To Hell's Canyon and Back

Thursday May 18th was the beginning of our first Harley adventure for the riding season.  We met our friends at Bellingham Harley Davidson at 8:45 AM and departed at 10:00 AM for our destination in the Tri-Cities area, staying in Richland, Washington for the evening.  We left with seven bikes and three were two- up (Mike and Jeannie Gilbert, Dawn and Dave Johnson, Dave Nichols, Ken and Michelle Thompson, John Dunne, and Larry and Billie Marrs) for the Hell’s Canyon rally in Oregon, with our HOG leader, Mike Kennard, waving goodbye to us.  The rest of our chapter group, including Mike, left on Friday morning.  www.hellscanyonrally.com

It was sunny 500 weather as we headed down I-5 with Mike Gilbert as road captain and Dave Johnson riding sweep.  We stopped in Sultan for lunch at the Dutch Cup then headed over the pass to Leavenworth and Wenatchee where we peeled off some of our warm weather clothes and made a couple of extra stops for water in the 1130 heat.  We rode south to Richland but before we could get there we endured dust storms, wind reaching 50 mph, rain, sleet, hail, and barely visible conditions.  I kept thinking tornados and found out when we finally reached our hotel that everyone else was thinking the same thing.  There was nowhere to hide so we kept riding through the miserable conditions. The bright spot was that in a quick stop to grab jackets and rain gear, Jeff and Carlene Veltman, who left a little later in the day, had caught up to us and joined our group for the final miles.

We checked in, took quick showers, hung up our wet clothes, and walked across the parking lot to Margaritas for a wonderful Mexican dinner, some relaxing conversation before saying good night and getting some much needed sleep.  When my head hit the pillow, I was out.

Friday morning most of us slept in, consumed the complementary continental breakfast, dressed in our rain gear because of those dark clouds hovering above, drove to Starbucks for a wake up jolt, then hit the road by 11:00 AM for the short ride to the Washington-Oregon border.  We arrived to find Rita and Dave Bode already at the meeting place, so we gassed up the bikes, checked in with the Friday group by cell phone and decided to eat without them, since they were about an hour out, and get back on the road.  Someone had their cd player still playing on their bike and Larry danced me around the parking lot to the sway of the music.  Just as we were ready to ride out for the final leg of our journey, the 2nd group arrived, so we exchanged hellos and good byes and our group was down the road again on our way south on highway 84 on the eastern side of Oregon into Baker City while the 2nd group stopped to eat.  (The Friday group, Mike and Cis Kennard, Dick and Barbara Wells, Larry Brown, Rick Huggins, Roger and Dottie Schneidereit, Tina and Richard Roemmele left Bellingham Starbucks at Sehome at 6:00 AM for the long ride straight through to the rally.)

While chapter members arrived on different days and were scattered between several motels and hotels, the town of Baker City is small so we were only blocks away from each other.  We found Candie and Sky Dartt and Ron Johnson and his brother Jay, and everyone had dinner at Barley Browns Brew Pub.  We had to sit in three separate groups but everyone had a great time laughing and enjoying the evening among friends.  I had the Angry Chicken Salad:  grilled onions and bell peppers, hot pepper flakes, grilled chicken, feta cheese, served hot over romaine lettuce with a warm Caesar dressing.

Most of the group met up at the Oregon Trail Restaurant for breakfast on Saturday where Bonnie and Bob Halstead joined us and then we split up in groups choosing to ride to the dam, the interruptive center, or just relax in town.  We went with the group to the interruptive center, lunch in Richland, OR., then back to Baker City for a little shopping.

Saturday evening the party started in the Kennard’s hotel room where most of the group gathered for some sort of cold drink before the evening festivities started.  We had wrist bands as proof of registration and for that we received a pin, free tacos on Saturday night, and entry into the bike show if you wanted to enter your bike.  2500 bikers were expected for this event and our own Jeannie Gilbert won first place in the trike division.  We walked back to the Oregon Trail Restaurant for dinner and some of us went to the Veltman’s penthouse suite for a last Hoo Ra with the group before heading home the next day.

Morning came to fast and it was breakfast by 7:00AM. Everyone already anticipated the coming rain and we all dressed in our rain gear before pulling out and heading for home by 8:00 AM Sunday morning.  We crisscrossed paths with several groups during the morning.  Larry and I rode back with Jeannie and Mike Gilbert to Kennewick where we stopped for lunch together.  They stayed behind to spend a little time drying out their clothes and visiting with their daughter and grandbabies while Larry and I headed off to Yakima to meet up with Cis and Mike Kennard.

We pulled up in front of “Howard House” the Victorian home Cis and Mike own and received the grand tour.  The home was their former beauty school which has now moved down the street.  We were relaxing when we heard that familiar rumble of pipes--John Dunne and Rick Huggins had pulled up out front.  They had seen Larry and me go by while they were stopped for lunch and just drove down the road looking for our bike.  Cis and I walked to the local Mexican food store for snacks and drinks then we all watched and laughed at Mike’s favorite internet videos.  We walked through the alley to Black Angus for a dinner of appetizers, salads, steaks, and dessert.  The weather had cleared and everyone enjoyed the early evening on the third floor deck.  

