Wednesday, August 29

We Now Have Maps!

Thanks to dear Lauren Caitlin Upton, Miss Teen South Carolina, there is now a website dedicated to bringing our children the maps they so desperately need. From the webiste:

The children of the US America are in deep trouble. Because some people out there don't have maps. Such as South Africa. Therefore, you must email us maps to make it better. EMAIL: maps AT mapsforus.org. Our views of Attack of the Show's webpage will encourage our children to believe that there is a future outside of Asia. A future with maps. And such. South Africa.
You can find a map of Ikea in Portland, a map of Candyland, a map of pork cuts of meat, and a map of Nathan's room. There is hope for the future!

Monday, August 27

Some People Don't Have Maps - No, Really, It's True

Another List

Never one to dismiss a friend's instructions to write a blog post, here are today's eight random facts about me.
________

Tag...you're it!
I've been tagged...here's the rules:

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.

2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (If you don’t have a blog, email me)

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

________

1. I very rarely sit upright while watching television.

2. Much to my husband's chagrin, I have a tendency to not screw caps down tightly.

3. I eat a bowl of cereal almost every night before bed.

4. I believe that all non-Tillamook dairy products should be banned from Oregon.

5. I have no desire to visit Disneyland.

6. I secretly long for liposuction.

7. Mopping the floor on my hands and knees with a cloth is my preferred method.

8. While I very rarely get upset when driving, slow grocery checkers make me crazy!

________

I'm tagging: Leah, Sarah C, Sarah W, Kristi B, Jennifer, Elice, Jessica B, Jessica G

Wednesday, August 22

Ten...Make That Eleven...Things I'd Enjoy Doing Before I Die

1. Take a ballet class.

2. Walk hand-in-hand with Allan through the streets of Firenze, Italia.

3. Attend an NFL game.

4. Learn Spanish.

5. Write a book worth reading.

6. Explore Scotland during an extended stay.

7. Climb a few more of the Cascades with my family.

8. Become a good piano player.

9. Spend a weekend or two or ten with my childhood friends, Lisa, Lezlie, & Kristin.

10. Draw plans for our dream house (& then have it built).

11. Have season (even half-season) tickets to the Blazers.

Tuesday, August 14

Good Day

Today started out by dispersing my children to various friends' homes, so this mom could have some friend time, too! **Thanks to Erika, Sarah S., & Suzy!!** Kenli, Casey, and I finally made that super important trek to the new Portland mecca, a.k.a. Ikea. I'm not sure it is very good store for me and my pursuit of contentment, but it's fun to peruse and dream! Next we picked up A'Doisha and headed out for the capital of Oregon - no, not Salem - the Nike campus! After some giddy interactions with large, worn-out basketball shoes and talk of Steve Prefontaine, Alberto Salazaar, Nolan Ryan and the like, we headed over to the employee store - thanks to A'Doisha's dad. One oversized load of Nike gear later, we went for icing on the cake. Tattoos and Piercings. What?? Yep, I watched one good friend get a tasteful Trinity-knot tat on her foot and another get a lovely miniature diamond in her nose. I won't tell you that the only reason I didn't get a tattoo was because the guy couldn't get the picture right, and I would have gotten a second post in one ear had we had more time. Mid-life crisis at 35 or just relaxing a bit in life? Verdict's still out.

Saturday, August 11

Props to BV

Those of us in the Northwest look forward to summer for many reasons, but none more so than the fresh berry shakes from Burgerville. For those unfortunate souls who don't have firsthand experience, these are not just any shakes; these are huge chunks of fresh Oregon raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries with thick ice cream and delectable whipping cream, mixed in perfect harmony. I don't even need to start on the scrumptious Tillamook cheeseburgers and flavorful halibut fish with which we are blessed. Oh my! But here is my newest reason to love BV - their meals for kids. Like many parents I would guess, I am not a big fan of the toys that accompany most kids' meals; for example, our latest "treasure" is a character from the Simpsons who loudly declares, "You can never have enough Flanders!" Fiona loves to push that little button - over and over and over again. BV takes a higher road that I appreciate.
We just finished planting the small packet of sunflower seeds using the little red trowel and miniature plant pot that came with their hamburger meals. Instead of adding to our magnificent Simpsons collection, we can aim to complete our flower garden thanks to the fine folks at Burgerville.

*Sorry to Jeff & Cheryl for such a heartless post. I'd get you a complete BV menu right now if I could!

Thursday, August 9

Your Own Dream Trip

If you could get on a plane today to escape anywhere in the world - no obligations, money, or time to consider - where would you go?

Monday, August 6

Daydream


I’m getting on a plane today. By myself. I’m not taking much with me in this daydream – just a few changes of clothes, a journal, a camera, a sketchbook, and a few other sundries that all fit nicely in a backpack. It’s a long flight, but I’m going to enjoy the quiet by reading the magazines on board, watching several in-flight movies of the grown-up kind, and sleeping. Oh, yes, sleeping. Someone else will make my lunch, and it will be will quite satisfying. I suppose at this point in my fantasy I should put myself in first class so I can recline, be offered warm towels and such, but that is so beyond my comprehension that I’ll stay put back in the poor seats.

After a day of flying in the quiet of solitude, I will deplane in the land of my family ancestors. I smile and my heart melts a bit as I soak in that beautiful, melodic Scottish accent. With a map and bottled water in hand, I will easily maneuver out of Glasgow to places unknown. Over the next week I will slowly meander on foot through green fields, stopping to talk with the local sheepherders. I’ll eat lunch in small, tucked-away pubs while reading novels by authors like McIntosh, Wallace, and McGregor. I will find perch on stones larger than houses, sketching puffins and gannets as they hunt for their daily fish along the magnificent shoreline of the Orkney Islands. I will search for our ancestral land – asking a local young man to photograph me in front of Lach Cash or the town signs of Easter or Wester Cash. An old man will keep me company as I walk along a dirt path, sharing with me the history of his clan before I leave him at the gate of his farm.

I will come back refreshed, rejuvenated, replenished. I will be more in tune with my own self and with my God. I will be ready to be a better wife, a better mother, a better worker, and a better friend.

I’d better get packing. I may have to take another trip later today.