food galore

Like Mom, I'm afraid our van is going to be too small to hold all our stuff and "snacks." Fear not of hunger. Between sushi, salmon dip, peanut butter fudge, meats and cheeses, fruit leather, cheesecake, peach pie and icecream, trail mix, veggies and dip, grapes, clementines, bananas and a brocolli-tortellin salad...we shall have the energy needed to crash the waves, corral the children, and still play cards at night. Oh and some sweet and sour meatballs and danish butter cookies and sour licorice too. I had so much fun shopping. I have to go and make some of these snacks. Can't wait to see everyone. We'll try and pick up a boogie board or two once we get up there. It seems Anita and J.C. have bailed so we can have all the kids in our room and the grandma's and aunties will have their piece. Hope no-one is trying to diet.

Traci

Recovering from chores

We asked my father to come up for two jobs; picking up a dryer and cutting down some trees around our garden. Somehow that turned into days of tree cutting throughout multiple areas, days of deck staining, fixing the heater ducting in the crawl space, tightening the toilet down, staining the hottub and changing it's water, making a dump run and cleaning the garage. I have to admit I didn't do that much work and I am still trying to recover. I have never seen a person drink as many liquids as my father drank while he was here. He was going through a gallon of milk a day, coffee in the morning, lemonade at lunch and some beer at night. It was amazing. He said he gets thirsty when he works. Anyway, it was awesome to get that many jobs done and it was great to have my father's help.

I started in on my shots last week. There is really nothing to it. Greyson gets the meds ready and I inject. The only bad part is that they are supposed to put me into a temporary menopause with all the associated symptoms. I haven't noticed anything yet. But I am always cold so maybe the hot flashes just make me comfortable. So anyway, so far so good.

-Mel

Blogging for the sake of blogging

Hello all,

It sounds like the weather is going to be great at the coast for our trip. We have started back to school but won't have any kids until the 6th of September so everyone is preparing for the onslaught.

I have been golfing as much as possible and Traci and the kids will join me every so often. Everyone is very busy around here and we are looking forward to the beach trip.

Well, I have to go take Tucker to soccer practice and really didn't have anything to report on anyway but my wife wanted me to blog so here it is.

Tim

Weather update

Here are two different forcasts for Lincoln City. Both are looking quite nice. We are bringing our boogie board and wetsuits to enjoy the nice weather. -Mel

Thu Aug 31 Sunny 66°/52° 20 %
Fri Sep 01 Sunny 74°/55° 20 %
Sat Sep 02 Sunny 74°/55° 20 %
Sun Sep 03 Sunny 76°/54° 0 %
Mon Sep 04 Sunny 73°/54° 0 %

THURSDAY - Partly sunny in the morning - then mostly sunny. Highs 60 to 65.
THURSDAY NIGHT - Partly cloudy. Lows around 50.
FRIDAY - Mostly sunny. Highs 65 to 70.
FRIDAY NIGHT - Partly cloudy. Lows around 50.
SATURDAY - Partly sunny. Highs around 70.
SATURDAY NIGHT - Partly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows around 50.
SUNDAY - Partly sunny. Highs around 70.
SUNDAY NIGHT - Partly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows around 50.
LABOR DAY - Partly sunny. Highs 65 to 70.

Instructions Repeated (from Mom)

OKay, this is for those people who lost the directions Dad originally sent.

Come as early as you like on Friday because the adult crowd has secured an extra night and will be arriving Thursday evening. We have to be out by noon on Monday.

They say the kitchens are fully equipped with dishes, pots/pans, etc.
I have packed enough toilet paper for the 4 days.

You need to bring:
* food (I have cookies, bacon, potato salad & will think of something for Friday evening)
* sleeps bags or sheets & blankets
* towels
* charcoal & lighting fluid if you plan to use the barbeque
* personal toiletries (I have thrown in several bars of soap)

Here are the driving directions: If you come into Lincoln City from the north, turn right onto Logan Road (when you see McDonalds). The signs will also say "Roads End State Park." Drive about 1/3 mile and turn left onto NW 53rd and then immediately within 50 feet turn left into the first driveway. They say there is room for 6 cars.

