handful

Finally the weekend

This has seemed like a long week so I am glad that it is Friday. I no longer feel like I need to cry whenever I think about Quark. Our house does seem too quiet without that Siamese chatter. The goose heard this complaint and has really tried to step up and fill the house with noise and can be very insistant with his chirps. Greyson has been working hard to move the pile of dirt to all the flower beds. This weekend we want to try to get the garden retilled and planted. I will have to catch the Deans before they leave for camping to borrow their tiller. I will have to go check how our trailer is looking and see if it feels up to the trip.

I got a big raise at work which is nice. I am getting out of the busy season and should be in the office a lot. We have a new guy hired in my office making a total of 3 of us here. They also just started another office here in Vancouver that does slightly different work from us (wetlands, culverts replacements and the related permitting and EIS's (environmental impact statements). I may get the chance to help with some of that work in the future which would be a welcome change.

I look forward to a camping trip with all of you when the weather gets warm enough for tent camping. I think mom and dad should look into a little tent camper they could pull with their new SUV. Hope you Dean's have fun this weekend
-Mel

I miss my Siamese boy

I lost Quark on Monday and I would just like to share a few of the reasons why he meant so much to me.

I loved how he would give you a little headbut as you went to give him a kiss on the head. The second he heard the fish food containers come out he would be up on the ledge forcing your hand out of the way to get to the food and crying incessantly until you gave him a piece. For fun he would manage to open the cupboards and then get inside, lay down and then bang on the door. He would follow where ever I led, to the garden, in the woods, it didn't matter to him as long as we went together. I loved the way he gave Ada the evil eye. He was a supreme cuddler but often woke in the middle of the night demanding more loves. We developed the "push and pet" technique to settle him at 2am. He had beautiful clear blue eyes. He did the best SC-47 (Siamese cat) machine gun impression that any cat could do and enjoyed it. You were a mighty hunter.

Your mommy and daddy miss you Quarker boy.
You left a hole in our hearts.

Dean family update

We are planning to go camping this weekend- hopefully near the Forlorn lakes region again.  My husband seems to prefer the white salmon area…so we’ll make definitive plans tonight.  Brian isn’t working Monday- so we’ll be able to enjoy Saturday and most of Sunday wherever we go.  We do not have the boys this weekend- but Brian has to work next Saturday…and most the weekends in May are now booked with school events, visits to family and our free camping adventure at Neskowin.  Back to the main point for this posting- we’d love to have other family members join us in this adventure.  Well I came in early to get some work done before students come in…so I better get at it. 

beautiful dad-from jennifer

Great job! Now you can come build one at my house J I hope everyone is enjoy the beautiful weather.  Brian, Kalena and Gabe all suffered through the flu this weekend- is it my imagination- or have we been sick a lot this year?? Well lots of work to do.  Have a great Monday!

Windy day

Today it was so windy out I actually thought my tires were coming off and making me swerve. So I pulled over to check for a flat or something but it was all A-ok, just wind I guess. I think it was partially the fact that I haven't slept for the last week since Quark has been up every night crying and my nerves are a little fried. About a month ago he stopped eating his food well and then completely stopped eating and drinking all together last week. So he has a feeding tube that runs into his esophagus and I use a big syringe to load up his belly every 3 hours. He is miserable and very weak. Today was his 3rd appointment at the vet this week and hopefully his last for at least another week.

The goose seems to be healthy and happy following me and Ada everywhere we go. I need to come up with a name for it other than Goosey-goosey. I am not sure if it is male or female so it needs a name that can go either way. Ada very carefully picked him (for some reason I do think of it as a him) up and carried him gently before I yelled at her and told her to put the goose down. The gosling ran off unphased and Ada was sent to timeout (the bathroom) for a while. She has managed to step on the gosling unintentionally a few times without really hurting him. Hopefully he will go through a growth spurt and get bigger soon.

Enough pet talk.
Work is fine. Those 15 hour days I was putting in for The Dalles work really drained me. Luckily the study got separated into 2 studies instead of one long study. So I have a week off (in the office) to recover from the first part before I head back out.

I love my new flower garden area. I can't wait to see how it fills in. I had a few more things planned for some other beds but with Quarks new situation all of that money has been rerouted. However there is a rumor that raises are going around. Unfortunately my specific office is in the red this year so I don't know that we will get one.

As far as events go this summer let's plan ahead. I propose we sign up now for campsites if we want them. Anyone check into the group campsite for the reunion site? Is it open this year? I can't wait to see this new trailer of the Dean's, it sounds impressive.
Later,
-Mel

Pergola Project Nearly Done

Dean family update

That gosling sure was cute!  Is it still alive? 

