Thursday...

Why I smiled today...My 10 week on-line photography class with Karen Russell started Monday....I get my first weekly "assignment" tomorrow...can't wait to see what she has us do.

Wednesday Night...

Charlotte got a little haircut today. She got to sit in the airplane at the kiddie salon and she loved every minute of it!




Why I smiled today...Charlotte got a haircut and we can see her eyes again!

Fun Stuff...Few Favorite Things...

Why I smiled today...finding this cool website to put a FUN list together of my favorite things...

Finally -- Photos from Sisters Quilt Show -- July 12

Ouch...That's Gotta Hurt...Photos from Sisters - July 12

This was probably the FUNNIEST thing we saw all day at the Sisters Quilt Show....Chris actually knew one of the gals who was from California...

Uncle Tim and the Poopies...

Why I smiled today...My little brother made it home safe and sound today! We had a great time while he was here.

The satellite seems to be cooperating right now, so I had to post this funny photo from yesterday!

Winning Photo from Sunday...

Why I smiled today...We went to the Washington County Fair today and saw lots and lots of animals. Charlotte liked the cows & horses the best!

West Clark County - Retro Relay...

This was the 20th anniversary for the West Clark County Relay For Life. They had over 375 Survivors walk that opening lap! WOW....We arrived a little after noon and were able to walk the track, say "hi" to many of our Relay friends.

Their theme was "Retro Relay"...lots of cool 80's themes -- love the Back to the Future set-up...Delorean and Doc Brown....

Can't Post Photos...Busy/Fun Saturday...

I've been trying for the past 2 hours to post photos...nothing will work...satellite keeps failing...blagh!

We had a great Saturday. West Clark County Relay For Life for an hour or so early this afternoon. They were doing great! It was nice to see many Relay friends on their home turf!

When Charlie & I got home, Victor, Tim, Nana & Papa were eating a late lunch and then Charlie & I helped with some yard work. I worked on the Rhode bushes for an hour or so and Charlie helped empty my bag of yard debris into the bigger container. She also got to watch Tim & Papa Green do a lot of dead branch removal and they even used the chain saw to cut down a part of the oldest Royal Anne tree we have from the original orchard back in the early 1906...it's the only tree left from Grandma Cooper's original orchard.

Uncle Tim is at his high school reunion tonight and Victor is out war gaming with the guys!

Why I smiled today...Seeing Charlie have another great Saturday and her helping in the yard so much. Not too bad for a 26-month old!

What a Great Friday...

It's been a busy/great Friday!

• Home equity loan approved for remodel -- CHECK.
• Met with architect to get the final drawing -- CHECK.
• Just waiting for the structural engineer to get his part done -- CHECK.
• Made my 2 minute presentation at work to the final campus for approval for the Back to School Supply/Book Drive and they said "Go for it" -- CHECK.
• Have appointment next Tuesday to meet with the gal that's gonna do all our interior painting once the remodel is done -- CHECK.

Why I smiled today...Filled up my gas tank for only $3.95 per gallon. I never thought seeing a gas sign saying less than $4.00 would make me happy, but it really, REALLY did today!

Uncle Tim, Uncle Tim....

He is up here for his 20 year high school reunion this weekend and staying with all of us at the house.

Why I smiled today...Charlotte is SO HAPPY to see "Uncle Tim" and saying it too! It didn't take her anytime to warm up to him, even though it's been 9 months since she last saw him.

This photo of Tim is courtesy of Charlotte and my old Nikon point & shoot camera...not too bad!

















Charlie & Tim at dinner.

Happy Wednesday...

Why I smiled today...While I was taking this photo, Rachel called me to ask me why I was taking photos of Charlie while we were driving down TV highway....Rachel & Tim were on their way to dinner (having an actual date) and they passed us on the way and laughed when they saw me taking photos of Charlie in the back seat!!! Only somebody I know would see me taking photos in the car while driving down the highway....Thanks for calling me Rachel...it gave all of us a good laugh on our car ride home (Charlie included as you can see from this photo).

Relay For Life Day at Dutch Brothers Coffee...

