Thursday, October 12, 2006
oh yeah
I got a job offer for part-time work, but it had a funny title to it, and paid too little. I gave them a counter, asking them to pay me more, change my title to "graphic designer", allow me to work one day a week at home, and buy a macintosh. They didn't go for it. It wasn't THAT demanding.
update for whatever
I've been caught up in a whirlwind of activity. It's what I wanted and it is what has happened. I've always been fortunate in that I get what I want in life I suppose. I wanted to design from my laptop in a coffee shop (or wherever) and I'm doing it. I wanted to take part in giving a certaing visual quality to stevenson and help it grow, and that is happening too.
About 5 weeks ago, I finally met this guy (john) in Stevenson that I'd been emailing with periodically, and we had a certain degree of musicianship in common. So we got together an played one evening. John is involved with business development, and he introduced me to another guy (Joe) who owns the two most successful restaurants here and is also an active member of the chamber of commerce and business development.
These two are great, and because of them I have enough work to keep me busy for quite some time. So I've been attending business meetings and really trying to make myself known in the community. All of these guys show up in a little homemade venue to play music each weekend, and I'm there. They appreciate a new drummer in town I think, and I am extremely grateful that I stuck with drumming. I went to locals night last night at the "walking man" and everyone was there, joe and john included. I also went to an internet security lecture last night, and learned about problems that are not really mine (macintosh). Joe was there also. I offered to do some legwork and writing in a "no whistle policy" for a local hotel owner, where the trains won't be allowed to toot their horns at 2:00 am, so maybe he'll give me some business down the road. I sent off a proposal today that should be approved for an interactive map of stevenson. I billed Joe because I'm at a halfway point on the first restaurant site. And I finally have a breather after a flurry of proposal writing and design work. It's a beautiful chilly day in Stevenson and I'm writing from Bahma with their refreshingly fast internet connection on my laptop. I'm learning how to create wireframes for the purpose of web design functional specs and estimating programming requirements, and I'm learning to write propsals to incorporate those estimates. I guess that's about it. I'll sip from this cup as long as it's in front of me. For fun, I'm learning guitar and I have been inline skating along the columbia river too. For a while there, I was getting way too into my TV shows, but I only allow an hour a day now. Things have since become a blur.
That's my update. It's a little dry, but I'm fried today, and all of this stuff has been the ONLY thing on my mind.
About 5 weeks ago, I finally met this guy (john) in Stevenson that I'd been emailing with periodically, and we had a certain degree of musicianship in common. So we got together an played one evening. John is involved with business development, and he introduced me to another guy (Joe) who owns the two most successful restaurants here and is also an active member of the chamber of commerce and business development.
These two are great, and because of them I have enough work to keep me busy for quite some time. So I've been attending business meetings and really trying to make myself known in the community. All of these guys show up in a little homemade venue to play music each weekend, and I'm there. They appreciate a new drummer in town I think, and I am extremely grateful that I stuck with drumming. I went to locals night last night at the "walking man" and everyone was there, joe and john included. I also went to an internet security lecture last night, and learned about problems that are not really mine (macintosh). Joe was there also. I offered to do some legwork and writing in a "no whistle policy" for a local hotel owner, where the trains won't be allowed to toot their horns at 2:00 am, so maybe he'll give me some business down the road. I sent off a proposal today that should be approved for an interactive map of stevenson. I billed Joe because I'm at a halfway point on the first restaurant site. And I finally have a breather after a flurry of proposal writing and design work. It's a beautiful chilly day in Stevenson and I'm writing from Bahma with their refreshingly fast internet connection on my laptop. I'm learning how to create wireframes for the purpose of web design functional specs and estimating programming requirements, and I'm learning to write propsals to incorporate those estimates. I guess that's about it. I'll sip from this cup as long as it's in front of me. For fun, I'm learning guitar and I have been inline skating along the columbia river too. For a while there, I was getting way too into my TV shows, but I only allow an hour a day now. Things have since become a blur.
That's my update. It's a little dry, but I'm fried today, and all of this stuff has been the ONLY thing on my mind.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Michelle and Raleigh
Hi everyone,
Well ,Stephanie is 13-14 weeks pregnant and feeling great; no nausea or wierd cravings, yet. She and Nate are checking out daycare and baby furniture. Wish we lived closer so we could be a bigger part of their lives, but will just have to do so long distance.
