Random Thoughts Thursday

This is no surprise to some of you - man, you people are quick! - but I finally did it. I gave in to peer pressure and joined Facebook. I don't know whether to be relieved that people will quit bugging me about it, or ashamed that I didn't stand my ground more firmly. I did hold out longer (2 days, ha!) than my sister, though, so I guess that's something.

Maybe it's a newbie thing and will wear off, but I feel funny asking people to be my friend. It's probably kind of like how I used to not admit to stalking other people's blogs. But if I didn't send you a friend request, it doesn't mean I don't want to be friends. It just means I feel like an awkward seventh-grader doing it, and would much rather someone else be the awkward one. Not that it feels awkward to me when someone send me a friend request. Not yet, anyway. I suppose it could depend on who sent it...

But my point is, if you're on Facebook, feel free to look me up!

Enough about Facebook...

I hate taking drugs. I realize that my new wonder-meds (as I lovingly refer to them) made the unbearable itching go away, and that it's only temporary (8 more days! But who's counting?), but for crying out loud, it would be nice to not feel so wound up all the time. And to sleep. Sleep is good.

But at least the laundry's getting done. And the kitchen is reeeeeally clean.

Why is it that I can think of all kinds of things to write before Thursday, but as soon as I sit at the computer, my mind goes completely blank?

Some days I feel like this is my life:
Okay, most days. Three little girls, remember?

Anyone remember that Kenny Loggins song, "Return to Pooh Corner"? Vicki and her friend she went to camp with have been singing it for the last two days. And it makes me cry, which is embarrassing. Kenny Loggins singing it never made me cry until I heard my daughter sing it. Blah. No more growing up.

It was my dad's birthday on Tuesday. When I told Ellie, she said, "When are we going to his house?" When I told her we couldn't, she said, "But how will we have the cake?"

Ooh, I think I'll go clean the bathrooms. Chris will have a heart attack when he gets home tonight. The house is never so clean all at once. Maybe the wonder-meds aren't such a bad thing after all...

Allergies bring out the artist in me

Saturday was a family day at the garden. Since I'm under doctor's orders to steer clear of the weeds (oh, darn), poor Chris had to tackle the whole mess pretty much on his own. But the girls and I went along for moral support. Oh, and the adjoining playground may have had an influence on some people's decisions.

It looks much better now. Chris took out all his work-related stress on the three-foot-high weeds, and I think he feels much better now, too. The girls "helped" for a little bit, but the call of the playground is just too strong, so their tools were abandoned early on.

Thanks to my new wonder-meds (which really did work wonders for the itching and hives but unfortunately leave me feeling like I've been drinking coffee all day long) I'm in much better shape, and no one else seems to have developed any garden-related allergies, although Chris did have a run-in with a nest of angry ants.

As a result of our weed-friendly neglect, we didn't get to enjoy much (any, really) of the lettuce or spinach that we planted, we only picked a few bags full of peas rather than the gallons we envisioned, and the broccoli and cauliflower all went to seed, but the tomatoes are thriving (all 20 plants, whew!) and the zucchini and other squash don't seem to be too traumatized by the near-smothering they suffered. We also got a bumper crop of turnips, which all rotted in the fridge while we were in Alaska and during the 100+ degree weather right after, when it was too hot to do anything with them (what do you do with a bumper crop of turnips, anyway?) Our 20'x20' plot wasn't a complete waste this year, but we do hope to be able to pay more attention to it next year.

I love this time of year at the garden, though. Our plot is one of about 20 at the local community garden, and it's fun to wander through and be inspired by the more accomplished gardeners around us. So while Chris tackled the weeds, I walked around with the camera, and here's what I brought home with me:

This bee is on the garlic we didn't plant, which grew in our plot anyway.

I don't know what these vines are, but I like how they look.

This is called a walking onion. They're slightly scary and completely awesome at the same time.

Can't wait for this year's salsa and tomato soup!

Blackberries grow wild on the back fence of the garden, so we've enjoyed a plentiful bounty for free. They go great with Tillamook Vanilla Bean ice cream, just FYI.

These cool-looking flowers belong to the vines above. Some kind of bean, maybe?

In fact, apart from produce, people have planted a lot of awesome looking flowers.



I have no idea what this thing is, but it looks really Dr. Seuss-ish. I kind of want to give it a hug.

We bought sunflower seeds this year, but to my knowledge never planted any. However, about 8 sunflowers, ranging in size from ginormous to only as tall as me, have grown in our plot, undeterred by that fact.



Ah, yes, this allergy has been a blessing in disguise. Just think of the beauties I could share with you if I were allergic to housework, too.

Frenaissance is the only word for it

Last week was The Great Pamela and Allison Frenaissance of 2009. We hope to make this more of a tradition than it has been. 5 years is a really long time.

We love to show off the beauty and uniqueness of our adopted hometown, so visitors make us really excited (hint, hint.) When people come to see us, there are a few places that we always try to take them. The Portland Saturday Market is one. I forgot my camera that day, so I missed out on the opportunity to get a shot of the person in the bunny suit holding a sign that said, "Need money for carrots". They were standing next to a guy in a gorilla suit who, apparently, needed money for bananas. Ah, I love Portland.

