my husband has left without me

Well I’m still at school with students trying to get their binders done…but I’m heading out soon.  A teacher needs me to pick up some extra chicks that hatched and didn’t get picked up.  So now I’ve got to head home first to put them in the brooder- and then over to Home Valley.   I think my husband was anxious to try out the new trailer- he just called to say he’s leaving without me.  Soooo…as soon as I can pick the boys up and get some supplies at the store- I’m headed out.  Have a great weekend if we don’t see you enjoy this sunshine while it lasts!  Love. Jenn.

Dean family update

This weekend we are heading to Home Valley Park- it is on the way to Melanie and Greyson’s house.  Next weekend- April 7^th and 8^th- we are headed to Newport- check out the Thousand’s Trails offer on-line- we’ll be at that Nature Preserve- just Brian and I- we’d love to have other adult company join us.  Brian brought the trailer home yesterday- it looks a lot bigger in our driveway than it did in the show room- Brian is making some adjustments to our gated driveway when we get back from this camping adventure.  He’s still trying to get used to maneuvering the trailer- the boys were thrilled with the bunks.  We spent last night loading our clothes, toys and food.  We are taking one of Nicholas’s friends Austin- I’m driving the boys- since we have to have the Austin and Nicholas back for a soccer game Sunday morning at 10:00.  The weather looks beautiful out my classroom windows- I hope it stays like this.  That’s about it- Home Valley is a small park right off Hwy 14 up the gorge- wind surfers use it a lot for training.  It has a “swimming beach”, boat launch, swing set/playground area and base ball field.  If you come up this way- the sign for the park is off to the right of the high way.  I’ll write more later. Take care. 

Jennifer speaking again

Congratulations Greyson!!  Those skim board designs did look cool- I’ll have to show those to the boys. 

Well the tournament just ended and I was able to get most my work done during the lunch break- so I’m going to head home.  We (the Dean family) are soliciting help for putting up our ?outbuilding- Brian probably has the right word for it- but it’s the covered area we need to build for the trailer.  Anyway- as soon as we buy the supplies- and Brian said some major holes need to be dug- then the building will begin.  The sooner it gets covered the longer it will last.  Take  care one and all!  Where is everyone going for spring break?  Brian and I still plan to go to the coast without children on that following weekend of our spring break- April 7^th and 8^th- we are dropping the girls at Brian’s folks- and then heading over to the beach.  Again- adults are welcome to join us- we are just looking to celebrate our anniversary and take a few nights without any children- for the first time in I think hmmm….three years.  I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. 

animal news (post by Mom/Jan)

I discovered a lump on Will's tummy last weekend. Larry took him to the vet on Monday and he had surgery to remove a fairly large tumor. No path report so we don't know what it was. Vet looked under a microscope but couldn't tell. So he is inside 24-7 and had a drain, stitches, staples, medicine, etc. Had the drain out on Thursday and is walking more normally now. He's getting very tired of being indoors and I am very tired of having him and his litter box here. Stiches come out on Thursday & then he is out of here!

Dean update

Yes- the last weekend of your spring break and the first weekend of ours- is when we’d like to go camping.  We took the plunge yesterday afternoon and bought a trailer.  So our old trailer is for sale $1800.00.  Brian has some friends that are coming to take a look this weekend.  Spread the word- and mom and dad I don’t know if the Tacoma could haul it- but you could use it for that camping trip if it did.  Also- you are welcome to stay in our “new” trailer.  We bought one with four bunks- and the couch is actually a queen size hide-a-bed.  So there is quite a bit of extra sleeping room.  It will be our maiden voyage- and supposedly there are some free campsites on the coast where we can go (through the dealership).  We’ll be finding out more information on that next week.  I had to miss work Thursday and Friday- I’m not too happy about this- but Debbie won’t take Emma when she’s contagious with anything- she was diagnosed with strep and impetiago (yes at the same time!) and during the exam they found a bead stuck in her ear.  So we got to spend time at Kaiser getting antibiotics and a bead flushed out on thursday.  Anyway- but Friday when the strep test results came back in – she was feeling fine and I had started the antibiotics Thursday morning- so we (Emma, Kalena and I)  went RV shopping.  Anyway- did my research read a ton of websites and RV books (like the chapters on how to make the deal).  I think I did a good job- I new the mark up  amounts- I knew the retail and approximate invoice amounts.  And I offered my amount- they countered- I said no- this is how much I will pay (its on a 2005), and they said ok.  Oh- yeah- and my husband joined me- he is the one who actually found the a similar trailer on another lot and wanted me to check it out- I went to the closer Olinger lot and found the same design.  Then he met me and we started the wheelin and dealin.   Anyway- that’s the run down- I’m at school getting ready to help with the State Knowledge Bowl meet- then do some damage recovery to my classroom.  I hope you all can join us on the first camping adventure.  As I said I’ll post more details on the coastal location as soon as we know. 