Mom/ Grandma had a good time at the casinos, but couldn't win a thing. She moved into her new apartment last week-end and I'll have to send some pictures. She is on the third floor in a building with an elevator. It is a two bedroom, two bath but the living room is smaller than then her other one. So figuring out what to do with her furniture was a challenge. But what a view!!! She faces the new outdoor mall, swimming pool at the rental complex and all of Simi Valley. Here best part is being able to leave the bedroom windows open... hasn't been able to do that she she left Vancouver. Hope she meets more friends.. Her bestfriend did not move and they aren't as close as before.
Our sweet golden retriever, Raleigh, is on his last legs. He was hospitalized in June with severe dehydration while we were in Chicago at the wedding. I had to fly out of New Orleans to get home to care for him. Now he's done it again.. Strange how illness creeps up on animals since they don't let on that they are sick. He's 13 yrs old ( 91 yrs in human time) and definitely showing his age. He just stopped eating and drinking; it was so gradual. Went into doggie ICU with IV's, medications and expensive medical care. He just came home and is doing better; but his back legs have neurological impairment . He can hardly hold himself up at times, and then later does fairly well. With these animals that are such a great part of our family, it is so hard to let them go. Keep hoping we will know the time comes to let go. Right now the veterinarian says it's not time;
Michelle is taking Raleigh's pictures and sending them to Stephanie via phone. It's amazing what these phones can do; it makes Stephanie feel like she's more involved.
Enough about us,
The next time Mom/ Grandma is over, I'll show her all your blog entries.
Love,
Chris
Dean's quick message to family
Greyson: my lunch on Wednesday is from 10:35-11:05.
Dad: dogs are not allowed in the house or trailer without a bath first ( I will not be home to enforce this- but I’ve sent an email to my husband), apples sound great
Mel: have fun with your salmon ballooning- take some digital pictures of the process and I’ll share them with my students….we could make up a power point and you could bring in some of the equipment you work with to show to the students. I’m going to be in the ecology unit for another two to three weeks.
Traci: great job with the creative writing, your use of the English language is impressive, keep it up- we still need to come visit and check out your hot tub
Mom: do you have school on Friday? We actually have an inservice this year on diversity training
To all others…just ran out of time to personalize the rest of this message..bell rang. Take care- have a great week.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
work trip
So I am off for two weeks to work down outside of Eugene at McKenzie Bridge. It is the same spot I spent during the 2 summers after graduation for fire fighting. I am excited to go back and see it all again. I know my crew boss still lives there so I plan to look him up.
My next cycle of shots starts next week. I hope everything goes better this time but I am not too optimistic.
Greyson has some friends over tonight. He made a huge batch of fried chicken and I made some brownies for desert. He has been busy putting together some proposals for work in the community. He has made some great contacts in the last month and it looks like some work is going to come through.
We are going down to Louisiana for Christmas. I just need to figure out the best time. Greyson Was suggesting the 19th-27th. So if you all have some time off after that, maybe we can get together for a weekend. Maybe the New Year? That leaves us home for Thanksgiving so I will plan on being at mom and dad's.
I finished Traci's book last week. I thought it was great and really is better than 80% of what I have read. It is kind of funny but I see parts of our family, especially her, in the characters she writes about. I need to send her an email with some details of my thoughts. Keep working Traci, others will find out how good it is too. We will see you on Oprah's bookclub some day.
The kittens are sleeping on my chest as I write this so I better say "goodnight". I don't know if I will have internet for the next two weeks so I might not be in contact much.
Melanie
My next cycle of shots starts next week. I hope everything goes better this time but I am not too optimistic.
Greyson has some friends over tonight. He made a huge batch of fried chicken and I made some brownies for desert. He has been busy putting together some proposals for work in the community. He has made some great contacts in the last month and it looks like some work is going to come through.
We are going down to Louisiana for Christmas. I just need to figure out the best time. Greyson Was suggesting the 19th-27th. So if you all have some time off after that, maybe we can get together for a weekend. Maybe the New Year? That leaves us home for Thanksgiving so I will plan on being at mom and dad's.