I woke Monday morning to the thunder of JD and Rick’s pipes as they left about 7:00 AM for their journey home.  Cis and Mike were at work at the beauty school so Larry and I packed up our bags and waited for them to return.  Breakfast at Mels, a few stops to try and find a warm sweatshirt for me (no luck) and rain gear for Larry and we were on our way home in the rain.

It rained so hard we could hardly see the road at times--the fine gray mist of fog hung over the mountain tops and floated down into the valleys as we made our way home.  Mike surprised us with lunch at one of his favorite spots, the Angel of the Winds Casino.  Hot coffee and strawberry shortcake was all Cis and I managed but Mike ordered chicken fried steak for Larry while he devoured shrimp cocktails.  This must be a Thursday night dinner ride sometime with the group.

I think the only thing worse than riding in the cold and rain is going into a warm building and then having to put on wet gloves and ride another forty miles in the cold rain to get home.

1,100 miles down and back including side trips.  I would do it all over again to spend time with friends although I might let Larry splurge on a bike trailer.  I know I’m a wimp.  I admit it.  Who cares?

Mother's Day

My daughter Kelly few home Thursday before mother’s day. A friend picked her up in Seattle and Kelly called on the phone laughing, asking what are these tall green things? Living in Las Vegas for the last nine months and looking at sand, rock, and brown hills had made her forget about green trees, grass, and plants.

We had some time alone before her brother Michael showed up to cook dinner for us and Jerrilynn and Haley arrived to get ready for a night out in White Rock BC. Friday we were off for pedicures before having lunch with Michael at the country club. I came home and Kelly went off to visit friends for the afternoon and a movie with Sam in the evening. Someone ask Kelly if her mom was mad because she didn’t just stay home with me. She told them no, that her mom understood, and I do. I love having her home but when you are young you want to be on the go and I know she loves me.

I never really truly understood how special Mother’s Day was until I no longer lived close to my mother and my own children were scattered. There is nothing better than being a mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin.

I had beautiful flowers on the table when I woke upon Mothers Day, cards from the kids and Larry, church service, lunch with my family, and a present from the kids when I got home. The sun was shining and it was a wonderful day. Jim called on Monday to say happy mother’s day because he was on duty all day Sunday. In my heart, my children are always with me and I know that they love me. Home is where the heart is.

I called my mom to tell her I love her. My mom is sweet, kind, loving, and gentle, all things God intended mothers to be. My kids will tell you she is the best cook, the best grandmother ever and they are right. My mom is not just my mom she is my best girlfriend.

Kelly flew back to Las Vegas, Michael flew off to Boston on a business trip, Jim is working and loving every minute of it, and Larry and I are leaving on a Harley trip to the Hells Canyon Rally in Baker City Oregon.

LOH: we are women, hear us roar

I am part of a group of ladies known as Ladies of Harley, part of the Mt. Baker Harley Owners Group Bellingham, WA.  We are more than women in black leathers.  We are an active group of women who raise money with their “Change for Change” program, several hot dog flipping events for tips, and our first ever garage sale this year.

We have made cash donations to the Ferndale Police Dept. for their Teddy Bear Program and cash donations to several school districts each year to buy school supplies for needy children. The Ladies give a mock baby shower for themselves each November and donate the gifts to the GRADS program in Bellingham, a program that allows teen moms to complete their high school education while providing daycare for their babies.  We participated in the Jingle Bell Walk for the first time last year and a benefit for Camp Katrina in Louisiana.  

We are women, hear us roar.  We are making a difference by providing help and assistance to women, children, and families in Whatcom County through our fundraising.  We are secretaries, teachers and university personnel, health care workers, business owners, artist, homemakers, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and daughters with a love of Harleys and hearts of gold.

We flip about 700 hotdogs each year during the annual Harley-Davidson of Bellingham June bike show.  The dealership buys the hotdogs, buns, condiments, and drinks which we distribute to visitors for a donation to our tip jar.  This money allows us to buy school supplies, emergency food, and art supplies for the GRADS girls.

Our inaugural garage sale was a huge success.  Who could image that people would line up at the gates of the Kennard Estate and then run to grab the treasurers the members had donated when the gates opened.  A number of our male members also volunteered to help out during the sale and we used their muscles to move heavy items for customers.   We laughed lots and enjoyed the sunny afternoon.

