For those of you who are not boaters, today is what is called Opening Day. It is the day that officially kicks off the boating season and is complete with boat parades and parties. Kind of like The Garden Season but with less hats and fancy drinks and more anchors and beer. Because it's Opening Day, everyone is running around trying to get organized and launch their boats - which makes them cranky. I had one ass-hat tell me I was giving him attitude. I wanted to remind him that I was only responding his Uppity Rich Asshole Entitlement Attitude but I didn't. I apologized and simply went about my business.

The Arrival of Opening Day also means my social calendar is swamped with Garden Parties and Personal Appearances. Tonight I'm going over to my boss's house for his 60th birthday party and tomorrow we're going over to spirit_dragon's haus to visit La Nina and have crafty fun. We're going to try and hit Powell's either before or after The Visit and hit the new Deschutes Brew Pub. Monday is Neighborhood Association Meeting. I'm sure we'll get at least 5 people this time. *rolls eyes* I still have to prepare for the meeting. No time! No time!

On the exercise front, things are going well. I ran three times this week and I'm up to half an hour now. I need to exercise at least 5 times a week but I can only seem to eek out 4 days.

And on that note, I must run and eat lunch before I pass out.

Carry on.

When my boss left work on Friday she came into my office and said, "You'll probably want to wear your running shoes tomorrow. It's going to be busy." I agreed with her because the weather is gorgeous today and the boaters get itchy. Apparently the boaters are either already out in the river or at home doing some last minute lawn and garden maintenance because it is dead here. Not that I'm complaining. I have a list of projects to get done today and the quiet will make it go faster.

It's been a busy week here in Lake Woebegon. I had lots of work projects to do which upped my stress level and decreased my exercise time. I ran today and my body was SO not interested. I finished my run, barely.

Tonight after work Ian and I will go to Things From Another Planet to pick up his comics and then next door to The Brew for dinner. As usual, I will stand outside Dark Horse looking very professional and trustworthy with hopes they'll hire me to uh.. do something.

After our adventures in Milwaukie, I will gallivant to The Miracle Theatre to see Oya: Call The Storm.

I have to work tomorrow. Which sucks. But the money does not.

And finally, it totally unrelated news, maxomai and I are going for the world record of LJ comments by posting the lyrics to The Dead Milkmen's Song, "Bleach Boys" in his blog comments. I giggle every time I post a new lyric.

Yeah, I'm a dork.

As per the previous entry, it's been a stressful week here. Hopefully Monday's visit to the mechanic will be the LAST visit for a long time. It's getting really old getting into our car and wondering if it's going to stall. I decided to not take any chances and rented a car for the weekend for my own peace of mind.

I work again tomorrow and then I'm done with Sundays. It's been hard to do these longer weeks because I don't feel rested when I come back to work. I have meetings and other crap to do on Monday so I'll be running around like a chicken with it's head off.

The good news is that Cork was having a wine and chocolate tasting last night so I went and tasted. Fun was had and it was a nice end to a crappy week. They were tasting some lovely inexpensive wines so I had to buy a few. :D I think tomorrow after work I might have to do Something Fun. Not sure what that will be yet but I have time.

Well, work is starting to pick up again (despite warnings for the STORM that hasn't arrived) so I should pretend I work here.

Today's PodRunner Intervals upped the ante and I ran for 25 minutes this time. They let me slide the past two times by having me do 2 ten-minute intervals with a few breaks thrown in. But not today. I did not stop or collect $200. Ian was a witness to this event so there is proof. :) I'm not as tired as I was last week so that's good. The 15 minute mark was hard but I managed to get past that and keep going. Next week is going to be hard because there are no breaks from here on out. Ugh. I've been more active in my exercising and I've added some swim time. My bike should be fixed this afternoon so that will be thrown into the mix tomorrow depending on the weather. Hoorray!

In other news, it was a busy week and I know I did something but I'm not sure what. We're having a fund raiser tonight at work for an organization that takes autistic kids out on boat rides. I haven't decided if I want to go or not. It should be fun but I'm not sure if I feel like mingling with our tenants.

And last but not least, I got an e-mail from my mom and she said my grandpa will have some radiation next week to zap the spots on his liver and after that he will be cancer free! Huzzah!!! Thanks to everyone who sent healing energy. We believe that everyone's thoughts and prayers helped him recovery quickly and get through this.

