Our House to be...

A few photos of our house to be on January 22, 2008. The view one, is the view to the north. Just to the right of the lamppost, off in the distance, is Mt. Hood. On a clear day, when you can see it, it is quite remarkable.

White Christmas!!!!

We wished, and our wish came true. For the first time in 13 years, we are having a white Christmas. It started this morning during my power walk, as I stopped to view Mt. Hood from the hilltop by our new house. It is beautiful. And yes pictures will follow. I have a new camera, thank you to Wade and the boys. But for now I need to get cooking.
Hope you are enjoying the day.

Remembering Grandma Dawn

Today, it is one year since my mother passed on. I missed her yesterday as much as I do today and will tomorrow. Since our family gathering this August in RI, I felt a sense of peace. Maybe of her being released from her burdens on Earth or maybe from realizing she gave all of us a wonderful family to support each other for years to come.

Now, I'm trying to find a place for wonderful memories and long lasting tributes.

As my friend Tina pointed out the other day, "this move has happened at this time for a reason..." It has taken me out of the familiar places I grieved in last year, and placed me in new surroundings were I can sift through my memories and cherish the special ones.

This year's Christmas card gave me the opportunity to share her talent with friends and family. I look forward to continuing to use her sketches in creative ways to share with all.

Take a Chill...

Finally, we can sit back and relax. With our mortgage preapproved and the money in the bank (thanks to Wade's hard work), we need only to watch the seller complete his side of the deal until the closing (1/22). I look forward to planning out our future in Oregon. I hope our family can become locavores. (check the definition at urbandictionary.com, link to the right) There are so many local growers here, it should be easy. Even Tillamook is within distance.

Done deal in Forest Grove

We finally have a done deal on the new house. The seller accepted our last counter, which is good, because Wade was not budging. Wade wanted to walk up there tonight, to take another look, but it is cold and dark...brrrrrrr.

On the wagon...again!

After over a year of inconsistent workouts and unhealthy eating, I am back on the exercise wagon. I have exercise at least five days a week for the last three weeks. Good-bye muffin top!

It is very cold here today. I think the high is around 30 degrees, 10 less than expected. This past weekend was cold but sunny. Saturday, we crashed the downtown Forest Grove holiday festivities. We made a star ornament at the Accidental Bookmaker, a reindeer out of corks at the Urban Decanter (Mommy and Daddy's favorite stop), and watched a little girl run amok (one of Chandler's spelling words for the week) at the Cork and Barrel as her mommy drank port at the bar!!! A good time was had by all. We wanted to try the local Mexican restaurant but couldn't wait for the evening hours to start. So, we had dinner at the Pacific Ave Grill once again.

The tree is up and a few present adorn the bottom. We used the artificial again this year. As much as we all wanted to visit the Christmas tree farm, we don't have the space to work with it this year. I was really disappointed. (Photo: Real tree Christmas 1980ish) I have wonderful childhood memories of working (helping out) at my grandparents Christmas tree farm in NY. Our real estate agent gave us a fresh wreath for the front door...the next best thing!

First Weather Related School Closing

Today, although the rain is long gone, the flooding is an issue and the school district is closed. Chandler and Henry are thrilled to be in their first school closing. Even mom is a little excited. It seems to have renewed the my childhood excitement of a closing in NY. Since the sun is out and the temp is nice, it doesn't look like it should be closed. Not the same as sitting by the front window in my zipper-up bathrobe with sponge rollers hanging from my hair, watching the snowflakes fall, listening to the radio, and praying to hear, "Newburgh School Districts...closed" Non-the less, they are excited.
It did rain a lot!!! I had no idea it could rain so much. I think it started Friday during the night and didn't stop until late last night. Saturday was mixed with snow but otherwise it was a constant downpour of rain. We are drying out in town, but the low areas are dealing with flooding. A couple of near by towns are underwater. The locals say it isn't the norm...I'm thankful for that.
We have a contract on a house. The seller moved the closing to January 23, so it is right around the corner. The inspection is this week. It should all go smooth besides working around his remodeling. The interior is all remodeled besides the kitchen cabinets and window treatments. It is a 3/2.5, 2,100 sf, split level with a finished basement. It sits on a hillside top. A private drive to one side, a custom house behind and another house on the other side. The yard is good size, not huge but bigger than we had in AZ. It has apple trees so I'm looking forward to preserves and such with those.
Happy Birthday to my pacemaker! It will be five years old tomorrow...and still ticking...haha.