December 31, 2008

Well here it is, and it's hard to believe that is the last day of 2008! It seems like so many days go by faster than I'd like; I try to enjoy as much as I can. Of course, there are the days that just don't go by fast enough too, but I try to enjoy part of those as well. : ) I wish you all a safe & happy 2009!!

I found another article that I thought I'd share...by Chris Freytag (health guru)

So many of us go, go, go over the holidays trying to make everyone happy and everything perfect and by the end of it we are tired, wiped out and just plain exhausted. Don’t get me wrong, it is a wonderful thing to help create a memorable holiday for your family and friends, but it leaves most of us entering the new year a bit frazzled!

Therefore, with a new year just around the corner I am giving you an assignment: What gift can you give yourself that doesn’t require lots of cash? What can you do for yourself in the near future that your body and mind will thank you for? It could be that you are going to allow yourself some extra hours of sleep. (Studies have shown when you are overtired, you tend to overeat to increase your energy.) You are better off getting into bed early and getting up early to take that walk in the morning. It could be that you are going to make that doctors appointment pronto that you have been putting off to have your blood pressure and blood sugar checked. Maybe you are going to sign up for the local park district yoga class finally this year or commit to getting your 5 fruits and veggies a day. Do you get the idea?

Start your year off right by giving yourself some gifts….gifts that don’t require money but require a little thought and organization…Your health is the most important thing in your life, without it everything else will fall by the wayside. I already have started my list of gifts to me!

So...along with my New Year's Resolution list, I'd better get started on the list of gifts for myself! And, you'd better too!

Another thing 'Starting January 1, 2009'

Beginning Jan. 1, Oregon’s Bottle Bill will expand to include water and flavored water containers. That means that, in addition to those plastic water and flavored water containers, beer and malt beverages, soda, mineral water, and carbonated soft drinks will all be redeemable for a 5 cent deposit. Be sure to look for the “OR 5¢ deposit” on the label.

The original Bottle Bill was passed in 1971 - Oregon’s bottle bill was the first of its kind in the nation. The Bottle Bill set the stage for easy environmental solutions we now take for granted, like curbside recycling. Thirty seven years later, the bottle bill is still doing its job. Now, hopefully it will begin to keep plastic water bottles out of the landfill, and put them into the recyclate stream.

• Since 1971, the amount of beverage containers in litter along Oregon roadsides has dropped from 40 percent to 6 percent.
• Recycled beverage containers are used to make hundreds of products including fleece jackets, carpeting, baseball bats, license plates, and insulation as well as new beverage containers.
• Recycling a ton of plastic bottles saves approximately 3.8 barrels of oil.
• Recycling one pound of PET (polyethylene terphthalate) plastic bottles saves approximately 12,000 BTUs of energy.
• Using recycled materials uses 2/3 less energy than using raw materials.

Keep recycling!

Happy Tuesday

Sadly, all of the snow is gone now. This is the last little patch that we have on our deck. You can barely even see it...

Dylona stopped by so that the girls could visit their 'injured Auntie' for a little bit. Kylah posed for me so that I could take some pictures of her with my new camera. (She said that she couldn't believe it that I hurt my foot again.) : )

Kallie had her new Elmo

Kallie played with Makena's old cell phone

I love them!

Christmas Brunch

Due to last week's weather, we had to postpone Grandma Neena's Christmas brunch until this Sunday. Some of the family couldn't make it as they weren't feeling well - we hope you are all feeling better soon! There was a lot of good food - thanks again for everything Grandma!

New left foot

I was talking some pictures of things around the house last night - playing with my camera.

So when I bent down to pick up the little jar of candy canes, my camera swung and knocked me off balance. I put my left foot out to brace myself and ended up kicking the wall. I heard a 'pop' and the pain ran through my foot actually taking my breath away. I sat on the floor for a while - Jamie kept asking me if I had hurt my ankle or foot and all I could really say was "no". A few minutes later I decided to get up, I heard another 'pop' and fell as I couldn't put any weight on my foot. It seems that I had broken a toe or two...and it hurt like hell! I iced my toes off/on for a while and Jamie taped a couple of them together before going to bed. Wouldn't you know it's the same foot that I hurt this summer?!?

I woke up this morning with quite a bit of pain still. I can't put any weight on my foot, but it does only seem to be the second of my smallest toes that is hurt. There is some slight swelling and bruising...and still a lot of pain. My New Year's Resolution is to not be so clumsy and hurt my foot at all in 2009!

The doctor says to keep it taped up and elevated...and to try to stay off of it as much as possible. It actually hurts more than this summer so maybe I can lay around a bit.

Starting January 1, 2009

Last year, Americans shoved aside an estimated 27 million outdated or unwanted televisions, and 205 million computers and chunks of related hardware. We crammed most of this e-waste inside a million basements, or stuffed it in the trash.