skimboards

skimboards
Originally uploaded by wgrudd.

my last project. I'm done!!!! yey. I mean. At PSU. Got my bachelor's. We had a sound misshap when presenting our racing movie, so I still need to turn that in, but if all goes well, I'll graduate magna cum laude. A triumphant return to school.

Dean family camping adventure

Anyone want to join us for a camping adventure on the weekend of March 31^st to April 1^st?  We’d like to allow the boys to both bring a friend- but then we’d need more seat belts to get them there- so if anyone wants to join us and has room for two boys- please let me know.  Thanks!

when roosters attack

I probably didn't tell most of you yet, but a couple of weeks ago, my rooster and I had a bit of a confrontation. I went into the coop to collect eggs, and our rooster strutted in through the doorway. As he took wing, I knew based on Mel's warnings that he was not there for a casual crowing conversation. He wanted blood. As he flapped towards me, I placed my rubber boot on his chest and pushed. He kind of faltered, but delivered a surprisingly powerful kick to my shin, and lunged for a different AOA (for you avation challenged folks, this stands for angle of attack). I felt being tall and upright gave me better SA (situational awareness), but that intial blow was staggering. I began to add additional pressure with my rubber boot until he was flying back to bounce off of the wall of the coop. He gathered his chicken wits and continued his barrage, going for what I guess he considered the "weak shin", so I resorted to flapping wings of my own and shouting "get out of here" in sort of a panicked state. At this point he backed out of the coup, and I hastily collected the booty. He thought he would flank me, but I had a ready eye on the chicken-sized opening in the wall. I kicked heaps of sawdust into his face before he could squeeze his intimidating mass through the door, and he finally was convinced that merely this small battle was lost. We both came away from the experience with the understanding that, were he any bigger, I'd be the one face down in the sawdust.

Tonight I returned from a visit with my film group to experience a similar assault, this time while I was trying to feed his insatiable apetite with food and water. Um, I'm already tired of this. Any suggestions? And the first one to mention chicken stew I will assume is willing to gut and pluck the big guy. And on top of that, I expect you to eat him. Perhaps I will have you all over for roast chicken. He is big enough to feed a family I think. Don't forget that the rooster will not shut up and places us at odds with neighbors who need to keep their dogs quiet. He also harasses the two hens, plucks the feathers from their backs, and creates too many fertilized fried eggs for my taste. Food requirements. Excessive noise. Unwarranted aggression. Fried zygotes for breakfast. The big guy has to go. Not sure if I just want to set him free or Dick Cheney him as he crows.

Oddly, no one wants him as a gift.

I have the boys this weekend- from Jennifer

Traci- please bring children over we’d love to have them.  We are going to Chuck E Cheeses Friday in the morning.  Nicholas has anm indoor soccer game Saturday and Emma has a birthday party to attend on Sunday.  But other than that- we will be home…in fact we aren’t all going to any of these events- so one of us Brian or myself will be home the entire weekend.  Have the kids bring swim suits for the hot tub. 