Some of us also took home a few treasures shopping while we set up on Friday and Saturday morning.  My finds were a Victorian ladies chair that needs some new upholstery, an odd fellow’s podium, and a vintage croquet set.  Now, my husband Larry couldn’t see the beauty in my finds, but the podium will become a night stand and a base for one of my father’s birdhouse lamps.  The ladies chair will probably wind up in the same room as the podium just looking cute upholstered in reds, suede, lace, corduroy, stripes, Swiss dot, and quilted remnants.  I bought the croquet set for the wooden balls which I someday hope to have enough to fill an old bowl and be a topic of conversation when people ask why I have them.

We sold everything except a Harley--but had several parked in the circular driveway for people to admire.  The Ladies of Harley is not just a group I belong to; they are my friends who have become another family.

How LOH will spend our time and money this year:
Our own webmaster, Jeannie, is starting a non profit with her son to provide computers and software to low income and needy children.  Jeannie has a heart for helping children and this is just one more way she gives to others.  So the Ladies will provide funds to help out.

We will continue to support GRADS with tips from our annual hotdog flipping event at the bike show in June.

We will make a cash contribution to The Mighty Max fund (http://www.maxupdate.blogspot.com/) which will help families who have children being treated with Charge Syndrome at Children’s Hospital in Seattle.  We are working with Max’s mom, Amy, and our own LOH member, Candie, who also works at Treasury of Memories on a Harley scrap booking fundraiser to benefit the Mighty Max fund.

We will participate in the Jingle Bell Walk again in December, a community service project during October for make a difference day, a baby shower to benefit GRADS in November and possibly an event to raise money for the cancer foundation.  

Our focus in LOH this year is primarily on helping children, but when you help a child you help their family, and the whole community benefits.

I am proud to be a Lady of Harley in the Mt. Baker Chapter Harley Owners Group.

Mom - research associate in the field of child development and human relations

Have you ever thought about the true value of what it would take to pay a mom for all that she does?  Salary.com has now put a dollar figure on the “mom job" of both working and stay at home moms.  “Stay at home moms” would earn $134.121 annually and “working moms” would earn $85,876 annually for their “mom job. Housekeeper, day care provider, teacher, dishwasher, cook, computer operator, maid, housekeeper, secretary, bookkeeper, janitor, chauffer, nurse, CEO, and psychologist are just a few of the many jobs a mom does daily.
On www.salary.com you can include your own personal information, with the Mom Salary Wizard then create a hypothetical mom paycheck and mom pay stub, which can be printed and emailed to family and friends.
Proverbs 31:31 give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
A friend sent me the following urban ledged story in an email about “moms”.
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.  "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a...?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.  "I'm a Mom!" "We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation; 'Housewife covers it," said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.  The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."   "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it -- I do not know -- The words simply popped out.  "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.  I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.  Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out).  I'm working for my Masters (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters).  Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (anyone care to disagree?!) and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it).  But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers. And the rewards are more about the satisfaction, rather than just about the money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.  Upstairs, I could hear our new experimental model (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.  I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than, "just another Mom." Motherhood!  What a glorious career!  Especially when there's a title on the door.

once upon a time 5 atc cards

Michael

My younger son, Michael, was just hired as the coordinator of a program at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He has been working there for over a year while going to school at WWU. He will graduate in August with his BA. There is still some discussion between us as to whether he will actually walk down the aisle in a cap and gown.

Currently Michael has an evening class once a week as he finishes his BA program. In between school and work he must now hire a replacement for his part-time position and take his first business trip to Boston in May as the coordinator of his program. Michael is a service orientated person and this job allows him work with seniors and their families.

Michael graduated from high school and WCC at the same time through a program called Running Start in Washington State. Life experiences in the work force after community college and a move away from home helped him decide that he needed to return to WA and school.

Back at WCC and a year later and Michael was a licensed masseur. This helped to pay the bills but he realized it still was not the job that would fulfill him in life.

Back to school at WWU and a BA in sight, Michael can focus on his job and make plans for a Master’s degree. He is bright and loves school. His professors love him as do almost everyone who meets him.

My baby will be twenty-five in June but all grown up. I am proud of who he has become.

Alive: altered forever

Easter. It is a time for celebration, a time for families and friends, and most importantly a time for reflection on what this day really means.

The Easter message at Cornwall Church was, “Alive.” Everything hinges on one event. Three men, three nails, three days. Three questions: 1. Is it true? 2. What does it mean? 3. What will you do?

My God he was, My God he is, My God is always gonna be, are the lyrics from a song, “My Savior My God,” by Aaron Shust. Faith is what this song is all about.

My sister Sharron wore a necklace around her neck with a small mustard seed encased in glass. It was a symbol of her faith and a daily reminder. I remember when I was about six and noticed the new necklace and asked what it was. Suzie was nine years older than I was and she explained that the size of a mustard seed was all the faith we needed to believe in Jesus Christ, son of God.

“Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith like a mustard seed, you can move mountains.” Matthew 17:20. My sister had that faith and she lived it every day of her life.

I have not always walked the life of a Christian since I was baptized at age seven. I strayed during my teens because I didn’t really understand what the church and pastors were preaching. I didn’t really rebel, just drifted off and was lured away from my church by someone proclaiming to believe in God but didn’t practice what he said.

