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.

Chased by the Brush-Prairie-Beagle Sunday

I joined my friends (Portland Wheelmen) Sunday morning for a 30 mile bike ride in Washington. It was a perfect day the weather was amazing and after the rainy fall we are having here in the Northwest it was a welcome treat to be out on our bikes enjoying the warm sunshine, crisp fall air and vibrant blue ski. I enjoyed a view of Mt. St. Helens on most of my ride. The group dropped me after 7 miles not sure what was wrong with my groove but I was lagging behind at 18-19 mph and the first group was cruising at 20-21 mph. I got caught at a red light and they were out of sight within minutes. Not to worry I had the sunshine, my bike, a map of the route (thanks to Ann) and my goofy thoughts to keep me entertained. Not to mention a flock of Canadian geese circling up ahead. There was a field of them to numerous to count I peddled by in aw as the field looked alive with this movement almost unrecognizable. As I slowed and looked out over this sight I was startled back to reality as a fat beagle ran out along side of me ready to rip my leg off. He kept my pace for a few seconds as I yelled “bad dog, go home, no, no.” Obviously these people don’t know what a leash law is. I winded the little shit after a few hundred feet and I laughed out loud as I imagined the homeowners looking out the picture window of their farm house laughing hysterically at me. Why, because I’d do the same thing, I’d laugh too. I continue down the road with my thoughts. Today’s ride was perfect, I’m giving it a 10!

So what did you do this evening?

No matter what you were doing this evening it wasn't as pretty as what I was doing.