Clever Son

Tried doing some caching this afternoon with Thing 1, but was unsuccessful... Thing 1 will be around the house (or where ever I go) for the next month or so ; ) That means he gets to do whatever I feel like and be happy he's out of the house.

Anyway, with all this "free-time" ahead of him, he's decided to take the family video camera and make a movie. I've only seen bits so far... but, going on what I have seen, I can say it's hysterical. Except for the part today where he was filming his mom climbing around on rocks on the bald hill trail and narrating his billy goat documentary...

Cut.
~ch

Thing 2 at the Horse Trials

I spent this past weekend watching Thing 2 do her thing... Eventing. Thing 2 loves to ride horses. It's not only a beautiful thing to watch, but she has learned to be a hard worker, build her strength, and continued to be a good student. Other than the fact that it costs an arm and a leg to keep her in this wonderful sport, I wish she could do more shows during the summer.

I tried to upload a picture of thing 1, but it kept timing out.

Here is another picture of someone I don't know doing what it is that thing 1 likes to do!

High, fast and through the woods...Tally-ho!

~ch

Assumptions

Recently I read an opinion in the Corvallis GT that remarked about the wonderful time had by all at our recently held Da Vinci Days. However, the writer stuck in a dig at Republicans with "The playful, high-spirited displays of inventive minds made this always popular tribute to good-old Leonardo a decidedly unhappy place for Republicans."

I was bothered by the comment, but the opinions page is just that... Opinions. Mr. de Vogel certainly has a right to express his opinions, however "partiest" (OK. Partiest is not a word, but I think you get the idea) it is. It was my assumption that Democrats, Liberals, Liberal Democrats, independents, etc. Are proud to be accepting of all people no matter race, religion, or sexual preference. I did not understand that this acceptance was not allotted to those who are a member of the Republican party.

Anyway, today Mr. de Vogel clears things up with another letter to the editor in today's paper.

For the record...
I do not go to rodeos. I do not go to circuses. I do not like to go to zoos, but the one time I went to the Portland zoo, it seemed alright. I don't mind aquariums for some reason.

The way I choose to live my life and my party affiliation don't always mesh. Actually, I would say they collide...

The comments made to the GT were from those of someone experiencing tunnel vision. I hope in time, his vision of others will widen.

Geez, I'm on a rant... sorry.

~ch

I'm Working this Week

After having the last month off, going back to work (for only a week) is difficult... I know...Whine, whine, whine.
I went into Staples last night and saw the "back to school" racks already on display and was saddened that the summer frolicking will come to end very soon.
Sometimes, I wonder if a year-round schooling would be more beneficial to the students as well as teachers. There are more breaks, but much shorter and it would keep everyone in school mode. Whereas how it is... I'm checked out and I'm fairly certain I'm not the only one.

Yawn, stretch,

~ch

Great Night

Like the title says... we had great night tonight! ~400 people came through the gallery and a few items even sold : )

I didn't serve the wine though... dang. Mom has many good friends here in PG and one had already signed up for the job. The band was fabulous. The tuba player got up and danced during his solo... I liked him even more after that.

I saw people I haven't seen in 16+ years and I'm pining for California.
I love being on the coast and I love music and art. Pretty much... I'm thrilled to be here. Not to say I'm not thrilled with Oregon, because I am... There's just something special about coming home.

Well, as I said... I didn't serve the wine. I mingled. Oh, and I was witty too. I said some amazing stuff, but I can't remember exactly what I said right now... but as I recall, I was fairly wonderful.
After moms (and all other galleries) were closed, I was able to wander a bit and ended up walking in my socks over to another gallery up the street and making new friends.

Darling Husband...
If you are reading this... Do you remember going into a gallery where there was a wooden fish on a stick (or maybe it was a chicken) and you liked it? Moms gallery is in the same building, but in the room directly behind it. Her stuff is way (waaaay) better.

OK, it's after midnight. I'm going to spell check and call it an evening.

Good night everyone,
~ch

I'm Off!

I'm off on my adventure in a short few hours. I will be visiting my parents in California and enjoying what there is on the beautiful California coast.
I mentioned before, but I'll say it again... Mom has just opened up her own art studio and has been quite successful thus far. Friday night's the big party with art, food and live music (supplied by dad and buddies.) I like to serve the wine. Mingling is taken care of... people come to me and they are happy I gave them some wine : )
I'll take some pictures and maybe even have a post or two while I'm down there.

Bye!

~ch

I'm Not the Favorite Parent

Today has been a day. They say that children only let their true feelings come out when they feel safe and comfortable. Apparently, mine feel just great around the house and are feeling especially safe around ME.

I try to listen with an open mind. I try not to take the hurtful things said to heart. I try not to over-react, because I want to know what they have to say... geez, this is hard at times. Thankfully, these times are rare enough that this just reminds me that they are normal teenagers doin' their thing.

I will be visiting my own mom this weekend and will try and remember to be a good "kid." I'm really looking forward to the trip, because I'm headed out on my own, which means...

