What a fast week - didn't realize it's been seven days since I last signed in - haha - kind of sounded like what a person says when they go to confession! At least that's what they show people saying on TV -I'm not Catholic, and don't go to confession. Actually, I think that there is some type of confession in the Episcopal Church - the High Church - whatever that might be. Have to look that up sometime.
I finally got around to begin wrapping presents today. I didn't think I had too many at all - but was surprised as I pulled out one gift after another from various places in the house. For the family Christmas party this weekend, I had to wrap 11 gifts - six for the kids, and one gift for each of the adults that will be coming from my family - five more. Combine those with the ones I needed to wrap from the other side of the family, and the ones I have so far for my family - YIKES! - that's a lot of presents. I got a lot of help from the kitten - he seemed to think it was his duty to inspect each and every present being wrapped. Of course this could only be done as he climbed onto the table to investigate. As fast as he could climb up, I would grab him and put him back on the floor - it was losing battle for me. He was much quicker. Why I didn't just pick him up and put him in another room and shut the door I'm not sure. That sure would have been easier!
We are dog sitting for Ayn and Alex this week. They dropped their dog off yesterday afternoon. She seems quite happy and content- though I think she was surprised to find a new cat here. The two of them spent a little bit of time getting acquainted, and now seem like old friends. That's good because she will be here for a week. Now - one more little adjustment might be needed. Sean will be gone for the weekend, and we may watch his cat too. Three cats, and two dogs - that is quite a managerie. The biggest problem is trying to keep the ones inside that are indoor pets. Kind of makes me tired just thinking about it.
Tomorrow I will begin making the first of the rum cakes of the season. I think that I have at least 8 to make this year - maybe a few more. They are kind of spread out over the next few weeks, so I don't have to make too many all at once. I need four before next Friday - that's not too bad.
Time to go - need to get back to the wrapping!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Happy Holidays!
Too much to do, in too little time - that's the usual mantra for this time of the year. We will get our tree on Saturday - and hope that the new kitten doesn't think it's his personal toy. Since he was a stray that we rescued from high up in the neighbors tree, I don't have much hope that he will stay out of it. Don't think we'll put the breakable ornaments on this year. Hmmmm, I think that pretty much leaves a bare tree - nearly all of the ornaments we have are breakable. We discarded everything else a few years ago - after all the kids are all in their 20's, and we're not worried about them breaking things. I guess that will simplify the tree decorating. I will concentrate on the wonderful smell from the Christmas tree instead of all of the decorations and ornaments - that will work for this year. That is my motto - whatever it is - it will work. I am going to apply that to everything.
I have received some Christmas cards already, but haven't even started writing mine yet. I've purchased no more than three gifts, have not decorated the house, and we've have eaten all of the cookies I've made. I think I've got a long way to go to catch up. Funny that I don't seem to have some huge driving force to get it all done. It's not that I have a bah humbug attitude - I'm just not all stressed about getting it all done. I'm enjoying the season.
I have received some Christmas cards already, but haven't even started writing mine yet. I've purchased no more than three gifts, have not decorated the house, and we've have eaten all of the cookies I've made. I think I've got a long way to go to catch up. Funny that I don't seem to have some huge driving force to get it all done. It's not that I have a bah humbug attitude - I'm just not all stressed about getting it all done. I'm enjoying the season.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Happy Birthday Sean
I can recall the day he was born like it was yesterday - or at least last week. The details are clear and bright - how could it have been 26 years ago??? He will go out with friends and his sister tonight - what? he doesn't want to spend his birthday with Mom and Dad???? He stopped by the house this afternoon, and I gave him his birthday presents - mainly clothes (which he asked for) and season one of Deadliest Catch - he loved it. Tomorrow night he will have dinner with us - not sure whether we will go out or have dinner at home - he said either was ok, and he'd love chili if we stay home. I think I'll see how the day goes before I make a decision.
The storm is finally over - now people are dealing with the aftermath, and it's not pretty. Thousands along the coast are still without electricity and phone service, as well as major damage to homes and businesses. Major flooding has put many areas under water. Most roads to the coast are not passable at this point. Hwy 26 not only has hundreds of trees down, but today a gigantic sinkhole developed just west of the tunnel. It will be some time before that road is open to traffic. Vernonia is all but destroyed - flooding everywhere. It is beginning to recede, but will be a long time before homes are habitable again, businesses are open, and the kids are able to go back to school. So very sad.
The hwy between Portland and Seattle - I-5 is totally under water near Chehalis/Centralia. An entire new shopping complex is under water. It will be several days before the road is passable again. There is a loss of four million dollars a day, every day that the road is not open. Not sure exactly how that is calculated, but I'll take their work for that.
