Under the Big Top - Trixie's Circus

TA-DA!!!

2010-07-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

I promised you a picture the other day...'member how my dear Bergs suprised me with a fabulous gift??
Here it is. A genuine Vera Bradley bag. Feast your eyes on this little beauty!

Thank you again, Art and Simone, not just for thinking of me this time, but for all the times you have spotted a chicken or rooster that was screaming my name...oops maybe that should be CROWING my name!

I will be using this bag to its fullest potential this coming week....kisses and smooches to you both....but not at the same time...that would be weird....

Too Tense???

2010-07-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

Or should I say Too Tents....
Over the last many years, our family has developed a beloved tradition of spending a week at Fort Stevens Campground on the Oregon Coast. Our kids have grown up attending "The Ward Campout". We're coming up on 20 years of "outdoor living" as we have come to call it. Over time we have developed and refined a system that lets us enjoy being in the great out-of-doors for a week without giving up some of the finer things in life...
As our needs changed over time, we collected tents to better accomodate our family's genuine comfort. But, as with anything that gets repeated use, some of these have become damaged, worn....seen better days as it were....Every year we promise ourselves we will "Sit down and go through each tent" to inventory and repair them so each is in A1 perfect condition....but you know how that goes...when we get home, we clean up the tents we used, put them away and then pull them out the day before (or even the day OF)packing...we leave the poor little damaged tents behind with that same promise, "We GOTTA fix those tents!!"
Well, this year Mark started vacation early to be able to spend some quality time alone with his camping gear....on Friday he pulled out all the tents....then we spent nearly all day yesterday working on them....YES, you read that right...nearly ALL day....
Let me go back a little bit so you get a better idea what were are talking about:
The Ol' Coonster and I have a nice big tent for just the two of us...it holds our queen size bed(seriously...it's an inflatable bed...on a frame...) all our gear, a couple of chairs, or stools, and my indispensable Port-a-Potty (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!)I got it a couple of years ago online....steal of a deal and it is in perfect A1 shape...I love it.
Geoff and Alexis received a nice tent as a wedding gift, so they have their own. They have already used it a couple of times, and it is in perfect A1 shape. I love it. They are all set.
This year Alexis' sister Heidi is coming from Colorado for several days of the campout. She is bringing her little toddler, Lily, so they need a tent....the one I would like them to use....NOT in pefect shape....it is our old original Coleman...it is a nice big dome tent...more than roomy for one and a half people, but one of the poles had broken...no longer in A1 shape...I don't love it.
We also have "The Jolly Roger," which is a smaller tent....the kind with 2 sort of "locker" ends for gear, then sleeping space in the middle....this one holds a soft spot in my heart...it was given to us by some former neighbors who knew we loved camping...they were moving, didn't want it and GAVE it to us...a FREEBIE...over many years Geoff and his good buddy Bobby Boland(aka Deep Voice Bobby, or Bobby Peru) shared that tent at the campout....it has great "scentimental" value...nothing like 2 young boys stinking up a tent to bring tears to your eyes! Although it hasn't been used since the boys grew up, it is in perfect,A1 condition...I love it.
We have a 7 x 7 Coleman tent-also given to us-that was used a couple of times over the last years...it seems that it wasn't properly stored after the last use...when we pulled it out to use over the 4th of July, it had a definite "funk." Kind of musty...but all the parts/pieces there...not quite A1 shape, and not quite loved. But after the Ol'Coonster scrubbed and hosed and perfumed her up...well, nothing short of perfect A1 shape....I love it!

Then comes the "First" big tent we used....it's a great, oversized tent...similar in shape to the Jolly Roger with a nice size sleeping space and smaller "lockers." This is a great tent, but it had Zipper issues...at a point close to the top of the door where it curved, the zipper teeth were a little "jakey" so zipping was an iffy prospect at times....turns out, the Ol' Coonster had kind of Gerber tooled it into submission, so it works just fine.....but one of the poles was broken....not in A1 shape, and because of the zipper issue, I did not love it...although, let me say the little side areas made a great place to put the commode.....
WELL!!! All that background to say: You cannot simply buy tent poles at the sporting goods store to fit your tent repair needs. Shocking, I know!!! After setting up 2 of the tents in the driveway( I should write another post about the neighbors and their comments)and doing lots of math...well The Ol' Coonster did the math....we figured out what we needed....but no one could sell us "off the shelf" replacement poles. Crazy,No??
Undaunted, we did what every right thinking American does....we Googled....then made a couple of phone calls....which led to a field trip over to Andy & Bax Sporting Goods, which is a scary, awesome, old school sporting goods store over on the East Side of the River.....they had (and we bought) all the stuff we needed and headed back home into the hot afternoon sun....it was 90 glorious, fabulous, rejuvinating degrees......we started setting up every tent we own in our back yard...
Oh, did I forget to mention that my co-worker Kathy GAVE me another tent on Friday? YUP!! She brought me a great Kelty tent that she planned to take to Goodwill...it had a small tear in the floor and she didn't want it.....WOW!!! DOUBLE WOW!!! It is in fantastic shape (except for a little L-shaped tear in the floor.) We set it up, Mark found our handy-dandy floor repair kit, and in 2 minutes time had made yet another 4 man tent....Perfect A1 shape. I love it.
While McGyver was rebuilding shock-cord tent poles, I peeled apples that had fallen from our tree, and hooked up the dehydrator to make apple chips.....the missionaries stopped by for a mintue to see if we could help them out with some Cortisone cream for poison something-or-other one of them had gotten into...they marvelled at the ridiculous tent city we had buit and were off to their dinner appointment.....The Ol'Coonster finished the repairs, and just before dusk we finished setting up the tents to make sure they work...SUCCESS!!!Well, to be honest, we only set up 4 of them...

So now...have you been keeping track? How many tents to the Taylors have??
Seven Tents In Perfect, A1 Condition!!!! I LOVE IT!!! My joy is full....again, I LOVE IT!
Oh, and some apple chips, too.....

WHEW!!!

2010-07-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

I made it! It's Wednesday night, the house is..eh, SEMI-quiet(Geoff's playing a video game)and all is well.....

In a few minutes I'm going to share with you the most delightful....and I mean DEE-lightful gift I got in the mail from my fabulous sister and her husband Art....Ah, the chickens do come home to roost!!!
I love me them Bergs!!!
Right now I have to finish eating my ice cream sandwich in my backyard....but I'll be right back....go get yourself a drink, and maybe a snack....I won't be long...

Not as easy as it looks.....

2010-07-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

We have company.....Five teenagers, to be exact.
Of course, you know that if I have a reputation for anything, it has got to be for LOVING the idea of sleepovers......
I never wanted to spend the night at someone else's house when I was a kid, and that carried over to adulthood....never really liked spending the night at strangers homes. I like staying at my sister's house and my childhood home, no problemo......probably just another of the many nueroses I suffer.....anyhoot....that also applies to people staying over in my own house.....I'm very insecure about the bed, the bedroom accomodations, and the bathroom for guests.....I don't like strangers in my private space and I consider all the bedrooms in my home private space.....
I tell you that to tell you this: Some friends of Alexis/Geoff from Reno asked if their kids could stay overnight with us on their way to EFY (Especially for Youth)Conference in Forest Grove. Forest Grove is about 30 or 40 minutes away....the kids had to be there bright and early last Monday morning....
What started out as 2 turned into 5 when all was said and done.....We had 2 kids here Saturday night, with the other 3 arriving on Sunday. They were gone all week, but had to check out of the facilities at Pacific University by 7:30am this morning. Oh, and did I mention that since there were more of them than originally planned, they didn't have enough room in the car they brought for all the people and belongings....by luck, Mark was off work last Monday morning and could drive some of them out to FG. But I'll let you do the math, they also needed help getting home.....good thing Alexis was available....Geoff is working the Farmer's Market, Mark is at work, and me.....well, I'm just not available....
The "not as easy" part is that only 1 of them is going back to Reno tonight...he's flying out sometime today...the rest of them want to sight-see and explore the Pacific Northwest, so they are staying until Wednesday morning.........I KNOW, RIGHT????? Blow up mattresses and bedding, suitcases and bags...all around the house until then....not as easy as it looks.....the kids don't seem to mind, but then, they are kids......
Another person might roll with the punches and not care....Kyle and I, on the other hand, are doing our best to keep perspective...it's not like we have to be in charge, you know? G/A are being great about entertaining them, like taking them to Saturday Market and stuff....but I just wanted to say, it's not as easy as it looks......

Time Marches on.....and on....and on....

2010-07-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

When Mark's parents passed away, we received some of their belongings.Oneof the items was an old Mantle Clock, identical to every mantle clock in every Grandma and Grandpa's house in the entire world.You know the ones. Their clock needed some repair, and so, with every intention to repair it "someday" we packed it away and forgot about it.
A couple of weeks ago we were cleaning, clearing, and organizing the garage...and lo and behold, there in it's careful packaging was the old clock. Since The Ol' Coonster now works in a store with a full time watch/clock repairman, he took the old timepiece in for some TLC.
It was in good shape, just needed some cleaning and minor repair internally. The cabinet is nothing to get eexcited about, but it is great shape for the shape it's in! Only one problem with it.......our kids!
This is a chiming clock. The b ellrings out on the hour "gonging" the number of hours, and on the half out, a softer chime keeps everyone apprised of the exact time of the day.......or night. That's the real problem....they don't mind the daytime chimes so much, boy they do NOT care to be awakened with two, three, four, or five bells reminding them how much precious little sleep they have left! Now, I can't say as I blame them....we put the clock in our room the other night....you all know I Ambien it through the night, and don't often wake up...but when I do, it's purt near impossible to go back to sleep. It just took one night to figure out that neither the Coonster nor myself longed for the nostalgic days of sleeping over at Grandma's enough to be reminded of the time hourly, or more.....We put the clock in the dining room, but today Geoff announced that wherever that clock is located, it is ticking it's last! He says it gots ta go! I really like the clock and we did pay money to get it in working condition, but um......Geoff may have a point.....maybe we'll just let it wind down, then just sit and look interesting until we forget how annoying it sounds and crank her up again......my IPhone tells me the time without making a big deal about it....maybe I'll stick with that for awhile.....

2010-06-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

Has anyone missed me? Did you even realize I was gone? Gee whiz, my last post was exacty a year ago yesterday...I didn't realize until today that I had been M.I.A.
In 2009 my son Geoff returned from his two year LDS Mormon Mission, my husband and I were sealed together in the Portland Oregon Temple, our two children were sealed to us, Geoff got engaged to a lovely girl, Chanel moved to Chicago with the Malley's, Geoff and Alexis got married in the Portland Oregon Temple, we had a reception here in our back yard, we went to Colorado for a reception in the Wilkerson's front yard, my mom had heart surgery in October after a heart attack, and Christmas came and went. It was a remarkable year, with nary a mention of anything significant on this blog site. What a fickle poster I turned out to be. The purpose behind my blog was to serve as a journal. So much for that, eh? I guess I better improve if I want a a cyber record of my comings and goings and daily doings.....
Some things haven't changed...still going to work every day, church every Sunday and taking it all as it comes....Northwest Book Club still meets each month, Geoff and Alexis live with us, and we are glad of that....our old Jeep, Black Beauty, broke down a couple months ago, so we bought a pretty blue Grand Cherokee....we sold Mark's old Focus, and have yet another car to sell...it's like King Solomon's choice between our old Civic and the other old Focus...neither of them are in A1 condition, but neither of them are beaters, either.....
We are going to host a a backyard gathering and outdoor movie to celebrate the 4th of July next Saturday. Hopefully Mother Nature will wipe that smug smirk off her face long enough to smile down upon us and grant us sunshine. We've had record breaking rain and cold this year....DON'T get me started on the weather!!!!!
The Ol' Coonster and I play online scrabble and text each other on our IPhones....Oh yeah, did I mention we got Iphones for Mark's birthday? I guess we're not such old dogs that we can't be taught a new trick or two...Also, I got my dad a web cam for his 87th birthday.....coolest thing ever...we see each other all the time now....
So, that's the last 18 months in a nutshell....a filbert probably cuz a peanut wouldn't be big enough...and now I resolve to write more often to truly make this a journal...what's that you say? You've heard it before? Yeah, yeah.....I know.........I know.........

