I promised pictures of Sedona, AZ from last weeks' trip. A BIG thank you to Lynette and Ken  for driving us all around!

Some of these were taken from a moving car :) The weather was mild and the traffic was pretty good for BLACK FRIDAY!

I'm having to start this page over because I lost it when I went to page 2. So...

We received a card in the mail inviting us to stay the night in Canyonville for Free on Veterans Day. So we pack a few things and stopped in McMinnville and saw the movie "Carriers" at the IMAX. There was no concert going on, but we had a very relaxing time. We drove home Monday and got things ready for work the next day. Wednesday, 14 November, we picked up Jim & Vonnie and drove to Beaver Creek, OR to hear the Gospel group Legacy 5. They were great! And so was the food at Kissin' Kates!!! 

We had made plans to go to Phoenix for Thanksgiving and that came around really fast! Thanksgiving morning we got up early (2:00a.m.). We picked up a shuttle at 3:00 and our flight took off at 6:00a.m. Lynette and Ken picked us up at PHX and we got a personal tour of Lynette's school. 

 This is the first year for Valencia and they are doing great!!!

The smell of fresh paint and the shiny waxed floors exhibit pride. 

Staff Lounge - thank you Diamondbacks!!!

Library

Support from the community, staff, and contributors has made this a refuge for children who need a little help to further their education and understanding of the American ways.   

This is such a positive influence on the community; showing newcomers to Phoenix, Arizona, and the United States that there are those who care about the art transitioning from the past to the present. And to accomplish this multi-culturally is quite an accomplishment. We are so proud of Lynette, Ken, and the entire staff for making sure that this all happened in such a short amount of time. 

Just like the garden you've planted, your reward is the cultivating students into American citizens that have so much potential. Your school has opened doors to life options that would have been so difficult to obtain on their own. Congratulations on a job well done...may your students return some day as college graduates and hug you ALL.  

Still trying to catch up with the calendar....September was warm and we were busy most of the month with routine appointments, work, and getting the house and cars ready for winter. October was a month of picking up leaves and yardwork.

Before we knew it...it was Halloween! We received a card in the mail from Canyonville, OR that said spend the night with us on Veterans Day for FREE! So, we drove down on Sunday, stopping in McMinnville and watching the IMAX movie  "Carriers" in 3D. No concerts were going on during the weekend, but we had a very relaxing time! And drove home on Monday. Wednesday, November 14th we picked up Jim & Vonnie Lash and drove to Beaver Creek, OR for a Gospel Concert by Legacy 5. They were great! So was the food at Kissin' Kates Country Saloon!!

More to come :)

Saturday, 25 August, we picked up Jim & Vonnie Lash and headed for Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA. Keiko Matsui was playing keyboard and piano, along with a small ensemble. No voices...all instrumentals. Super concert and great dinner!

Saturday, 18 August, Carol and I got up early and drove to Twin Falls, ID. We spent the night and got an early start on Sunday morning...heading for Ft. Collins, CO. We arrived at Kelly's house around 3:00p.m. After hugs and kisses, etc. we had dinner with everyone! The court proceedings were on Tuesday, 21 August at 8:30a.m. The divorce was finalized but the division of assets and the custody of the children (and visitation) would be handed down via conference call to the lawyers on the 6th of September. We left Kelly's on the Wednesday, 22 August, and headed home.

Sunday, 12 August, we made a second attempt to drive south and see Roberta and the kids in Redding, CA. Again, we stayed overnight in Canyonville, OR. Then got up the next morning and headed for Redding. Success...we got to spend the afternoon with Roberta and the kids (a lot taller now :). Good to catch up on how everyone is doing and school had just started. We drove back to Canyonville and spent the night...got up early Monday morning and drove to Grand Ronde for lunch. Then drove up the Oregon coast to Tillamook and took HWY 6 home. Great drive and super weather!

On July 29th Carol and I headed south for a visit with Roberta and the kids in Redding, CA. The CARR fire was blazing at that time and air quality was an issue. So, we stayed over night at Seven Feathers in Canyonville, OR and called Roberta the next morning. Nothing was improving...so, we took a rain-check and headed for the coast. We stopped in Lincoln City and bought a few things at the Christmas Shop and headed home.

July 14th, Saturday, we decided to head East and go to Warm Springs, OR. As we got closer we could see and smell smoke from the nearby fires that were North of the Springs. We had a quick lunch - and Indian Bread :) and drove back home. Nice outing - side note -  as we were leaving the small town of Sandy, OR we found ourselves in the middle of a Ford Mustang club that was on a cruise. Love the exhaust sounds!!! Carol's Corolla is way too quiet :)

We left home about 6:00am on Saturday, 23 June, and had a late lunch with Shay and Michael in Boise, ID. It was good to see them and catch up on what's happening in their lives! Then we drove to Twin Falls, ID and stayed at Hampton Inn. Great breakfast and the Jacuzzi was wonderful on my back!!!  Sunday, we were back on the road early and got into Ft. Collins, CO about 4:00pm. 

