I've been making a concerted effort to take the stairs whenever possible lately. It's my little way of adding a bit more exercise into my daily routine. And it feels good. Then I saw this video on one of the fitness blogs I follow and it made me wish my stairs, which I usually have all to myself, were like these ones!
Showing posts with label For Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label For Fun. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Friday, 27 March 2009
Where the Wild Things Are
I loved the book "Where the Wild Things Are" when I was a kid. Apparently they are making it into a movie?
Monday, 16 February 2009
Weekend with my Valentine
Tim and I spent Valentine's Weekend on the Oregon Coast with his grandparents, Grandma Barbie and Grandad Don. Since we didn't leave until after work on Friday most of our drive to Oceanside was dark. I would have never known we were at the ocean ... if it weren't for the sound of the waves on the shore when we got out of the car. But the sunrise Valentine's morning brought a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean from the third story of the house. It was so calming to just watch the waves crashing in on themselves as we sat cozy in a warm house and ate bacon, eggs, pears & cream, and orange juice fixed with love by Grandma Barbie's hands.
Tim in Borrowed Hat, and I in Borrowed Coat and Hat
In the afternoon we watched some old home video from when Tim's dad was little, and then from when Timmy was little. It was quite an experience, especially since several of the people who were in those videos are now dead - people I never met (and one that I did) that are talked about so much by the family they left behind. Following the home videos, we saw Grandad Don in one of his early plays in his younger days. Then it was onto the video from their recent trip through the Panama Canal along with the hilarious and ironic Nova documentary about the making of the canal. I worked on a small art project while we watched the movies, then transitioned to conversations about recent happenings.
We took another stroll on the beach at sunset before high-tailing it back to the house to catch the end of the sunset from a better vantage point.
Silhouettes
Surfers at Sunset
Sunset from the House
Dinner was at Roseanna's - a quaint restaurant in Oceanside with delicious food! I had grilled halibut with a yummy strawberry feta salad, asparagus and grilled potatoes. To top it off, Tim and I shared a yummy Marrionberry cobbler a-la-mode. YUM!
Roseanna's
End of Dinner - Marrionberry Cobbler A-la-Mode
We spent the evening chatting about the future of the ranch in Haines, got up for Mass on Sunday followed by French Toast breakfast put on by the Tillamook Sr. Class to raise money for several "causes".
The drive home was lovely - much better in the light of day - and a great way to top off a splendid trip.
After Dinner - Happy and Full
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
EVERYONE!!!
Morning Stroll
We took a stroll on the beach in the morning... it was so chilly Tim and I borrowed some of our grandparents' clothes to bundle up. But even with the brisk weather it was still a joy to walk on the beach, taking pictures of the natural beauty we so seldom see.
Tim in Borrowed Hat, and I in Borrowed Coat and HatWe took another stroll on the beach at sunset before high-tailing it back to the house to catch the end of the sunset from a better vantage point.
Silhouettes 
Surfers at Sunset
Sunset from the House
Roseanna's 
End of Dinner - Marrionberry Cobbler A-la-ModeThe drive home was lovely - much better in the light of day - and a great way to top off a splendid trip.
After Dinner - Happy and FullHAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
EVERYONE!!!
Friday, 13 February 2009
Decorating ideas for renters
I recently found this great slide show of great decorating ideas for renters at the Domino Magazine website (unfortunately March is their last issue!). For those of us who will be renting for the next few years, these tips can make our time as non-homeowners much more enjoyable!
This is one of my favorite ideas:
This is one of my favorite ideas:
Sunday, 11 May 2008
Happy Mother's Day! I owe you, Mom...
A little something that came through my e-mail box this week: (I added the last one, as it was something I always internally laughed at when my mom would use it.)
1. My mother taught me to APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE:
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me about RELIGION:
"You'd better pray that will come out of the carpet!"
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC:
"Because I said so, that's why!"
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC:
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY:
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS:
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA:
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER:
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE:
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY:
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION:
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING:
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE:
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP:
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR:
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT:
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS:
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS:
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE:
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"
And finally, one of my own (just for you, mom!).
26. My mother taught me about ANATOMY:
"Stop standing there with your teeth in your mouth!"
1. My mother taught me to APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE:
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me about RELIGION:
"You'd better pray that will come out of the carpet!"