This made me smile!

2009-06-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

My sister sent this to me.....I'm the one on the left...........you can tell by the glasses...and the other one's more stylish hat...not to mention my gigantic handbag!!!

Oh, my goodness!!!

2009-05-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday........and it's ALLLLLL started..........I've fastened my seat belt, clicked my helmet strap, and am gripping the crash bar...............WISH ME LUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!

Change is hard...

2009-05-09T13:30:00.001-07:00

That's all I'm sayin'.......change is hard....and the older you get, the less you like it.......So, Miss Five gave Judy's Parlor a sweeping face lift today.......it's pretty stunning and very beautiful, but it's change.....I'll get used to it, because it's so great.....which is a good thing.......if her blog changed this dramatically and I didn't like it..........well..........pfffft!
This month is full of change......major change............and sometimes that is harder than people think...........Just because it's a good change doesn't make it any less traumatic.......That's all I'm sayin'......

The longer you live together.......

2009-04-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

You know how some people start to look alike the more they live together? Well, I certainly don't think Mark and I LOOK alike, but we have started to dress alike....Especially when it comes to Sundays....

More than once, we have ended up wearing the exact same colors....and we didn't even call each other the night before!! This picture isn't BRAND new....it was taken the last Sunday in December...but it wasn't the first, nor the last time we have dressed alike.......good thing we don't wear the same size! We'd be fighting over the same outfit all the time.....

Quick update

2009-04-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Not that anyone was all that concerned, but just thought you might like to know...the power supply is dead...whew!
I'll get a new one.

Uh-Oh!

2009-04-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

I think my laptop is dead................again........
I was using it earlier this evening....then I dozed off, as normal.........but I woke up and went downstairs to hang with the boys for awhile......and show off my skinned knees and bruised foot.......Yes, I missed the last step and fell down the stairs today....it was a massacre of the stuffed bunnies and animals I was carrying downstairs for Easter decor......and one really fun ceramic candy dish, which miraculously hit the carpet....AND SURVIVED....not a nick or chip....whew....but I hit smack hard on both my knees, one elbow, one wrist, and one twisted set of toes.....if you are wincing and saying "ouch" you are right.......I did the same thing........OUCH!
But I am find. I'm just too old for that kind of nonsense.....sheesh.........
'Cept now the laptop won't power up again......Mr. Jimmy fixed my power supply a couple of months ago, and it has worked fine, but for some reason, it is dead as a doornail tonight.....keep your fingers crossed that it is just a power supply.....otherwise........well......UH-OH!!!
I have almost all my pictures and videos on that thing.....every time it hiccups I say I'm going to do a back-up, or offload all the media.....maybe that's another "To Do" on the list for tomorrow....If it's not one thing, it's ten more............
Dag Yo

Why not?

2009-04-08T09:19:00.001-07:00

I am off work today...right in the middle of the week, right in the middle of the month.....I finally did what I keep telling myself I should do.........I always have a "To Do" list a mile long, but never any time at the end of the day to take care of all those "personal business" type errands...So I just scheduled a couple days off........Mark has tomorrow off this week....to get what I laughingly call "caught up." Is there ever such a thing?
I will leave all the lifting and hupping and schlepping for him tomorrow, along with starting the yard work....we got the hot tub going..mostly...........seems one of the pumps froze up and will take a small fortune to repair, but we really don't need it....some of the jets just won't be jetting, that's all.....It's still a bit wet and mushy in the yard to work on plants and stuff...not to mention that it still drops down near freezing at night..............Mostly I'm thinking of inside the house and inside my head stuff...................................My new plan is to set a new plan..........part of the new plan is to set daily activities that MUST be completed before I take my sleeping pill....(by the way, my pharmacy switched to a different supplier of Ambien and I think they are more effective.....or maybe I'm just THAT "suggestive" ) I think I talked a little more last night before I went into deep sleep....but I digress....my point is that I want to accomplish certain tasks on a DAILY basis.....they are personal so I won't list them all here.....unless you all beg me to..........none of which are brushing my teeth and washing my face...............well...those two might be good........but the real list consists of things that most of you probably do already and would think a person of my age and station would do already............Which means I really, really have my work cut out for me if I'm going to get caught up enough today to be "even." Wish me luck!!!

If I had one wish.......

2009-04-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

So, you all know my birthday was Saturday.....it was a really great birthday, with all kinds of happenings that make good stories....I'll post about them, sort of one at a time, (especially since I have vowed to post daily) because I think because they each deserve their own attention...............but for now I will skip right to the end of the day.......right around 9:30 or so in the pm........
Mark bought me a beautiful, delicious cake.....that is a story by itself, so stay tuned to hear about that.......anyways.....after receiving a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, making a wish, and blowing out the candles, I was contemplating the thought of swiping my finger through the frosting and leaving obvious evidence that I wasn't able to resist the fudge cake so close to my face........then the thought occured to me that lots of little kids just dig right into their cakes without caring whether they might get in "trouble" or not.....which naturally led to the idea........"Hey! I'm 56 today! Who is going to tell me I can't take a big bite out of MY OWN birthday cake!" Right???? So..............

She called it "NOT LIKE THE LAST TIME"

2009-04-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

Way back in January, Miss 5 (aka Judy...aka Chanel) posted this entry on her blog...I meant to respond at that time because I just wanted something cool that she had made....but, as with many things this past January, it totally left my mind....so as I was re-reading this morning, I re-discovered...............therefore, listed below is an exact copy of Judy's post......and it goes the same for me, except for the first line (I don't think things will ever slow down around the old homestead.........and I only have 9 months to get it done instead of 10)......please do enjyoy.......

"Things have slowed down a little around the old homestead - and so here's a little something for me to work on - and you, too!The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
My choice.
For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! But you probably will . . .I'm just saying.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. That gives me a good 10 1/2 months to get it done!
4. It will be a surprise.The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!"

Okay, there it is........my suspicion is this: It has been so long since I have posted an actual new entry here that getting 5 people to even LOOK at the blog will be minor miracle.....so I also vow that if 5 people post a comment here, I will commit to posting daily....or at least twice a week from here on.....................that's my pledge to you................

Cook and Jensen....watch the birdie

2009-03-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

A new hat

2009-01-27T16:36:00.000-08:00

My sister wears hats beautifully..........me, not so much. Don't get me wrong, I love hats, but I don't have the right kind of head or features..........No, no...I really don't, and that's okay. I know it, and I'm okay with it.....even so, I still end up wearing lots of hats........
Now, my hat rack is already pretty full....but one of my favorites, one of the loveliest of my hats is that of the Mother of daughter with a post-graduate degree.....I wear it proudly because my girl is lovely, and talented, and witty and clever.......
Pretty soon I'm going to have to give up one of my most prized hats......it's worn out..............it's my Mother of a Full Time Missionary hat............I'm okay, though, because the same day I put that one aside, I'll get a new one. One that I will wear for the rest of my life: that of a Mother of a Returned Missionary.....I'm picking it out now, as I only have a month left before I actually wear it...............less than a month, actually...........and I can hardly wait for my new hat!

Knock, Knock!

2008-12-26T13:25:00.002-08:00

Who's there?
Merry......
Merry Who????

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Here is a picture that didn't get posted to Judy's Parlor....but I think Miss Five looks great in her new jammies...no?? The photo itself is poorly lighted, but this was taken just after we got home from renegade caroling....on treacherous roads....I think she looks great fresh off a near death experience on the icy roads....no???

Christmas was different for us this year, and being creatures of habitual tradition meant some harrowing moments for Kyle, but he and I both survived.....we had a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful time chatting with Elder Taylor.....
Good thing we had our girl here to carry on with the things that really mattter.....
Happy Boxing Day to all!

Holiday Home Evening 2008

2008-12-16T21:33:00.000-08:00

I know you've been waiting all day for it - but wait no longer...The Taylors perform "Mamacita, donde esta Santa Claus?"

Just in case you needed more proof that our local elderos are amazing: here is their contribution to the Taylor Family Holiday Home Evening:

Missionary Central

2008-10-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

I know it's been forever since I posted....I have tons to write about, but I haven't been good about making time..And we seem to be spending a lot of our time with the awesomr young men serving missions in our area.......It seems that since Geoff left on his mission, our home has become Missionary Central...and we love it! We hope that our place is known as a place of refuge and a haven where Elders and Sisters can come and take a breather....relax and get recharged and re-energized....we kind of think of it as missionary karma....we hope that anything we do is visited back on the head of our own Elder Taylor in the field...we hope he has found families that love him and care for him as much as we do for the boys serving here.... Night before last was Elder Thomas Cook's 21st birthday....no carousing, drinking, or debauchery...no wild carrying on....just a quiet dinner at the Taylors.....I tried to send this video to his mom, but somehow it isn't travelling well, so maybe this will work...it doesn't mean much except to those who know him....but the whole thing cracks me up...especially Chanel's coaching.....it makes me smile everytime I watch it, except for the scary, scary part when I am on camera! Yikes!!! I really am not that freaky, am I?????
...

Consider Yourself Warned!!!

2008-07-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

I post this picture as a two-fold cautionary tale......

First, if you get the reputation for nudity.......go with it, but be careful to wear pants if you are expecting company....

Second......look carefully before hitting the "SEND" button when forwarding email with pictures or jokes, even if you are sending them to yourself.....take special note to avoid any problems, especially if there is an "accidental" address....like, say...oh, I don't know....maybe the lady at your Payroll Company...........sheesh.........Good thing she knows me!

Life Imitates................Cartoons

2008-07-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

This is SO me......

A Rose By Any Other.......Fence

2008-07-01T22:21:00.001-07:00

This is a beautiful rose growing over our back fence.....What nice neighbors!

Knock, knock....

2008-07-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Who's there?
Hydrangea...
Hydrangea Who???

Hydrangea hot tub, so you better fill it back up!!!

In my pretty garden........

2008-07-01T21:52:00.001-07:00

We don't have nearly the flowers we did last year, but my lily finally bloomed, and we added a gorgeous hydrangea bush to the patio.....and this year I received the most enchanting begonia....it's a shade of yellow/orange I would never have thought of for myself....but it is soooo beautiful.....I love summer!

Life is just a bowl of cherries....

2008-06-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

And sometimes, if you are lucky, you have no further to look than your own back yard to fill your bowl....

Tonight the Ol' Coonster picked a bucket full of cherries from our tree.......Now, I'm not much for cherries my ownself....cherry pie is my least favorite of all the pies, but these patikler cherries DO look enticing!

I suspect the birds won't be too happy in the morning when they find that Cherry Tree Diner is just about out of the main dish....but maybe they can have the ones that are too high to get........too bad we don't own a cherry picker!

All cooped up...

2008-06-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

Here is the gift Jordin made for us at the Ceramicafe, the ceramic shop where she works....

It's a fantastic plate ........all of us represented ....either as a chicken or a rooster.....my personal favorite is Elder Rooster....he's the one in the necktie........I just love it...

Speaking of Names.....

2008-06-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

My niece, Mrs. Doctor, had her sweet baby boy....to my great disappointment, they chose NOT to name him Burton Ernest.....BUT they did give him a great name so I can't feel too bad....

Belated as this is.....

Welcome to the World, Andjroo!
Love, Great-Aunt Trixie

It's not that I haven't had anything to write about....

2008-06-28T15:17:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted in over 2 months....which is pretty bizarre considering that some of the biggest changes in my entire life have occurred during this time. Weird, isn't it? You would have thought I would be posting every night......nearly every day has been newsworthy....and I mean really BIG newsworthy.....but last night I was given a gift by a sweet young lady we know...it touched me so much, my first thought was to share it....and I realized that I better start posting again before I forget all the wonderful things and feelings and happenings of late....I guess I just needed a little push to start posting.....so, thanks, Jordin!

What's in a Name?

2008-04-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

My niece, Mrs. Doctor, is expecting a baby....her fourth child.
All the children have great names...that begin with the letter "B." From the sound of things, they are serioulsy mulling over names that do not start with B for this new junior boy....but I have a suggestion...