The last time I saw my sister, dying in a hospital room, she prayed that I would return to church and my faith and I held that prayer within me. My oldest son began attending church and was baptized before I realized what I had given up. I finally listened to the Holy Spirit (I only recently learned in church what the Holy Spirit is) within me and began a new life for my children and myself.

God does answer prayers even when we think there is no hope. I believe Jesus Christ has the power to give hope for a life everlasting in heaven.

God used my sister’s faith as an example to me. Attending church is not enough; as a follower of Christ I must be an example to others of God’s love.

After church Larry and I finished preparing dinner for family and friends who would arrive to share the meal. Everyone brought dishes to share and we blessed the food God provided, asked that God watch over loved ones who could not be with us, and thanked God for those gathered around the table to celebrate Easter in Jesus’ name.

Humpty Dumpty crashed

Computers!  I can’t live without one and I hate them when they crash, which is exactly what my hard drive did last weekend.

I couldn’t email anyone, couldn’t get to my files for altered art projects, word documents, files that I need to communicate with our Harley Owners Group members, pictures, music, EBay, family, Google, poems, my mom’s cookbook, and the list goes on and on.  My life altered unwillingly.  

My husband Larry let me use his work computer to do some basic communication for email but it was very basic.  I had no address book.  No paper copy.  I couldn’t even call my family because the phone numbers were locked up on a dead drive.  I cried.  I did have a back up drive but when it was connected to my husband’s computer, the address book was overridden.  I quickly shut it down afraid to loose anything else.

The person in India on the help line for Dell kept telling me he understood, but he didn’t.  I had to listen carefully because even though he said all the right words his accent left me saying, “What?” over and over again.  I told him I had a technician look at the computer and the Code 7 meant my hard drive crashed and died.  He kept asking me what the technician did to my computer.  I told him if I knew that I wouldn’t have called a technician, I would have done it myself.  All I wanted was a new hard drive and a Dell authorized technician to install it quickly.  Finally I told him just give me a supervisor to authorize my new hard drive but I was left on hold again.  Thirty minutes later and I had an authorization number and a number for installation.

The contract installer for Dell who arrived with my new drive did the job in minutes, couldn’t imagine why I was told it would take over a week, and was friendly and courteous.  I even tried to recruit her for our Harley Owners Group since her husband owns a Harley.

Part one:  installed.  Now my friend Jeannie will install my software in a few days and her son Shane will try to retrieve information off my old drive.  

Part two:  Shane retrieved all my data off the dead hard drive, copied my files to disc and then wiped my old drive clean; so clean no one will ever be able to retrieve so much as one little letter.

Part three:  Jeannie and her husband Mike came to our home and the guys talked and Jeannie put my humpty dumpty computer back together again.  

My thanks and gratitude to Jeannie and Shane for fixing what I can only imagine goes on inside a computer.  Their knowledge and skill is just amazing.

Part four:  at about 4 AM I personally had my programs loaded, the additional security up and running, and my art files visible and I can go back to work.

Life goes on.

Patriotic Altered Book

I have so many ideas in my head that when I finally settle on a theme for my next altered book it’s not a matter of where to start but when to stop.

I started out with a wonderful garden book with an interesting binding system holding the pages together. Unfortunately with about half the book completed a prospective student handled the book as if it were just another book instead of the work of art it was on its way to becoming.

Well this not only took the wind out of my sails it ripped my sails to pieces. There was no way to repair the pages and reinsert them into the book they came out of. Sleepless nights tossing and turning left me tired and totally lost. On the third or fourth night as I finally drifted off to sleep I remembered a five ring binder book that just might work to repair this art piece.

Sleepless in WA no longer I rummaged in my boxes of books looking for a new life for my art and found what I was looking for. I removed all the inserts from the new book and then used one of the pages as a guide to individually punch five holes in each page of all the work I had completed and all the unfinished pages that were primed with gesso and ready to work on. Now I really could go back to creating. I love finding the right ephemera, clip art, ribbons, trims, and papers so much so that I just want to use them all-- so I keep going.

I currently have one nephew in the Army, one who just retired from the Navy and a step son-in-law in the Army. I wanted to make a book about the USA, Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, and all things American. There is nowhere else I would rather live than in the “good ole’ USA”. “We” the USA make mistakes, but who doesn’t? Just look how many other countries want what we have and try to emulate us.

Twenty-eight pages, plus the inside front and back covers, the front and back covers and three months of on again, off again, time spent working on my patriotic altered book. I also wrote eight original pieces of poetry for this altered book all pertaining to the patriotic theme.

