Is this really Mom?

Okay, since I've been tagged here goes:

1. My favorite song is " House of the Rising Sun". Whenever I hear it I get a natural high, can't wait to grab Dad and just start dancing. If he is not availabel I normally call him and turn up the volume and we both just listen. Yeah, it is his fav too! I guess you can date us from that one.

2.Elephant jokes were a way for me to come out of my shell. I really am an introvert and have to work hard at playing the"game of life" when other people are around me. Surprise huh!

3. I am a Republican, but will probably vote Democoratic this time around and perhaps forever. I have seen Big Business and politics enough in my job, that I am sick that the little guys always get abused.

4.I "hate" liars and will not bend to be around them. Half truths are the same thing to me. IF you are going to speak to me, just say the whole truth and nothing more. And please don't exgerate what the truth is. Don't try to be something you are not.

5.I am a pretty good cook, but would love to have the natural ability to just add some sensual feelings to my cooking as in the movie"Like water Like Chocolate". I think eating needs to be more than just food being consumed. It really is an Art.

6. MY first Birthday party(the big 60) was last year,which was given by so many friends at Fred Meyer.A total surprise to me, I cried I was so excited. I have had gifts and been taken out to dinner, family has come over or had me come to their home for dinner, dessert and gift opening, but never an actual party. I have always been somewhat jealous of those whose friends and families go out of their to make birthdays a big celebration. But at least I can now say" Wow" What an awesome party I had".

Over the Hump

Well, after 3 3/4 weeks of barely no voice, horrible pains in chest, severe breathing problems, 13 different prescriptions, being housebound, watching endless movies, reading numerous books, knitting washrags, making jewelry, not having to clean our home(Dad has been awesome at all the household chores), I do believe the good doctor will be releasing me to go back to work next Monday the 23rd. I feel great, so this week will find me doing exercises, walking lots and just getting me ready for 8 hours a day of Fred Meyer. Just in time for Mother's Day. I still plan on taking it slow and easy. Thanks to you all for keeping me in your prayers. The phone calls were great,even though I had a hard time chatting with you. Keep your fingers crossed that all continues to go well.:)

Campaign funds reality

Okay, since Hillary Clinton has raised the largest amount of money today for her campaign and Mitt Romney is closing in on $ 100million raised, with Guillani not far behind, why can't they take 1 month & go raise money to get our Homeless in permanent shelters. Big business, the wealthy ones, wants to shell out, but not for the tired and poor. Guess the downtrodden can't pay back favors.

spring is daffodils, robins singing & allergies & asthma

Who could not like this simple but elegant flower. I don't remember the first time I saw them or even had some given to me, but these truely warm my heart. I am always on the look out for new varieties and get so excited when I can find more than just the King Alfred cut ones for a vase. Yesterday was the case, Trader Joe's had 4 different kinds, &1.19 each 10 stem. Well I have a large vase in the family room stuff full and they are show their smiling heads. What a way to get a lift when it's only going to be a high of 49*today. When we were at the beach we found some of the King Alfred ones, found a vase in the room, displayed them on the dining table & they lasted the entire week. Pria remembered them when she was here the other day and asked where are the daffofils. So new ones for Pria when I see her early this week. The pics are the ones at the beach. The robins have returned, and what a pleasure to hear them singing in the am. Always nice to wake up to them, blue skies and sunshine. The trees are in bloom, shrubs are getting ready to burst forth with color, perrinials are poking heads threw the soil, bulbs are blooming everywhere you look, and the pollen count is on the rise. After 11 days, I feel about 10% better, have not experienced shortness of breathe for 2 days now, still running a low grade fever, but we think that is because of this serious viral infection. I haven't had to see the Dr again since Friday, I go back on Wednesday. Hopefully will be returning to work Monday the 9th. If any symptons are still prevailing that will get delayed. What a way to welcome Spring.