Burton Ernest Stringham

Whaddya think????? Shall we take a vote? We all know how important names are.....and these days even spelling is a key feature of a name......especially middle names! I'm thinking if we all pick out a great "B" name, they'll just HAVE to go with it...right??

A Royal Decree

2008-04-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have an adorable little grand-niece. Princess is all girl, from top to bottom, inside out. She is sweet and feminine, and loves all things lady-like. She recently wrote a poem....I really liked it because, even though she lives in Missouri, it reminded me of Oregon...

In my office space at work, I have posted a few things that really mean a lot to me...there is a photo of Paris that Chanel gave me....love it.....and a Penguin cartoon that I love because it has to do with Corky...a portrait of my Malley grandchildren....and this poem.....(in case you are counting, Elder Taylor has a shrine all his own)

Princess, I read this poem every day and it puts me in mind of a lovely park on a lovely day thanks to a lovely little lady.....PS: Did I tell you she is FOUR YEARS OLD???

A Sister is a Forever Friend

2008-04-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

I have something my daughter doesn't.......I have a sister...
I love my sister! Every year for my birthday she gives me a new blouse...or shirt...or top...whatever you want to call it.....and every year it is perfect. They are always the right size, the right color.....and they are "me." I guess that's the best part. I always get compliments when I wear them...
I have come to one of those points where I really need a totally new wardrobe....I have been wearing the same things for literally years now....not only am I getting a little tired of my clothes, but they are starting to look a little tired themselves.....so Thank You Very Much, Simone, for this new shirt....it looks good! You are a gem....

Alpha and Omega

2008-03-15T09:23:00.001-07:00

So, Elder Owens went home this week.
Elder Owen Owens (for reals) finished his two year LDS Mormon mission this past week and left here and returned to Albuquerque.....to the loving arms of his mother, who has missed him terribly (she wrote him that she was going to hug him "right in two")....and now we will miss him, too....
He was a great missionary, and a really nice young man....he was "whitewashed" into our ward, and has trained his last three companions.......and it has not been easy.....the first greenie was very quiet....hard to get a word out of......the second was a real piece of work......he reminded us of Kenneth the Page from the sitcom 3o Rock, if you are familiar....except Kenneth would be much easier to be around....but the most recent greenie has been a great change...a great young man who will be a great missionary, he will be a leader in the Portland Oregon Mission, you mark my words.....he's got one whole transfer under his belt now, and is doing great...we enjoy his personality a lot, but the main thing we have in common is that we both hate to see his companion leave.....we are hoping that his new comp will be awesome, too......Elder Owens was a great example of obedience, and of just "keepin' on keepin' on" no matter what. He never complained, always had a smile, always looked for the positive.......he is a perfect example of "If you didn't know, you would never know!" In our last conversation, he told me that, yes, even though there had been some really tough times, he had learned something from every companion.....never a negative word!

Elder Owens really liked whipped cream, so every Monday night we would try to have some kind of treat that involved whipped cream....real whipped cream....
one night Chanel had a whole bunch of different flavorings....they were all good....really good.... but when Owens took a spoonful of the Hazelnut flavored cream....apparently it was a little strong....and he claimed he was nearly blinded!! This is a picture of him in his state of going-blindness, from which I am happy to report, he recovered....
So Thursday was one of those Alpha and Omega days. I spoke very briefly with Owens on the telephone Thursday morning to wish him well, and to thank him for his service....then later in the day we got a call from another Elder (in the adjoining ward) who had just been assigned a "brand new-out of the box-my suit is still pressed-my shoes are still new-my bike is all shiny-today is my first day in the mission field-Elder..........."

Elder Devaney and Elder Jiminez

They had no dinner appointment scheduled, so they called the Taylors.....and we were more than happy to have them come to our house for dinner that night.....Elder Jimenez is from Miami..as far away from home as he could be and still be in the US...what a nice young man....I couldn't imagine his first night in the field eating cereal in their brand new apartment, so I am genuinely grateful they called...I thought of Geoff's letter on Monday when he asked that we do all we can to help our local Elders, including feeding them .......and it doesn't take much to make the correlation between our dinners with the Elders and the bounty of food in our pantry........lucky us!
We were also blessed to have the Assistants to the President in our home for dinner last Saturday night...Elder Larsen was also going home this week to West Jordan, Utah.......we have known and loved his companion, Elder Wyatt, since he served in our ward a year ago as Geoff was preparing to enter the field.....it was wonderful to have them in our home...they are great young men...truly Servants of the Lord.

I guess I write about this because I am not a natural born hostess......having people in my home....for dinner, especially...has always been intimidating for me, as I worry about what they will think of the food, the decor, the house, the conversation.....you name it...I worry about it, so I just haven't been one of those "inviter-overs." But as of late, we've had a number of missionary companionships, and good friends over to eat dinner.....and everyone has survived, and some have even said they liked the food...they had a good time! Who knew??? Maybe it's because these young men are always grateful.....or maybe they are just helping me to turn a weakness into a strength..(although in reality, Mark and Chanel do most of the work....baby steps........I'm taking baby steps.)

So....thanks, Elders.....thanks for blessing our home with such good feeling and great spirit when you are here....we love you for it and hope our own Elder Taylor is having the same kinds of experiences........Good luck to Elder Owens....Good luck to Elder Jimenez...or, Alpha Jimenez and Omega Owens....our associations with them are just little tender mercies from the Lord to the Taylors..............................Singing by the Choir............

If I had one wish, then it would be.............

2008-03-14T13:56:00.001-07:00

Most of the time modesty prevents me from announcing things like my birthday, but recently those who might be interested in presenting me with tokens on my special day have hinted that I am , well, "difficult" (their word, not mine) to select gifts for.................inside my head, nothing could be further from the truth........and I have always received lovely gifts for my birthday, but I thought maybe I would jot down a few things I could use, solely for the purpose of being helpful to someone, anyone, wondering what I might enjoy on my April 4th birthday...............So, in no particular order, or preference (except the first item):

NEW CELL PHONE/COMMUNICATION/MEDIA DEVICE

A Keyless entry for my car

Floor mats for my car

Prescription Sunglasses (I even own the frame, a-ready, and the eye doctor's prescription is with them in my "Soup" bag........)

An outdoor electric street-lamp like deal.....looks kind of like a street lamp, but works in the backyard.....to sit next to my swing, which I love.......

A new soft bathrobe for me...............and a sexy negligee for Mark (I would be the wearer of both items, just to clarify........and probably not at the same time, also just to clarify)

New Levi's......rare and hard to find in the right size, style, color for a middle aged woman......

I will add to this list as I think of it........but don't you think this list is pretentious enough???? I really don't think it needs to be added to, for Pete's sake!!!

Stay tuned..........

Overheard at the Office....

2008-03-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

Colleague One: Hey, did I tell you that my little girl has learned the Ten Commandments?
Colleague Two: No! Wow, that's great.
Colleague One: Yea, she was playing with a little friend at the park, and said to her friend's mother, "I know the Ten Commandments." The mom said, "Oh, really? What are they?" My daughter went through all of them, but the mom's favorite was: "Thou Shalt Not Admit To Adultery."

Words to live by, my friends............words to live by......

Happy Feet......or...... Mark loses his virginity

2008-02-24T08:43:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it? After 32 years, we finally did it.....We, as our foot massage therapist phrased it, "Entered into the experience" of Soku Foot Therapy at the Cannon Beach Spa....

Can you even feature it??? Mark and Debbie...at a Spa! But when you are on vacation, shouldn't you pamper yourself? I agree, and thought a pedicure would be wonderful...but Mark went one better, and found this great spa that offered Soku Foot Therapy....I know...we hadn't ever heard of it either, but it was an incredible, relaxing, wondeful experience....

Mark is very patickler about his feet, and I didn't think he would ever let a stranger near the uncovered ends of his legs...but, bless his heart, he agreed to a His n Her Rockem Sockem soak.....and I think the old boy is hooked...........

A Day at the Beach

2008-02-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

We love the beach...we are in Cannon Beach this weekend which, according to Wikipedia, is an affluent tourist destination on the Oregon Coast....well, yes, I guess it is that, but we just know it as a place we have been enjoying since we first moved to Oregeon 30 years ago.... We marked our 32nd Wedding Anniversay on the 21st....and came to the beach for the actual celebration.... The weather couldn't have been more perfect on Saturday....

Ah, Dear Ambian...How I Love Thee

2008-02-15T20:33:00.000-08:00

So, you all know that I don't sleep well unless I have help...and for the last while I have taken Ambien to be able to soundly sleep....it works well, and I get good rest. Unfortunately, my prescription ran out and I didn't get to the pharmacy for a couple of days, so I spent a few restless nights this past week....but on Valentine's day, I was reunited with my heart's desire at bedtime....my beloved Ambien.......ah..such bliss! I took a pill.....and decided to post a Tribute to my Dear Valentine on my blog before retiring to bed as I had come up with a MOST clever premise....and I didn't want to forget any of it by waiting until morning....it was Valentine's Day, for Pete's Sake...not a tribute to my Valentine-the-day-after.......I vaguely remember typing and having to backspace, delete and correct nearly every letter I typed before I was "shut down" by the laptop sheriff....Mr. Valentine quickly closed up my writing workshop when he found me slumped over the computer...halfheartedly trying to find the delete key...one eye half open....and the following draft which appears here EXACTLY how it was left last night....and I still think it's a clever premise.....one that have I every intention of explaining and expounding upon someday soon.............but for now, get a load of this!
AHEM.......

"OWED TO MY VALENTINE'

The dictionery says an Ode is:
An ode (Classical Greek) is a form of stately and elaborate lyrical verse. A classic ode is structured in three parts: the strophe, the antistrophe, and the epode. Different forms such as the homostrophic ode and the irregular ode also exist.
Well, I don't know about all that, but I do know that the real truth is that my dear Valentine is owed more than any ode could convey...
It's been 33 years since the February when we had our first date..some of you who read this haven't even been alive that long! But from than month to this my Valentine has been racking up IOU's...
Right from the beginning of our relatonship, I owe him for his patience wth my family and friends...not too many saw potential for longevity in our relationship.....my dear sister Connie was on the bandwagon right from the start and she is owed a debt of gratitude for trusting us to make a good life together...from the early days, I owe Mr. Valentine for introducing me to different kinds of music, different kinds of musicians....different things that may or may not have become part of my life lives together independing if they were good things. I owed him my btintroduction to all different kinds of music...and comedy and humor....Monty Python, and Firesign Theatre...Steve Martin....concerts....clubs......and DISNEYLAND! The Happiest Place on Earth, bar none....(well some may contend Grandma Siple's, place) but for sheer acreage, Anahieim 's Set up wins what joy my Valentine is owed for taking me more over many days....I'll never forget
His succeess
R

Of course, in the bleak light of day....it has it's moments....it has potential.....but the bones are there....it pretty much says the real heartfelt sentiment...................of a very dependendent Valentine.............oh well......maybe next year!

Sure, I'll Tag Along......

2008-02-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

So..What is this "tagging" of which you speak? My niece, MKB, has tagged me...and as an elderly woman, I am not always hip to the jive, but I think this means I'm supposed to answer these questions...I'm not nearly as clever and witty as you all are, and I fear there isn't one thing here that will reveal any new insight.....but for your dancing and listening pleasure, please welcome..........my tag lines.....

A. Attached or single?
I think I am attached to one single guy

B. Best Friends?
The single guy......my daughter Chanel, my sister Connie.....but please don't expect Valentines from me.....I never got that gene.........