Hello from Rufus

Yes, here I am in the lovely city of Rufus, Oregon only an earshot distance from good 'ol Arlington. Things have been going well here. I am get to leave early from work tomorrow to make my last class before finals on Tuesday. This means I also get to spend the night at home and then leave very early the next morning to make it back here by 7am. We are staying in a rather interesting hotel. That would actually be a very forgiving adjective for it. I don't mind run down but this place is old and DIRTY. You don't want to walk around in bare feet. The nice part is that we are across the street from the dam. I have also slept like a rock in this hard old bed that I am sleeping in.

My biggest problem is that my computer is overheating (I think) and shutting down every 10 minutes. That makes it very hard to finish my final project for my class. So tonight I am experimenting with an ice pack under the hottest part of the laptop. Hopefully that will help of I am going to be in a panic. That's all from the desert, Mel

padoozle (from urban dictionary)

To browse, examine, check out, or look something over
I am going to go padoozle the TV guide to find something to watch.

skimboard illustration

babybirdscan
Originally uploaded by wgrudd.

the perpetually hungry baby bird

woe is me

my wife is gone for the Spring.

Yeah the racing sort of succeeded. It was wet out most of the time we wanted to shoot, and they're not interested in street racing on slick roads. We had a couple of straight sprints filmed. We have a lot of drift racing footage though as well as interviews and explanations. I also filmed a section of country road driving, which we'll speed up and add music for the beginning and end of the film. It should be sort of abstract looking hopefully.

As for my illustrations....I got a lot to do. Hope everybody is doing well.

Is there a picture? Yes!

Post from Mom

We had 2 snow days with no school even though there was hardly any snow in town. the hills had 6 to 8 inches. Anyway, I had lots of time to get caught up on little things and big things.
My new car ran really well in the snow with no slip sliding away.

Is anyone coming to visit this weekend? The Porters teased and then . . . nothing. I actually don't think it is probably a good idea to travel the pass yet anyway. And can they all fit in the truck? The Dean's are going RV window-shopping. The Rudd-Sharps are apparently busy taking pictures. Whatever happened with Greyson's drag racing photography? I hope nothing as it sounded dangerous to me. But then, I'm now 58 so what do you expect?

We saw "Walk the Line" tonight on DVD and both thought it was very good. I tend to like movies based on real life anyway.

Nothing else fun here. Dad got the letter from PERS saying they are going to take back money they've already given because of the lawsuit that was settled a few months ago. We knew (or at least I knew) that was coming but it is still depressing. On the positive side, we don't owe any income tax.

Time for bed.

XOXOXOXO
Mom

One cat, two cat

glad cat, blue cat

Isn't it time for spring?

Everyone enjoying the snow?

Melanie, keep in touch

Are you still at Tri-cities? When will you come home. As soon as I get my truck and you and Greyson have free time to do your projects, I will be happy to come up and help. Can you blog from your hotel room? I enjoyed your past pictures showing your job experiences with the fish, boat, co-workers, etc. I hope you wear a life jacket and dress really warm. Be safe my youngest daughter. I love you, Dad

Dean family update

Well I was diagnosed with strep on Friday morning- I think my throat scared the nurse a little.  I tend to let these things go too long.  Brian was diagnosed with strep yesterday- so we are both on antibiotics.  I’m hoping the children do not get it.  This weekend we are planning to go to the trailer expo- we have free tickets…anyone want to play with two lovely girls while we go window shopping?  Anyone want to join us?  It is kind of fun to dream.  It sounds like mom and dad might have several visitors- so I’ll have to mention this to my husband.  Obviously if we have any children with strep we won’t be going anywhere again this weekend.  I was told not to be in the “public” until Monday.  I actually went shopping though on Sunday- Emma is quite pleased with some skirts I got her- the hippie style.  They were on clearance at Fred Meyers.  She’s such a girlie girl sometimes.  Kalena has started this behavior where if Emma starts crying in the house- Kalena cries and just starts running towards me- like she’s really scared.  I guess that’s fairly normal- but she’s never done it before until this week. I watched Supernanny last night- and now I am going to try to implement one of her family strategies.  I feel like the boys are just growing up so fast- and so distant from me and their sisters.  So I’ve worked out a plan to bring us together and hopefully increase cooperation between brother and brother and brother and sister.  I’ll get back to everyone on the success or lack of it after I give it a try for a month or two.  I’m also revoking Brian’s allowance to them…I’ve watched it just get wasted on candy and junk for two months now- and it just seems like a big waste of money.    Anyway- that’s what is new with me and the family.  Brian and I are both feeling great after the antibiotics kicked in.  Basketball is over- so I’ve got lots of extra time to fill with other school related events.  Well the bell should ring any second now.  Take care one and all.

lifting

So, we lifted and it felt good.