I finally heard from Ayn today - the only cell reception available was in Warrenton - so they drove there to try and call. It seemed that the only place Ayn could get reception was in the middle of the road! It was an interesting call as she jumped in and out of the road dodging oncoming traffic from both directions! The good news - they are OK, and so is their house!!! Their neighbors are all ok also - such good news. They still have no electricty or phone service - and probably won't for a while. The conversation was difficult and short, so I will have to find out the details when they are able to return. They were not sure if they would try to make the trip tomorrow - which could be very arduous, or maybe wait until Thursday or Friday. I'm just glad that they are ok, and the house is still standing strong.
The storm is finally over - now people are dealing with the aftermath, and it's not pretty. Thousands along the coast are still without electricity and phone service, as well as major damage to homes and businesses. Major flooding has put many areas under water. Most roads to the coast are not passable at this point. Hwy 26 not only has hundreds of trees down, but today a gigantic sinkhole developed just west of the tunnel. It will be some time before that road is open to traffic. Vernonia is all but destroyed - flooding everywhere. It is beginning to recede, but will be a long time before homes are habitable again, businesses are open, and the kids are able to go back to school. So very sad.
The hwy between Portland and Seattle - I-5 is totally under water near Chehalis/Centralia. An entire new shopping complex is under water. It will be several days before the road is passable again. There is a loss of four million dollars a day, every day that the road is not open. Not sure exactly how that is calculated, but I'll take their work for that.
I finally heard from Ayn today - the only cell reception available was in Warrenton - so they drove there to try and call. It seemed that the only place Ayn could get reception was in the middle of the road! It was an interesting call as she jumped in and out of the road dodging oncoming traffic from both directions! The good news - they are OK, and so is their house!!! Their neighbors are all ok also - such good news. They still have no electricty or phone service - and probably won't for a while. The conversation was difficult and short, so I will have to find out the details when they are able to return. They were not sure if they would try to make the trip tomorrow - which could be very arduous, or maybe wait until Thursday or Friday. I'm just glad that they are ok, and the house is still standing strong.
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Storm Rages On
Apparantly I still haven't learned the ins and outs of how to use this blog. I spent about a half hour this morning just typing away, tried reading it on "preview" and then I'm not sure exactly what happened, but POOF - it was gone! Since there is a place that says a draft is automatically being saved, I don't understand where the new post went - or why. Oh well, I guess I will try to do a reasonable re-creation.
As the title says, the storm rages on! The winds and rains have continued thru the night and are still going strong this morning at 10:00am. Predictions are that this will be the norm until late afternoon when we may begin to see a slow down. Winds at the coast have been at hurricane force with gusts up to 129 mph in Longview, and 119 in Seaside. The winds have been steady since yesterday, and the forecast continues to include the prediction of more gusts in the 100mph range. The coast is now isolated - highways are closed due to downed trees, and all phone service is out - both land lines, and cell phones. Police are now warning of impending mudslides on the highways to the coast, and asking people to stay away. The last report I had from our friends was about 10:30 last night - winds were howling, and no electricity made it pitch black - a very terrifying night was ahead of them. No way to reach them today to see how they made it thru. I will keep my fingers crossed that all is well!!!!!
Latest reports say there was 10 inches of rain in about 12 hours at Lees Camp in the coast range. There is flooding all over the Portland and surrounding area. Police are out blocking streets that are too dangerous to drive on due to standing water. The rains continue to come down in torrents, and the wind blows it every which way. At least two more inches of rain are predicted today.
As the title says, the storm rages on! The winds and rains have continued thru the night and are still going strong this morning at 10:00am. Predictions are that this will be the norm until late afternoon when we may begin to see a slow down. Winds at the coast have been at hurricane force with gusts up to 129 mph in Longview, and 119 in Seaside. The winds have been steady since yesterday, and the forecast continues to include the prediction of more gusts in the 100mph range. The coast is now isolated - highways are closed due to downed trees, and all phone service is out - both land lines, and cell phones. Police are now warning of impending mudslides on the highways to the coast, and asking people to stay away. The last report I had from our friends was about 10:30 last night - winds were howling, and no electricity made it pitch black - a very terrifying night was ahead of them. No way to reach them today to see how they made it thru. I will keep my fingers crossed that all is well!!!!!