When I am in my studio
I seem to have another life
The right brain reigns
It’s in control
Another me inside of me
Too many ideas
Too many thoughts
Not enough time
Where do I start?
When is it finished?
When I can walk out?
Can I walk out?
I look around
All alone on the table
It’s finished
A piece of me

Jim - B2V

My son Jim is a police officer with the Sacramento police department. He is a part of one several teams from Sacramento who participated in the “Baker to Vegas” relay also known as the “B2V” on April 1st and 2nd. This is the 20th anniversary of the Challenge Cup Relay starting in Baker, California the gateway to Death Valley. The teams run 120 miles in twenty stages, through the Mojave Desert and mountains to Las Vegas, Nevada. The teams must consist only of law enforcement officers, police, sheriff, judges, etc., and they provide their own support services, logistics, and communications.

Jim ran leg 11 at 1:00 AM on 4-2-06.

Now is he spending a day resting with his friends and coworkers in Las Vegas before returning home and to the job he loves.

He did get to spend a little time with his sister Kelly and she got to meet all his friends.

I am proud of my son Jim for participating and of all his friends for taking part in this event.

The adventure: Bellingham to Portland and back again

The adventure: Bellingham to Portland and back again

I arrived home from Las Vegas with enough time to do a quick laundry, pack a bag and leave the next day for an adventure to Portland with my husband Larry and friends Cis and Mike. The guys having Harley addictions felt the need to stop at Downtown Harley in Seattle to look at the eye candy and see what options were added to other bikes that they might want to add to their own. Cis and I browsed the clothing racks after glancing at the bikes, although Cis did have her eye on a possible replacement for her current ride.

We were back on the road again with a quick detour for lunch then straight through to Portland. Mike gave us a scenic tour before we found the McMaster House bed and breakfast where we were spending the night. We were given a short tour then shown to our rooms--three floors up tucked into the dormers and decorated with antiques, collectibles, and warm down comforters. We left our luggage and set out on foot for Powells bookstore, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Three days a week in the gym doing 12 – 15 miles on the treadmill still left me a little breathless or was it just the sight of the bookstore and all it had to offer.

We checked that we each had cell phones and then split up as we each went to a different colored room looking for a special book we just couldn’t live without. I headed off to the orange room looking for books on art, gardening, and cooking before heading up to the pearl room to look at hard to find and rare books, focusing again on art. Time flies when you are having fun and when my cell phone rang I knew my time was up and I had only begun to glance through the first row. I took my lone book and headed down to meet the others and check out.

The walk to the bookstore was downhill so now the real challenge lay ahead of us. We stopped off at the Ringside to make dinner reservations and then back to our B&B for conversation and a glass of wine. The atmosphere in the guest parlor was relaxing and the hot popcorn and warm cookies a comforting touch to make guests feel at home. Soon it was time for dinner and Mike chauffeured us to dinner down the hill.

We were greeted at the Ringside with attentive staff and we marveled at the menu before making our selections and placing our orders. It seems there was a convention in town and that was the reason most hotel rooms were booked in town and reservations for dinner a little harder to get. We enjoyed the meal and the time spent sharing stories and a few tall tales.

Goodnight, sleep tight.

Next day was a bright and sunny and breakfast was served in a cozy dinning room with several small tables. A slightly warmed grapefruit half with brown sugar and walnuts on top was a perfect starter to go with our hot coffee. The entrée was cheese stuffed omelets with fresh spinach, sausage links, and a hot flaky biscuit. I’m not usually a breakfast person, but this smelled and looked so good that I found myself eating almost all of my serving. Now it was time to pack our bags and wander the city.

We went downtown to a little shopping mall disguised inside an old brick building. Cis and Mike had a little shop in mind that they knew I would like, called Twist. It was filled with unique benches, clocks, mirrors, hand painted goblets, jewelry, and more. What would a shopping trip be without a trip to the local Ross Store across the street? The guys did not seem impressed but Cis and I each found something we couldn’t do without so it was a success.

We drove through the maze of streets, freeways, and bridges winding our way back to I-5 and our way home. We did make a stop at a Harley shop near Olympia where a Kuryakyn light kit on a bike similar to ours caught my eye. Larry checked out the prices and asked me if I liked the lights well enough to spend $1,000.00 on them. I decided they were not that cute and I’ll pass for now.

Cis had been waiting since yesterday for lunch at Ruby Tuesday when we missed the turn off the freeway. We all ordered hamburgers and looked at the vintage signs, collectibles, sporting goods, and pictures that decorated the restaurant. This is my kind of eye candy.

The traffic wasn’t too bad and we made it home a little quicker than we thought. It was a great little get-a-way just four and half hours from home. Thanks to Cis and Mike we had a wonderful trip with friends and memories to savor.

Paper Chain Journal entry 3-22-06 Portland

Paper Chain Journal entry 3-16-06 Bellingham to Vegas

Celebrating 21

On March 16th I kissed Ally the cat good-bye and told her I would be back soon to take care of her but while I was gone Larry would pay special attention to her. A quick pat on the head for Deuce the dog and a reminder for him to stay off my sofa while I was gone and then I was out of the house an on my way to the airport.