For the past five weeks (give or take a week when I slacked) I have been running and walking to Podrunner Intervals. It starts off slowly and eventually works you up to running a 5K in about nine weeks. It's been a blessing for me because I get tired of exercising to the same music all the time. This week they kicked it up a bit and I ran two 8-minute intervals, walked for 5 minutes and then did the usual warm up and cool downs. These were a challenge but I didn't feel like I was going to die. Today's podcast, however, was "If you have an ass you won't have one by the end of this workout!" day. I didn't go to the gym this morning so I went to the track by the elementary school near my house instead. When I was walking there the DJ introduced the podcast and said, "Today you'll warm up for 5 minutes and run for 20 minutes". Oh joy. Part of me started making excuses about not being able to do it but then a voice chimed in and said, "You can do this."

And I did.

I wasn't sure if I could do it w/o stopping but I didn't stop once. When I was done I yelled, "I did it bitches!!!" I don't think the crows and ravens in the surrounding trees liked being called bitches.

So it's been a good day but I'm tired now.

That's all for now. I might write more later when I have more energy.

Work has slowed down to a dull roar giving me time to do my usual Saturday Blathering. The day is sunny and the birds are chirping. It's spring and people's minds wander to boating. My boss came in and asked if we had any boat slips left and I told him no and I should go home.

I'm still here.

The week was busy and frantic and I keep forgetting to buy creamer. I used up all the milk this morning and I doubt Ian will let me in the house tonight unless I'm carrying both items in a bag. I went to a wine tasting at Cork on Wednesday and tasted Super Italians. Much fun was had by all and I chatted with a couple about traveling. They had been to Africa last year and I told them my mom had been there as well. They asked if it "changed her" when she came back and I pointed out that she has been to Nepal (twice!) and was "changed" after those adventures. I'm sure Africa was "old hat" by then. :D They were duly impressed.

On Thursday we had dinner with some friends and we were all tired from work. Next time we get together for dinner it needs to be on a weekend when we have more pep. Dinner was good but the conversation wasn't as exciting as it could be.

Tonight is dinner and crafty fun at spirit_dragon's haus. We had to get in one more hurrah before she whelps. We're hoping she'll wait to give birth until after dinner and crafty fun. So far no frantic phone calls so that's good.

Next week is going to be busy as well. We're having our first neighborhood meeting since I was crowned NA Queen. I have to get my notes and other shit together so I don't sound like a dumb ass.

In other news, my grandpa is out of the hospital and healing nicely. He is getting around OK and enjoying time in the sun and in His Chair. My mom leaves Arizona today to head back to the tundra that is Fargo. She's spent a week in the sun only to come back to 6-inches of snow. Fun!!

Well, I should really eat something before more customers come in and demand my time.

Yesterday's boat show took more out of me than I thought. I woke up this morning feeling like someone had taken a baseball bat to me in the middle of the night and I'm having a hard time concentrating at work. I really hope it's just allergies and I'm not getting sick. I took a Claratin so I'm hoping that'll do the trick.


Work is slow today and I'm fine with that. The cat was outside when Ian dropped me off and he proceed to yell at me because HE WAS OUTSIDE and DIDN'T I KNOW HE WANTED TO BE INSIDE 5 MINUTES AGO?! Ian commented, "No wonder you want to punt him across the room!"

In other news, my grandpa is doing fine after his surgery. My mom is going to Arizona today to visit and a few more relatives will be there later in the week. They have him up and moving around now and the incision site is healing nicely. Thank you all for your prayers and energy. We all appreciate it.

Not sure what plans are in store for the weekend. We will be going to By The Bottle today after work for their 2nd anniversary beer tasting. Should be fun.

And in completely unrelated news, I was listening to Weekend Edition before I opened the office and Scott Simon was interviewing Dame Shirley Bassey. She has a new album coming out and she does a cover of Pink's song "Get The Party Started." and a cover of "Big Spender." It's so fabulous and strange all at once that I must get this album.