Wake up to a fresh cup of coffee at any Dutch Bros. location during "Relay For Life Day" on Wednesday, July 23rd anytime between 5:30am and 11:00pm! Dutch Bros. Coffee, headquartered in Eugene, has decided to do a "Relay For Life Day", during which all sales proceeds plus customer donations will be donated to their local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

Tuesday...Things to Remember...

Remember to tell those you love that you love them! Remember to hug those that need a hug! Remember that life is very precious and not to take it for granted! Sending hugs and saying prayers for some friends and their family members that need it more than ever right now!!!

Why I smiled today...I am so blessed to have an amazing family & wonderful friends!!! I'm a better person because of all of you. Thank you for being in my life!

No Nap Today and it Showed...

I had a really good meeting downtown at the ACS office with Marilyn & Russ (thanks you guys)!!! When I got home around 8:20pm, little Miss Sunshine was just a little wound-up! SO much so that when I tried to talk to her, she started running around the house (and yelling) and Victor & I both realized that the lack of a nap was at its peak! When I told her it was time for bed, instant tears and "no mama, no"....we did our evening ritual of hugs, kisses, noses and "we love you and we'll see you in the morning"....more crying, but we walked away. Within 5 minutes, she was OUT for the count. I snuck in a bit later to check on her.....

Why I smiled today...overly tired munchkin out for the night and her mama is able to take a flash photo without any movement from the crib...priceless!!!

Newest $1,000 Club Member in Hillsboro...

Congrats to Maddie! She joins Charlie and myself along with 10 other Hillsboro Relayers in the $1,000 club!!! Thanks Karla for telling me the good news tonight!

We Have Water Again...YEAH!!!

Why I smiled today...We got our pumphouse pipes fixed late this afternoon (thanks to a very nice gentleman named Bob) that spent his afternoon fixing our broken pipes. Flushing a toilet never felt so good this afternoon!!!

Terry & Lil Here for a Visit...

Why I smiled today...Aunt Lil & Uncle Terry are down for a short visit!!! Lil showed Charlotte how to eat corn on the cob...Uncle Terry tried to burn the house down (just kidding) with the grill. We did need to use the fire extinguisher during dinner, but all is good! Mom & dad will be purchasing a new grill in the near future.

Hillsboro Farmers Market...

A Movie Date with My Hubby...

Why I smiled today...Going to see "The Dark Knight" with Victor late this afternoon. Talk about an intense movie!!! We loved it! If Heath Ledger doesn't win an Oscar for his performance, I'll be shocked! Nobody will EVER be able to play the Joker so brilliantly again! He seemed to be in the movie more than Christian Bale and he really did make the movie. Gary Oldman was also amazing.

Matthew Loves Dirt...

Why I smiled today...Matthew & dirt..he's such a boy and loved playing in the mole hills tonight when we were all out picking more cherries!

A Room with a View...

Pretty cool views tonight looking east and south...

Wednesday Happenings...

Why I smiled today...Papa Green is back home and all is well! ;-)

Cherry Picking with Ms. Anne...

Charlotte's teacher Ms. Anne stopped by this afternoon to pick cherries. Charlotte spent the entire time she was here out helping her pick!

20 Years Ago Today...

Why I smiled today...exactly 20 years ago today I started as a temp at a company called Intel Corp. Hard to believe I've worked there more than half my life!!! I'm only 3 1/2 years away until sabbatical #3 (but who's counting)...Here's to the next 20 years...

WeBees at Sisters...

Why I smiled today...My great group of friends, who are my quilting buddies the WeBee Quilters...here are a couple of fun photos from last week's trip to Sisters, Oregon. (I'm still having issues loading some photos due to the satellite internet)...

Sunday Fun with Matthew & Maddie...

Why I smiled today...Besides seeing these 3 munchkins play today, CHERRIES, lots and lots of cherries! So thankful for a great cherry crop this year!

The Agony of Defeat...Bocce Ball Style...

We headed out to Gresham this morning for the first bocce ball tournament of the year. The guys hadn't practiced yet (and it was kinda obvious)...they had a fun time, but in the end, lost both their games....Here they are after losing to Lucca (an 11 year old) and his dad's team....There was quite a bit of tormenting going on after the game (all in good fun)!

They are going to practice starting next weekend!!!