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC:
"Because I said so, that's why!"
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC:
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY:
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS:
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA:
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER:
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE:
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY:
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION:
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING:
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE:
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP:
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR:
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT:
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS:
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS:
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE:
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"
And finally, one of my own (just for you, mom!).
26. My mother taught me about ANATOMY:
"Stop standing there with your teeth in your mouth!"
Monday, 24 March 2008
Obama in Eugene!!
Senator Barack Obama made an appearance at McArthur Court (known as"the pit" for how loud and intimidating it is for opposing teams playing the Ducks there in basketball) in Eugene Friday night, and I made sure to be there! I had Friday off in observance of Good Friday, so that allowed me plenty of time to stand in line for hours with friends as we awaited our chance at seeing Barack Obama speak live and in person.We were not disappointed. I was impressed and inspired by Obama's "A More Perfect Union" speech last week, as were many ministers around the United States who apparently spoke on the same topic during their Easter sermons or homilies this Easter Sunday. And I was not let down by Obama's Eugene speech. I was inspired by his vision for education - from preschool to college and beyond, and his vision for restoring America's morality by helping other countries gain access to clean water and appropriate housing. I was impressed by his compassion for those who are less fortunate, and for his desire do teach our young people not just to be good at science and math, but to be well-rounded and well-informed citizens of the United States. I am impressed that he has not financed his campaign on even one dollar of from special interest groups, but has rather raised all his campaigning dollars from over 1 million people across the nation - and he has raisd an un-precedented amount of money for his campaign!
Obama has convinced me that he is able and ready to take on the most challenging issues our nation and our world have to throw his way, and to do so in a way that I can be proud of.
You can check out a slide show of professional pictures with audio here, and see the whole Eugene speech here. And you can click here to see more pictures I took at the rally.
Tim and I - still waiting in line... (and pointing to my Obama '08 sticker)
OBAMA!!!
Kissing babies...
And shaking hands...Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Two Germans and a Longboard
Last night Tim and I had the opportunity to hang out with Dirk, one of Grenzebach's German interns who has been here in the US for the last 5 months, and Hendrick a friend of his. We met them at the North Bank McMenamin's for dinner, and had a great time talking with them about where we all grew up, what it was like etc. Dirk is 27, and is studying to be a Mechanical Engineer - which is what he has been doing with Grenzebach (the company I work for) for the last few months in Newnan, Georgia.
At one point during dinner I mentioned that for Valentine's Day Tim had gotten me a longboard and skate shoes (see pictures below) so that we can go longboarding together! I know, we kinda jumped the gun, but we got the board and shoes yesterday rather than waiting for Thursday.
I'm pretty excited about being able to go boarding with Tim now that the weather is getting a bit warmer and more sunny. I also love how stylish my board is, and how the shoes go back to my Scottish roots with the red tartan accents that match my board. :)
Anyway, I mentioned the long board and Dirk told us that he does street luge in Germany, which is somewhat similar to longboarding, except you're laying down. This is him doing what he does:
After dinner we were walking out of McMenamin's and Tim and I both stopped at the basket of mints to snag a few. We offered them to Dirk and Hendrick, but they declined. Dirk said: "I don't understand why you guys have those all over the place here." I replied: "Well, it's for after dinner - it settles the stomach." He immediately and very mater-of-factly said: "Oh, we have Schnapps for that." Tim and I both laughed so hard we nearly cried!
We decided to take the longboards out for a spin with the boys, so we headed to Autzen Stadium and boarded around for a while. Then ended up in our living room learning all sorts of interesting facts from Dirk and Hendrick.
We learned:
-That in Germany Dirk and Hendrick were required to either go into the Army for 10 months or do a year of civil service. They both chose the Army, but were quick to explain that it was not like our army - their army is like a "fun army". There are a few drills at the beginning, but that's all. Besides, after WWII Germany can only have a defensive army; they cannot attack another country. Dirk found it odd that some US leaders have wanted Germany to help attack Afghanistan, even though we were the ones who helped restrict them to begin with.
- That German news is different from American news. Each German has to pay a fee per TV or radio they own, and that money funds public news channels and stations. One of those TV news stations is Germany's most-watched news because there is no one telling the newscasters what to say or report - the news is not tampered with. Dirk and Hendrick said they felt like the US news is more like a movie, and German news is more like a documentary.