I haven’t flown for a while and was pleased to find our little international airport had been remodeled. The best part is that when I return home I won’t have to stand out in the cold to retrieve my bags as in the past. Timing was everything and I only had a fifteen minute wait until my security check began. I know it is only six days away but I always find it hard to leave home. I kissed Larry good bye and watched him walk across the parking lost on his way back home as I snaked through the short line.

It’s only a short hop from Bellingham to Seattle and I had less than thirty minutes before I boarded my plane to Las Vegas, I’m not a good flyer and thought maybe I could just sleep the whole way down. Wrong! Two thirty-something’s tried to one-up each other with stories of jobs, friends, trips, girls, college, and anything else that they could think of. Ten rows back and ten rows forward could hear them loud and clear and knew all about them and I am sure wished we didn’t. The remainder of the plane seemed to be bent on getting a head start on drinking before they got to Vegas. No crying babies on this plane, only a full plane ready to party when they hit the jet-way.

Kelly was waiting for me near the baggage pick up with a sign reading “welcome to sin city mom, there’s no turning back now.” I laughed as I hugged her then turned to find the nearest Starbucks and got sticker shock with my regular drink costing almost $1.50 more than anywhere I have ever traveled. Guess I will have to decide how much I really need my coffee in the future. A rental car mix up was fixed and we were on our way to Kelly’s apartment and a nap.

Later in the evening I got instructions on how to get to the grocery store for dinner fixings and Kelly went to pick up an old boyfriend, Drew, who was in town for spring break. We laughed over dinner that no one would believe Drew had a home cooked meal in Vegas. Kelly took Drew back to his hotel and we talked till we fell asleep on the sofa.

Kelly’s best friend Jerrilynn arrived on Friday and we met her at the airport then headed out to a local bar far off the strip to wait (almost) for midnight and celebrate Kelly’s 21st birthday. A few drinks, nachos, and several games of pool before we headed home at 2 AM.

Saturday night I took Kelly, Jerrilynn, and Kelly’s roommate Julia out to dinner at Hooters. Kelly works as a hostess at Marino’s Restaurant inside the Hooters hotel and casino. I bought Kelly a mini bottle of champagne to celebrate and we had a wonderful dinner with the staff all stopping by the table to wish Kelly a happy birthday. Kelly’s manager had the night off but he ordered a three layer chocolate cake from Freed’s Bakery which was voted the best bakery by Food Network. This was such a considerate thing to do for her birthday, considering they don’t do cakes or sing happy birthday to patrons; but again all the staff surrounded Kelly at our table and sang to her.

Later in the evening, back at Kelly’s apartment, she opened her presents and the girls changed into new party clothes and off they went to meet friends and dance the night away. A friend of Kelly’s got them access to one of Las Vegas’ hotspots, Tao’s, and when her name was called she and her party were ushered into Tao’s without the usual waiting in line. The girls arrived home about 3 AM laughing and talking about what a great time they had.

We slept most of Sunday before taking Jerrilynn to the airport. We returned home to a belated St. Patrick’s corned beef and cabbage dinner. We cut the Boston cream pie that Kelly requested for her birthday but never got around to eating. A little television and we crashed.

Kelly went off to school on Monday and I set out on an adventure to get to the mall on the strip, from NW Las Vegas. I knew all the freeways would confuse me so I took the back streets that look like freeways in some cities. At least the city is laid out well with north south, east west, roads, in a fairly flat valley, with the Stratosphere to get your bearings. A missed turn and the feeling of being a little lost was scary but I was successful. Momma needed new shoes. No, I didn’t gamble for them but I knew what I wanted and this was the only mall that had the brand I wanted. I wandered up and down the escalators with floors filled with shops for everything you could want or dream of. Such a difference from the little mall I have at home. Mission accomplished now I had to get home. It seemed longer getting back to the apartment and a little more stressful. A calming radio station of Christian music and a prayer and I arrived safe, if not sane. I learned to drive in California but Vegas drivers are another breed cutting you off and running red lights. Take me back to two lane freeways.

Kelly and I had out last dinner out and got pictures printed from her birthday celebrations with her friends. We settled on the sofa for some mother-daughter time.

Time to go home. Kelly took me to Hooters where I purchased t-shirts and Kelly got some of the Hooters girls to sign them. I will auction one t-shirt at the April general meeting of our Harley Owners Group and designate the money to go to the scholarship fund our group awards each year to a graduating senior in our county. The other t-shirt will hang at Harley-Davidson Bellingham and be raffled off with the money going to the GRADS teen parent program through the Bellingham School District. The Hooters girls loved the idea that the t-shirts would help others. One of the girls is the 2006 centerfold for the Hooters calendar and she was the 2005 calendar cover girl.