C. Cake or pie?
Yes, please...

D. Day of choice?
Monday, when I get email from my missionary son

E. Essential items?
my glasses, diet pepsi, and my sound machine

F. Favorite color?
Plum or purple....fading to lavendar....

G. Gummy bears or worms?
Do I have to????????

H. Hometown?
Ideehoe Falls

I. Favorite Indulgence?
Falling asleep to the sound of running bathwater......sorry...

J. January or July?
July....are you kidding???

K. Kids?
Not anymore....I now have adult children....wierd, huh??

L. Life isn't complete without?
My family....or my laptop........or my family's laptop

M. Marriage Date?
February 21, 1976........not even in this century!!

N. Number of brothers and sisters?
Same as MKB! 3 brothers and 1 sister

O. Oranges or apples?
Orange, I guess....I think I need more fruit....

P. Phobias or fears?
Oh, where do I start? umm...heights....being sick in public...dying in the night and no one knowing...not knowing when I'm being mocked behind my back....

Q. Quote?
"You know I'd rather walk ten miles on my tongue before I say "I told you so...."

R. Reason to smile?
Hmmmmm......I'm thinking........my Malley Grandbabies!!! Yessir!

S. Season of choice?
Summer, without doubt....

T. Tag three friends or family.
All my friends have been tagged.....sad, isn't it?

U. Unknown fact about me?
I'm too old to have any unknowns.....except maybe the fact that there are way more unknown facts about me that no one knows....

V. Vegetable.
Corn on the stinkin' cob, baby!

W. Worst habit.
Diet Pepsi........so they say....

X. X-ray or Ultrasound?
Ultrasound.......can we all say "hysterectomy???"

Y. Your favorite food.
Noodles, or a baked potato

Z. Zodiac sign.
Aries...the Ram....the Head Sign.......Numero Uno.......surprised??? Nope...

Four things you may or may not know about me in no particular order.

A. 4 jobs I have had in my life
1. Optometrist Shop Office lackey
2. Paper Supply Company Office
3. Bank Teller/Proof Operator
4. Medical Billing Office

B. 4 Movies I could watch over and over again
1. The Way We Were
2. Roxanne
3. Dirty Dancing
4. Waiting for Guffman

C. 4 places I have lived
1. Idaho Falls, Idaho
2. Portland/Gresham, Oregon
3. Chehalis, Washington
4. Beaverton, Oregon

D. 4 TV shows I watch
1. Psych
2. The Office
3. Chuck
4. The Game Show Network...Chain Reaction, Lingo, Re-runs of old game shows...

E. 4 places I have been.
1. Mexico City
2. Honolulu
3. Texas
4. DISNEYLAND!

F. People I email.
1. Connie
2. Dad and Mom
3. Chanel
4. Geoff

G. 4 of my favorite foods
1. Chicken and Rice
2. Baked Potato
3. Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup
4. Funeral Potatoes (surprised I didn't say Ham, arent you?)

H. 4 places I'd rather be right now
1. Someplace warm and sunny
2. On a warm and sunny and windless beach
3. A vacation resort in a warm and sunny place
4. On a massage table

I. 4 things I am looking forward to this year.
1. Mothers Day
2. Summer nights
3. Cleaning my room
4. Vacations

President Hinckley

2008-01-28T07:52:00.000-08:00

Last night we got a call from a good friend whose daughter is at BYU letting us know that President Hinckley had passed away...I was surprised, but certainly not shocked...it is by the grace of God, I am convinced, that he remained a vigorous, active man nearly 100 years...and while I am saddened at our loss, I am immediately comforted that he is reunited with his dear wife, and that his final days were not prolonged suffering in his mortal body...I would like to think that his deep respect and love for his family and his heritage sweetened the joy as he joined with all his family...and friends....perhaps President Faust needed a good man at his side once again...I don't know that I can fathom the welcoming by the previous 14 Prophets of the Restoration, but....Wow......wow....what a scene that must have been to behold...
I can honestly say that I love this man and all he stood for...I marvel at the foresight and vision he has had to use and create the technologic advances and structures that are now so taken for granted in the body of the church...I don't think most folks realize the sweeping changes he has made over time using innovative ideas and being on the cutting edge of technology in so many areas...he moved the Church forward in a truly remarkable way...
But I'll miss his genuine love for all...I know it may seem trite, or cliched, but I always felt like he was kind of smiling at me when I watched him on TV...and I have said before on more than one occasion that if I could sit down with anyone for a private conversation, it would be Gordon Hinckley...just to talk and laugh...mostly laugh...he was a clever, witty man, and I don't think we got to see or hear nearly enough of that...I'll bet visiting with him was a real kick...
For many young people, he is the only Prophet and leader they have known...my own son included...Geoff was too young to remember the great men who served during his toddler years, and the first Prophet and President that he really knew and understood about was President Hinckley...it reminds me of when I was young and David O. McKay led the church...it seemed he was always the Prophet...when he passed away, it was all new and different...not in a bad way...and I suppose that's what we will see now...except I see President Monson as a man who shares President Hinckley's vision for the Church, and while he will bring his own personality (which I have also always loved) and vision, I am also grateful for his good health, vigor, and vitality..it will be exciting to see what his focus will be...
I loved President Hinckley as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator...and as a man of God who was completely prepared to pass from this life.....our loss, but for a time...

Just one more thing...

2008-01-21T11:17:00.000-08:00

I'm getting off the Story of the Day kick....but just wanted to share one more....

Flexible Practice

"I was thinking of either meditating or napping, but the way I do it, there's not much difference except in the explanation to the rest of my family."

More of the same...

2008-01-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

I have decided that most of The Story of the Day stories are more enjoyable when you share them.......I hope this isn't like some sort of infringement deal.....cuz you could subscribe to Story People your ownself if you want to get them firsthand, every day.....otherwise, you'll see them here now and then.........kind of like this:

Story of the Day:
"What do you want? I said & she said, in the abstract or the concrete? & I decided to rephrase the question. I'm going to the store, I said. Need anything? & she frowned & said, Obviously, you meant concrete."

So, for future reference, if you ask me if I want something, or need something and I respond...."abstract or concrete?" you'll know how to answer.....which can be handy information to have, don't you think?

Story of the Day

2008-01-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to a daily email that sends a story a day...they are usually just a sentence or two, but I enjoy them...I often print them up and stick them up in my office space...I liked this one...

Here's the Story of the Day:

"Today she decided to be suitably ambiguous, so you can think whatever you like about her (Amount of time scheduled for the opinions of others = Zero)"

Whadja get for Christmas?????

2008-01-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

One of the questions asked most often at this time of year...What did you get for Christmas???
Most of the time the answer is something that was purchased at a store, or made by loving hands...and occasionally it is a true gift of the heart...which is what happened to the Taylors, specifically Mark, this year......In order to appreciate this gift, a little back story:
We have a really great Ward organist. Ted Roberts plays very well...with great spirit and emotion...all the Taylors appreciate how well he plays and do our best to let him know that........Our dear friend, Dana Garrett, is an extraordinarily talented pianist....she has a natural talent, you know, that touch that you really have to born with...and we love hearing her play...

So early in December, Dana and Ted played a Piano/Organ duet in Sacrament meeting...a very stirring, moving arrangement of "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing." It would take a pretty cold hearted person not to be touched by the music....and as I sat there listening, I was so sorry that Mark had begun his holiday schedule of working on Sunday, and had missed this special number...after the meeting, I told Dana that there was no one in that congregation that enjoyed their number more than Mark would have.......her response surprised me....she said that maybe she and Ted could play it again for Mark some evening before Christmas.....I told her that I loved her for even thinking of that, but that Mark worked late just about every evening until Christmas, and the few that he didn't were already busy........she said, Well, we'll just have to do it late one night, after he gets home........and she didn't forget about it....we picked a night...the Friday before Christmas, and a time....10:30 at night...Ted often plays the organ at the Temple and would be playing that night, with the session ending at 10:00, so he was all good with coming to the church instead of straight home...

My part in all of this was to get Mark to the church without him knowing what was going on....so I called Dana and told her that I was going to lie to Mark....she relayed that information to the Bishop, which is easier than you might think since he was standing right next to her...Bishop Garrett replied...."Not my problem...." Then I said..."Well...I'm going to tell Mark that the Bishop called and INSISTED on talking to me that night...in his office...along with Mark....at 10:30 as he knew Mark worked late..........Bishop's reply was...."O brother! Don't get me involved!!!" But that was the plan.....and we stuck to it...when Mark got home around 9:40, I gave him the story......and he bought it...he thought it was very strange, but he reluctantly bought it...Chanel asked if she could come along...just in case we needed moral support....so at 10:20 we all drove over to the church...there were a couple other cars in the parking lot that Mark recognized...."Uh-oh" he said..."Must be somthin' goin on..."
We walked in and I went straight to the Chapel door...."We're not meeting in there" he said....but I just kept walking..........in the chapel, Dana and Ted were playing a soft Christmas hymn......The Bishop, and their daughter Lexi, Ted's wife Dixie, and Bill Boland were the only people in the softly lit chapel...Dana had arranged a lighted evergreen garland around the podium and placed one of her beautiful big Nativity sets on the front edge of the pulpit....the only other light was up on the stand so they could see their music....Mark still didn't know that we were all there just for him......then Lexi handed him a scroll...Chanel helped him open it, as I whispered..."This is just for you..."
No one spoke as we took our seats in the middle of the Chapel....and there in the soft light, hushed with reverence, the concert began.....What had been a single hymn in church had become a gift of several Christmas hyms.
They played six or more renditions of the most beautiful Christmas carols I have ever heard....the Chapel absolutely rang with majesty and beauty of the music...

When they were finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the group...I sat there listening, marvelling and realizing that I was seeing true friendship and love in action...there were hugs all around, delight in the surprise, and love expressed to each other........we left there feeling so blessed, so grateful, so uplifted...we had all been given a beautiful gift of self......truly a gift from the heart....

Hang on to your Top Hat!

2007-12-31T19:44:00.001-08:00

Guys, guys, guys.....here are some I forgot!!!

Oh, and Art..... I Love You!

Ten Packages in Ten Seconds

2007-12-31T09:04:00.001-08:00

Hey guys...the Package Shark arrived and I am happy to report...IT WORKS!
I've been shopping like mad for things in those annoying packs....CD's... DVD's....cables....batteries....adapters....just to be able to slice them open with "the shark." Well, not really...I already had those things.........

The battery operated shears, on the other hand.....not so much.........but they were a freebie with the Shark, so I don't feel bad.....

Once there was a Snowman, Snowman, Snowman...

2007-12-29T17:01:00.000-08:00

It occurred to me today that in the thirty years since Mark and I have spent Christmas away from Idaho Falls, not one member of our family has been to our house to see it all decked out for Christmas....Now, we ain't Martha Stewart, but we do our best to make our place as festive as possible...and our desecrations are fraught with tradition.....some things we have had since our our first Christmas together...we still have the same stockings to hang by the chimbley with care, the same tree skirt (no bare naked trees in THIS house!)and the original Frosty and Mrs. Snowman I made in Relief Society before we even had kids.....trust me, they've seen better days, but they will NEVER retire.....they started my Snowman collection. This house has a space over the fireplace for a television...kind of a box type thing that most folks would use for their T and V....but our screen won't fit in there, so we use it as a display box of sorts.....depending on the season, it holds Hallowe'en, or Easter, or Patriotic stuff....when there's no particular season, it holds a lot of my Rooster and Chicken collection. Right now it is Snowmen....

Now, I love all my snowmen...every year there is a new addition, and this year beats just about anything we've ever seen...our dear friends, The Boersmas found this little beauty, and immediately identified these folks as Debbie and Mark!!! We totally agree and couldn't be more delighted with this very special addition!!! Watch this little video, and you'll see the remsemblence, yes???

Now, don't you feel like you have been to our house....ALMOST???

Tradition, You Say????

2007-12-29T16:19:00.000-08:00

If you know me at all, you know that tradition patterns my life....I love keeping traditions...and the Taylor family has many. We once started to list all of them, and it was really cool to see how many wonderful traditions we hold........