There was a list of things we wanted to accomplish during our stay with Kelly (and family), but, Kelly said little bunnies were falling through the window well grates and dying. Off to Lowes to pick up some screening.

 Our projects were going okay...still have a few loose ends. Light fixture, garden hose, and A/C filter were all changed. Carol and Kelly braved the DMV for plates on Kelly's car...over an hour wait :(

The painters were scheduled to paint the house this week...but, the hot weather set them back a day or two. It gave us time to trim shrubs and bushes...

 The days flew by...on Friday, 29 June, we met the tow truck that would take Mikayla's Honda to the dealer. It quit on her in a parking lot near O'Rielly's Auto Store. Then, we left for Denver and met Nancy and Morgan for lunch. Nancy had Morgan, Gary, Shannon, Mike, & Shari all over to her place for dinner...yeah PIZZA!!! We had a great time catching up with all the events and peoples' lives!!!

We stayed at Nancy's and got up the next morning to a great breakfast...then, off to Cheyenne.  We asked Comfort Inn for early check-in and got to Cheyenne about 12:30pm and dropped off suit cases, etc. and freshened up a bit before heading to Hillsdale. We visited with Don & Chris for a while, and Mom, Max, and Suzzie came over to Don's place. Don was grilling burgers...they we wonderful!!! Chris put out a spread...fruit, potato salad, chips!!! Don and I looked at the project at Mom's place, and we decided to complete the inside walls...then, look at the deck project if we had time. The next morning, Sunday, 1 July, Don & Chris got up early and bought some wood paneling and we met them at their place. Bob and Susan showed up before we did...good to see them again!!! We cut the paneling to size and nailed it to the wall...job complete. I need to send Don some spacers for the electric outlet and the wall switch! It got too late to start on the deck project...but, we installed a new spring on the old building garage door...just as we got the spring on...the top door panel came loose and fell on Chris' head & shoulder blade. I don't think anything broke...but, it sure hit hard and fast!

Monday, 2 July, we left early for Twin Falls, ID. Tuesday, we got home after rush hour...unpacked, washed clothes and the car :)  Just want to Thank Everyone for shifting schedules, etc. to make time for us!!! We love you all and hope to see everyone again soon!!!

Today, Friday, 22 June 2018, we're getting ready to take off for Colorado and Wyoming. Packing, cleaning, turning things off, etc. The CRV is ready to roll...we'll load her up tonight.

 Yesterday (after work) we took Carol's Corolla to Grand Ronde for dinner...

then, we continued on to Lincoln City. We had tickets to see...Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons! They were great...sang all the old songs and a couple from a new CD. We got home around mid-night. I really didn't feel like getting up to go to the gym this morning...5:00 am came around really quick! 

 Frankie is 84!!! Still doin' it!!! 

Sunday, 17 June, we picked up Jim and Vonnie and drove to Seattle, WA. We bought tickets a long time ago for Brian Culbertson at Jazz Alley (second time in 5 days :). Great show and good food! Man, that guy can play the keyboard!!! This was his last show of his Colors of Love tour. We loved every second of it! We'll see you again, soon.

A few more pics from the car show at Spirit Mountain:

 That's all the news from this week. We're on the road for the next two weeks. I'll post more when we get home. 

  

Now we are all caught up on the past months that I slacked off …. JUNE is so nice! Love the weather and we're kept very busy. We had the carpets cleaned , washed all the windows, changed the oil, and rotated the tires...so, we are ready to roll!!! We went to Salem, OR of a Brian Culbertson concert with Clay and Cindy Nagel on Wednesday, 13 June.

 Of course, he was fantastic! He brought his baby Grand piano and gave us a taste of his new CD - The Colors of Love. Plus, lots of songs from his previous CD's. 

The very next day, Thursday, 14 June, Gary Critser and his cousin Rob road in on their Honda Goldwings. Gary was pulling a trailer and a weld had broken on the hitch support. We called around to local weld shops and we ended up leaving Gary's bike over night at the welder's place. We met Danny O'Neal at Claim Jumper for dinner an a lot of reminiscing (old Navy days). Long story short...we got the bike fixed on Friday. Relaxed a bit and grilled some hot dogs and burgers. 

Saturday morning I was up at 5:00a.m. for the gym and when I came home Gary and Rob were on the road, headed for the coast. Carol and I went to Spirit Mountain for breakfast and the classic car show!!! 

 Anyway...you get the idea! Lots of cars and beautiful weather! 