I'm embarking on a new novel. Grisham started The Firm the day he finished A Time To Kill. Also, I'm helping another author with editing her detective story; she appreciates my insight which is a much needed positive in all this waiting. No more rejections so far. I'm still convinced my novel will find an agent, but it's a finicky novel, and plays hard to get I guess.

Greyson, I'm so glad there's another artist in the family. How goes the car racing footage? Sounds like a fun project.

Mother, any birthday ideas? We might come for a visit if you're up to it and the weather isn't too bad.

We played poker and I won about $60 which is good since we play against old men that have lots of money and patience and wisdom. Pocket kings sure helps though. I even bluffed and it payed off.

Better get busy. Take care all. Mel...is this good enough?

Traci

Leaving today

I am leaving today for my field work season. This year shouln't be near as bad as last year however since the jobs are located closer to home. I will be up in te Tri-cities for a week or so but then I will be down by Rufus for a few weeks. So at least it will only be an hour and a half for Greyson to visit. I would make the drive each day but the hours we work are just too long.

I have working on restacking rocks on my new flowerbed wall. It will need some dirt to fill it. Maybe my fater could look at it sometime this spring and see how much he thinks I need to get. Our lawn is also eroding away in a section and will need to be filled. I am not sure if there is some underlying problem I should be conserned about.

Rooster for sale. Actually he is free to anyone that wants a rooster.

It would be nice if you all could write so I would have something to read in my hotel room at night. I haven't heard a Porter clan update in awhile.
-Mel

birthday ideas

I’d still like some more stylish belts- that would work for brown or black pants. Clothing of any sort is good.

-Jenn

Dean family update

Ok- this isn’t nearly as impressive as mom’s grant writing accomplishments- but I just got awarded the Toyota Tapestry mini-grant for my Body Farm idea.  So now I will have the money to support that project- fun, fun.  I had a budget of 100 this year- next year I will have 2500- for just that one project alone J  Well its been a crazy week- finished basketball awards last night- that’s a huge relief.  I still dread talking to adults- so was nervous and it showed off and on.  I’m fine talking about the girls I enjoyed during the season and want to share about- but have problems talking about those that there isn’t much to say.   Kalena is advanced- she plays with things more like a toddler than an infant- she pretends a play phone is a real phone and puts it to her ear and talks….she opens and closes the doors of Emma’s van.  She was hollering down the hall and we wondered what was going on- went to look and she’s looking all proud of herself sitting up in Emma’s wooden chair.  In the mornings she’ll pick up Emma’s purse by the handle and carry it around like she’s going somewhere.  She’s just such a little person nowadays.  Emma is my sweetheart- she wants to do everything with me.  I love it- and am excited for summer to be here when I can spend more time playing with her.  I made her a zoo photo album- unfortunately we went on one of the coldest days of the month- so the pictures aren’t all that great of the animals…they were all hiding indoors…but at least I have some of the memories stored for her.  This weekend I’ll make up a script for it.  If we go again in the spring or summer I’ll make another one.  Gabe and Nicholas return home today- it seems like they’be been gone for awhile- well since last Thursday.  So I’ll be checking in with them when I get home tonight to see what’s new.  Gabriel’s teacher said he’s been doing better.   Nicholas keeps us busy with Saturday soccer games- I’m glad they don’t have any practices.  Brian and I are getting a good chunk of money back this year from taxes- so that will be nice to put towards some debts.  Well I’m exhausted- couldn’t sleep this morning after about 4- had too much on my mind.  I’m going to get prepared to go home. 

It's here, it's here

We pick up our Rav4 tonight in Eugene. Yeh for Mom. Yeh for me. I can't wait to check out the motor.