Latest reports say there was 10 inches of rain in about 12 hours at Lees Camp in the coast range. There is flooding all over the Portland and surrounding area. Police are out blocking streets that are too dangerous to drive on due to standing water. The rains continue to come down in torrents, and the wind blows it every which way. At least two more inches of rain are predicted today.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
First Big Winter Storm
Today is day two of a three day storm. Yesterday we had snow, rain, and wind. We were at the beach with a very strong, constant wind - gusting up to 80 mph. The wind never let up all night, and was interspersed with downpours of rain. Morning came, and the winds continued to pick up - by 11:15 we lost electricity. We were able to have lunch in town - arriving between power outages. We ordered quickly - things that didn't require cooking! That meant crab salads for the ladies, and already prepared - and still hot - bowls of clam chowder for the men. The electricity went out again before we were served. Luckily the chosen restaurant has all windows on two sides, giving as much light as we needed to eat - as well as a view of the storm. The ocean swells continued to churn and rise, and the wind blowing sideways past the windows carried sheets of sand along with it. I took some pictures thru the rain spattered windows, but haven't downloaded them yet to see how they turned out. We finished lunch quickly since getting back to Portland before the weather turned even nastier was a priority for us.
We went back to the house, packed our clothes, fully charged cell phones, and several bags of winter survival supplies: food, water, extra jackets and rain gear, wind up flashlights and radio, plastic bags, and lots of towels. We had these in addition to the supplies we already had in our car. Getting stuck in the snow,a mudslide, or stopped by a fallen tree - I wanted to be able to survive until help arrived!
We hadn't gone far before we began to see evidence of storm damage. All along the highway were the remains of trees which had obviously fallen accross the road, and been cleared by crews with chainsaws. There was much more snow along the sides of the road than the day before -it helped to brighten things up! There was one tree leaning precariously over the road - looked ready to fall on a car at any moment. I held my breath as we drove underneath. The next time we saw a road crew clearing downed trees, we stopped to alert them to what looked like the next tree to go down. They got in their truck and sped off - along with the policeman who had stopped to talk to the crew. We continued on our way. The closer we got to Portland, the less wind we had - the trade off was - the rain fell harder and harder. We arrived home safe and sound, and turned on the tv to check the weather forecast.
The forecast isn't good - storm number three ramping up to make it's run somewhere in the wee hours of the morning - and will last until mid day. Winds will be even stronger - hurricane force gusts at the coast, up to 50 mph or so here in Portland. Rain will continue, and the threat of flooding more of a fact than a threat. Sand bags are being passed out in some areas for residents to begin the process of trying to limit as much damage as possible. I just noticed that I haven't heard the howling of the wind for about an hour now - but the rain just keeps pounding down.
The oldest tree in the US - a Sitka Spruce near Seaside/Cannon Beach, succumbed to the winds today, breaking off about 50 feet above it's base. It had survived 750 years of storms and weather - and today's storm took it down - sad.
We went back to the house, packed our clothes, fully charged cell phones, and several bags of winter survival supplies: food, water, extra jackets and rain gear, wind up flashlights and radio, plastic bags, and lots of towels. We had these in addition to the supplies we already had in our car. Getting stuck in the snow,a mudslide, or stopped by a fallen tree - I wanted to be able to survive until help arrived!
We hadn't gone far before we began to see evidence of storm damage. All along the highway were the remains of trees which had obviously fallen accross the road, and been cleared by crews with chainsaws. There was much more snow along the sides of the road than the day before -it helped to brighten things up! There was one tree leaning precariously over the road - looked ready to fall on a car at any moment. I held my breath as we drove underneath. The next time we saw a road crew clearing downed trees, we stopped to alert them to what looked like the next tree to go down. They got in their truck and sped off - along with the policeman who had stopped to talk to the crew. We continued on our way. The closer we got to Portland, the less wind we had - the trade off was - the rain fell harder and harder. We arrived home safe and sound, and turned on the tv to check the weather forecast.
The forecast isn't good - storm number three ramping up to make it's run somewhere in the wee hours of the morning - and will last until mid day. Winds will be even stronger - hurricane force gusts at the coast, up to 50 mph or so here in Portland. Rain will continue, and the threat of flooding more of a fact than a threat. Sand bags are being passed out in some areas for residents to begin the process of trying to limit as much damage as possible. I just noticed that I haven't heard the howling of the wind for about an hour now - but the rain just keeps pounding down.
The oldest tree in the US - a Sitka Spruce near Seaside/Cannon Beach, succumbed to the winds today, breaking off about 50 feet above it's base. It had survived 750 years of storms and weather - and today's storm took it down - sad.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Civil War Game - Part Two
Beavers win the civil war game in two overtimes - final score - 38-31! Go Beavers. I will concede that the the Ducks were playing with a real disadvantage this year with some of their top players out due to injury. Sorry Greg - but your team put in a valient effort!!! Better luck next time - I know the Ducks will make an amazing comeback.
