Update on December goals

It's now the 14th of December and time to reflect on what has been accomplished. Some successes and still some challenges.

• I'm leaving work by 5pm every day and getting in my workouts.


• Rusty has walked on the treadmill once - I spend more time at the gym than in the hanger because the gym is warm and the hanger is 60 degrees!!!!


• More time is spent with God; I'm doing better with this


• I miss my decorations and Christmas "stuff" but am glad we made this choice. We will decorate next year!

Idaho Trip

I spent last weekend with Andy and Teresa. We had a great weekend of shopping, making candy, eating, playing games, watching movies and catching up! We even had snow on the day they took me back to the airport in Spokane. It was fun to see how these newlyweds are settling and enjoying their married life.
Snuggling up to keep warm - it was snowing hard!

Teresa had never made candy so here we are trying to spread out the peanut brittle quickly. It was quite the feat!
Andy is trying to toss the pizza dough like the pros. We laughed and made a mess but we managed to get the pizza done!
The backyard view before the snow. It was cold and even the horses didn't want to be out in the weather. I don't miss that cold weather!

GAME ON!!

My two boys are always thinking of ways to play "gotcha." Only now it's changed to "game on!" Ryan and Aimee gave Andy a Barbie Gift Card for his birthday. So in response, Andy and Teresa have purchased a very special gift for them! (And I'm not telling except to say the camera will be ready!!) So here's to "GAME ON!"

This year Christmas will be different!

We decided to slow down this Christmas and not be so focused on "getting things done." I plan to spend this next month reflecting on what my life means to me, who I am and who I am called to be by God.
Here are the commitments I am making:
1. Spend more time together, just focusing on us. We aren't decorating this year as we are still working on the remodel project and just can't even begin to get out one more box!!!
2. Make a commitment to spend quality time with God every day. I have my weekly bible study but don't spend enough of every day seeking Him.
3. Pray daily for each member of my family: for health, wealth, and happiness.
4. Prioritize my work load and not spend so much of my time there. It's been so hectic that I've lost site of who I am supposed to be.
5. Take my dog for a walk every day; when it's bad weather, we can walk on the treadmill. I'll have to post some pictures of that. Rusty loves the treadmill.
6. Stay committed to working out as I prepare for my January half-marathon.
7. Don't forget to do 1 -5!!!

I am looking forward to this month - it will be different but hopefully, much more blessed!
I plan on posting how I am doing!

Merry Christmas, my friends!

A Week in November

This is what my vacation week in Tacoma was like! I had a lot of fun but it was a very busy week!
MONDAY: Meysa turned 4 years old and had horse birthday. We played "pin the tail on the horse!" No donkey in this party!
TUESDAY: Mom had cataract surgery so I went with her and Dad. Once she was home and resting, I stayed inside while Dad worked on the leaves to get ready to mow them up! I then went swimming in the evening with Beth and Bryan.
WEDNESDAY: It's the day before Thanksgiving and I helped Beth out with all the cooking chores. We got ourselves ready for the day by going swimming and then we spent the day cooking, laughing, and generally enjoying ourselves. I am so thankful for my sister!
THURSDAY: It was truly a day of Thanksgiving for me. Greg drove up (with Rusty in tow) and we had Ryan, Aimee and the kids here too. With Beth's family and mine, we had a great time. I got out of dishes - thanks Lauryn for needing "Grandma time!!" I love my family!
FRIDAY: The best day of the year for shopping for me! I LOVE the day after Thanksgiving and this year I got to spend it with my daughter-in-law, Aimee! She's a great friend to have and we got some great deals. Thanks for standing in those long lines with me, Aimee!
SATURDAY: The annual cookie baking day! We baked and baked and baked...did I say we baked??!!! But the cookies are done and now we can focus on other Christmas stuff! We were so tired at the end of the day but it was so worth it! Really wish Aimee and Teresa had been there to join in this tradition - we'll have to try for next year!
Meysa's cake - Aimee did a great job on it! Great tasting too!
No donkey here - it's only a horse!
Lauryn and Rusty- she loves dogs and Rusty loves the attention!
Thanksgiving with the family - much to be grateful for!
Here is the cookie baking gang! Aren't we a site to behold!! L-R: Joanne, Beth, Mom, Margaret (me), and Amy.

Family Fun!

Taking an afternoon walk to the park - here's the whole gang. Even Rusty got into the excitement of a crisp fall day! We enjoyed our outing and had a great time watching the kids burn off energy. They really love going to the park (and Mom and Dad love that they are tired when they come home!!)


It's still baseball season for Ayden; but he just can't give up the snow boots. He will be so disappointed there won't be the Iowa snows this year for him to play in! There may be trips to Mt. Rainier in the future for him!!
Lauryn is ready to run! She loves the park and can't wait to get to the slides.
Meysa and Lauryn spent most of the time on this slide. Lauryn could do this all day!
Higher, Daddy! (Grandma says - that's high enough!)

Happy Birthday, Rusty!