Problem is, TVs, computers and the like (especially older models) contain lead, mercury, fire retardants and other substances that, when leaked from landfills or incinerated, are bad news for our air, water and bodies. Plus, it's a waste to throw old electronics out, or store them for years in the garage. The copper, gold and aluminum inside can be recycled for use in new products. It requires less energy to salvage those materials than to produce new devices from scratch.

Reuse: DEQ officials suggest using an old but still working computer to store a digital music collection or other files, freeing up memory on a new machine. Or give usable electronics to an individual or group who needs it -- a student, neighbor, church, school, charity or reuse center. Metro regional government lists charitable organizations, many of which accept used electronics. Or use sites such as Freecycle Portland (groups.yahoo.com/group/freecycleportland).

Recycle: For Oregon and Washington residents -- and their old TVs, computers and monitors only -- recycling is about to get a lot easier, courtesy of the new E-Cycles program.
Starting Jan. 1, you can drop off TVs, computers (desktops and laptops) and monitors at a network of free recycling sites. The network is the result of legislation in both states that requires manufacturers to pay to recycle their products, if they want to keep selling them here.

• In Oregon: Starting Jan. 1, search the Oregon E-Cycles database by zip code, city or town to find the nearest collection site, at oregonecycles.org. Or call the Oregon E-Cycles hotline at 1-888-532-9253. Note: The Web site and hotline will be active as of Jan. 1.
• In Washington: Starting Jan. 1, search for collection sites at ecyclewashington.org. Or call 1-800-RECYCLE

All the rest of the e-waste heap: The only items you can recycle for free through E-Cycles in Oregon and Washington are TVs, computers and monitors. Important: No other computer-related items (keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, scanners) or electronic devices will be accepted for free. Contact your local collection site for more information.

Mt Hood Meadows

We made it up to the Mt Hood yesterday, but for night skiing so I didn't get out to snowshoe or to take many pictures. Some friends (Michelle & Glen from Costa Rica) came along with us - they went skiing while Jamie & Jaime went snowboarding. I hung out in the lodge; reading and people watching. I'm hoping to talk Jamie into taking us back up to do some snowshoeing on Monday or Tuesday.

Mt Hood Meadows Lodge

the snow froze while falling and the icicles were hanging on

Michelle is ready!

time for a dinner break

and warm drinks afterwards

NEW camera pictures

So...I'm having a TON of fun taking pictures with my new camera and changing lenses. I am looking to sign up for a class at PCC so that I can try to use all of the features that are available on this camera. Here are a few of the pictures that I took today...not to disappoint, I already have over 100 photos on my memory card!

the very first picture with my Nikon D90

Jamie making Christmas breakfast - in his new slippers

she likes the noise the camera makes

handing out our neighbor's gifts

look...sunshine!

Jamie getting ready for Makena

Makena was picking back up Jamie's snowballs

see the snowball Makena has?

she fell and then Jamie took the shot - the snowball is right at her back

The snowballs hurt a bit today...Jamie didn't mind that I had the camera, he just threw! No, we had fun playing out in the snow today and just hanging out. I love these days with my family and I love my new camera!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas day! Makena got home this morning and was very excited to open presents! I tricked Jamie & Makena by not putting any name tags on the gifts...so they could shake them but they wouldn't know if it was theirs or not.

one more trick...I wrapped Makena's iPod over & over in different boxes

Box #1

Box #2

Box #3

Box #4

finally...the iPod!

Jamie's new slippers

Moxie giving Jaime Christmas kisses

and my surprise gift from Jamie & Jaime - I was SO happy!!!

After presents we sat around for a bit playing with our new toys. I talked Jamie, Makena and Moxie into going for a walk so that I could take a bunch of pictures with my NEW camera! Then we made dinner, sat around eating too much food and are now watching movies. I love spending times like this with my family!

Tagged

I was tagged by Kathy last week and forgot about it!

SIX THINGS THAT MAKES ME HAPPY...

1. FAMILY - Jamie and I are both lucky to have a great family that we enjoy spending time with! I wish we were closer to some of them to be able to visit more tho.
2. FRIENDS - We also have some great friends that we get to spend time with too!
3. HEALTH - We are thankful for our good health, as well as that of our family & friends.
4. VOLUNTEERING - I enjoy the time that I spend volunteering. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but in the end it always makes me happy.
5. SNOW - The snow around here the last week has been making us smile - we love it!
6. PICTURES - I have been looking over pictures that I have from the last 30 years...good memories that make me happy!

Okay...I think I'm supposed to "tag" other people to continue this. I'm gonna tag; my sister, Carol, Lindsey, Tiffany and Makena

The Eve before Christmas Eve

I just realized tonight that we don't have anything for dinner for Christmas Eve dinner OR Christmas dinner!!! (I know - slackers!!) It don't think it just snuck up on me - maybe it was being snowed in. Jamie hasn't had any problems driving around and running errands, but I haven't gotten out. Makena and I have become couch potatoes...and we are very good at it!