One of my favorites is The Annual Ladies Luncheon and Ornament Exchange with the women that work at our parent company, Hinds Instruments. I am the only female employee at Columbia Weather, so I get to plan and coordinate the drawing of the names for the exchange, and make arrangements with the Tea Room for the luncheon.
If you step into Judy's Parlor very often, this may be dejai-vu all over again....last year at this time, Miss Five posted pictures from the luncheon, and it is very difficult for me to believe that a year has come and gone since then............the ladies are the same, the Tea Room is the same, the HATS are even the same.......the only difference is the ornaments we exchanged.
This group of ladies have excellent taste, and the gifts are always wonderful.......and this year was no exception. By now, we are familiar with each others collections and styles, so we generally receive an ornament that we truly will enjoy....especially for me this year...I received a really lovely snowman to add to my collection........
Have you seen my collection, by the way? It's bigger than my Santa Claus collection by only a bit....
The best part is that everyone always thanks me for "Putting the luncheon together," but all I do is make the reservation, hold the drawing for "who give to whom" and make sure they all remember to wear a special hat! That's all I do....traditionally....

Are we done yet?

2007-12-26T08:46:00.001-08:00

I'm so glad Christmas is over.....now I have 360+ days until it rolls around again.....
Don't get me wrong...there were some really great things...........
Talking to Geoff was the very, very best.......he even went Renegade Caroling with us early Christmas morning......through the magic of cell phones, he sang along with us....and even had a solo at the end......it was, as one friend put it...AWESOME!

Here Comes Santy Claus....

2007-12-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

HO HO HOLY COW!!

Last Friday night was my company Christmas party. Although Columbia Weather is very small...just 5 of us...our parent company, Hinds Instruments employs about 35 people...we went to the Oregon Zoo, which is a great place for a Christmas party, as they put up bazillions of lights and lighted displays...there is a steam train that runs through the zoo to get a great view of all the pretty sights....but the best sight of all was an appearance by Santa Claus! And wow, what an appearance he made! He was happy and jolly and full of cheer! EVERYONE wanted their picture with Santa, and here are a few favorites... oh yea....I owe Santa....Big Time!

I've been a very good girl all year!

Santa and his favorite little girl

I think the BIG BOSS has a BIG WISH for Santa...and Santa looks like he wishes he had a BIGGER LAP!

The room was dimly lit, but I think you get the idea....even with an "Angry Gypsy" ringing the jingle bell tamborine to signal that Santa was on his way....

Gee, What a Peach of of Pair!

2007-12-09T10:51:00.000-08:00

Today is my parent's SIXTIETH Wedding Anniversary...in a day and age where Sixty Months is considered an achievement, this milestone is pretty doggone remarkable...unless you know my parents...they are pretty doggone remarkable people...still going strong, healthy and active into their mid-eighties..
In 1947 my mother was a young, very pretty housekeeper working in a rooming house in a little town in Utah...the boarders were mostly railroaders...and when Wavie caught the eye of a handsome new dispatcher, the other workers made sure Ralph got the word that she was pretty special...and not to be trifled with! Wisely, he took their advice...he pursued her until she let him catch her and they were married December 9, 1947...
It's not possible to write a fraction of the happenings during the next sixty years...five children, lots of grandchildren, and now double digit numbers of great-grandchildren...and while that is all wonderful and noteworthy in itself, it is the relatioanship between the two of them that is most remarkable...they have truly become "one."
You know how they say that couples start to look alike after awhile? Well, I don't think that is necessarily the case...but I do think they are on such the same wavelength that they don't really need to say things out loud that much anymore....which probably good, because some of the things they hear...or THINK they hear make for some pretty hilarious situations.....and maybe laughing a lot it one of the secrets of a long, happy marriage.....whatever the key is, these two have found it....so today I say...CONGRATULATIONS on your Diamond Jubilee...I guess it's true............Diamonds are Forever!

2007-12-04T23:11:00.001-08:00

Sometimes really horrible disasters happen, and as just a regular person you have absolutly no control over anything involved.....this I believe to be true when it come to that Fickle Mother Nature...
You ALL know how I feel the about the wind...and have made no secret of my desire to NEVER live in a high wind area...when I was a little girl growing up in Idaho Falls, the wind would whip and howl up and down the Upper Snake River Valley....it was scary and uncomfortable, especially when I would be awakened in those dark nights as the house slightly shuddered and shook with strong gusts of wind whistling around around the corner...I didn't like it then....and I loathe it now...so you would likely assume I was most uncomfortable with the disastrous weather in the Northwest this past weekend...
Brutal, Unrelenting,and Indescribably Destructive....that has been the wind this weekend....wind that has driven unrelenting rain all the way from the north coasts to the south coasts of Washington and Oregon...Massive ammounts of rain...over 13 inches in 2 days left the more inland town of Vernonia completely submerged and isolated.....no roads in, no roads out...certainly one of the hardest hit communities........and then there is the Coast.....so much rain fell so quickly...a two day sustained downpour, that all the mountain streams and rivers overflowed and inundated all the towns and communities....people will be without power for days, they say....they have no place to live....no place to recoup.....all the reports show folks pretty much devastated and in shock....no one foresaw the flash flooding.....why, even the Chinook Winds Casino where we vacationed with the delightful Don and Missus Berg last year sustained heavy damage when the wind blew away the siding on the south side.......that now is considerd minor damage...people are losing their homes, businesses, jobs, hopes, desires, dreams, keepsakes, souvineers, sentimental things.....just here one day, ruined by a fickle Mother Nature the next....Right now they say the best thing we can do is stay out of the way of the National Guard as they bring in other relief workers....our time will come to assist, I'm sure when they can assess what needs to be done...my coworker Jeff's brother and family live in the abovementioned Vernonia....right square in the middle of the abovementioned disaster....tonight Jeff and his Brother were able to get everyone out of town and to safety at Jeff's....and it looks like an extended stay until they can figure out how to clean the muck up....and salvage......and fight mold and mildew...what a daunting task...BUT!!! All this to say that we Taylors are safe and dry in our home....we saw lots of downed debris and limbs and even a number of big trees snapped right down...and we heard about the loss of a beloved icon passed on every single trip to and from the Coast...I admit it was sometimes a rest stop....but mostly it was a National Landmark

We're so glad we took time during the last few years to visit the world's tallest Sitka Spruce just outside Seaside and Cannon Beach...it wasn't a healthy tree, and Mother Nature put it out of it's misery, breaking it off at about 75 feet....But I'm most worried for our friends Rick and Grace Henry...they own an adorable bungalow just over the dune at Sunset Beach....you know...the turn off to the beach access road is just before you get to Camp Rilea...just before the Fort Stevens Cutoff....It's a lovely, cozy, welcoming home they have had for the last 4 years....it's in a slightly protected area....emphasis on SLIGHTLY...and they are anxious to get to the coast to assess any damage...the only problem is that all the roads and highways are still closed!!! And the Power is still out! It's just a flat out MESS!!! We pray for The Henrys and for the Maxwells who live out north of town in a more isolated area...we also give great thanks from the depths of our hearts for the safety and security we feel...No ill effects, except driving through a little high water on our way to work...........It's ugly...really ugly...But we are safe, healthy, warm, dry, powered, fed, and comfortable.....now I guess we better get on to helping those who aren't...

Have you seen this thing???

2007-12-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

So...I saw this gadget for opening those doggone plastic sealed packages I hate so much...and today I ordered me a couple for the office...It's the first time I've ever ordered off an infomercial.............as far as you know...
So, when it gets here, if it works we can all get one and make ourselves happy......just think, we can open 10 packages in 10 seconds.....the very thought makes me dizzy...and positively giddy........sure wish the mailman would get here!!!!

So Far....So Good

2007-12-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

Okay...I got Maxine back on my profile for today...but I can't guarantee she'll stay....I have no idea why she disappeared.......but if she goes away again....she's history.....Also, may I say, I love that, of all the things to notice in my own picture....no clothes, an obscene number of medicines next to the bed....and who knows what else, Granelda homed in on the ring.....That's My Sister!!! Goon on ya! I don't know anyone who loves hand jewelry more than she does....which is only one of the bajillion reasons I love her..........so keep your ring fingers crossed that Maxine hangs around....

2007-12-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

Well, CRAP

2007-12-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

Gone again........Kyle is getting frantic......must...............get..........(kaff, kaff)......................help........

Better Lookin' Tonight!

2007-11-29T21:20:00.000-08:00

Well, WHEW!
I finally got my picture back on here! It's a very long boring story, but it's taken me this long to take the time to figure out what I needed to do to get it to show up again! What a relief! I think I have some sort of disorder that won't allow me to accept when "Things" don't work........I can never just let things go, with an "Oh, well" and a wave....it bugs the tar out of me when something isn't right....and I'm always so relieved to figure out the problem (or more accurately, have it figured out by someone else who then tells me)and solve it....because that's the other theen....if you know what the malfunction is, there HAS to be a remedy.....If it worked once, and it isn't working now....there is a reason....once you figure out the reason....correct it and get back to work! I could never be like my Aunt Betty who was without the use of one of the electrical outlets in her living room...for over 20 years she ran an extension cord from across the room to power the lamps and phone and whatever else neeeded electrical current near the faulty outlet power.....it wasn't until she re-carpeted her living room this summer and everything was stripped bare in the room that someone figured out that some wires had been inadvertantly snipped....on a whole other wall, if you can feature it.......well, once they tracked down the problem, the electricians in the vicinity fixed it right up........Lo and behold, after all those years, someone figured out the problem, corrected it......and Betty was back in power.......No, I couldn't have lived with that....fortunately for me, I have my very own personal McGyver, complete with duct tape, shoelaces and flashlights...........and an ohm meter..........but my secret weapon is really the manufacturing area at work.....we're talking some serious diagnostic tools....and they use pretty serious equipment, too!! Ba dum pum! (is that how you put a drum shot in print???) The guys I work for/with are pretty great at troubleshooting electical or electronic malfunctions.....and they are more than generous with their time and expertise, saving my money and my sanity by repairing important electical things for me...which brings me back around to how my last nerve has finally been coaxed back from the edge into a semblence of calm just by my devoting time to fixing this little bloggy profile picture thingy....in a matter of minutes this irritant was resolved and tonight I feel so much better.....I think it bugged me so much, that it may have kept from making entries, don't you???? I'll bet that's it!!! Glad I got that figured out....... Next....the Maintenence Light on my car dashboard has been on longer than I can remember....................Suggestions, anyone??????

So Glad I'm Addicted to Love Instead...

2007-11-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

48%

Wanna hear somethin' funny?????

2007-11-17T20:15:00.000-08:00

Here's the theen...I don't cook.......I don't enjoy cooking as a hobby...experimenting in the kitchen is not my idea of fun.....in fact, I view eating as a means to an end.....you know, fueling the body....And yet.......within the last week I have cooked two big meals..........and the prospect of a big Thanksgiving Feast looms large on next week's horizon..........huh!
Just goes to show ya.....even if you don't like something.........sometimes there's no avoiding it.

I’ve been DUP’d

2007-11-16T16:08:00.001-08:00

This past Wednesday was the November meeting of the Sunny Oaks Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers…of which I am one…..thanks to my sister. Connie has been affiliated with the DUP for a number of years, now. She is a great asset to her Camp…even serving as an officer when she made it very clear she was not interested or available....sometimes that's the worst thing you can say to get out of something……………and in order to receive her Three Generation Pin, our mother had to be a member…..Now, our Grandmother was a very active participant for many years, so it comes as a bit of surprise that our own mother never joined up…but never one to deny her children anything within her power, she dutifully signed on the dotted line earlier this year……….and not to be left behind, Chanel and I quickly fell into step………and it is really quite fun….we already know and admire a few of the Camp members, and we are quickly becoming acquainted with the rest……….how quickly, you ask?? So quickly that we hosted this month's meeting………meaning we provided the lunch……..we served Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Spinach Salad, Rolls, and Apple Cobbler for dessert……….it was delish………and we got a lot of compliments……….I think we passed the audition…….so, now we just get to go enjoy………….so, for anyone who cares, I can happily add to my resume: I'M A DAUGHTER OF THOSE GRAND OLD PIONEERS!!!

