Field Trip

I had an adventure today. 

Portland has been "occupied"

I'm sure you have heard about this movement.
I was curious and wanted to go downtown and have a look around at the "occupation"
My Mom and I headed down to Chapman park and walked around and through the camps.
Reading signs declaring "No President 2012" and "If you lived here you'd be home by now" and "Where is my bailout?"

These are not my pictures.  I wish I had brought my camera.  The camp is a maze of tents covered in blue tarps tied to the trees of the once lush green park.  What little grass is not covered by tents has been covered by straw in an effort to keep the mud at bay.  The path which cuts at an angle through the park is for the most part clear.  Except the random street "musician" and performers.
 
They seem to be very organized They have a kitchen complete with a serving line and dish washing station.  I saw tents that were set up as library, medic station, donation station, volunteer stations, taro card reading, massages...
Signs are posted as you enter the park listing expectations of the people who are there.




There were some interesting characters and I did smell some illegal smells as I walked through.

But mostly I noticed things to be organized. 
Democracy in action perhaps...
Is this what it takes to get the government to listen to the people?
Are these truly the 99%?
Do they have a valid point?
Is this passion, commitment, honest?
Or is it rebellion, dangerous, irresponsible?

Our countries foundations began with "radical" people and ideas.
Has our government lost touch with the people?
How do we effect change?
Is it better to sit on our couches and complain about the government?
Or go out pitch a tent, write on cardboard and try to be heard?
 

On another note, while I was wondering around downtown I had an individual inform me today that Jesus Christ loves me.
I smiled and said "yes, I know, thanks" and walked on.
But then passed him again and he again said "Do you really know that Jesus Christ loves you?"
And again I smiled and said "yes, I really do"
Then he said "Then why are you practicing sorcery?"

Huh?

Time for me to head back home...

Frychik

Boys will break your heart...

I'm missing my boy and he's not missing me.

This are text message exchange for the  past two days

Monday

Me> Hey what are u doing today?

Josh> I cleared yard debris, chopped firewood, demolished a floor, built a floor myself, started sheet rocking a ceiling, and took a shower

(I was thrilled with the above response!)

Me> Cool sounds like u made a difference today :) are you enjoying it?

Josh> Sure...

Me> Is it pretty there?

Josh> Yes

Tuesday

Me> Hi! tell me about your day

Josh> I woke up and did work

Me>It would just be nice if you would communicate with me.  I miss you...

Josh> Well that's what we did...

And that's it... that's all I could get out of him.

Jeff says he's pulling away and becoming more independent.  I say he's clear across the country that's plenty of independence and he could at least text his mother once a day with some details.

Jeff had a late meeting so Tyler and I went to see Footloose.  When we sat down he sat down with one seat between us.  I asked him why.  He said he didn't want to sit next to me...

Sigh...

Frychik

Today

1.  Today I received 98/100 on the paper I agonized over last week.  It's the best score I've gotten in this class so far... :)

2.  Today I made serious progress on my next paper which is due Sunday...Constitutional protections for criminals..I'm writing on the Fourth Amendment.  I studied in the beautiful new library in downtown Vancouver which is why...

3.  Today I found myself walking peacefully through Ester Shore Park in downtown Vancouver, possibly the safest "city" in the world and found myself scurrying to my car because of a huge fight which was breaking out amongst those who live in parks...

4.  Today I loved the sunshine and wished I had the time to find a pumpkin farm with sunflowers and apples...

5.  Today I managed prepare for tomorrows class

6.  Today I made homemade macaroni and cheese for Ty

7.  Today I made Ty smile...

8.  Today I hope to beat Jeff at racquetball

9.  Today I need to begin reading my book club book...book club meets Wed!

10.  Today I miss my boy who is working hard in Kentucky

Frychik

I think I can...

Taking my Masters in History on line has been no picnic...

I am discouraged...

I don't like the teacher...Well maybe that's too harsh. She's unorganized, unclear and its difficult for me not to be able to interact with her face to face.  I'm sure she is lovely...

I don't like my lack of knowledge...