I finished Traci's book last week. I thought it was great and really is better than 80% of what I have read. It is kind of funny but I see parts of our family, especially her, in the characters she writes about. I need to send her an email with some details of my thoughts. Keep working Traci, others will find out how good it is too. We will see you on Oprah's bookclub some day.
The kittens are sleeping on my chest as I write this so I better say "goodnight". I don't know if I will have internet for the next two weeks so I might not be in contact much.
Melanie
Friday, October 06, 2006
maybe you can get our two wheeler jeep working
Mel seems quite handy- the two seater we purchased from Craig’s list is not working- maybe she can get it functioning for us. We are going to buy new batteries- hopefully that will do the trick. Now we are on a search for the boys- 4 wheelers that are gas powered. Fun. Fun. Even with the fixes- much better deals than buying new.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Craig's list purchase
Well my cooktop was down to just one burner that worked consistently. The others sometime went on when you wanted or not and sometime instead turned the fan on instead. And sometimes turning the fan on turned the burner on instead. I had looked into getting a new cooktop, but to replace a 36" electric, downdraft model it was $1500 for the cheapest one. So I started watching Craig's list about a month ago and yesterday I clicked on an add for a cooktop. And when the picture came up I was staring at a duplicate to the one I have. Why would I want what I already have? Because I know it will fit! And the wiring will be a snap. So I talked the guy down from $125 to $65 and have me a new, used, almost exactly the same cooktop, except hopefully this one won't have electrical problems that could burn the house down. Mine was about 25 years old and this "new" model is only about 10 years old. So anyway, I have some installation to do tonight and hopefully I can now cook more then one thing at a time now.
You can really find some good bargains on craigs list. I see ads for free plants (you dig) all the time, dad.
You can really find some good bargains on craigs list. I see ads for free plants (you dig) all the time, dad.
Monday, October 02, 2006
porters
We have Lucy. She is a good, little dog.
I've stained my fence- looks awesome. Scrubbed tile, bathrooms, and cleaned the living room carpet. My new novel is coming together although we had to go to Helix this weekend for Stan Flershinger's funeral. That was Tim's old basketball coach. The kids rode four wheelers at their Uncle Kevin's house. India straddled their pony and sat very still for awhile. Lucy smelled the rabbits and the horses and played quite well with their 3 dogs. She ran all over their farm until she wore herself out exploring barns and fields with tumbleweed and mice and all kinds of terrier thrills. The kids dote on her and call her their "princess" so I think she's got a good life. We were thinking Dad could show Lucy and then we could breed her when she's old enough and he could have first pick of the litter???
Tim is gone again tonight doing a presentation on buildings and facilities; the gist is that schools of our size have much nicer facilities and these buildings are key to growth in the community etc.
Tucker scored all three of his teams goals tonight. I like soccer much more than baseball, especially when you have an aggressive little guy running around out there.
I'm going to hot tub and then go to sleep. I'll try and be a more active blogger in the future. With all these shootings it's good I have a million dollar policy on Tim. Now is that million tax-free?
Traci
I've stained my fence- looks awesome. Scrubbed tile, bathrooms, and cleaned the living room carpet. My new novel is coming together although we had to go to Helix this weekend for Stan Flershinger's funeral. That was Tim's old basketball coach. The kids rode four wheelers at their Uncle Kevin's house. India straddled their pony and sat very still for awhile. Lucy smelled the rabbits and the horses and played quite well with their 3 dogs. She ran all over their farm until she wore herself out exploring barns and fields with tumbleweed and mice and all kinds of terrier thrills. The kids dote on her and call her their "princess" so I think she's got a good life. We were thinking Dad could show Lucy and then we could breed her when she's old enough and he could have first pick of the litter???
Tim is gone again tonight doing a presentation on buildings and facilities; the gist is that schools of our size have much nicer facilities and these buildings are key to growth in the community etc.
Tucker scored all three of his teams goals tonight. I like soccer much more than baseball, especially when you have an aggressive little guy running around out there.
I'm going to hot tub and then go to sleep. I'll try and be a more active blogger in the future. With all these shootings it's good I have a million dollar policy on Tim. Now is that million tax-free?
Traci
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