Once again people insisted on giving me their business today and I had no time to blog. I did have time to pet and feed both company cats AND eat some chicken noodle soup. So that's a good thing.
It was a busy and slow week for us. There seem to be forces out there that don't want us to sleep or get back to sleep when we are woken at 3:30 p.m. It's getting old. I would like to have ONE good night's sleep.

On a good note, I got my hair cut this week and my hair dresser did impressions of Shirley Temple addressing the U.N. I guess you had to be there.

spirit_dragon and I raided IKEA last night. I tried my best to buy the place out but I only bought two beach bags and some funnels. I kept commenting to
spirit_dragon that I wished I was in college again so I could decorate my apartment with IKEA stuffs.

I have nostalgic post about the days of yore rattling around in my head but I don't have it completed yet. It's all because Purple Rain was on TV this week. Be afraid.

On a more serious note, my grandpa is having surgery Monday to get his colon removed along with a spot on his liver. If y'all have a good thought or two, please send it.

I tried to do my normal Saturday morning blog post but I had people waiting when I opened the office at 10 and I was busy until after I closed the office at 4. Apparently people thought I worked there and wanted to give us their business. They obviously didn't know that I had other, more important things to do. Like update my blog.

The week was busy and slow all at the same time. My good husband distributed about 800 newsletters this week and owe him a beer or ten. I found someone who lives in the 'hood who was willing to help us and that made me a happy camper.

This weekend looks like it's going to be busy but I should have adequate time to slack. I am meeting sukinova for lunch tomorrow and I have to go visit yee olde optometrist on Monday. JOY!

I would like to welcome leadasgirl to The Algonquin Round Table. She found me via friends of friends and claims to be a "Vanilla Valley girl turned trollop." Whoo hoo!!! That's my kind of friend! Although after a careful perusal if her friend's list, it looks like we have maxomai in common. A friend of maxomai is a friend of mine.

And last, gentle readers, I would like to point out that if you do a Google search for Lady Dulcinea del Toboso my blog comes up as the 7th entry.

I'm so hip. Really. Stop laughing.

Another week and another pile of death and carnage is left behind.

It has not been a quiet week here in Lake Woebegon and I'm looking forward to doing some serious slacking this weekend. Unfortunately I have too much to get done to slack too heavily. It was a week of doing our civic neighborhood duty and was full of city meetings and public hearings. Ian went to two transportation meetings and I went to a neighborhood leaders meeting. I learned a lot about what the city planner has in store for Vancouver was excited to see someone in the city has a vision. The mayor certainly doesn't. I have 8.5 million neighborhood newsletters to distribute this weekend and if anyone wants some exercise they are most welcome to help. It's sort of overwhelming.

I finished an interesting book this week and I'm going to try and review it here. I need to transition to some fluff for a while because I've been reading a lot of heavy stuff, mostly about dysfunctional people, and it's making me a little bat-shit crazy. My boss left a book on my desk this morning and I think it'll be a good quick read.

Ian pointed out on his blog that two years ago yesterday we stood in the parking lot of the Tigard Armory and said adieu for 18 months (except for a brief interlude in Europe). I was going to write about it, but I don't want to go to that dark and manic place again. It's too painful and I'd like to leave it buried in the back yard with the cat poop and compost pile. So there.

The blooming of the flowers is messing with my sinuses. I need some drugs.

The day dawned a little brighter and a little happier. I still don't feel rested but the sun is shining and all of my customers are in a good mood. There are people out jogging and one woman just jogged by with her baby carriage.

Livannalia was great fun last night. I caught up with people I haven't seen in a while and missed and got caught up on the latest gossip. I squealed like a teenage girl when ednoled and kando made a surprise appearance. I probably stayed at the Lodge a bit too late but I don't care. It was great fun being around such wonderful people. Fer real.

Tonight I have to make soup and the promised chocolate chip cookies. I'm going to work on the blanket of doom some more and watch the squirrels in the backyard.

That is all.

Carry on.

It's 3:00 and I finally have time to blog. I thought today was going to be a slow one but I've been hopping since about 10:30 this morning. Apparently people think I work here and expect me to do stuff for them. Feh!

The big news of the week is that the in-laws are in town. Ian and his dad fixed our closet and all is right in the world. I have put all my clothes and jewels back. That ought to be exciting. We went to Cork last night for a wine tasting and then went to Thai Noon for dinner. Fun was had by all and the wine was good.