I don't like seeing other classmates that are so much smarter than I...

I don't have a bad grade at this point but I still miss points for reasons I'm not clear on.

In my defense the class I should be taking this term was full so I jumped into a class that most people take at the end of their program (US Constitutional History)and with this being only my second class I am noticing the difference between their savvy and my lack of it...

I am interested in everything I read.  I just don't have the ability to read hundreds of pages quickly and then recall all the detail I need to...so that means I read slowly, take notes and that takes TIME...so very much time...

I was reading a blog where the writer was remembering a quote she had heard on a commercial that went like this-

"The Man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can't are both right, which one are you?"

Just thought I'd share...

Frychik

2 Trips to the Airport and still here...

Last night my Mom and her hubby landed safely at PDX.  They had spent 3 weeks traveling.  Flying all the way to Germany, driving to Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg and then flying all the way home.  Safe and sound...sign. I drove over to pick them up and drive them to their home in PDX.

This morning at 3:45 AM I drove to the airport again...
If I have to get up so early I wish I was going somewhere...

It was Josh's turn.  He's headed out on his first mission trip.  He will be spending the weekend in Nashville where he will get to visit his Aunt and Uncle and show the group their cool ranch with all the exotic animals.
Then they head north to Kentucky where they work on various building projects for people who need their help in Manchester.

I had the opportunity to do this trip several years ago.  I went just a month after 9/11 and I was terrified to fly then.  The world seemed suddenly very scary.  My boys were small and I was leaving them.  What kind of world were my kids going to grow up in?  At that time many of us were still holding our breath waiting for the next attack.

I'm so relieved that life didn't take the dramatic changes I feared 10 years ago.  While it was weird to fly to Tenn. and see armed soldiers in the airports, I was safely delivered back to my boys in a weeks time.  It had been an amazing experience and I have wanted my boys to have the opportunity to experience helping people.

I'm excited for Josh and I know he will be a great help.  I can't wait to hear about his experience.  But I'm a nervous wreck when my kids fly without me...

When I went on this trip 10 years ago I went with our current Youth Pastor PJ Deming.  I talked to him about my fears of leaving my family.  His response was that he always says goodbye to his family by saying "see ya later or in heaven"  - typical male response...

But I am glad we have that assurance.

Frychik

When it rains it pours....

Life has been generally good lately...
I've found myself happy and content with life...
I am blessed with an awesome but busy/challenging job...
I am blessed with a healthy wonderful family...

But the last few days things keep trying to derail my good feelings...
Last night I thought I was at my breaking point...
But I discovered it was actually this morning...

Last Wednesday we dropped off the Honda because of the ominous shaking and rattling is was doing...
Turns out new brakes, tires and wipers are needed... $$$$
The plan was to leave it there while we were in WW and then pick it up Sunday so Jeff would have a way to work Monday morning for his early meeting...

We picked it up on Sunday as planned.  I drove it to Winco to grab groceries, came home then got back in the Honda to head to volleyball...
I didn't get far before the car started making a horrible noise...

Long story short, they messed something up had to take it back in Monday AM and Jeff missed his meeting..

Then my oven...my beautiful 1979 built into a solid brick wall oven died...
Since we had already replaced the element and considering its age we didn't think it was worth the cost of a repairman...
So last night we bit the bullet and had someone come over and discuss what could be done...
I have liked my "vintage" oven just fine but one thing that is frustrating is that it is small.  Like I can't fit a regular cookie sheet in it small.  I can't put two casseroles in side by side small...so I was consoling myself about having to spend money on a new oven with the though that at least I could get a bigger oven...maybe even double ovens!  Then reality hit...Have you priced those suckers lately???
So we were told last night that because of the solid brick that surrounds the current opening for the oven it can not be widend so we couldn't go bigger...however if you took out the cabinets here and there and moved those cabinets and built a cabinet here we could put an oven there and a microwave oven there...$$$$ not to mention the cost of the appliances themselves...I was stressed/frustrated

This morning I was doing what I loath (laundry) and trying to write my stupid history paper.  I went to check on the clothes and discovered the dryer was not drying...