1. I get to drive the car.
2. I can stop anytime I want to go to the bathroom.
3. I get to choose the bathroom.
4. No fast food.
5. I choose the music.

Hooray for alone time!

My mom has just opened up her own art studio and this Friday evening will be her first show featuring herself and other Pacific Grove area artists in her own studio. I wish I had a link to provide, but no such luck...

Anyway, I hope to put some pictures on the blog so you all can share in the fun!

spater,
ch

My Surprisingly Fun Day

I wrote yesterday that I was not going to be able to participate in the geocaching event, because I was without my daughter... Well, wonderful husband and dog said they'd join in (well, the dog didn't really say anything, but he seemed happy enough.)

As it turned out, we won first prize in the advanced group! I was very surprised, as I do not consider myself advanced by any means. But, if you have found 10+ caches, you're advanced in this competition.

I had fun running around town and figuring out the clues and had to RUN back to the booth after we found the last cache ( I even saw a dear friend that I hadn't seen all summer, and had to yell at her as I was running by that I couldn't talk!) You are allotted 2 hours to find as many as you can. If you go over, you are penalized points per minute. We found all caches and were 3 minutes over time (3 minutes = -1pt.)

I was HOT and RED. The wonderful people at the booth gave me a cold bottle of water and a t-shirt for participating : ) Truthfully, I was really excited about the t-shirt and figured that would be it for the day.

After finding out that we won, I was surprised to see what goodies they were awarding (1st, 2nd and 3rd to Novice and Advanced groups)... gift certificates to downtown businesses, gps units, hand-held computers, more t-shirts! The people that put this event together went to a lot of trouble to make this an extraordinarily fun day. If any of you read my blog...THANK YOU!

After going home to rest a bit, it was more fun on the softball field : ) Though, we didn't win, it's always fun to play and see friends.

It's Monday, I should do something productive... we'll see.

as always,

~ch

Bubbles and Smoke!

I've spent the last couple of days wandering around Corvallis' Da Vinci Days festival and today, I think I'm just about Da Vincied out.

Last night Mumbo Gumbo and Stairway Denied played. They were both very good and entertaining. I think though, what I found most entertaining was watching the crowd. Especially this one guy who was having a great time during Stairway Denied. He danced (more like bounced from side to side) and every once in a while would run back to his friends to say something, then run right up front again to do the bounce thing.

The husband and I were marveling at the different styles of hair donned by many, eating fair food and having micro brews... lovely evening.

Thing 1 had fun messing around with his friends and watching the bands.
Thing 2 brought a friend and just wanted to see the whole thing. Thing 2 has been working so much, that she hasn't been able to do a lot of other fun kid stuff... so, she enjoyed her evening out : )

At the end of the evening, we all met up and now can marvel at our own sons hair. While we were all in the festival, thing 1 and friends gave each other mohawks... Imagine his disappointment when I said I liked it ; )

Today is the Geocaching contest and I really wanted to participate, but thing 1 and caching partner has to work. It wouldn't be as much fun without her and I know she would feel left out if I did it alone. We'll go do some together later this week.

Oh yea, why did I call this post "Bubbles and Smoke?" When we went to listen to the high school battle of the bands... I over heard a small child (~4 years old) say to his mom "Hurry mom!! there's bubbles and smoke!" Who wouldn't want to see that?

later,

~ch

Saw the Pirate Movie Last Night

Our family was finally all together last night, so we were able to go see "Pirates." Thing 2 and I seemed to be the only ones that really liked it. Husband said it wasn't as good as the first, while Thing 1 slept for almost the entirety of the film.
I liked the movie for the comedy, not so much the plot line. So, this morning I read a review by the Chicago Sun-Times and I now realize why the husband didn't like it as much. I can't say much about snooze boy, as he just needed to sleep. But I was thoroughly ready for a mindless, uber thrill-ride and it fit the bill for me.
One thing I was disappointed about was the last little ditty at the end... After reading this bit of the Corvallis G-Ts Roses and Raspberries section, I stayed... along with about 20 others to see what the writer was talking about. Let me spare you ALL of those credits... just leave.

I'm off to run kids places...

Have a spiffed out day,
~ch

And Someone Left the Cake in the Rain...

OK, so it wasn't just someone... it was me. AND, it wasn't a cake... it was the phone book.

While sitting out back yesterday, I was thumbing through several books (a cookbook, the telephone book and the newest National Geographic), drinking diet coke and in high spirits. To be honest, I've been so happy to be home, that it's rare that my spirits would sink.

Right. So, I get up to go inside to see what's in the refrigerator and what I need to make dinner. I take everything along except the phone book. This morning...rain.

I have it (the phone book) sitting on the counter now, but I'm considering putting it in the food dehydrator... maybe I should just put it in front of the fan, because now that I wrote it down that I was even considering the food dehydrator makes me think "what an idiot!" OK, the fan it is.

We have a concert in the park tonight. I hope the rain lets up and we end up with a beautiful afternoon.