I dropped off the rental car, checked in for my flight and had lunch with Kelly. I hugged her goodbye at the security line and gave her a kiss. This goodbye felt every bit as hard as it did last August when I left her in Vegas to attend school and work. I love my kids and miss them. As much as I wanted to go home, I hated leaving her behind. Kelly is full of life, smiling and laughing, daring, bold, soft and sweet, that’s my baby girl. She’s twenty-one but still my baby.

21 years of life changing moments

I am preparing to leave for Las Vegas to visit my daughter Kelly and celebrate her 21st birthday. She moved to Las Vegas last August to attend UNLV. She works two jobs besides a full load of classes at college and Larry and I are so proud of her for all that she has accomplished.

I wasn’t thrilled about her moving out. It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to go out into the world and be successful; I was going to be an empty nester. For twenty-seven years I have had three children in and out of the house and all their friends. I love being a mom-- PTA meetings, sports practices, school plays, teaching them to read and later to drive, field trips, late night home work, and parent conferences. Good days, bad days, I wouldn’t trade my time with my children for anything. Now I am left with a dog and a cat to baby. It’s just not the same.

My husband, Larry, worried about me after Kelly left. My son Michael who lives near us calls more often and we have lunch when I get to town by lunch time and my son Jim checks in on me with weekly calls. My mom said she knew exactly how I felt and said that even now when I leave after a visit that she has that same old feeling of when I was younger and moved out. It is emptiness in the house, silence. Just because the kids move out doesn’t mean you stop being a mom.

Larry is staying home to take care of the dog and cat while I go to spoil my baby for her birthday. I’ll cook little casseroles for the freezer for her to enjoy after I return home. A shopping trip or two for some birthday goodies to go with the presents I am taking her. I promised to help her hang some shelves, spray paint some candle holders, and cover a window with a privacy film.

We’ll have dinner out on her birthday and a night out on the town. I’m not sure how this is going to work. A twenty-one year old, her friends of various twenty something ages, and her older mom (I am not going to tell how old I am). Kelly will have a birthday cake from her favorite bakery and has a new birthday outfit bought. There will be digital pictures on a website to share with family and print copies to fill up scrapbook pages.

Of course Kelly shares her birthday with Ally the cat, so Larry will be at home left in charge of celebrating the cat’s 11th birthday. Who do you think is going to have more fun?

Kelly Renee…Baby Girl

I love you for who you are, unique, beautiful, giving
You have made my life fuller
I told you there was nothing you couldn’t do
Now go out into the world and make it better
Always do your best
And remember…I love you more!!!

Mom

1,000 Lakes Road

My husband Larry and I spent several days with friends Marcia and Larry D. at their home in the little town of Elma, several hours south of our home and snuggled into the countryside 7.5 miles off the main highway on a road we fondly refer to as, "1,000 Lakes Road."  The two Larry's worked together for many years at WWU before Larry D. retired.
Marcia and Larry traveled, visited their children and grandchildren, and friends across the country until the last few years.  Larry lost a kidney during surgery about seven years ago and now his remaining kidney is failing.  Marcia and Larry have seen one of their sons through cancer treatments and he is now on the road to recovery only to have their son-in-law suffer a spinal stroke.  Marcia is several hours away from her mother who is aging and living in a retirement care facility.  The saying goes, "God never gives you more than you can handle."  Marcia and Larry must be extremely strong people to handle so many difficulties in such a short time.The old saying, "life is short" comes home to haunt you when you realize that you get too busy to visit with those you know and care about.  It's easy to talk on the phone, send an email, and visit with friends and family close by.  When those we love are farther away life just seems to get more complicated.This trip was cancelled, rearranged, and changed several times, but finally completed this weekend.  It will not, however, be the last time.  We arrived to find the most wonderful gourmet dinner prepared for us with homemade oatmeal bread, stuffed tenderloin, potatoes au gratin, etc.  The two Larry's are wonderful cooks and love to show off for each other; so much the better for Marcia and me.  Marcia was not to be outdone and had prepared a wonderful lemon and chocolate torte for dessert.  We talked till we yawned and then said goodnight, tucked into a cozy cabin in the woods. Breakfast of hot coffee and Larry D's homemade bread was a wonderful way to start the day.  We took a drive into a little town of Montesano for lunch, a  tour of the local museum in Aberdeen where Larry volunteers and then a scenic drive in the country with a stop at the Estrella Family Creamery in the Wynoochee River Valley.  The owner Kelli is a friend of Marcia and Larry's and opened up just so we could taste the cheese and see the operation.  Of course we had to purchase several of our favorites to bring home.  Larry and Marcia had a culinary surprise still yet to come.  We drove down highway 12 to a little country grocery store to have dinner where we were met by Marcia and Larry's friends, Sally and Nells.  Who would have ever thought that through the front door of a country store, past the fast food nachos and hotdogs, and through a small doorway in the back that you could find fine furniture and gourmet dinning.  The menu had the typical items of hamburgers, fish and chips, sandwiches, etc., but Marcia said to ignore the menu because on Friday and Saturday night the chef, Kay, who had previously owned a restaurant that was "the place" to eat in Olympia would be cooking and there was no menu.  Kay is Korean and she prepared the most wonderful array of dishes with fresh ingredients and an emphasis on eating good food that is good for you.  The spare ribs fell off the bones but the pork in blackberry sauce was my absolute favorite.  My husband Larry loved the chicken with fresh mango but each and every one of the six dishes was excellent.  You just don't know where you will find a diamond unless you get to know the locals and thank goodness our friends know the locals. We arrived home to enjoy a slice of the lemon and chocolate torte and hot tea before bedtime. Breakfast on Saturday was filled with more good food, hot coffee, and conversation before we departed for home. We arrived with a dusting of snow on the ground and we left with a dusting of snow on the ground waving goodbye to our friends until the next visit.  Memories are what we have after the fact.  Today is for living and enjoying what we have, family, friends, and time.  Don't let life slip by you because we don't always get a second chance.  Pastor Bob said to live each day to the fullest, not to waste what God has given us.

