Tuck throws up in the van...not something we expected since his symptoms were mainly fever and a cough. Then we ride in this nauteous smell all the way to Bend and back. After we get back home, India has to go to the dentist and get Six teeth pulled, and her front gum slit open to make room for her other big tooth to come in since it's about a year behind. That's five shots and the aftermath of "how can you let them do this to me, your daughter. The pain mother! And now I have no teeth! How could you let them?!. We walk to the van, her mouth filled with gauze, and after a long conversation I convince her that it's better to get those teeth pulled because they were rotting, and two of them were keeping a big front tooth from coming in. And really you couldn't see all those baby teeth because they were hidden under her lips, (that's if she didn't smile) and so she's not happy with me, but thinks socially she might survive, "even though they've already teased me about missing so many teeth." And I'm thinking she'll have to chew everything with her four back teeth for a while, and how that might be interesting, but not sharing that with her. Then we go inside, and Christian is impressed with how many shots she endured, but says, "you've got no teeth now." and I shoot him the evil mother glare, but it's done. And India starts crying in earnest, looking in the bathroom mirror, glad that the blood is oozing out of her mouth and enhancing the whole drama. I ask her to rinse out her mouth and we'll put in new gauze, but she refuses, and lets the blood drip down on the sink and her clothes, crying and slobbering.

Tuck is coughing like crazy in the living room, and I know Tim won't be home until 7p.m. Then Christian says India is faking it and being a baby- which she kind of is- but that's not what we need. So I send him away, and India shoves a towel to her mouth and heads off to her room.

I make dinner, catch up on laundry, and all the while the children are bickering about whether to watch Old Yeller or the new Star Wars DVD. India gives me the silent treatment. Tucker takes a bath, leaving a big puddle which our super watercat Sherbert, plays in and then walks through leaving paw prints all over the clean floor. And the dog's shocker won't work, and she's barking, and Christian, the hypochondriac, thinks there's something wrong with his braces, and wants me to check. I check, and i see braces. He says there's something "back there" kind of pinching on his lip. I offer him some wax, but he declines because it's a more general pain, not a wire kind of hurt. Finally, after everything settles down, and India grants me a truce, Tim comes home.

He's all chipper and somehow I lose my temper with him because he asked if I was going to wash the kids' cool new shirts they got from the orthodontist. I'm thinking, he just doesn't get it. And he's thinking very bad thoughts of me because we don't speak. And I leave to the nursing home, and it is such relief to be with little old ladies who bless me for folding their blankets and shutting their blinds, and who tell me I'm sweet to visit all the time. And I feel slighly guitly that I'm escaping the madhouse in guise of kindness to lonely old people. And my best moment of the day is in telling Robin how awful my day has been, with all the details, and she gets this big grin on her face, and then we slip away from reality into Scarlet O' Hara and the big ball with the hansome Ashley who is about to announce his engagement to Melanie Hamilton.

Wanted: pictures

Dear sisters,
I am sitting at my office desk and notice that my pictures of my nephews and nieces are 2 years old. I have received other sports pictures but I would like the school pictures for my office. I like the 2.5 X 3.5" size. Just a hint. And I remember asking my mother for her school picture but haven't received that either.

I am eagerly awaiting someone to post some Halloween pictures also.

See, you scared them off!

Californians, where are you?

Grandma, so glad you can join in again.

We ate all our halloween candy, that's two Costco bag's worth, but we usually only have one or two trick or treaters, so I'll buy a small bag and not open it until they actually come to the door. India is dressing up as a gothic princess and the boys are wearing masks and dark clothing. I'm going to be Olga, the Amish/German prairie woman. Tim isn't dressing up. Well, not naked, but he's just plain old Tim. So I think we'll call him Opie or Richie Cunningham.

We are so proud of Greta. She went into the creek, chest deep, and stood there elegant, like she was posing for Field and Stream or something.

I'm on primidone, which is medicine for essential tremors. I'm so silky smooth you won't regonize me.

Robin and I are embarking on Gone With The Wind. "India:" and "Melanie" are both names I've already enountered in the first chapers.

Tim will get his admin license in another month or so. Then he meets with the Superintent to discuss next year. I'm starting on research for agents and publishers and all that. Maybe by spring I'll be rich, or at least richer, and published, or maybe I'll have all those rejections and then with my pent up anger I'll write a great anti-society type book. Nothing so potent as an anguished writer.

Everyone stay safe tonight,
Traci