And then I cried...

And then I called a repairman and was told that it cost $81. just for him to come by and check things out.  Fine I said, what else was I to do? 

Trying to look on the bright side they did send someone right over.  And for a mear $261 plus a couple of days (because they have to order the part) my dryer will be good as new.

Then I cried again...

Then I noticed that I had a repair man in my kitchen and if I had to pay $81 to be told I needed to wait a few days before he could fix my dryer I decided to use him as much as possible.

I asked him if he would look at my oven...

He did and then he fixed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  With no extra charge...I almost kissed him!

And I smiled for the first time all day

Then I hauled all my wet laundry over to Shannon's house and dried them while I tried writing my stupid history paper...

The end...for now.

Frychik

Fall Classic 2011

Fall Classic 2011

I really look forward to Fall Classic.  This is my third year and in typical fashion I was already thinking about the future when I no longer have Kodiaks on the team and how sad that day will be...

But for now I'm the proud momma of two Kodiaks and that's the way I like it!

Tyler, bless his heart, is a freshman and only played in one game so he spent most of his time on the bench.  But when he played he was fierce and shot on goal and ran the ball down and made us proud! I was also proud that he had an awesome attitude about being on the bench so much.  Never complained.

Joshua being the keeper is always in the game.  He flails around trying to catch the ball...

 Sometimes he just jumps on top of people...

No matter what his approach is ....he never lets that ball go in the net...except on the rare occasion it does...

The boy gets himself in funny positions!

It makes me very, very nervous when he's on the ground and the other team is still shooting for the goal.  I'm so thankful in the all the years of keeping he has never had a cleat to the face!

One of my favorite traditions is the "clap line"  After every single game the parents, friends, family line up on the far side of the field and begin clapping and then the Kodiaks charge across the field and give us all a high five.  So fun!

When I'm rich I'm getting prettier teeth...

Awwww! I think he likes me! :)

Team captains with their 4th place plaque.
Kodiaks also earned the sportsmanship award.  Which is saying something because it seems the better the soccer the team the less sportsmanship we see. 

So proud of our Kodiaks! Grrrrrrrr!

Frychik

On the road....

So excited about Fall Classic!

We are headed to WWU.  The Kodiaks play their first game at 2:40 then 8:00 then depending on how they do they have two games on Friday and hopefully championship game Sat. night!

Wish us luck!

Frychik

From 16 to 17 in a blink of an eye

Tick, tick, tick....

And now he's 17...next it will be 18...and then gone....



Besides being mildly offended that I'm old enough to have given birth to a 17 year old I just can't believe how fast his high school years are flying by...

Heaven help me today my boy turns 17!

He's quirky and funny and handsome...

He has a great group of friends!

He started out so tiny...
I couldn't wait to until he could fit into regular newborn clothes...

 Now we struggle to find clothes that are long enough for all of him

If only we could have seen into a crystal ball 17 years ago...we wouldn't have worried so much about his tininess....and begun hoarding food for the future...

My baby and I in South Carolina...I'm really glad I didn't drop him...

I use to call him basketball head...

I meant it the best way possible  :)  Thank goodness he was preemie...can you imagine!

Today I'm the proud Mom of two healthy, intelligent, awesome young men.  I'm so blessed and thankful!

We began celebrating Josh's birthday with a party on Sunday.  He invited 10 of his closest guys friends and we ate

Played Twister...

 And then headed to a gymnastics gym where they bounced, jumped and flew threw the air for 2 hours...

We are missing Jake in this picture :( 



Happy 17th Birthday Josh!

Frychik

Some observations...

I have a neighbor...

Actually I have several neighbors

Neighbor #1
-Harvey is my favorite.  He lived behind our house so I often say he lives in "our backyard" and every time I'm in the backyard and he is mowing his front yard he drives on over and asks me "how's the weather at your place?"  He's approximately a 150 years old and I adore him.