65 Candles

On Saturday March 4th, 2006 I gave my husband Larry a 65th birthday party. Now that in itself is special, but this was his first ever birthday party not work related--obligated to attend--type of celebration.

We spent the week planning, shopping and cooking. A few changes to the menu and we were ready except for a last minutes trip to the store for ice.

Thirty-two of our friends arrived at 5:30 PM to begin an evening of appetizers, dinner, and lots of laughter. The first mistake was assuming that we had enough beer. The last two or three parties we have had leftover beer that I wound up feeding to my plants, which of course they like. So being the good friends they are, Mike and Cis went off on a beer run, just like teenagers.

The ladies of course were content to sip a wide variety of wines we had or some of the many bottles that friends brought, as well as two special libations that Lilly and Barb brought to share.

We brought out the first course of appetizers at 5:30 with nuts, chips and dip, vegetables and dip, chicken wings, marinated Ritz cheese crackers, crab dip with crackers, and porcupine meatballs in gravy. The guests dug in.

At 6:00 we served up crustless quiche, red pepper aioli with crackers, stuffed mushrooms, pigs in a blanket with mustard sauce, bbq sauce, and sweet and spicy oriental sauce. The guests spent more time at the tables digging in to the food.

At 6:30 when we started to served Jamaican shrimp, pizza, and cheese and cilantro quesadillas they couldn’t believe there was more food to come or that they could handle it all.

Our friends were enjoying themselves and feeling pretty full when we began serving mozzarella chicken, spinach salad with feta cheese and dried cranberries, risotto with vegetables, and garlic bread. Most people had assumed wrong that all the appetizers were the light dinner I had advertised in the party invitation. Surprise! I told everyone that they could eat it now or take it home, their choice. The evening was young and most eventually found their appetites again leaving only a small amount of leftovers.

Hot coffee and four desserts followed: French chocolate flourless cake with ganache and whipped cream, a three layer chocolate cake, white cake with raspberry filling and white butter cream frosting, and a biscotti and amaretto torte.

The best part of the evening for me was seeing my husband among his friends laughing and talking. Larry’s study was a warm cozy spot to talk and a visual art gallery with ducks, fishing, and Harley art covering all the wall space. Several of the ladies discovered my art studio and spent their time exploring my altered books and paintings. Some people moved from room to room visiting with everyone, some found a comfortable place and pretty much stayed put, and others just seem to enjoy being in the middle of everything, my kitchen.

I put “no gifts” on the invitation so there were lots of thoughtful cards for Larry, some meant to bring laughter, and two very creative people drew pictures of Larry as a SASS shooter and Larry with his hunting dog, Deuce.

I love our group of friends and feel fortunate to call each one a friend. On the way out the door Dave asked if we could do it all over again next week. Well maybe not next week and maybe a little more casual, but definitely again and we won’t wait for a birthday to do it.

Thanks to all our friends for making this birthday party a special evening.

Happy Birthday to you Larry and many more.

Love me
Forever and ever
Body and soul

Happy 65th Birthday

Snookums

You’re my knight in shinning armor
My best friend
My husband
Forever and ever
Body and soul
You love me
Just the way I am
For better or worse
You are the love of my life
Riding your RD VXN Harley
With your cowboy six-shooters
My own personal love PhD
Snookums
I love you Larry

Happy 65th Birthday

Miss Billie

Miss Billie
That’s me
Born a southern belle
Stubborn as a Missouri mule
A show me state girl
Don’t explain it to me
Prove it to me
Who, what, where, why, when
I’m a contradiction
An intricate puzzle
No instructions
Pieces missing
Edges frayed and worn
Some broken and torn
But I still sparkle
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who am I
Red light, green light
Ready set go
Don’t leave me alone
I’m a work in progress
Hands on hips
Transformed
Dosey doe and courtesy low
The southern bell
That’s me
Miss Billie

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