10-31-11

Notes to self: Next year, order way more rubber ducks. Not sure how I only ended up with 80 this year, turned out the lights before 7:30! And, try to find a costume that doesn’t involve a wig. After all day and evening, I was more than ready to get our of my Siren costume.

Note to neighbors: My kids are out there with friends. They are the annoying older kids with lame costumes and a big pack of friends. Almost as annoying as the parents packing around a baby & expecting candy. Go easy, we all have to grow up too fast.

10-30-11

More extended family time, stock up on fruits and veggies at the produce stand, normal Sunday chores, baking hazelnut cranberry bread, quick paddle board trip, short rest, and evening church sums up my day. I could use more hours, but that is more than I expected.

We sure go through a lot more dishes with 8 people instead of 4! Lots of mugs of hot water, soup bowls at every meal, and too many loads of dishes for Anastasia to keep up with. We played a few rounds of Sequence when Xander wasn’t successful in roping more of us into playing/learning chess.

10-29-11

Here we are, four generations at the Rutherglen Mansion for Murder at the Mansion. We haven’t been able to see G&G in ages, and it’s been much longer than that that they’ve been down to Longview, so it was fun to have everyone come back to town for dinner theater at Mom & Jerry’s favorite local B&B.

Since I knew more about murder mysteries this time around, it was fun to try harder to piece together the mystery, but I still got it wrong since the character I questioned led me astray. Fun evening.

10-28-11

My first visit to a few operations in Oregon, since I concentrate on Washington. I loved the sign on a mirror at the Griggs office. Safety is such a huge focus for us at Weyerhaeuser, and this is a great reminder message. The background stuff is fun too- the signature cream building with green trim, scattered outbuildings, white supervisor pick-up trucks, a crew bus… Willamette Valley sunshine!!! This office came complete with office dog and “home cooked” lunch. TGIF!

10-27-11

A long day with a big inviting bed at the end of it.

Woke up before the alarm, left the house before 6am. Destination: Aberdeen. Wait, wait, wait, rush out the door. Destination: Eugene Oregon. We shaved 30 minutes off the estimated travel time, but still not enough time to stop for lunch. Less waiting and less rushing once we arrived safely.

An exercise in patience and dealing with the consequences of poor planning.

10-26-11

Not my most interesting blog shot, but it’s getting late and I need to go to bed.

I head out tomorrow morning at 6am for a whirlwind trip through Washington and Oregon performing training sessions.

Briefcase, In Focus projector, bigger purse with water and snacks, and a small overnight bag. Check. I think I’m as ready as I can be. Now just to see how it plays out.

10-25-11

Guess who got her permit today? She even got to drive around a parking lot. I don't have a photo for the blog, because I'm keeping my distance...

Shopping for Halloween dresses is more my speed. That's where we headed after swim practice, where the girls worked together to stretch out a swim cap to an incredible size...