We have a sleeping plan with a couple of alternatives.

Bedroom on main floor: Grandma Sharp and Grandma Far Away
Downstairs: Room with king bed for Janice and Larry
Downstairs: Room with 2 sets of twin bunks for Aunt Joanne, Aunt Nancy, Anita, India
Upstairs: Double Bed room for Melanie and Greyson
Upstairs: Room with two sets of twin over double bed bunks-Tim, Traci & kids or Time Traci and all the boys (or girls)
Upstairs: Room with two sets of twin over double bed bunks--The Deans & kids or Jenn, Biran and all the girls (or boys)

If you have read this far you will be rewarded with the "door code." It is 29.
Enter through the front door inside the sun porch and locate the combination key lock box to the left of the door. Enter the code number and remove the front cover with the door key attached. Unlock the door. Return the cover with key to the lock box. Re-enter the code to put the key back.

Or, open up the door & say hello to the dozen people who are already within.

Mom/Janice/Grandma

Lincoln City, Here we come!

Soon the chaos will begin.
I was talking to my mother tonight and she was saying that it looked rather gloomy for our visit to Lincoln City. So I decided to get online and get a weather update so all can be prepared. So here is what different sources are saying....

Yahoo says:
Friday 01
High 69°FLow 54°FPrecip. 0 % Sunny
Saturday 02
High 70°FLow 52°FPrecip. 0 % Sunny

Weather.com says:

FriSep 1 Sunny 69°/54°
SatSep 2 Sunny 70°/52°

Accuweather.com:
Friday, Sep 1
Mostly sunny. Winds from the N at 10 mph. Realfeel®: 58 °F High: 63 °F

Friday Night, Sep 1
Mainly clear. Winds from the NE at 10 mph.Realfeel®: 45 °F Low: 47 °F

Saturday, Sep 2
Sunny. Winds from the NNE at 12 mph.Realfeel®: 61 °F High: 66 °F

Saturday Night, Sep 2
Clear. Winds from the NE at 5 mph. Realfeel®: 52 °F Low: 49 °F

One tooth down, one to go

I think I have only had 2 or 3 cavities in my life. But today I got to see what all the fuss was about. I had my first tooth drilled on and my first temporary crown put on. I go back in on Monday to get the same treatment on the other side of my mouth. I would like to blame my parents for these cracking teeth of mine. I am going to have to get a mouth splint to wear at night so I don't repeat this process. If only I didn't grind my teeth. They say it is a sign of stress. I remember doing that even back when I was like 7. Poor kid.

I had been weeding, picking up dog poop, watering, and cleaning this evening. I have a bunch more jobs I want to do before Rudd Sr. and the Mrs. get here. Stinky dog needs a bath, then the bath needs a bath...

Greyson borrowed the first series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer so we have been watching that at night. It isn't great but it passes the time pretty well.
The chickens destroyed a part of my flowerbed so they go sent back to the coop. Everytime we go outside they cry and cry to get out and run free. I told them that they blew it. No second chances when it comes to my plants.

That is all my tid bits.
-Mel

Californi Family Photos or Boring you to death

Hi Northwest Family ,
I'm still experimenting with the Blogg adventure. Wanted to send a couple pictures of Mom/Grandma Ruby. One is at Stephanie's reception with our best friends that came from California.( the date is not correct on the photo) The other is Grandma with Phil and Michelle's in-laws. Her new back yard was just finished and hope you can appreciate their great back yard and the view of Simi Valley. Notice the pool in the back with water spouts; at night there are lights and looks like Las Vegas.

You'll get to see Grandma in person for your Labor Day Family reunion; just wanted to share a couple photos. Bye for now,
aunt chris