Nothing real exciting to report- I’ve been caught up in the state testing at our school.  Our students are a little wound up during this time of the year.  I’m writing two more grants- I’m hoping my mother will have time before June 1^st to proofread and make suggestions again for me.  Kalena’s doctor wants her to be checked by an orthopedic specialist- just in case- and we aren’t supposed to worry at all.  One leg bone does twist more than the other- causing her to be quite pigeon toed at the moment.  The nurse was apparently incompetent at giving vaccinations- because Kalena came back from the appointment with a huge bruise/knot in her leg…and after watching three other kids go through this regimen of shots- I’ve never seen this happen before- so I’m going to let Kaiser know how I feel about it.  Brian said the woman just slammed it into her leg.  Emma is still resisting potty training- but when you insist- she will go in the toilet.  So she’s capable- just not motivated. Hmmm…sounds like a large population of my students.  Gabe’s been a little challenging again this week- we continue to work on frustration tolerance- but its more a snotty attitude they have the first day back from extended periods at their dad’s house.  So I don’t know if it’s a friend/school influence or neglect at their dad’s in terms of thinking that they can communicate in this negative manner.  But its usually better by the second day home.  I did my assigned reading by the counselor for Gabe- “the explosive child”- it was basically an entire book that could be summed up with these three steps….when a conflict arises you should 1) empathize with the child about the situation 2) restate the two concerns- the child’s and your own 3) have child (or you if they aren’t feeling creative) come up with some ‘equally agreeable’ solutions to the conflict.  Both the boys and their mother and step dad are getting a layer of fat on our tummies- so I think we are going to need to implement a new healthy meal plan and more than 200 sit-ups for our work out routine.  Anyone up for some camping or hiking adventures in the near future?  We will be going to Neskowin over Memorial day weekend- but we’d like to go to either forlorn lakes again or another coastal destination- Garibaldi?- before then.  Well I’m going to get out of my classroom and pick up the boys from school.  TTFN. Jenn.

Sooooo sleepy

So we have a new addition to our pets as you can see. This one wasn't planned. I was working at The Dalles Dam yesterday and the boss brings up this dead gosling that had died going through some really rough spill at the dam. He brings it into the trailer I am workin on to scare this lady in the trailer that hates birds. As he is dangling the bird by its back leg it slightly twitches and the gosling is barely alive. Being the only "local" I set up the almost dead bird in a hardhat nest and take him home with me. The poor thing can't even hold up his neck or anything, he just lays where I put him. Once I get him home I set him up in the cat carrier. About 2 hours later I hear tweeting and he is upright. A couple of hours later the bird is ready to go. I haven't got him to eat my starter chicken food yet but he has tried every crumb he could find on my floor. As you can see Ada really likes him and hasn't left his side. She has been very gentle so far but I am keeping a close eye on her.

Quark on the other hand seems close to death. He has Feline infectious anaemia (FIA) and has lost a bunch of weight. He is extremely week and cries throughout the night because he is miserable. But even in his weakened state he did try to bite the gosling's neck. I managed to make him stop before he did any damage. I still have to give him his 3 medicines this morning. Usually I am great with giving pills but it is like his mouth is so dry they just won't go down. If he gets any worse he will have to have a tube inserted for direct feeding and medicating.

Can someone remind me why we have pets?

happy birthday

Dean family update

Ok- does anyone else have a dog that digs up their flower pots…well mine does! Even when they are up on tables.  So I’ve decided that having flowers in pots may have to wait until a future without a Jack Russell.  Melanie happy belated birthday.  Traci- sorry to hear about the book.  Hang in there- keep trying.  I hear through my mother that (my parents) they are on their way up to drop off birthday gifts and visit Mel and Greyson’s home.  It turns out we don’t have the boys- but will get them Sunday afternoon 3 or 4 ish.  So we will do an outdoor egg hunt in the afternoon- and an indoor one in the morning with the girls.  Saturday is Kalena’s birthday- so we will be celebrating with a free Safeway cake- other than that we don’t have any plans.  I need to get the Easter bunny motivated for Sunday- not much on the agenda yet.  Emma is starting potty training- apparently it’s been fairly successful at the babysitters- not so much at home.  Kalena’s bowed legs have us a little concerned- but her 1 year check-up is next week- so I’m sure they will let us know if there is a problem.  According to some web sites- it’s normal unless its still evident when they are 2.  Gabriel has had a good week- I read the book “the explosive child” with Brian on our trip to the coast.  We are implementing plan B as discussed in this book…I think it will work much better with Gabriel.  Nicholas is getting so tall- his feet are as big as mine now.  He just keeps getting taller and taller- he complained that none of his clothes fit anymore- so I guess some clothes shopping is in our near future.  Well its time to return to the grind.  Take care everyone- one and all are welcome to join us to celebrate Kalena’s birthday or the egg hunts…now you can stay in our new trailer or down stairs- whichever you find more quiet and comfortable.  Staying in the trailer when camping reminds me of being in a motel room- not quite roughing it anymore.  Love. Jenn

That Kenny Roger's song

I finally did some research on all-in Poker tournaments and won our big one with total purse of $1000. I won a sweet $500. The key - great cards and moxie.
You also have to ignore the snide looks of men, as you call them all in, take their money, and move on. I even took Tim out. Had to keep the chips in the family I figured.

