Hang on to your Top Hat!

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


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

Ten Packages in Ten Seconds

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...

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????

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?

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....

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!

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!

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???

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

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....

Well, CRAP

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

Better Lookin' Tonight!

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...

48%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Wanna hear somethin' funny?????

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

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

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!

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!

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

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??

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

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

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

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

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!

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?!?!?!

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???

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!!!!!