Trottin' the Fox

2007-09-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

This past Tuesday night, Mark and I started our ballroom dance class...again...
The Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District (or THPRD as it is called)offers a huge variety of classes and workshops dealing with fitness and health, especially recreation...the classes are very reasonably priced if you live within the district so we have, on occasion, taken advantage of a few different activities...
So, last October, as I was leafing through the course catalog I noticed a beginning ballroom dance class...10 classes for $80 (per couple of course.) I signed us up and we were off and hoofing...The classes are held at the Cedar Hills Recreation Center, which in a former incarnation was the very exact Cedar Hills Elementary School that Donald H. Berg attended as an eager young student.... Yup, THAT Don Berg...the school is now a rec center with a couple of classrooms opened up into a couple of "studios" with nice floors for dancin'...We weren't the best dancers, but we certainly weren't the worst...Unfortunately, we had to drop out a few weeks early for "personal, medical reasons" (A little snicker to myself...I've always wanted to use that phrase...just like a public figure, or celebrity or somethin').
ANYWAY! My THPRD membership card "expired" this month...since it costs nothing to get a card, or to renew a card, I think it's funny that it can "expire." Actually it's just their method of making sure you still live in the district boundaries...cuz you get to pay more for classes if you don't live "in-district."
A couple of weeks ago I stopped by the Conestoga Swim Center after attending a Southridge High School JV Volleyball game next door (you know, my continuing effort to de-hermitise)to renew my card and the nice girl asked me did I want to sign up for any classes?? No, I said...then...Wait!!! Do they have any spaces left in the ballroom dance class??? She clickity clicked on the computer...why, yes...there's lots of room, she said...Sign me up! I said...I paid my money and hoped that Mark was free on Tuesday nights...and just like that, Fred and Ginger are back in bid-ness...
Our teachers, Clark and Rita, are very nice....We were surprised at how quickly we remembered the things we learned last year...Mainly, we remembered that Clark fancies himself quite the comedian, and we are all best served to nod and smile at his lame attempts at humor so he will move on....he is a master at "I can wait..." while the group catches on to the pun or quip...or....just whatever........this time, we were quick to nod or smile...and thus maintained our status of Teacher's Pets....
Plus, none of the other couples knew we had taken the class before, so they were all secretly admiring how quickly we picked up the steps and routine...not to mention that we were the ONLY couple (besides the teachers) with our own Dance Shoes....oh, yes...we have our own shoes...and, much like bowling, you can tell the serious dancers by their shoes...
We had a really good time brushing up on The Fox Trot basics and are looking forward to next week ...adding turns and a spin...slow, slow...quick, quick.
There's just one problem...as with most dance studios, one entire wall is covered with mirrors...and some fat lady keeps getting in the way every time I try to get a glimpse of myself....don't know who she is, but she's fast.........she's really annoying to look at...except for the cute glasses...

RAH, RAH, RAH...SIS BOOM BAH!

2007-09-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Last night, as part of my new effort to de-hermitise, we went to a football game. Beaverton's Southridge HS pitted against Portland's Grant HS...the "Skyhawks" versus the "Generals."

Most of our friends live within the boundaries for Southridge, unlike our own personal high school experience at Aloha HS (pronounced Uh-LOW-Uh...not at all the Hi-wian greeting) for Chanel, and Beverton High for Geoff...in fact, when Geoff was in school, Southridge was his arch rival...except that because we lived barely outside the school boundaries, most of his best friends were at Southridge, so he wasn't toooo arch rival-ish...fortunately for Chanel, Southridge didn't even exist when she was in school....ANYWAY! I hadn't been to a Friday night football game for a very long time...since the days of Bucky Beaver! I just love the energy and excitement they generate...the kids are all riled up, tho few of them actually watch the game, as they are too busy playing their own game of socializing...but there is just nothing quite like it...a phenomonom like very few others...maybe it's the marching band that stirs me...

A lot of our friends still have kids at Southridge, so they sort of HAVE to go to the games, but they are, every one, the kinds of parents that wouldn't miss a single minute of what their kids are involved in.....and boy, are they involved!You name it, we know 'em...Carrying the offense is Mitch Matthews, hot on defense is Kyle Rose, Peppiest cheerleader Hillary McDermott, Drum Major Tommy Williams, Spiritmonger (student body VP)McKay Garrett, and middleschooler ball boy Cody Graham
Now, I know these names only mean something to me, but when I am ninety years old, and can't remember who belonged to whom....and believe me, it happens a lot already...re-reading these names will bring wonderful memories into focus.

It couldn't have been a more perfect night to be out under the stadium lights...it was the sort of day you wish every autumn day could be...clear and warm with just the hint of fall in the turning leaves and early sundown...we sat out on TOP of our stadium blankets, not huddled UNDER them...no coats, jackets, umbrellas or tarps which are the normal accessories for outdoor football in Oregon...

Well, a fan is a fan, is a fan, is a fan....I love watching football, no two ways about it...and I get excited...so it should come as no surprise to anyone that even though the final outcome of the game didn't favor the Skyhawks, it wasn't because I didn't root for them every play, every down, every call! Who can stay seated when exciting things are happening on the field? Who can keep from yelling and cheering and hootin' and hollerin' when the action is revving up.....well, apparently not me!
This did not go un-noticed by two "band moms" sitting behind us...women we had never met....midway through the first half they leaned down and asked us "who is your player?????" uhh..OUR player?..."All of them" I said...."Which on is your family?" one asked... "Oh! None of them," I said..."REALLY???" she said...."Yup, we just like them all..." They seemed more than a little surprised as they complimented us on our "enthusiasm" and noted our strong vocal support of the home team, our "encouragement" of additional training for the ref's and even our well meaning suggestions for the opposing team....bless their hearts for noticing!

Well, in the end the Grant Generals marched all over the Skyhawks...24 to 14...but, hey, it could have been worse...the Hawks didn't execute to their potential, and after, all, Grant is rated number 4 in the Metro League...they ain't no slouches! For me, it didn't really matter who had the higher score at the end...
I just loved being out in the great atmosphere of camaraderie and support...the company of family, friends, fun, and free tickets....
The season is young, and we're looking forward to next week's game...I think they're saving our seats! In the meantime,

Lean to the Left, Lean to the Right....Stand Up, Sit Down.....
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!!!

Ri-dang-diculous!

2007-08-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hey, with the dozens of things I need to post about, this is pretty low on the old skidooly (phonetic pronounciation for schedule)
ANYWAY! In preparing a package to send to Geoff, I needed to find out about Stride gum, as that is his preferred chew...so I found their website...and I was hooked!
I find it absolutely hilarious......and the entire style of the site appeals to me as terribly clever......when I clicked on the "Matt's Place" button, I was so delighted with the outtakes, I watched it several times....when I should have been gettting ready for work, btw.....so check it out if you want a chuckle...or at least I hope you'll get a chuckle....take your time and enjoy the whole site...not a dog page in the bunch, in my opinion....

www.stridegum.com

I want to dance around the world, too..........................

Coming Attractions

2007-08-16T23:36:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon To Trixie's Circus: Visiting Boise, which will be several different blogs....everything from the brand new Grandbaby (my grandniece) seeing different family members...the Siples, the Bergs, Stringhams and the Furnisses....plus the auctions and board meetings and all kinds of stuff..........
Upcoming posts will deal with Elder Geoff Taylor & Stuff.......so don't be gone long...it'll creep right up on ya, no kiddin......Check back soon, I tell ya' and it will be worth someone's while.............reaaallyy..........

Plus, I admit I have been a bit under the weather so I haven't been diligent about writing.....but I'm doing better, feeling better and starting to feel like posting again....hooray...........................more very soon, I assure you dedicated readers....you know who you are......................don't we?

Where were you in '92??

2007-08-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

In 1992 a remarkable new Disney movie was released that set the world abuzz...Aladdin was the most innovative, cutting edge animated film anyone had ever seen. It was filled with jokes that made grownups laugh as well as delightful music that was wildly popular.....how popular, you ask? Well, back then we saw the movie more than once, we bought the book of piano music, and every member of our family knew every word to every song...we bought the video as soon as it was released and Geoff watched it over and over and over and over...and I went with him!
A couple of weeks ago, Mark and I were invited to drive up to Camp Namanu for the second annual Movie in the Meadow.....you recall that Namanu a residential summer camp run by Campfire, USA, and that Chanel has worked there for the past couple of summers......last year they decided to show an outdoor movie...they needed help with the setup, so Mark set up the big screen (thank you Stardust Motel for the big sheet) and the sound system...it was awesome...
So, recently we were invited back to set things up for this year's feature...the ever popular Aladdin!!! WOOHOO! It was a beautiful evening in the mountains...not a cloud in the sky, warm temperature in a beautiful meadow...Mother Nature at her most divine...
As an added bonus,the "sound check" was completed using a DVD of JOURNEY in concert!!! Are you even kidding me??? Can it get any better??? I think not...rockin' out with my friends (free tickets, right????) as the kids gathered with their sleeping bags and blankets...and then....without a bunch of lame previews of coming attractions, the Feature Film burst onto the big screen..er...sheet......IT WAS SO COOL!
Now, here is the most remarkable thing: I know the film, Chanel knows the film...even in Nevada, Geoff knows the film, but who would have guessed that a whole new generation of kids could recite dialogue along with the characters on screen........but, WOW, when the whole, ENTIRE group of campers sang out loud and strong with every tune, I was blown away! Remember, that most of these kids weren't even born when this film was released...but it says a lot that a movie can hold up, be popular, be fun...and be fresh and fun after all these years...I think this is what Rocky Horror Picture Show viewings are all about...minus sleeping bags and blankets, of course...
I was pretty dang proud of myself for my very own recollection of favorite bits of dialogue, (That's SULTAN vile betrayer, to you!) and I will freely brag that I knew all the songs.......
What a great night.....a wonderful setting, wonderful company, and wonderful, wonderful memories brought back to the forefront of remembrance....I don't know if the kids at camp had any idea how much the old folks enjoyed being out in nature with them...and how nostalgic and tender it was to reminisce......."You never had a friend like ME!"
The local newspaper recently ran an article reporting on the fast growing trend in our area of creating outdoor home theatres...just like running Aladdin at camp, only in your own backyard...like what we did for the 4th of July when we showed Independence Day with our friends and neighbors......maybe there's a career in there somewhere for some enterprising person to put packages together for sale or rent............maybe someone with an A/V background could consult on the project....hey, with my brains and creativity, and your technical expertise....shoot, a sheet and a couple of amps and this kid's play could be left in the dust for a total outdoor amphitheatre experience...............Anyone with me on this????? Just send me your resume.............because why???
C'mon, you know why........ It's a Whole New World! For You and For Meeeeeeeeeee" Right, Your Majesty?

Most UN-Traditional

2007-07-24T16:27:00.001-07:00

Well, folks, I could report on the campout in just two short words: Rained Out.
This was the first time in lo these many years that we have actually, factually given in to Mother Nature's wrath...it rained so hard I thought I was inside the world's biggest popcorn popper during the night...the rain slapped and pounded our tent top like a brazillion fire crackers exploding all night long...but let me backtrack a bit....
Mark and I were the first campers to arrive on Thursday around 1:00...check in isn't really until 4:00, but the rangers never say anything if you are moving into an empty campsite....it drizzled as we were leaving Beaverton, but just as we rounded the curve to head north to Seaside on Hwy 101, the sky broke clear and blue and cloudless...we had a beautiful afternoon to set up our camp...and when other folks started to arrive, we drove into town (Warrenton) to buy our groceries...one of our stalwart traditions is to shop at the Warrenton Fred Meyer any number of times...boy, they stock up on the camping goods, so it's actually fun to peruse the aisles to see what exactly we can't live without....
Thursday evening's activity was a bonfire on the beach, and a ceremony to retire some American flags which were no longer in service...our good freind, Austin Maxwell's Eagle Scout project is collecting and retiring flags, as well as teaching local Troops the proper procedure to respectfully retire a flag...it was nice weather, the ceremony was incredibly moving...
But the rain began in the early hours Friday morning.....and monsooned until we left early Saturday.....we had to modify our games and activities, with the exception of the Annual Talent Show/Campfire on Friday night...our very own Chanel single handedly delighted the group with sing-a-long songs...everyone enjoyed it...and the rest of the "skits" were really cute, too.....
Unfortunately, we had to cancel Saturday's beach day...everyone was pretty soggy by then, and there weren't too many tears shed over the decision to get the heck out of camp! The Ward provided the fixin's for sack lunches, which everyboyd made, bagged and then hit the road...it rained all the way home, and all day Sunday.....
And guess what?!?!?!? It is clear and warmer today.....and the rest of the week at the beach is forecast for clear skies, temperatures in the 70's...purt near perfection! And we won't be there......sigh.......since there was very little to remind of our earlier trips, we didn't feel like Geoff would have missed a whole lot.....so we start thinking of the future....there's always next year, right??????