Not much else...Robin is getting worse, hooked up to a nebulizer. she's thoroughly enjoying my novel. She thinks it has more action and more romance than Gone With The Wind. But she's also grateful for my company and might say anything to make me feel good. I've told her of my writing woes, and she just listens. I should be paying her some sort of therapy fee.

Greyson, where are you???

Greta bit a neighbor; she made a small rip in the guys pants. Police came but no charges. The garbage man said she was acting threatening - she was out on a cable chain since our fence is still down- and left our garbage undumped. She also chased one of our lady neighbors and supposedly was looking to lunge. Weird. Too weird, so we took her to the new Redmond humane society where they had a crew tempermant test her. She showed no signs of aggression and they thought she was sweet. So, they think they'll adopt her out soon or send her to the eager Doberman rescue. Sherbert also died from something the vet couldn't explain. His full blood panel showed nothing, but he withered away until we had to put him to sleep. There's been lots of tears. We're thinking of a Fox Terrier like in August.

Personally, I like the peace,but the boys want a dog to throw balls to and play with...sounds like a fox terrier to me. And its little feet won't trample my new yard. we're installing an underground system around the beds...that should help some.



Hope to hear from all of you,

Traci and family

make him stop!

No -no,no,no. Make Dad stop or he'll have no enthusiasm left for my pergola. But then again, he usually learns a lot from his projects, regroups, cuts the losses. Alright, we'll take the second wind of his pergola obssesion.

Grandma, 8 Pounds is very impressive! By the time we do our going out/coming in celebration of our yard and hot tub this summer, you'll be practically stocky. That'll help you not float as you enjoy the 14 jets massaging your lower back and on up, like little figners, to your upper back and neck in the lounger.


The cats are wild, attacking shiny pencils, bits of crumpled homework, each other; they can feel the spring in the air.

I don't think I've officially posted about the "Greta developement". I'll have to wait and tell that story later. It takes a toll on the teller. Maybe Tim should jump in and explain the torn pants, the pounds of garbage, the 'what, she did what?' and then the decision, the goofy, beloved Greta. Oh, just rehashing the highlights (the black and brown angles of it), is tiring.

Tim is awaiting his contract for next year...that will be interesting. We should know specifics by tonight. They were talking of paying him Middle School Admin pay. That's not what they said in the Fall. He's doing A.D. work and V.P. work at a 4A Highschool - so he was expecting Highschool admin pay now that his license is offical. Maybe Tim and Mom can commiserate on how hard they work, how taken for granted. One positive is that he'll get that double pay this summer! His old Teacher on special assignment...did I get that right?...and his new admin pay, wherever that may be. Actually, if it's anything decent, we want to stay here. Can you imagine Dad, all that digging, the monster sod-cutter, the laying, breaking, and re-laying of pipes, the endless trips to Home Depot, and then we just up and sell the place? Make a quick $55-60k profit, but the principle of it.

Traci

So Tim...

So Mr. Porter, have you been using that fancy, dancy new scale of yours. I have not heard ANYONE bragging about their health and fitness accomplishments in the last couple months. Grandma far-away have you gained back some more weight?? I have just held steady. I am sure the better weather will inspire me to get back out there. I will say that if any of you smokers can give up smoking they should get a fitness bonus.

I love spring

I don't realize how much I miss the sun and plants and birds until they are all here. I have been going outside as much as possible these days after work when it isn't raining. My new flowerbed is coming along. Greyson spent 3 days filling it up with dirt and I got it planted with shrubs and a few perenials. The highlight is a weeping willow. Once it was all in I decided that I probably planted the shrubs too close together. But for the next 5 years it will probably look pretty good.

All sorts of birds are out. The hummingbirds are at the feeder, the robins are using the bird bath and I saw the first house finch of the season. I am still waiting for the garden to dry out and then hopefully my father and husband will get out there and get it all planted.