Makena will be at her dad's on Christmas Eve, so Jamie and I still aren't sure what we are doing. Jaime M ('the other Jaime') is staying with us again for a few days so we may just go out somewhere with him. Makena will be home on Christmas, so I'd better start planning what we're gonna have for dinner! : )

Wishing you all a yummy food & drinks!

LOVIN' the snow!

We haven't had this much snow since 1968 and the last time we got over 9 inches was in 1998! I remember Matt & Makena outside in the front yard...all bundled up to play! (I'll have to dig out those pictures.) Here are a few pictures from early this morning...

Makena isn't too excited about the snow because the library has been closed. : )

Viva Las Vegas

Here are some photos from our recent trip to Vegas. As usual, we were packing at the last minute and running out the door to the airport. We ended up having to stay and extra day so that Jamie could schedule in a second job, but that just gave us a chance to do a few more things. We decided to see as many shows as we could this visit as well as eat & drink, eat & drink and eat & drink! Surprisingly I only took around 200 pictures...I won't put them all on here ( but you can view some of them at My Picasa Pix.

DAY 1 - Wednesday
We made it to Vegas early enough to get tickets to Bally's Steakhouse for dinner (very good food!) and then to a Comedy Improv (funny).

Mt. Hood out the plane window

the (huge) City Center being built - from our room @ MGM

New York-New York Hotel

Jamie's favorite place in Vegas - Fat Tuesday

my favorite place in Vegas - Sin City (the ONLY microbrew)

DAY 2 - Thursday

Jamie had a meeting most of the morning and into the afternoon. I did some shopping, reading and had lunch at The Rainforest Cafe - loved it there! I was sitting so close to the waterfall that I was getting wet.

We went to a magic show in the afternoon - we were told the only really good "magic" was David Copperfield and he had just taken a break. They were right...Dirk Arthur had some great animals in his show but other than that it was a bit boring. I wanted to see Chris Angel, but then we found out that he didn't really do any magic - it was a Cirque du Soleil show. (I think we opted for the wrong magic show, but we saved money!)

When we went back to the room to change, I asked Jamie to get my jeans and sweaters out of his suitcase. (I had the smaller of the 2 suitcases, so he was taking some of my clothes.) Well...he says "What jeans and sweaters?" - "The ones I put on the bed by your suitcase and asked you to bring for me." - "Oh" he says "I didn't know you meant all of those, I just grabbed your dress clothes." Oh great!?! So...I'm glad that it wasn't all that cold (except for one night) but I only had my vest to wear and one pair of jeans. Guess I'll double check the suitcases next time!

That night we went to see Carrot Top - very funny! I had seen him about 10yrs ago and was thinking it would be the same jokes...it ended up being a great show!

DAY 3 - Friday
We decided to have lunch at the 'best buffet' in Vegas - the Bellagio Hotel. Go there if you visit Vegas (the buffet at the MGM was more money and NOT good). Then we did some walking around.

lions at the MGM - got his tongue sticking out

Jamie being funny at a Siegfried & Roy statue

outside The Palazzo Hotel

We had dinner at Emeril's - again, GREAT food! That was the one place that I wanted to go. We went to see a variety show - "V" - another good/funny show. There was a comedian who did a variety of other acts, acrobats, TV Guy and a dancer.

Day 4 - Saturday

We did some shopping and then hung out for a while at Sin City Brewery. We had dinner at The Rainforest Cafe (it was in the MGM) and then went to see Jersey Boys. Great show! It was a musical performance based on the life of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The singing and music was very good.

Day 5 - Sunday

We picked up our Smart Car and drove around a bit. Then we went to watch football (and the Ravens lose by a lousy call.)

We had another wonderful dinner at The Range Steakhouse at Harrah's and then went to see a show called Dirty Hypnosis. Funny, but we still don't believe it all. Then we drove to Old Town to watch the light show in the Freemont Street Mall. Apparently, $17 million was spent into upgrading this light show in 2004. (WOW...that's a lot of money for lights! But, it is Vegas...) Here is a short video of the lights we saw at midnight, they show every hour from 6pm to midnight.

Jamie had to be at a job site at 2am - things weren't ready so he came back to the hotel to sleep for a while and then headed back out until around 9am. He then had to leave so that we could pack up and get ready to go home. I had to have Jason pick up Makena on Monday morning because there wasn't any school due to the weather - she got to spend the day playing with Kylah & Kallie (when she wasn't napping).

We were one of the few flights that was leaving approximately on time. The weather was getting worse everywhere (it was raining all morning in Vegas...and snowing everywhere else). The turbulence was a little rough coming in to Portland, but much better than when we had to fly to Maryland during a hurricane! This picture is of us just coming into Portland - look at all that pretty snow!