- How glass is made. One part of what Grenzebach does is makes the machinery that makes glass. Dirk told us all about the process - how it is mixed, melted, shaped, scanned for imperfections, cut, stacked etc. It was really quite interesting to learn what that part of the business does.
At the end of the night, Dirk, Hendrick, and I set up our cameras on the bar, set the timers and each took a picture by which to remember the enjoyable evening we had spent together. Dirk hopes to come back to Oregon when he finishes his studies - I certainly hope we will be able to hang out with him again in the future.
Dirk, Hendrick, Me and Tim
At one point during dinner I mentioned that for Valentine's Day Tim had gotten me a longboard and skate shoes (see pictures below) so that we can go longboarding together! I know, we kinda jumped the gun, but we got the board and shoes yesterday rather than waiting for Thursday.
I'm pretty excited about being able to go boarding with Tim now that the weather is getting a bit warmer and more sunny. I also love how stylish my board is, and how the shoes go back to my Scottish roots with the red tartan accents that match my board. :)
Anyway, I mentioned the long board and Dirk told us that he does street luge in Germany, which is somewhat similar to longboarding, except you're laying down. This is him doing what he does:
Pretty fun, eh? He invited us to come to Germany and street luge with him. Sounded like fun to me!
After dinner we were walking out of McMenamin's and Tim and I both stopped at the basket of mints to snag a few. We offered them to Dirk and Hendrick, but they declined. Dirk said: "I don't understand why you guys have those all over the place here." I replied: "Well, it's for after dinner - it settles the stomach." He immediately and very mater-of-factly said: "Oh, we have Schnapps for that." Tim and I both laughed so hard we nearly cried!
We decided to take the longboards out for a spin with the boys, so we headed to Autzen Stadium and boarded around for a while. Then ended up in our living room learning all sorts of interesting facts from Dirk and Hendrick.
We learned:
-That in Germany Dirk and Hendrick were required to either go into the Army for 10 months or do a year of civil service. They both chose the Army, but were quick to explain that it was not like our army - their army is like a "fun army". There are a few drills at the beginning, but that's all. Besides, after WWII Germany can only have a defensive army; they cannot attack another country. Dirk found it odd that some US leaders have wanted Germany to help attack Afghanistan, even though we were the ones who helped restrict them to begin with.
- That German news is different from American news. Each German has to pay a fee per TV or radio they own, and that money funds public news channels and stations. One of those TV news stations is Germany's most-watched news because there is no one telling the newscasters what to say or report - the news is not tampered with. Dirk and Hendrick said they felt like the US news is more like a movie, and German news is more like a documentary.
- How glass is made. One part of what Grenzebach does is makes the machinery that makes glass. Dirk told us all about the process - how it is mixed, melted, shaped, scanned for imperfections, cut, stacked etc. It was really quite interesting to learn what that part of the business does.
At the end of the night, Dirk, Hendrick, and I set up our cameras on the bar, set the timers and each took a picture by which to remember the enjoyable evening we had spent together. Dirk hopes to come back to Oregon when he finishes his studies - I certainly hope we will be able to hang out with him again in the future.
Dirk, Hendrick, Me and TimWednesday, 16 January 2008
Please Tell Me It Isn't So
Is this guy for real?! Christvertising?
Let's commercialize Jesus a little more, shall we?
How about that prosperity gospel!!
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Ten Reasons Gay Marriage is Un-American
As this is a hot topic, I know many of you may not agree with what I've posted below, but I saw this on BW.org and thought it was worth posting. It is succinctly reasoned, comical and poignant.1: Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2: Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3: Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4: Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5: Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6: Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
6: Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
7: Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8: Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.
9: Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10: Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
Friday, 19 October 2007
Reaganomics Finally Trickles Down To Area Man
Check it out ... another great piece of work from The Onion: Reaganomics Finally Trickles Down To Area ManWorth a good chuckle - even if you believe in the trickle down effect.
Thursday, 11 October 2007
Friday, 28 September 2007
Mika "Grace Kelly"
I just wanted to share a bit of the joy with you all. Mika is one of my current favorite artists - very British and very peppy. Always a good pick-me-up. :)
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