I don't know what we're doing tonight. Tomorrow we'll do something but I have baby shower to go to - which reminds me I have to get a card after work. Please don't let me leave the island w/o getting a card. It's all up to you! If I leave w/o a card it's your fault!

I had a busy week at work this week and I got caught up on projects. My co-worker hired me to update his little league website and I worked on that and also the neighborhood newsletter.

Edit The picture I had of the cat and the deer apparently was not taken by my step dad. I didn't realize it because of the way it was labeled when it was e-mailed me to me. I have removed it.

So, the closet collapsed last night and when I came to work this morning I couldn't log on to the server and I have no idea how to fix it. The person who is in charge of fixing said server FINALLY called me back and is going to look at it. I can't print or do anything. Luckily I can still access the internet. There would have been rioting if I couldn't get online.

It's snowing here. I hope Ian has chains in his car and a three day supply of water when he comes to get me. sukinova just stopped by and dropped off some Cd's. I hope she has her snow tires on.

Anyway.... life this week was pretty good. Hectic but good. I have NOTHING planned for the weekend so I'm hoping to get caught up on some house work (and fix the closet) and other projects. A co-worker is going to pay me to update his Little League website. I told him I am not an expert by any stretch but I can fix it and add pictures and stuff. Yay for money!!!

I took this picture last year when I was wandering around NW 21st. I thought it was interesting and wondered how the little scooter got stuck in the tree. Did a dog chase it up the tree? It's sort of fitting for today because I feel stuck in a tree and I don't know how to get down.

Maybe I just need some food.

EDIT

The server is fixed and a co-worker just brought me fried chicken!!! The day is saved!!! Now I have to attack the pile of paperwork in my desk drawer. FUN!

As I type Blue October is on the radio singing about letting the rain come down.  The rain can come down all it wants but if it plans on freezing it needs to wait until I'm done with work.

I had to deal with icy roads in Vancouver on the way to work but once I got on to I-5 everything was fine.

With the news stations yelling about FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW in the hills and out in the Gorge everyone around here has been panicking.  One of our tenants slipped and fell on the docks and had to be carted away via ambulance.  I'm sure they'll sue us.  The radio lady just said  we're going to get snow now. Goodie.  Just let me get home. And maybe to the grocery store.

The week is over and it was fairly quiet.  I need to find a knitting group or someone who can show me how to correct my mistakes when I knit.  I screw up the easiest projects and try to fix things but end up messing it up even more.  I have a book but it would be nice to have someone SHOW me how to fix things.

I have a list of things to get done this weekend. Luckily things were slow at work today so I was able to get a few projects done.   We were going to go see Dr. Demento at  Reed College college tonight but I'm thinking a fire and a nice glass of wine would be better.  Tomorrow we're going to go hear my co-worker (and a few other musicians) play Gershwin.  That is if we don't get snowed in.  *snort*

A few weeks ago I was longing for a slow Saturday where I didn't have a big project to get done or tons of people coming in and yelling at me about their statements. Today is my slow day and I really wish I had a project. Nothing major, just something to pass the time. I did bring my knitting and I might have to break it out if things continue at this slug-like rate. Unfortunately both of my bosses are here today and they would frown upon it.

A busy week is almost over and next week looks to be busy as well. I went to a wine tasting at Cork last night and tasted some very interesting California wines. They are shifting their focus from European wines to California wines this year. Some people squawked but who the hell cares. They didn't bring out the usual heavy-hitting CA wines but chose to go with smaller, more sustainable vineyards. I'm all for it!

Tonight is our company holiday dinner. They chose a restaurant in Vancouver and all of us Clark County types cheered. It'll be nice to only have to drive 10 minutes. But a free meal is a free meal so I'll show up anywhere.

In other mundane news, we have to bring Grendel to the vet on Monday and that's always a lot of fun. He's inconvenienced for a total of 45 minutes (including the rides in the car) and he acts like we're peeling off his skin. Dumb cat. I'm attending a city meeting next week so I can learn to be better neighborhood leader. Maybe they'll give me tiara-polishing tips.

So, this concludes my boring blog entry. I wish I had something scandalous to report or a rant worthy of the NYT Editorial Page but I don't. I think I'll try and stealth knit.

