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.