We also went to Powell's Books, which is the definitely the coolest, if not the biggest bookstore in the world. While Chris and John wandered among the gardening, religion, history, and political books, we girls set up camp in the children's book section. Pam and I read to each other's kids and wimped out on the opportunity to take a picture of Tiny Edward in front of the Twilight books. There are some things that you can get away with when you're over 30, but we didn't feel like that was one of them.

On Monday we headed up to Mt. St. Helen's, which I'm slightly ashamed to admit we hadn't visited before. When you can practically see it from your house, though, it just isn't a priority, I guess.

On the way we noticed a sign for the town of Kalama, Washington, and decided to make a slight detour, because Tiny E. was eager to relive some high school memories.

Recognize it? If you've seen the movie, you should. At least if you've seen it more than once.

We were spotted by a friendly volleyball player who offered to take us on a brief tour, which, apparently, she and her friends have been doing all summer long for people like us. So we saw the breezeway where Bella and Eric have a conversation on Bella's first day at Forks High, the grassy area where the picnic tables are set up, and the mural (painted specifically for the movie) past which Bella marches, followed closely by Edward, on their way into the green forest which does not actually exist behind the school, where Bella first says the word "vampire" out loud.

Yes, we are pathetic. But we weren't the oldest women stopping by for a tour, either.

On to the volcano.

Unfortunately, it was cloudy, so we didn't get a great view of the famous crater, but we did get some cute pictures anyway.


The middle of the whiter space near the top left in this next one is where the mountain was slightly visible. We thought at first that only the top was covered by clouds, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Pam and John didn't seem all that bothered by it, but, again, it's something I see at least once a week, so I was kind of hoping for more. Oh, well. An hour and a half isn't all that far to drive, so we'll go again soon and hopefully see it all. And they'll just have to come again. Oh, darn.

On Tuesday we celebrated Lexi's birthday by making the drive to one of our favorite places in Oregon: Multnomah Falls. We love the fact that we live within two hours of all this amazing stuff. You should all come see us.

Of course Tiny E came along, brooding as usual.


We enjoyed some ice cream and then drove to my personal favorite waterfall here in the Gorge (we love Multnomah, but you'll see in a minute why this one is better): Latourelle Falls.


The path here takes you alongside the stream flowing out of the falls and down to a bridge that crosses it, with a fabulous view of the entire waterfall. You're near enough to feel the spray.

But if you don't mind a small hike down some slippery rocks, you can get right up to the base of the falls. I mean right. up. This may very well be my favorite picture from the week, and possibly even the year. When they got back to me after this, Lexi said, "Mom, this is the best birthday ever!"

No trip to the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls is complete without a visit to the Vista House at Crown Point. From there you get breathtaking views of the Columbia River in both directions

And Vicki, who didn't want her picture taken.


We also went swimming, ate more ice cream, celebrated a birthday, went to The Grotto, and just hung out, visiting and catching up. Oh, and she gave me a guided tour of Facebook, so I managed to sneakily catch up on a few people from high school (shocking, some of it, when you haven't seen them for nearly 15 years.)

And, of course, we had to watch Twilight together, since I hadn't seen it with the commentary (I swear I am not this bad normally. Get two grown women in love with Edward Cullen together, though, and it's a sad, sad sight.)


It was great to be together again. Pam knew me and loved me back when I thought it looked good to tuck my t-shirt into my jeans and then pull it halfway back out again, and when I tried out for all those high school plays because I thought I could act, and when I wore big, black Doc Marten boots (although they did make me cooler) and listened to Garth Brooks for hours on end. We got each other through our senior year of high school, we were in each other's weddings (picture me as a bridesmaid 7 months pregnant - yes, she loves me that much) and have managed to stay in touch all this time, despite the thousands of miles between us. BFFs indeed.

Do you think this trip highlighted enough virtues of the Pacific Northwest that they'd consider moving out here? :)

Seven

Please don't laugh at my cake. She wanted tiers, so she got tiers. But it sort of looks like a flying saucer. A badly iced flying saucer. I know.

In honor of her 7th birthday on Tuesday, here are 7 things about Lexi that you may or may not have known:

1. She once earned $5 by sitting still for 5 minutes. It has not happened since.
2. When she was 3 she told Chris, "Dad, you don't even know my life!"


3. She wants to be a rock star.
4. She loves anything purple.


5. She can go from grumpy to cheerful in less than 10 seconds.
6. She can almost do a back handspring.


7. She gives the tightest hugs in the world and really knows how to make people feel loved.

Happy birthday, Lexi!

Random Thoughts Thursday

I'm tired.

I have decided that the best way to get out of weeding the garden is to develop a mystery allergy. My chicken pox-like rash went away after several itchy days, only to be replaced by a monster case of hives. The only likely cause is something growing in our garden that shouldn't be, so therefore - Doctor's orders - I'm not allowed to work in the garden until it clears up.

Seeing some obscure place where a few movie scenes were filmed is a lot more fun than it should be.