~ch

Ooooh, I want a hot tub...no wait, a fountain...no...

I want to make a fountain. My son has very little faith in his mom that she can do it... The boy is 15 and remarkably knows everything there is to know about everything and I know absolutely nothing...How about that?

Anyway, I shared my idea that I want some sort of gurgling water sound in the back yard, as I have always liked water sounds and I like to be in water. This fountain idea is only second to my hot tub idea. Again, it involves water, so I'm in. Although my dear friend and reader says to have a hot tub is only asking for an orgy to happen...Really? Wow! I saw a sale on hot tubs in the Rite-Aid parking lot ; )

OK, so it looks as though I can't afford to have an orgy inducing hot tub, so I'll settle for a little splishy-splashy fountain (smooching may occur.) Off I go, looking for the perfect fountain, but none are quite what I'm looking for and I really want to make my own. The next problem is the placement of where the fountain is to go. I know exactly where I want it, except that there is no electrical outlet there. Undeterred, I phone Garlands to see if there are such things as battery powered pumps or better still, solar powered pumps. Oh yes, there are solar powered pumps starting at $300! Now I'm thinking for $300 I could buy a ready made fountain... or better yet, use that as a down payment on a hot tub!

Odds and Ends and thoughts on Zidane

Summer is a wonderful time...

Playing music, playing softball, geocaching, bbqing, visiting on the porch with friends. All of these are things I adore doing. I'm always telling myself that I could be a stay at home mom and it would be great. Problem is, every time I try to do this... I go stir crazy. So, my solution is that I work throughout the school year and have summers off just like the kids. Wake up early, try and have a lot to do each day and make the summer last as long as possible!

At the moment, it's a bit grey outside. The girl and husband have gone off to work, the boy has gone off to socialize with his many buddies and I have the house to myself (other than my lime stealing dog.)

I took the car into have its 85k mile check and had coffee with a friend (Vita) this morning. I think I bored poor Vita with vacation pictures, but she acted as if she were interested...my kind friend : )

I'll do some spiffing up around the house and then go out again...otherwise, you know... I'm not taking advantage of summer!

On a side note... watching the final match of the World Cup yesterday, I thought France was doing a great job and carried their energy through. I had started watching the match routing for Italy, but had thought that maybe France might deserve it more as they were showing up to the game more than Italy. That all changed in the closing minutes when France's Zidane head-butted an Italian player in the chest. That was just bad sportsmanship... I was back to Italy in a heartbeat. Good sportsmanship goes a long way and Frances Zidane has a lot to learn. His actions on the pitch regarding his behavior erased what good he has done with a football...too bad. Goodbye Zidane and congratulations Italy!

~ch

Fun with Barbed Wire

I got up early this morning with big plans ahead for my day. Now that I have the next couple of months off, I want to stay on a (somewhat) schedule. I tend to go a bit nuts when I don't have things to do, or people to see... So, I try and stay busy.

This morning I got up, made the bed, folded laundry and asked my spiffy daughter (SD) if she wanted to go on a short hike. 7:30 AM and were dressed and headed into the woods with the dog to find a cache. The gps said it was only .5 miles away from our house, so off we went. Sounds simple eh? We started out OK, but then we came to a fork in the trail. I said (genius that I am) lets go this way... off we went. After a bit, I could tell we were getting further away from our target area, so I said to SD "we should head back and take that other trail"

SD: "no, it's all up hill that way... this looks like a trail, lets take it."

CH: "Sure thing."

SD: "Mom, I don't think this is a trail"

CH: "no, I don't think so either... Let's turn back and go the way we came from."

SD: (genius that she is) "I'm sure the trail is right behind those trees lets go a little further"

CH: (genius me) "OK!"

After much fun of laying on our backs and squirming under barbed wire, climbing over fences and A LOT of trespassing, we found our spot and the cache.

It only took about 30 minutes to get back home.

It's 10:30 and I feel like I've gotten a lot in already, but there's much more on the plate for later.

Enjoy your day,

~ch

Showdown at High Noon

I'm back, although not quite ready. I have World Cup fever and it was only heightened by spending the last two weeks in Europe. We had a great time seeing new things and eating wonderful food, but I also had an experience that I don't believe will ever happen in the US.

We watched the world cup match of Germany vs. Argentina in Nuremberg in the middle of the alt stadt (old city) and rejoiced with the entire country when Germany won. I have never seen anything quite like it up close... Air horns and car horns blaring, people screaming, flags waving, dancing in the streets. Check out this article.

If I were home, maybe Corvallis was like that with the Beaver World Series win!

Anyway, I'm just coming out of my jet lag fog, so I'm not planning on writing too much. But as I sit here listening to thunder, I'm wondering if we'll be "stormed out" of the evening fireworks...

but honestly, I'm most excited to watch Germany and Italy square off at noon with Italy!

I wish I could be there!

Happy 4th everyone... ~ch

Italy wins 2-0 over Germany ; (