We are at the beach right now awaiting the storm. The wind is blowing harder, the rain comes and goes in downpours. Just like home - the women have gathered the flashlights, batteries, and lanterns. We have figured out the food in case of power outage. The men watched football.
We have lasagna in the oven, salad is almost made, we have awesome cheese breadsticks from one of our favorite bakeries. Wine is flowing freely, and we have Mannhaim Steamroller playing - life is good - I am grateful.
Beavers win the civil war game in two overtimes - final score - 38-31! Go Beavers. I will concede that the the Ducks were playing with a real disadvantage this year with some of their top players out due to injury. Sorry Greg - but your team put in a valient effort!!! Better luck next time - I know the Ducks will make an amazing comeback.
We are at the beach right now awaiting the storm. The wind is blowing harder, the rain comes and goes in downpours. Just like home - the women have gathered the flashlights, batteries, and lanterns. We have figured out the food in case of power outage. The men watched football.
We have lasagna in the oven, salad is almost made, we have awesome cheese breadsticks from one of our favorite bakeries. Wine is flowing freely, and we have Mannhaim Steamroller playing - life is good - I am grateful.
Civil War Game - OSU vs U of O
Today is the most awaited day of the year for football fans in Oregon - the annual civil war game between Oregon State - the school of most of the people in my family - and University of Oregon - the school of my oldest son. We are a house divided. These are very coveted tickets, and very difficult to come by. There is always a lot of excitement during game week - well, actually for weeks before the actual game day. This year we had the added excitement of the promise of the biggest storm in years occurring over the weekend. The particulars of the storm varied from day to day, hour to hour and station to station - and none of them matched in detail - only that it would be BAD. Game day the prediction was for snow - anywhere from a trace to two inches on the the valley floor, and to start anytime from waking up in the morning with snow on the ground - to beginning between 10:00am and noon. All of this uncertainty was unsettling for many people - two of them being my son and daughter - in - law who would be driving down from Seattle for the game. The game this year is at U of O in Eugene - thousands of cars and fans drive I-5 from points north all the way down the freeway to Eugene - always a major traffic nightmare - even without snow or stormy weather. The only thing agreed on by all reports - the snow would be gone for the return drive home. Good news!
The game is on now - 2nd quarter as I write this - and the OSU Beavers are ahead - 21 - 7 - Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! G0 Beavs. Uh oh! The Ducks just scored - 21 - 14 - Beavers ahead.
Now on to the rest of the weekend weather news. There are apparently three separate storms - the first was the snow storm, the second is a wind storm to start on Sunday, and the third is a windstorm on Monday. The winds are supposed to be upwards of 100 mph at the beach with waves anywhere from 25 - 40 feet! There will be 2-3 inches of rain in the Portland area, and several feet of snow in the mountains.
Storm preparation (my forte!) began taking place at my house on Friday. My family laughs and scoffs at my elaborate planning and preparing - sure that none of what I have done is truly necessary. Of course, I think they would not be too happy to be in a house with no electricity, or heat - and no one has thought far enough ahead to round up the flashlights and candles ( of which they think I have too many), the battery operated radio and TV ( again, think - overkill), and bought food which does not need a stove or oven to be prepared. I drag out the extra blankets - no heat, and the electric blankets don't work - I'm ready and in my element! My family thinks I'm crazy.
The game is on now - 2nd quarter as I write this - and the OSU Beavers are ahead - 21 - 7 - Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! G0 Beavs. Uh oh! The Ducks just scored - 21 - 14 - Beavers ahead.
Now on to the rest of the weekend weather news. There are apparently three separate storms - the first was the snow storm, the second is a wind storm to start on Sunday, and the third is a windstorm on Monday. The winds are supposed to be upwards of 100 mph at the beach with waves anywhere from 25 - 40 feet! There will be 2-3 inches of rain in the Portland area, and several feet of snow in the mountains.
Storm preparation (my forte!) began taking place at my house on Friday. My family laughs and scoffs at my elaborate planning and preparing - sure that none of what I have done is truly necessary. Of course, I think they would not be too happy to be in a house with no electricity, or heat - and no one has thought far enough ahead to round up the flashlights and candles ( of which they think I have too many), the battery operated radio and TV ( again, think - overkill), and bought food which does not need a stove or oven to be prepared. I drag out the extra blankets - no heat, and the electric blankets don't work - I'm ready and in my element! My family thinks I'm crazy.
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