Lexi turned 7 on Tuesday. I'm starting to feel really old. (Don't worry Grandmas, I'll post pictures later!)

I love Portland. One day I'll do a post about all the reasons why. But I do love it here.

I learned recently that a week at sleep-away camp, followed by a week of guests, with a slumber party thrown in for good measure make for a really cranky eight-year-old. I love Vicki, but she needs more sleep.

I need more sleep.

Twilight is definitely more fun to watch with someone who shares my somewhat embarrassing adoration for Edward Cullen and appreciates the appalling badness of the movie. It's a bonus when they bring along their Pocket Edward, or "Tiny E."

Five years is waaaaaay too long to go between visits with Pam.


And we finally got to meet each other's children! Look how cute they are together:


But now I have to go back to being responsible. Laundry shmaundry.

Random Thoughts Thursday

Yay, it's back!

I tried watching America’s Got Talent the other night, but I couldn’t get past the poor grammar in the title. So then I tried Hell’s Kitchen, but I couldn’t stand the constant bleeping. I’m not sure, but I think it may actually have been less irritating to just hear all the swears. There’s only one reality show worth watching, in my opinion: So You Think You Can Dance! (I'm pretty sure I said I wasn't going to mention this show in my blog anymore, thanks to TAMN, but oh, well. We all have our weaknesses.) I voted for Jeanine last night. Twice. Can’t wait to see who wins!

I have the chicken pox.

Okay, not really. The doctor called it "contact dermatitis", which apparently means I am most likely allergic to something growing in our garden. I have no idea what, but if the nasty-looking, painfully itchy bumps all over my arms are any indication, it’s something unpleasant. This probably means we should have weeded more often.

It also, quite possibly, means that I will now get out of future weeding. Gee, that’s a bummer.

I stayed up late last night buying school uniforms online. The Children’s Place is having a sale. I just recently discovered how reasonably priced they are to begin with, and 25% off is too good to pass up when the girls don’t have pants they can wear to school yet. Plus, my friend emailed me a coupon code, so I got another 15% off. Hooray for cheap stuff!

Have I mentioned before how much I hate laundry? Are you sick of me mentioning that yet?

How to draw Scary Scooby 101 made me laugh until I cried.

Sometimes it feels really strange to think that my bff Pam and I knew each other when we were 16 and suffering through high school dramas and boyfriend angst, and now we’re both 32 (holy cow, I just realized that means we’ve known each other for over half our lives! I really am old!), married, and have daughters (which, of course, means more high school dramas and boyfriend angst on the horizon.) She’s the only person from high school that I’ve managed to keep in constant touch with, and I’m so excited to spend a week with her and her family!

I still miss Vicki. We got a postcard from her today. It's one of those fill-in-the-blank kinds. I figured that way she might actually take the time to send us a note. So it didn't tell us much, but at least we know she's still alive!

It’s really quiet right now. As nice as it is, that’s not actually a good sign when Ellie has a friend over. Must go investigate.

Two is not quite as magic, but is is more quiet

Yesterday afternoon Vicki and I ditched half of church and drove with our friends Shelbie and Erica up to Stephenson, Washington. What's in Stephenson that's worth skipping church for, you ask?

Camp Arrowhead.

Vicki is at Girl Scout camp for the week. A whole week. Away from home, without Mom, Dad, or her sisters. Just her buddy Shelbie and a bunch of trees, cabins, and potential new friends.

I'm sure she's fine. She's been excited for weeks, counting the days, wanting to pack before all her clothes were clean. She even offered to sleep sans pillow on Saturday night, so that all her stuff could be together and ready to go. She did admit to being a little bit nervous, but when I dropped her off, it was exactly the same as when she was 17 months old and going to Nursery at church for the first time. A hug, a kiss, and then The Look. The one that says, "Okay, Mom. Don't make a scene. Go away now so I can start having fun."

So yeah, I'm pretty sure she'll be fine.

The rest of us, not so much. Ellie was devastated to learn that Vicki wasn't coming back with me, and that she was, in fact, going to be at camp until Saturday. That's a long time to a 3-year-old. Chris missed reading A Wrinkle in Time to her at bedtime. This morning I missed her telling me which of the comics were the funniest, the ones I had to read. And Lexi, poor Lexi, cried herself to sleep last night because she missed her big sister. Never mind that they fight almost constantly these days. Her heart was broken because there was nobody to giggle with when they're supposed to be going to sleep.

We hugged and talked for a while, and she ended up cuddling with Vicki's stuffed elephant to help her feel better. Today Lexi and Ellie have talked about Vicki a lot. They were worried that she'd fall behind in swimming, and that she'd be mad that we went to Target without her. But now they're playing together, and no one is fighting. I know Vicki's not the instigator of the arguments, at least not always, but she and Lexi have had their moments lately and this may be the break they need from each other. Maybe they'll be even better friends when Vicki gets back. For a week, at least :) (I may be optimistic, but I'm not a fool.)

Yeah, it's kind of quiet around here today. Two is not bad.

But I miss my three.