It's my birthday - I'm a Halloween Dog! I am now 7 years old (that's 49 years to you humans!) and I'm still having fun! What I love to do: sleep, eat, play, run in the sand, run on the beach, hike and sleep!! Yep, love to sleep - I even have my own couch. Okay, so I'm spoiled but that's what being a dog is all about. So you see, that's why humans often refer to it as "it's a dog's life!"


It's all about the sleeping!
Okay, is anyone ready to take me for my walk?

Hiking in the forest is so much fun!

Fall Retreat

Greg and I took Sunday and Monday to rest and rejuvenate at Troutdale. We went to the Poor Farm in Edgefield. This place has so much history in it and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the sites.
One of the beautiful fall colored trees that are on the property.
We spent Sunday hiking to the top of Multnomah Falls. It was a great day to explore.
See - we actually survived the 2.0 miles up to the top of the falls. We hope to come back in the spring when the falls are really flowing and take another picture. Bet we get really wet then!!!

TAG- I'm it!

4 Jobs I've Had:
Mom
Speech –Language Pathologist in the schools
Director of Operations for Rehab in nursing homes
Program Manager for Rehab Services in hospital (current job)

4 Movies I Could Watch Over and Over:
Gone with the Wind
Sister Act
Harry Potter series
Twisters

4 Places I've Lived
Riverside, California
Lincoln, Nebraska
Lewiston, Idaho
Tacoma, Washington

4 of my Favorite Places to Visit
Hawaii
The Oregon Coast
Florida
Italy- still waiting to go there!

4 Favorite Desserts:
Sherbet
Kolaches
Apple Strudel
Peach Pie

4 Favorite Dinners:
Any Olive Garden dinner that has shrimp!
Spaghetti – the way Greg makes it!
Salmon on the BBQ
Christmas Eve dinner with my family

4 Websites I Visit Daily:
Blog, Scrapbooking.com, Creating keepsakes, Aimee’s blog

4 Hobbies I have:
Scrapbooking
Running
Reading
Working on my computer

A Very Special Man

Neil Odell Warrick
August 6, 1922 - September 8, 2007

Greg and I had the blessing of knowing Neil. He was our neighbor and "housed" our plane in his hanger when we first moved to Oregon. I remember sitting in his kitchen, drinking coffee, sharing stories, while Greg flew around the area. We helped Neil with his garden and often were guests in his home for wonderful dinners that he cooked for us.

When Neil was diagnosed with cancer 15 months ago, we made a special effort to help him with the things he needed done. We tended to his garden; Greg would rototill and I would weed. Neil's greatest pleasure was watching his garden produce so many wonderful vegetables, fruits and flowers, and sharing the harvest with us and many neighbors. Last year, we brought a wheelbarrow down to his home, picked corn, onions, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and cantaloupe and then wheeled this around to the neighbors' homes, giving it away.

It's so hard to say good-bye to such a dear friend and someone who gave to others so generously. We only hope and pray we made life a little easier and happier for him. We miss him terribly and will always love him.

Good-bye, Neil. We know you are at peace with God and in no more pain. We will always remember you!

From the Statesman Journal:

Neil Odell Warrick
August 6, 1922 - September 8, 2007
INDEPENDENCE - He was born August 6, 1922 in New Raymer, Colorado, where he spent most of his early childhood before moving to Oregon in 1935 with his parents, Edward and Mae, two brothers, Alwyn and Wyatt ‘Bud’, and two sisters, Gretchen and Kathleen. He graduated from Monmouth High School, then served from 1944 to 1946 in the 96th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, and Okinawa, Japan, where he earned a Purple Heart.His work experiences included farming with his family, Shell Oil as a delivery driver, and Bishops Clothing Store as a manager. He semi-retired in 1981 to become a private contractor as a “Jack of all trades”, where he found his true passion, before fully retiring in 1991. He was known for his fine woodworking, fabulous soups, and bountiful gardens.In 1950, Neil married Lucile Schwichtenberg in Salem, where the couple made their home until her death in 1991. The couple tremendously enjoyed spending time with family and friends, as well as traveling on many road trips all across America, and their annual trip to the beach with the granddaughters. In 1996, Neil built his home with pride at the Independence Airpark, where he made many friends.Neil is survived by his son, Gary Warrick and daughter-in-law, Chrissie of Portland; granddaughters, Brek Boehmer and Heather Miller of Salem; great-grandchildren, Cody and Bailey Boehmer and Jakob and Caitlin Miller; and friend Wilma Muench of Salem.Neil’s Celebration of Life will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 16 at Neil’s home, all are invited to come and share in the final harvest of the garden. Arrangements are by Barrick Funeral Home.

ARMY STRONG 13.1 MILES!

The first annual Army Half-Marathon: September 8, 2007 The race started at 8am!

We had our very own cheering section - Dad, Lauryn, Aimee and Mom! We are blessed to have such a supportive family. Thank you for being there for us.
Ayden and Meysa are waiting patiently for us to arrive at the finish line.

This is about mile 3 - still going strong!
We did it and we're glad it's over!
Greg stood around and took great pictures - glad we are finally in a picture together.

Okay - we're sitting and not wanting to move - do we look like we have any energy left???? Not so anyone can tell!

Pool Party!