Neighbor #2
-Rusty and his wife...I'm a terrible neighbor because I have lived beside these people for almost 9 years and I don't know her name....in my defense she's rarely out, and when she is its because somethings happening in the neighborhood and she wants the scoop.  Rusty and his wife live indoors, with the windows covered.  They come out once every two weeks or so and mow.  Then the go back in... nice enough but not exactly open and friendly. Kinda weird to have such a big yard and deck in the back and stay in with the windows covered all the time...

Neighbor #3
-Ron and Marge newest neighbors they moved in a year an a half ago and live on the other side.  He's friendly and she's moody...sometimes she won't even return a wave other times she wants to ask about my garden...I just go with it.  He is a retired test pilot for the army and she still works as some type of medical professional.  They work in their yard ALL THE TIME!  Rain or shine, it simply doesn't matter.  They are out there all the time...and if he isn't working in the yard he is in his huge new garage he built right next to my garden using power tools and listening to 80s music...

Neighbor #4
-The house directly across the street.  Sam and his extended family (Indian -as in from India) disappeared overnight about a year ago.   The drove a semi through our front yard (true story) when we were gone...leaving behind evidence.  They took the outside light fixtures and everything else they couldn't pry off...its been empty ever since...The one thing they left was the mailbox that almost everyone who has visited my home has run into a time or two...

Neighbor #5
-Arney moved into the ADORABLE Cape Cod home kiddy corner to our home.  When he moved in it had the loveliest yard.  Rows or grapes in the back.  Water feature, flower beds busting with blooms.  A beautiful pear tree in the front that grew the biggest pears...trees, just a really charming yard.  I loved it and had the chance to visit it a time or two before Arney moved in and promptly ripped out all the grapes and built a HUMONGO shop.  I figured he was done and that the grapes where a painful sacrifice for the sake of  his inner greasee monkey... However,  there seems to be no stopping him.  He has butchered the orchard, dismantled the water feature, ripped out every flower bed and now, last weekend, the trees in the front of his house.... the 30 foot aspens in his front yard!  What's wrong with this guy?  His plan seems to be that he just wants lots and lots of green grass.  And now he has put up a black fence....we are not fence people here...

What can you do?

Overall I have to say I love where we live.  I really do.  There aren't any yippee dogs, and everyone keeps to themselves for the most part.  Just a look into my street...

Frychik

A List

1.  My Mother-in-law took some of my bazillion tomatoes and made sauce for us and then delivered it to my doorstep.  I'll keep her!

2.  Jeff and I rode bikes yesterday.  I hadn't ridden since the 30 miler to my Mom's house when that turd of a driver soaked me.  Needless to say I could already tell I was "losing it"  sad how hard you work to build up endurance etc and how quickly it fades.

3.  I was/am still fighting a sickness that has taken over my head/throat/chest.  This did not help as I tried to ride up hills...I felt like my chest was on fire!  And I was constantly sniffing....annoying when you are gasping for breath!

4.  I have lost 21lbs.  I can't begin to describe how much better I feel.  I really didn't think I had it in me.  The mean voices in my head have quieted down and it is amazing what that can do for my outlook on life!

5.  I really, really don't like my new instructor.  She's unorganized, she confuses me and she arbitrarily takes away points while telling me I'm doing good and keep doing what I'm doing.... REALLY!  Frustrating!  Compared to my last class where I worked my butt off but got zero feed back and never missed a point this is the opposite end of the spectrum and I would be really happy with some middle ground

6.  This week is crazy busy but I don't teach a single class...

7.  Wed. my baby turns 17..........(more on that on Wed)

8.  Thur - Sat. we will be the proud parents at the WWU soccer tournament.  We will be cheering madly on the sidelines for our Kodiaks.  We have realistic expectations of finishing in the top 3 if not #1!!!

9.  My husband and I are taking our bikes to WW in order to ride.  What freaks me out is his brother Mr. Biker extraordinaire will ride with us... I hate feeling like I'm holding people back which means I will push myself which means I will probably end up pucking on the side of the road...stay tuned for updates...

10.  I miss my Mom and I'm ready for her to come home from Germany!  Or maybe I should just get on a plane...

Frychik