Beach Life

A walk on the beach is always so wonderful, a little more enjoyable when there is only a light breeze, and you can feel the warmth of the sunshine as you walk barefoot trying to escape the rolling in and out of the tide.
Looking for agates & seashells, & sand dollars as always been a family favorite, and everytime we find more to add to our collection.
We didn't expect to see a seal coming out of the ocean though. That was definitely a first! We must have stood around taking pictures of him for a good hour, we thought perhaps he was sick, some foaming of the mouth prompted that thought. Never did find out. I guess you never know exactly what is in those waters. Yes, we do know there are sharks and whales!!!
Feeding seagulls from one's balcony is a fun, almost exhillarting experience especially when they try to take the food out of your hands. Glad I don't have to get my food that way.
Mo's is still great. We hit the one in Newport at the wharf, had the same food as norm. The one that doesn't change their receipe. Of course, we had our fair share of Salt Water Taffy, some weird flavors we all tried. Yuck!!
The Newport Aquarium is totally cool. It was a wonderful day to be enjoyed by all. Hopefully we will get there gain soon. Enjoy some pictures.

Missing Paris

I normally am not one who would repeat vacations, but oh how I long for Portugal, Maderia Island and Paris. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss the food, the new desserts that we had everyday. Yeah, can you believe that. My goodness the Pasteries know how to entice you. One day we had 5 different goodies(not small by any means) and than went out to dinner. Such the life style. I didn't really think the Eiffel Tower would impress as it did. You can see it from so many view points, the view from top is the best. 360* on uniquiness. We probably spent at least an hour or more just looking out to the areas of Paris. And when those 20,000 lights come on at night, Oooh lalalalalala. The shopping is incredible, soooooo many designers, ones we have never heard of back in the goood old USA. We watched commercials
being filmed at midnight along the street with gorgeous models. The Seine River was and is magnificient. Boats everywhere ready to take you for a ride, whcih we did. Castles, hotels, antiques, museums, outside eateries,traffic, oh yeah the traffic,Josie and the Pussycats enjoying a meal out,the wonderful romance that fills the air and lets you partake, the endless photo shoots, stop here for a minute, quick did you get that picture. Laughter and more. I guess you all need to go. They are so very friendly to everyone. WE didn't feel out of place, enjoyed their company, and even though they thought Dad's humor was very DRY. Would go back tomorrow if the opportunity was there. Here's a few pictures.

A tribute to Alana

There's one in every family. She would do anything and everything for you with no given questions about why, how or who. Doesn't matter the time involved. She knows her place in life, knows her place with God, and conducts her life according. She is funny, loves to play, works hard, loves games, has an amazing touch with flowers, didn't like to dress her daughters in pink, though they have chosen to wear that color as they have gotten older, knows how to feed her family on a shoestring budget, even if no one else wanted to eat what she prepared. She has been a walker, a byclistic, a jogger, a teacher, a leader of women and now is trying to be a cancer survivor. She is my favorite sister Alana. I'm not sure why she has had to go through this horrible ordeal. Her family and friends have all learned things about themselves, she has gained an humble understanding of receiving and not feeling guilty. She says she will definitely do compassionate service with more love and not be fixed on the clock. She has found new friends that only come from having this kind of illness. I personally have found fabulous friendships who have also be afflicted with this horrible disease who I love to serve. I encourage all to support a cancer walkathon, give an extra dollar toward cancer research, find a person who is suffering from this dreadful disease and offer to help them in whatever way you can.

Last night I put a very large green vegetable on the kitchen counter and Jim says"Wow that is one large cucumber/what ya going to do with that". I think he needs to spend more time in the garden or at least in the produce section of the grocery store. Cucumber, are you kidding me!!That's a zucchini, remember. I will be making chocolate zucchini cake, fried zucchini, zucchini in salads, zucchini bread, zucchini brownies and if I had a receipe zucchini jam. Yes, I have friends who can grow these babies like no other, Huge. And they go on and on and on. You get the idea.