Nana and Papa have a great pool for the kids so Meysa and Ayden were having their very own pool party. Of course, Grandma was not about to be left out so she joined in as well! And the rest of the gang hung out and enjoyed a cold soda!
Splashing their way from one end to the other!
Who can find the balls on the bottom of the pool?
Grandma Margaret, Ayden, Meysa and Lauryn
Some adult time while the kids are all in the pool. Great fun!

There's a reason they call it Labor Day!

We spent Saturday helping Beth and Bryan with putting stain on the log home. It was fun to help and we got a lot done, but we were tired at the end of the day!
Bryan and Greg working on the peak at the back of the house - we call this the park entrance!!
Dad is busy supervising the ladder work!! He helped on Friday on the garage side.
Margaret is washing the porch railing logs - they're next!!!
Amy was very busy putting up applesauce - she labored all day and still had more apples to do!
So what's this - a break???? Greg decided to swing a bit on the porch with Cedar, another Golden.

Beth says, "I'm the boss here so do as I say!"
Not to worry, Greg is looking it all over so he doesn't miss anything.

Overcoming Fear

Flying in an open cockpit plane, daring roller coaster rides, tandem jumping off a mountain with a paraglider - these things don't scare me. But put me 12 feet up in the air on a ladder or scaffolding and my heart pounds and I get sweaty!! But to prove I overcame - here are the pictures!!
Starting the climb up to the top of the ladder. We are caulking the trim board in preparation for the painter!
Greg has no fear and just moved right along on the rickety old scaffolding!
Notice the difference in posture; I'm not about to let go of the wall! But I did it and we are ready for paint! The hanger looks so much different with the drywall on the ceiling. I'm determined we are NOT putting everything back into the hanger that once was there. It's time to purge and I'm ready. (Greg's not sure what will be left!!!)

Dog Days of Summer!

Western Oregon University offers a dog swim right before they close their pool for cleaning and maintenance, so we decided to take Rusty. He loves his "kiddie" pool at home and loved the one at the pool!! When he first got to the pool, he immediately jumped in the large pool and suddenly realized he couldn't touch the bottom! The look on his face was too funny! It took both the lifeguard and me to coax (at one time, roll!) him into the water and encourage him to swim. He finally got the hang of it, but wouldn't leave the side of the pool. He just swam next to the edge! We all had a great time!!
Rusty discovered the "kiddie" pool after having been in the bigger pool - he's much happier here!!

This was the first timei he went in - he just couldn't wait to get out!!
We had to keep him swimming to the steps; Rusty wanted to climb out wherever he could! The yellow lab didn't like the water at all and kept watching Rusty!!!

A Tribute to Uncle Glen

Obituary from Ft. Dodge Iowa newspaper:

Robert Glen Porter, the son of Robert and Jennie (Hoshaw) Porter, was born on October 17, 1924 in Lehigh, IA. He graduated from Lehigh High School in 1947. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Japan during WWII.

On December 10, 1947, Glen was united in marriage to Irene Fiala in Fort Dodge. The couple made their home in Fort Dodge. Glen and his brother Wilbur owned and operated Porter Brothers Trucking. Glen later sold the business and became a consultant and diesel mechanic for Mallinger Trucking and retired from Decker Truck Lines.Glen was a member of Holy Rosary Church.

He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. His family meant the world to him and he enjoyed time spent together from vacations as a young family to babysitting his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Irene; his children and their spouses, Marge (Frank) Helsell of Cedar Rapids, Jane (Ron) Johanson of Badger, Julie (Jerry) Lunn of Fort Dodge, Dave (Carla) Porter of Berwick, and Dean (Sara) Porter of West Chester, OH; eight grandchildren Matthew Dencklau, Mitchell Dencklau, Dr. Melissa Dencklau, Mitch (Jamie) Lunn, Jessica Lunn, Katie Lunn, Bryan (Lisa) Porter and Tricia Porter; two great grandchildren Grace Porter and Cambree Lunn; his sister-in-law Mary Porter of Fort Dodge, his brother-in-law Ralph (Ann) Fiala of Seattle, WA and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Lyle, Wilbur, and Carl and his sister Carol Jean.

Uncle Glen was a man who loved life and laughed often. He lived as a humble man and I loved hearing his stories. He loved being out on the lake, teaching us all how to ski. He was so patient with how long it would take to get us up on skis! He will be missed!

Uncle Glen, I know you are blessed and we are blessed because of you. Thank you for your life. We love you!

Our home in Oregon

This is our home in Oregon; we have done more landscaping and

plan to put a pond and rock garden in next to the back deck. Always more projects!

Sunshine and the Ocean - It doesn't get much better than this!

We woke up to gray skies and rainy weather and decided to head for the beach. Just what I needed; I love being by the water and listening to ocean and Greg said it didn't matter that it was gray. We gathered our raincoats and headed out. Much to our surprise, we arrived at Pacific City and it was blue sky and sunshine! No raincoats for us! We spent the day playing by the water and looking at vacation property. We're closer to making our dream of a vacation home on the beach a reality!

Pacific City - this is a huge sand dune we walked around!
Rusty loves the beach!
Margaret with Rusty Greg with Rusty