Our summer ritual

2007-07-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of quick things...tomorrow we leave for our annual campout at the Oregon Coast...we love Fort Stevens, just outside of Warrenton, Oregon.

There is probably no other tradition which so completely defines the Taylor family as camping for a week at the beach. We started going when Geoff was four years old...we haven't missed a single year. With the exception of last year, every year has been with our ward...thirty families or so...lots of kids, dogs, bikes, and NOISE...it is like nothing else in the world....and we love it. I have always maintained that NO ONE enjoyed the ward campout as much as Geoffrey Taylor. From the minute we pulled into our campsite and unloaded his bike, he was off and riding...we sometime saw him for meals, but he was usually out and about until time to retire to the "Jolly Roger," the tent he always shared with Bobby Peru...(that's Bobby Boland who is serving a mission in Peru...we have shortened it to Bobby Peru)

This is the first time we will ever go to Fort Stevens without our boy...and actually I cannot write about it....suffice to say, it breakes my heart to break a tradition, but never fear...we'll be back at it in 2 short years!

Mark and I are on the activities committee and have a lion's share of responsibility for the festivities....we have a lot planned but Mother Natuer is bent out of shape at me, apparently.....it's pouring rain and the forecast is for more of the same for the entire weekend.....nothing puts a damper on things like a dampener.....seriously.

BUT!!! We will perservere,rain or shine......bcause that's how the Taylor's roll.......especially during shine when one is free to pay homage to the Sun God.......like I always say..."To each his own, right????"

I'll let you know how it goes...we come back on Saturday night (another break with tradition) as I am teaching Relief Society on Sunday.....and THAT is is great story I'll share with you later...

Feb-you-ary

2007-07-14T10:55:00.001-07:00

I promised to recap the year 2007 month by month to date, so here is February(which, by the by, seems FOREVER ago) as it was a pretty significant month for me...I (and this is the word I wish to emphasize) I celebrated my 31st wedding anniversary...yes, to the same husband...and I left my son at the MTC in Provo, Utah the same day...what a dumb move to meet Bennett Malley the self same day! Yeesh, who in their right (or left) mind would leave TWO adorable boys within hours of one another??? I put it to you...you do the math, but the equation will always be....HuH??? What were you thinking??

I'll be candid with you here, I can't remember if Chanel and Geoff went through the Portland Temple in January or February, exactly, but I know it was close...somebody set me straight if it was January, but I do b'lieve it was February....the lovely Miss Reyna flew in to be Chanel's escort, and Bishop Garrett was Geoff's...
I freely admit it was a bittersweet day.........but suffice to say it was lovely and I am grateful for children who are so upstanding and decent...my Patriarchal blessing has reference to my being the mother of a "friendly, obedient, loving family." Until just recently, I thought the whole obedience deal was meant to me....but I jut figured out it means obedience to the Lord.......huh! I guess this old dog can still be taught a new trick or two......
I was warned ahead of time that I would be called upon to offer the opening prayer when Geoff was set apart as a missionary........good thing, too! I don't think I would have been coherent if I hadn't had the chance to "steel myself" ahead of time........but I'll be doggoned if I wasn't taken completely off-guard when I was handed Geoff's name tag as we entered the MTC and given the privilege of officially turning him from Mister to Elder.......it still brings tears to my eyes...a hard hearted ol'biddy like me.......I was totally moved to tears.....can you even feature it??? Well, it was something, I'll tell ya!

Mark has become somewhat of an advocate for families delivering the Elderos in person to the MTC, no matter what...he had such an incredible experience, that he can't understand why anyone would willingly send their missionary off from their local airport.........Now, to each his own, I say, but I do agree with him that if it is at all possible, it's a once-in-a-lifetime moment...no one should deprive themselves of that opportunity if they are close to Utah...anyone got a soap box he can preach from????

Funny thing is, I was thinking this morning of last July's camping trip at the coast...and the drive home when Geoff talked at length about his indecision....whether to serve a mission, or not...and it was by no means a "done deal" at that time...bless his heart, tho.......he came to his decision knowing that no matter which way, we would support him completely and without question......and now look at him today....nearly five months into a mission that we live and breath right along with him......ah, February....when it's all about YOU, it becomes quite a month!

Rubic's Cubicle

2007-07-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

So....three or four months ago, my office space was re-arranged when we aquired some hand-me-down office fixtures from our parent company. It was difficult and challenging to move things around, but we got it done and it looked sort of newish, and different, and kinda nice...then, I swear, barely two weeks later the guy who runs the office next door came ove to offer us very nice cubicle/office fixtures FOR FREE if we wanted them......much nicer than what we already had......GAD! I thought, why couldn't he have offered just a couple of weeks earlier.......my boss said NO, but my co-worker Jeff and I said YES. So, my boss said as long as he didn't have to be any part of the moving, hupping, shoving, pounding, and cussing...we could go ahead.

The neighbors brought the "stuff" over last week, Nader went on vacation this week, and Jeff and I tore our cubicles down and rebuilt them from the ground up.....giving us much greater appreciation for Rome and all their days.......

Jeff's space is almost completely back to normal...mine isn't.....after two days, it still bad....really bad......and the worst of it is that I lost the counter that held all my beautiful plants....no one believed I would every really make a change that would eliminate my jungle, but I am nothing, if not flexible......besides, I have a new plant plan....I'm going to surround myself with my wonderful green and blooming plants in a whole way.....you won't recognize me!!! You'll be asking yourself......hmmmmmmm, what's different?....did she lose weight? Get a haircut? New glasses??? But it will just be my new floral display!!! Seriously!

Keep checking back...I'm going to have a picture posted soon showing off the new "shading type of arrangement" but I can't do it before things get spiffed.......I only mention all of this because I'm pooped! The last couple of days have wored me right out........BUT the silver linging ito all of this is that the wind is NOT blowing.....

It's hot! I LOVE IT!

2007-07-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

Most people don't care for hot weather. I, however, love it. I think I could be happy in any dry, arid location.....as long as it isn't WINDY!!! Something you may not know about me is that I don't particularly care for the wind.......boy, do I hate it. It tells me that the Cosmos is in chaos when the tree limbs are bending, when the napkins are blowing off the picnic table, when your hair swirls about you as if independent of your head!!!! (not an original thought)
ANYWAY! Today was hot, but not windy, unlike the last 20 thousand or so days........and I liked it.....I'm just sayin'...........

By the by....I said I would summarize by month.........January 2007 was cold, and rainy and weird...we bought Geoff's missionary clothes at Remingtons, a very cool CTR clothing store, and met Elder Jeff Hale from Salt Lake...Murrayhill Ward was his very first area to serve and he certainly had a "deer in the headlights" look about him..........and doggone, his bike helmet is still on backorder.......credit trouble, or something?!?!?!

2007-07-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

So it's Monday night and we are sitting out in the back yard on my wonderful swing. I got this fabulous swing/bed/hammocky futon for my birthday. I could spend my entire life out lounging in the back yard. Technically, its not my backyard, but since we are the caretakers, it it ours by default.....and it's great. We had a wonderful 4th of July gathering of friends for an ice cream social, and then we showed a movie on a screen we built out of some pop tops and horse glue...I mean a sheet and some 2x2's....it was great...fortunately, our neighbors were all away watching big fireworks displays, so we could have the volume up nice and loud and no one complained...we watched........what else??? "Independence Day" was the feature at the Taylor walk-up movie and ice cream emporium...it was great fun, but a late, late evening...I wound up as hung over as if I'd been drinkin'....whoosh...

Did you miss me???

2007-07-07T09:10:00.001-07:00

It's been over nearly 2 years since I posted to this blog, and for some strange reason, I am compelled to start posting again. Maybe it is because of all the other family bloggers and the fact that I enjoy reading them so much, or maybe it is because I figure I can journal this way...and if, by some very slim chance anyone actually reads this nonsense they will see what I have (or have not) been up to, so....I'M BAAACK!!!
Rather than detail the last many moons, let's summarize.....I had a mild stroke, I recovered fairly well, I moved to a different house, my in-laws both passed away, I kept working full time, my son embarked on a full time mission for the Church, my daughter enrolled in a Master's Degree program at Portland State University, I held Church callings..............and cooked a delicious,nutritious dinner every night!

So....while this site isn't exactly what you would call "under construction," it is basically under construction...and man, oh man, the standard is high....if you look at Chanel's blog, or Geoff's blog (which of course is Chanel's, too) or at Art the auction hound at auctionroadtrip.blogspot.com (maintained by the multi-talented Uncle Donald) you'll see why I'm anxious to do my best to portray my life's coming's and going's...NOT THAT IT'S A COMPETITION!!!! I just wanted to give MaryKate something else to do, that's all........
So, now that we're sort of up to speed, I think I'll start with 2007, and recap each month to date......so watch this space for January 2007!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!

Sylvia's...ain't it a beach

2005-11-03T20:46:00.000-08:00

So I promised I would report on our stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport. This well-known Bed and Breakfast is located right smack on the beach in Central Oregon. It is a historic building…an old, old hotel that has been transformed into a retreat for book lovers and those who can lose themselves for hours and hours reading……

Every room in the hotel is named after a famous author, food is served in the “Tables of Content” dining room, and there is a resident cat. There are no televisions, no radios, no, phones, no pool, no pets…they ain’t got no cigarettes………..I kid you not. The idea is to get away from all the noise and stress of everyday life and just relax, read, eat, do puzzles, play board games, read, walk on the beach, read, and then read.

We thought it sounded really interesting, especially since we were booked into the F. Scott Fitzgerald room. Did I mention that reading is the popular pastime at this particular B & B? That, and being really earthy and environmental and stuff. Now, I love to read. I could read for hours on end. I also like to work crossword puzzles, so this sounded like just the ticket for us.

What we didn’t count on was the fact that the hotel hasn’t been updated in probably 20 or 30 years. We also didn’t count on the fact that our hosts didn’t seem to care that the place was really not so much charming as it was……….well, just shabby.

We opened the door to our room and walked smack into a room that smelled like the linen closet at a nursing home….and that was just the beginning! The furniture in the big reading room was a bunch of old mismatched chairs with lumpy cushions and couches with broken backs and smelly upholstery…lots of lamps, but the ratty old lampshades were pretty scary…

You know how when you go away for a romantic getaway the bed can play an important part in the festivities? Well, this bed had an old spring mattress that “sproinged” every time we touched it…and get this! The footboard had been nailed to a big old board which was attached to the mattress frame….and the headboard was just sitting against the wall!!!! Think of every joke/gag you have ever seen or heard in the movies about noises in a hotel room (especially having to do with headboards). Add to that image the idea that the walls were so paper thin we could hear the woman next door reading her book aloud to her roomie! Did I mention that reading is very popular at this place? Anyway, she did voices and everything, but we couldn’t quite make out the book….Now, in spite of these downsides, we actually enjoyed our stay. We began to imagine how we would redo the place. I mean, think of it. If the only thing about the room that conjured up F. Scott Fitzgerald was a shelf with 3 bottles of gin and a bunch of his books and letters, there’s nowhere to go but up, right? Although, the wall sink in the middle of the room was quite an interesting touch, I must say….

The good news is that breakfast was included with the room. The bad news is that meals are served “family style” so you can get to know the other guests. If you choose to have dinner at the hotel, you will find yourself seated with 6 other guests playing games like “Two Truths and a Lie.” It may surprise you to learn that Mark and I don’t exactly jump at the chance to participate in that sort of social activity. But we don’t. So we ate breakfast in the dining room but took our meals at some other wonderful restaurants….we had great food and even greater company…each other.