We have a 9 month old rat terrier at the house and she has been playing non-stop with Ada for the past hour. They are just starting to get tired. Quark is not too happy with the situation. I told Greyson I wanted a puppy for my birthday but he just ignored me. Oops, she just started to pee on the carpet. Oh, the joys of puppies. Now she is sprinting through the new flower bed. Ada is just staring from safety saying "you aren't supposed to be in there, you're going to get us in trouble". Enough doggie reporting.

All else is good. I have been having a little more responsibility at work which is exciting but stressful. I have today off but will starting back up tomorrow for the next few week with a commute to The Dalles each day. Greyson is going to go visit his parents in a couple weeks. They are talking about rescheduling that cruise or possibly taking us to Hawaii.

How is that trailer building coming, Deans. How is the garden project, Porters. How is the pergola project, Sharps. How's the ripping up the lawn project coming- Greyson.

Later, Mel

porters

Well, I've been officially rejected. So, I scrapped the query letter and tweaked the new one to have a "commercial appeal while still maintaining literary quality". I'm pitching it as an adventure/suspense. Writing is so absolutely awesome and interesting that I dusted our heaters and cleaned the lips of our trim - that three inch painted wood that sets off the carpet- Yeah, 409 and elbow grease is the trick. And I wore a Pendleton (stetson type) hat while I scrubbed, which made me feel both ingeniously superior and morbidly pitiful - all to postpone staring at a blank screen.

I don't smoke.

I want a smoke really badly. I'm not even picky about what kind. I smoked Capri's once. It was like inhaling on a toothpick, baby puffs of nicotine teasing me. And I kept sucking in, thinking of those minty toothpicks they gave you at restaurants. If you stood next to the bar area and breathed in deeply, then twirled the toothpick in your mouth, it was exactly like smoking a Capri.

They say quitting smoking is as hard as trying to quit heroin. Now, you may say, 'see I told her, I warned her,' and you may shake your head...go ahead, I'll wait...but you could see smoking as a next-to-impossible-to-quit habit, that is cheap and drawn out in its health complications compared to heroin. And its still legal.

I bet if I took a drag, I'd move on to a new subject and inform you of some news of Porter life that would compel you to mow some old lady's lawn or plant a tree - plant a small one, a dwarf juniper right in a public ashtray.

Traci

quick Dean family update

The first camping adventure was a success.  I’m really glad we went with the four bunk model- the higher bunks are out of reach of the girls- and the boys had their own private space to play with star wars lego’s and Parcheesi.  We had rain at night- but beautiful weather all day Saturday.  We worked out a few things that need to be fixed or added- shower head outside needs repair.  It would be smart to remember toys on the next adventure (for situations of rainy weather).  We are headed to Newport Friday morning to Whaler’s Rest RV Resort- they offer trailers and cabins to rent for anyone else interested in joining us.  We are dropping the girls off at Brian’s parents.  We get three nights and four days free at the resort to try it out.  Next month we are trying out Neskowin RV resorts- during Memorial Day weekend.  This resort has a more reasonable annual few. Our $1000 enrollment few is waived- Olinger offers this for both resorts (the dealership we bought from).  Anyway- the design we picked for the trailer was perfect…the openness of the bedroom I used as I imagined to talk and sit- eat and still interact with children at the table.  Well I’ve got lots of school work to get done today before we take off again.  Talk to you all later.

Home again

I am back from Rufus. It feels very nice to be home again. I got to relax all day yesterday and went into town today to get a few plants. I picked up some beautiful hanging fushia baskets today. I know sometimes I get that for my birthday but I just couldn't pass these up. We also have a dumptruck of dirt coming tomorrow. I am hoping Brian will let us borrow his rototiller again so I can get the garden planted.

I am starting work at The Dalles Dam on Tuesday. That will last most of a month but I get to stay at home and commute there during the day. I will still be working 7 days a week and 13 hours a day but I get to sleep in my own bed.
-Mel

spring break is over (posted by Mom/Janice)

We had a nice little trip to Southern Oregon. The highlight was an Oscar Wilde play at Ashland -- The Importance of Being Earnest. It was a comedy and very well acted. We stopped at Jacksonville and toured the shops but didn't have a lot of time there. We walked on the beach and took a little hike at a park near a bunch of cranberry bogs. The weather was very nice -- didn't really even need a sweatshirt down on the beach. We stopped at a Wildlife Game Park and saw some animals, but I thought it was depressing because their habitats were pretty meager. Our car performed beautifully and we still like it very much. My best gas mileage to date is still a little under the 28 mpg we are supposed to be able to get.

I'm anxious to hear how the Dean's managed on their first new trailer trip.

Will got his stitches out and seems back to normal.

Dad had to cut a couple of holes in our metal door where the hot water heater and furnace are. For that he needed a new saw. So, if anyone needs anything metal cut into, we now have the tool for it.