The sun is peeking out of the clouds briefly before the next storm system blows through. I can see the clouds off yonder west and they're ready to attack at any time.

We managed to not have any damage to the house but our backyard looks like it was hit by artillery.

The week was busy I'm sure we'll find plenty of ways to fill the weekend. We went to the New Old Lompoc for dinner yesterday and almost blew away. Then we went home and watched Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill..

Sunday is encaustic painting class fun at spirit_dragon's haus and Monday we have a few errands to run. Tonight we're just going to chill and I'm going to make an abbreviated paella for dinner.

I have a few pics of the day to post but I can't do it from work. WAH!

Our harbor master just returned from Costco! I must go and help him unload the truck!

Apparently people think I work here because this is the first moment I've had today since getting to work that I could update my blog. Yeesh!

Another short week draws to a close and I get yet another 3-day weekend. YAY! I've been busy busy and I'm hoping this project I'm working on will end sometime next week.

I'm sure important things happened this week but I can't remember any of it. I do know I'm getting my hair cut after work. So instead of anything important, here's an end of the year meme stolen from many.

( First sentences )

The funk that invaded my immune system put up a good fight but it has finally left. If I hadn't drank about 10 gallons of water when it was on the edges, I would probably still be sick. On Thursday I came to work for about half an hour and then went home. I was feeling OK when I got up but by the time I work I felt like hell. My boss told me to stay home until I got better so I took Thursday and Friday off.

Ian's parents invaded the house Thursday afternoon and we painted the town red despite my weakened state. I slept most of Thursday and didn't have much energy on Friday but we managed to go out and get king-sized sheets for The New Bed and have lunch at the glorious Prune Hill Cafe in Camas. Ian's parents have traveled the world over but they weren't prepared for the cultural mecca that is Camas. Good thing we warned them before we got into town.

Tonight we're having dinner at Fratelli and tomorrow we're going to invade downtown Portland. I think a trip to Powell's will be in order. I have a couple of pictures to post but they are at home and I'll post those later.

Since I have been posting pictures every day I really haven't been very good at *updating* my blog.

I woke at 6 this morning with a snoring cat sleeping on my bladder and a snoring husband sleeping to my right. I tossed and turned a bit until Grendel got exasperated with me and jumped off the bed. I tried to sleep in the spare bedroom but I couldn't so I just got up. I can nap later.

It's been a hectic week here but it's been nice at the same time. Thanksgiving was amazing and I made an awesome dinner. I'm quite proud of myself for this year's meal. We went for a hike yesterday and almost didn't make it because the wind was blowing so hard. Once we got into the trees and thawed we had a nice hike. After the hike we ran a few errands and then came home and vegged. We watched Ratatouille and an animated Hellboy movie.

Today we're going to the Portland Farmer's Market and then to the Saturday Market to buy gifts for people. It's going to be a budget Yule for us this year so we will have to get creative. Today is also my niece's birthday and I spaced her present YET AGAIN. A visit to Powell's after the "markets" is a must.

Here's another picture I took on our hike. Enjoy!

It's time for a post that's not a picture - although that will come later in the day.

I had a brief flurry of work when I got here but it has slowed down. I don't expect to be insanely busy today which is fine. Company Cat #2 is currently wandering around the rafters getting dust and other particles on my work station.

It's been a good week here in Lake Woebegon. I got word today that I don't have to work Saturday the 24th (SCORE!) in exchange I have to work this Monday and help with a project. Fine with me! I'm going to try and go to the Portland Farmer's Market next week and check out the goodies.

I tasted Riojas at Cork this week and met some interesting people. The owner opened a 43-year old bottle of Rioja and let us sample it. One of the things I like most about Cork is that while they aren't inexpensive they are very generous in their tastings. The 43-year old wine was really good after it was able to breathe a bit. Everyone at the tasting was fun I met a woman named Freedom. I got out of there w/o spending the mortgage but not by much.

This weekend is going to be fairly uneventful. I HAVE to go through all of the neighborhood association stuff and make a list of what I want to achieve. I also have to get belated birthday cards for a few people and a present for my niece. I'm also going to try and brave the crowds tomorrow and get our Thanksgiving groceries. Wish me luck!