The weather was gloriously warm and clear on Saturday and Sunday. During Sunday night a squall came up with winds that shook the old building and rattled the windows. A few shingles even blew off the roof…and the rain poured. It was fantastic!!! We could see the ocean waves from our bed and we were able to watch the storm rage…it was awesome!

Turns out my boss, Nader and his wife Martha spent their honeymoon there some 15 years ago and they go back every year on their anniversary………..but if you ever decide to spend a weekend in Newport, Oregon, be sure you know what you’re getting into before you rent a room at the Sylvia Beach Hotel….OR just win some money on your way there and you won’t care a bit about anything else!!! Trust me…

What happens at the beach stays at the beach...

2005-11-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

So Mark and I went to the Coast for the weekend. Not the beach, the Coast. North Oregon is the beach. Central Oregon is the Coast. We haven't gone away together by our ownselves in almost ten years. Hard to believe, I know, but true. Because we don't share weekends off work, its a scheduling thing. One, or the other, or both of us have to take vacation days...this time Mark took Saturday and I took Monday and we were off like Bally Riddle's hair!
Mark made meticulous...and that is the word I want to emphasize..Meticulous...arrangements for the entire weekend. Several days I ago the thought came to me that I wanted to visit one of the Tribal Casinos so newly popular in Oregon. As soon as I said the words aloud, Mark was all over a plan to visit Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City...but when I didn't pursue the idea, he didn't think I really wanted to go until Monday when I asked him what we were doing for our beach weekend..with just four days to put together the perfect romantic weekend, he really outdid himself....damn near gave himself an anal retentive ulcer, but boy, did he make it happen...

Like most lounges around the country, the casino showroom "headlines" the circuit of B-list performers and acts still making the rounds and this particular weekend featured a favorite comedian, Bill Engvall...apparently we weren't the only Oregonians who wanted "Our Sign." Turns out, the show had been sold out for months, so we didn't get to see him, but we didn't care because we were booked into a room at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport...but wait...I'm getting ahead of myself.

WELL! Even though he had everything planned to down to the minute, Mark spent a sleepless night before we left...he worried that if things didn't go exactly according the his schedule, he might not be able to flex...and more than anything, he wanted to be flexible this weekend...

Flexible he was, and it was a DEE-lightful time! The highlight reel will show us driving through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northwest with a Saturday morning breakfast stop at Alice's Country Restaurant just outside Tillamook (yes, the cheese)...you know, one of those "side of the road" places you see when you are hurrying to McDonald's....greatest breakfast ever!! Ever..no kidding.

Now, I didn't realize Mark's carefully detailed itinerary put our stop at the casino on Monday during our return trip. After a quick look-see at the Chinook Winds golf course, I insisted that we stop NOW at the gambling hall. Taking a deep breath, Mark decided to be flexible...we stopped.
Now, this could be a very long story...and it is...but the short version simply tells of a dufus middle aged couple who had never been into a gaming establishment...What, never? No, never...is there anything more awkward than a couple of old rubes?? I'm thinking not....but a very nice floor attendant patiently explained exactly what we needed to do to quickly lose our money...and with $7 (yes, exactly seven dollars) in quarters, we were ready to rumble! Since we had to exchange our quarters for dollar bills in order to feed the video poker machines, we went all out and got an even $10....Clutching the bills, we searched the rows and rows of nickel machines until we found the most secluded, loneliest machine in the place. I didn't want a bunch of seasoned players eyeing us with disdain and whispering "Rookies!" under their breath...We fed our first dollar and right off the bat, when the first game ended we were up thirty cents!! Woohoo...Flush with winnings, we fed another dollar bill and went "all in." We played all 20 lines with 5 credits per line..if you understand what that means, glory go with ya, cuz it was Greek to us....we just pushed random buttons, sat back, and watched as the lights, sounds, and glory of a JACKPOT flashed before our eyes...Yes, folks...we hit a jackpot! One dollar + one machine + no clue = WINNER! No one, and I mean NO ONE has ever been more stunned than we were...dumb, dumb beginner's luck!!! We were open mouthed idiots staring at the message on the screen to "Please call the attendant." Two nice ladies came and verified, certified, and legitimized our win...brought us cash..CASH! They congratulated us and commented that we were, indeed, lucky...and all we could think was......"We're outta here!!"

Of course, since we literally had nothing to lose, we played the remaining eight dollars, came up with $3 more in winings and immediatly cashed out and walked out!

We decided right then and there that the theme of our trip was not "Flexiblity is the Key" but was instead, "Thank you Chinook Winds." Even though we couldn't get into the Bill Engvall show, we still had a good time at the Casino..................

Now, lest you think that's the only thing to tell you about our weekend....stay tuned. Tomorrow I will tell you about the Sylvia Beach Bed and Breakfast........it's gonna take awhile..............

I have a dream....

2005-10-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

"I had the weirdest dream last night..." Whenever I say that, Geoff puts his fingers in his ears and loudly sings LA LA LA. He won't even listen to me describe my dreams anymore because he says they are too long and boring...and besides........"It's a DREAM!"

So, close your ears Geoff, cuz I had the weirdest dream last night. My dreams are always clear and vivid and very realistic in a very surrealistic way. When the radio alarm went off this morning, I needed it turned OFF (not just snooze) so I could re-conjure the thing. Most of the time I can't remember details of my dreams, but today was total recall.

How weird is this? The whole dream took place in the 30's or 40's....I was young and had long hair..............aren't dreams supposed to be in real time??

Anyway...I won't tell you the whole lengthy, involved and highly interesting scenario excepy to say it ended while I was skinny dipping in a public pool with a George Lucas look-alike who was my cousin "not by blood, but by marriage." This is the weird part. I don't like the way George Lucas looks. Nothing personal. I think he's a nice enough man to just sit and chat with ...I just don't care for his looks. Weird, right?

There was much, much more that transpired prior to the actual swimming pool business but that was the part I wanted to remember after I woke up...

Clearly, the only logical interepretation of this dream: I NEED a pool...or a pond....a pool would be nice, for me....I think...

Quick! Call 911!

2005-10-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Today the City of Portland Fire Chief came to our office. He blew in with an entourage of four fabulous looking firefighters.....wow! They look reeaallly good!

So, apparently The Department of Homeland Security has tons of bucks to disperse in the form of grants to the nation's Police and Fire Departments. Weather stations, especially vehicle mounted or portable (which we specialize in) are high on the "wish lists" for these grants. Only problem with a grant is that you are required to spend the money in an allotted amount of time or the gov'mint takes it back.....so today Portland Fire and Rescue is here to hurry and spend money. Never mind the fact that we've been trying to finalize this order for nearly a year, running into bureaucratic nightmares at every turn....now they want their weather stations immediately...like we have them sitting on the shelf, or somethin'. And they want us to install them. We don't install. And they keep changing their minds about the exact configurations they want for their HazMat vehicles, their Command Vehicles, their Fire Apparatus Vehicles, and the Chief's pretty red Expedition...vehicle. But frankly, I don't mind, cuz Man, them fireboys do look handsome in their uniforms...the longer it takes them to decide on the "logistics and specifications" (apparenly that's firefighter lingo) the longer they stay here, and the longer I can eyeball them through the conference room window.
The cutest one of all (did I really use the word "cute")even asked me for some sugar...........well, technically he asked if I would mind if he ate a piece of Kandy Korn from my festive litte jack o'lantern candy dish.........but I think we both know what he really meant...(eh?....eh????? wink, wink)!

All I can say is, Good thing we have our fire extinguishers displayed in prominent places.......

The light comes on

2005-10-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

I think I have discerned why blogging is so popular. It gives people a way to say things to each other without actually having to talk or engage in a real dialogue..........anyway, that's my idea...........

I have a laundry fetish. I wrote about it.

This morning I found 3 pink dish towels sitting in a soggy pile on top of my washing machine............yes, they were originally white.

And I shook it at her...

2005-09-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

And I said...............Chanel, dis blog's fa yuu!

Apparently, one must blog long and often to stay in the good graces of those who lovingly search for updated writings.

It's Friday afternoon. As my work week ends, my work weekend at home quickly fills with just one item on the old skedoolie.....Laundry.

Now, some might say I have a laundry fetish...and they might be right.My family has slowly come to realize that I have a genuine "thing" about my clothes and how they are laundered. And yes, it might border on psychotic, but I prefer to think of it as careful and meticulous in the care and upkeep of my wardrobe. I subscribe to the theory that it is not quantity, it is truly quality when it comes to the wash.

Now I've heard every story and disdainful comment from those who claim to do their wash in just two loads...lights and darks....the cliched "pink" load of whites.......blah, blah, blah.....the fact of the matter is, you MUST (and this is the part I want to emphasize) MUST separate your articles of clothing into . Some claim to quickly empty their hamper without so much as a thought to water temperature, tub load size, the correct wash/rinse cycle or the exact amount of detergent for the specific load...and believe me, there is a science to all of that! My rantings have finally sunk in..........no one touches my laundry but me....

Lest you think I don't put as much thought into how I dry my wash, don't worry. I concentrate even more on properly drying than washing, I'll wager. Not everything goes into the dryer...and when you hang things to dry, there is a delicate art to shaping the garment just so as to maximize it's life and appearance....I'm a master, but it's taken me years to pefect my craft. it's too detailed and complicated to go into here, but suffice to say, I never vary, I never stray, I never shorttcut, and I never fail to bitch and moan if someone else in my family "does it wrong."

The way I figure it, I've got about twelve to fourteen loads of wash to do this weekend...I'll start tonight and see how far I get. I never panic if I don't have an empty laundry basket by Sunday night...like I said, it's quality, not quantity.So many clothes, so little time............................Besides,there's always next weekend...

Going postal...

2005-09-22T19:08:00.002-07:00

So today I had a classic, stereotypical moment at the dang USPS...that would be the post office, slangily. I encountered the WORST(and YES, I could know that) POSTAL WORKER ever. I was sending two packages to South Africa...don't ask...just know that it does not involve Nigerians or money transfers and is one of the worst tasks assigned me in my otherwise "that's why they call it work" job.

I found out today that, even though I have received numerous email messages from the US Postmaster hisself extoling the virtues of "click and ship" (No, that's not a typo, its "ship") along with tutorials on both clicking and shipping parcels, apparently no one actually employed by USPS is privy to any of the information on their own website. None of the employees know anything more than what the customers tell them. Of course, I take partial blame as I foolishly went to a different branch of the PO as it was closer to home. The WORST POSTAL WORKER EVER announced that the labels I had prepared using the UPSP's own "click and ship" program were, in her words, "Not valid." She repeated this over and over and even held up one of my carefully prepared labels and asked the clerk next to her if "didn't he think it was invalid?" From six feet away, he squinted and agreed with the WORST POSTAL WORKER EVER that the label was, as far has he could tell.....invalid...Rather than argue with them, rather than explain that I had mailed to this customer a bajillion times, I simply gathered my paperwork and quietly announced that I would take my packages to the Hillsboro Post Office where Ben, my postal guy, works. He never tells me my labels are invalid. He always tells me that my scales need calibration, as my package weights always differ from his by at least 2 ounces....sometimes as much as 6 ounces, but he still puts labels and stickers and lots and lots of rubber stamps on the parcels. Somehow they always end up in the right place...Halfway House, South Africa even though the WORST POSTAL WORKER EVER said Hafway House doesn't accept Express Mail. O YES THEY DO, you dumb......WORST POSTAL WORKER EVER!

I drove to my regular PO and Ben accepted my packages with a smile and sly wink when I told him that I wouldn't be surprised if my package weight was off by an ounce or two! Oh...postal humor! In and out...zip, zap, take a crap!
I only mention all of this as I believe it may well be the Aloha Post Office where I possibly...and I emphasize POSSIBLY...may have left my very best, most cherished pair of reading glassses. I don't look good in glasses...loathe and despise them, frankly, but I like my little tiny Microvision Pen readers. I couldn't find them anywhere when I arrived at work today. I searched my car three times, emptied the duffle I call a purse twice..........no glasses............they are gone. I loved those glasses.....and that's why I hate the PO.