2008 Resolutions

I hate New Years Resolutions; I am the type of person who once I recognize a need for change or improvement would rather start trying to improving or changing than wait for some date on the calendar and fail after five days. I do look at the New Year as a chance to reflect on how I’ve grown over the past year, places I’ve been and things I’ve seen.
I’ve traveled a lot in 2007, I continued to help my daughter grow into an amazing young lady, I’ve stepped up to a new level in my career, my circle of amazing friends has grown, I totally enjoy some great hobbies and I am happy.
So in 2008 I hope to continue with the above mentioned and embrace the new things I discover in ‘08.
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Cannon Beach, Oregon

My daughter and I enjoyed a few days at Cannon Beach after the holidays. We had great weather: high winds, hail and torrents of rain, snow and even sunshine. You’ve got to love the Oregon Coast!
We had fun hanging out at the Cannon Beach Conference Center; we joined a group of friends, ate great meals, did some window-shopping, napped and walked the beach. I found an old light bulb off of a shipwreck gently resting in the sand. I mistaken it for one of those ugly kelp balls with a long slimy tails but after a closer look found it to be a small treasure. I love combing the beaches.
We had a rough drive home, as Hwy 26 the pass was icy and covered with 8” of snow. We became master of the tire chains by the time the trip was over. Heading up David Douglass Pass we had to chain up then again when we went over the second mountain range. I stopped counting the cars on the side of the road after 9 and was grateful for my chains when I had to gun it as a van slid across the road towards us. After an hour of sitting while two-wheel drive little pickups (who had no business being out on roads like that) slid all over and we inched along. We made it home safe; a regular two-hour trip took us four.
It made for an adventure and it is my goal as a parent to prepare my daughter to be a strong independent self-sufficient young lady. I can happily say she is now prepared to put chains on her vehicle (when she has her own) as well as be assertive enough to handle adverse weather, not get scared and not give up.

Merry Christmas - & I wait...

Merry Christmas Everyone…
I am quietly waiting with my morning coffee for Amber to wake up so we can open presents, I desperately want to go jump on her bed and wake her but I know she will be a much happier teenager if she sleeps in. Gone are the little foot steps of that six year old waking me at 2, 3, 4 and 5 a.m. in the morning asking if it was time to get up and open presents and I would tell her to go back to bed it was too early. Now I sit here at 7 a.m. wanting her to wake up, as I am the excited one to open presents and see her excited face. It is funny how life changes as each new season comes and goes.

My Fireplace

Ever since I bought my cute little house 7years ago I’ve wanted a fireplace. I’ve checked into many options over the years but most were spendy or not quite the look I wanted. This weekend I took the plunge and I got a fireplace for the house. I love it. I’ve gotten up each morning and sat in front of it with my morning coffee. My daughter and I finished our Christmas cards in front it. What is it about a fireplace that brings a cozy warmth to a home, a family together and creates a romantic flare to a night with someone special?
There is something to be said about delayed gratification; I don’t know if I would have enjoyed it as much if I had gotten it any earlier. The wait has made it even more special.

My Trip to Yosemite - November 2007

America has 390 National Parks; they were established to preserve what is truly special about America.

I enjoyed a quick trip to Yosemite a few weeks ago. I’ve been to many national parks and each are wondrous, amazing and unique in their own way; places that make you wonder about our place in the world. Yosemite was no different as I drove around with scarcely a person in sight (partly because of the late Fall visit) I felt at times as if I was the only person on the earth.
The grandeur of Yosemite brought me a sense of awe. John Muir once wrote, “As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of this place and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”

Special Graduation

Saturday, December 15th I was truly inspired and proud of my dear friend Michelle. With one very talented 16-year-old son, 4-year-old twins, a full time very demanding job with an hour commute each way she graduated from George Fox University with a Master of Business Administration. As I sat in the Wood-Mar Hall Auditorium and looked at all of the families and down at the graduates I teared up a bit. You could feel the love, respect and pride in every person in that room. The sacrifice family members made to support these graduates, the sigh of relief from the graduates as they were finally done with their long journey.

Every teenage should attend a graduation like that. You couldn’t help but be inspired, drawn to do more in life and suddenly want to be down on that stage celebrating your accomplishments.

Mediocrity is not an option!

A Night on Sand Island - Columbia River

I’d never combined kayaking and camping before. The thought of putting a bunch of camping stuff in my kayak seemed ridiculous to say the least. For those of you who know me you know I am all for trying anything new. So lets go for it! With a great group of friends we packed up our tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, pillows, food, water, wine and firewood. Firewood? I looked at my friends as they used bung cords to secure firewood onto all of our kayaks. I’m going to sink within a minute I thought… Good God – this is nuts, I could hardly carry my kayak down to the river. With much trepidation I got into my kayak and pushed off very much expecting to sink to the bottom… Although the water line was much higher on my kayak I was safely above water and my worry diminished as we all pushed off the shoreline and headed out of Scappoose Bay and onto to mighty Columbia River. We headed west and crossed the channel where the Willamette River and Columbia join a hard paddle across from St. Helens and we landed on our island for the night. Setting up camp was very typical and with 15 minutes we were sitting around plotting out our next adventure. We hiked all around the island and went for a night paddle. We picked up a gal along the way who paddled with us to the island and stay for and visited. She is a ocean biologist from Seattle. A stranger from the other side of the island joined us and we found out he was a professor at a local college and he paddles out to different islands each weekend to leave the hustle and bustle of life behind. I couldn’t imagine coming out to this quiet little island by myself as he does. One of the things that made this weekend get away fun was being with my great friends. It does amazing me the wonderful people I meet along the way on my little trips and adventures.