I'll post more soon....Danny...that last pic is for you :)

  

Catching up with MAY...we like to take care of the yardwork at Jim & Vonnie Lash's house while they're on vacation. So, from May 3rd through 17th we made a few trips to their house to trim & mow. We missed our Pinochle partners :)

I volunteered to work with Oregon SOLVE to clean and trim Warrenton, OR cemetery. They have a section for military I was interested in. So, May 12th I drove to Warrenton (near Astoria) and met Jonah, the Parks Supervisor. He had all the maintenance equipment (including bottled water) in a trailer! That helped a lot! Three other families showed up.

 We got a real good start on clearing branches and brush, early in the afternoon. Then a bus arrived with about 15 teens from Astoria Teen Action. At 4:00p.m. we loaded everything back into the trailer and everyone said their good-bye's. I will volunteer for this again!

The rest of the month was filled with work, yardwork, small house projects.

Catching up with APRIL...not a lot going on besides the usual. Work and home projects we've put off takes up most of our time. Tuesday, April 10th, was supposed to be the hottest day of the week in the Portland area...so, after work we took the dog and went to Cannon Beach for dinner. When we left it was 84 degrees, it was 59 degrees and "partly sunny" in Cannon Beach. We ate at Mo's (fish & Chips) then headed for Seaside to see if it was a local thing. Nope, it was all up and down the coast. 

 The rest of the month was routine. We're starting to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather!

So...now, I get to catch up with everything that's been keeping us so busy the past few months!

The first weekend in MARCH, Carol felt kind of funny, dizzy, and she was wearing a wired heart monitor her doctor prescribed. We received a call from OHSU, Sunday, 4 March stating she needed to go to the emergency room as soon as possible due to irregular heart palpitations. Long story short...they admitted her into the cardiac care department, ran lots of tests, checked for clogged arteries and heart disease. All tests came out negative. But, she does have a leaking heart valve and a rhythm issue.  They discharged her on Thursday, March 8th and assigned her to a Beaverton cardiologist.  While she was there, they implanted a wireless heart monitor. 

That weekend, March 10, we picked up Jim & Vonnie Lash and had lunch at Mo's at Cannon Beach.

On Tuesday, 13 March, Carol and I went to the airport and picked up Mikayla. She was visiting her Dad for a week or so. Really nice to see her again...so grown up!!

March 24th was Oregon S.O.L.V.E. beach clean up. I volunteer twice a year to help pick up trash on the beach at Seaside, OR and Cannon Beach. Nice and cool weather...no rain. 

I'll post April and May happenings soon!

We've been waiting for this weekend for a while...the weather was shaky, but, we survived :)

Saturday, 24 February 2018, we had lunch at Grand Ronde (buffet). It was cloudy, but no rain. We got through the coastal range with just rain, on and off again. Lincoln City was windy and 45 degrees. Next stop was the Christmas Shop, to see Barb and the crew, and to pick up a few things for next Christmas :) Time to check into Liberty Inn and get settled before the Roots and Boots concert at Chinook Winds.

Aaron was supporting a new full beard (gray) and didn't look the same. Sammy had his baseball hat on and had a double ear infection. Collin was his typical self and put on a great show. We loved all the old songs and different styles!  Next morning was breakfast at Sambo's and a rainy drive home. Great weekend...but, back to the gym this morning!!!

After Carol got off work on Wednesday, 7 February, we made a last minute decision to run to the beach for dinner and watch the sunset at Cannon Beach, OR. So we loaded the dog and a couple of beach chairs and headed for Mo's. 

As the sun started setting, the temperature started dropping....Payton was cold :(

Great fish and chips!!! And on the way out of Mo's we ran into Jim & Vonnie Lash! So Fun!!!

This weekend was the showing of the Portland Auto Show at the convention center downtown. On Saturday, 27 January, we picked up Jim & Vonnie Lash and found parking in the lower level of the convention center. I won't go into detail...I'll just share a few pictures. After we had seen everything we were interested in....Lunch at Olive Garden !!! Thank You, Jim & Vonnie...great time!!!

Saturday, 13 January, Jim & Vonnie came over to play cards and have a little dinner - pizza if I remember right :)  And, ofcourse, I got a birthday cake (with ice cream), a Keurig coffee tree (with coffee), a new Jeff Gordon shirt, and a framed Jeff Gordon puzzle! I AM SO SPOILED :)  Now, all of those items did not help my pinochle game at all! We got spanked by the girls!

Sunday, 14 January, our routine had changed a bit...we went to church at 9:00a.m. And got home around 10:45a.m. We packed our suitcase and took Carol's Corolla to Seven Feathers Resort in southern Oregon. Kinda my birthday and anniversary get-a-way. Great travelling weather for this time of year! We like staying here because they keep everything like new. Rooms are so clean and all of the grounds and pool area are kept so nice. We got our room on special for $39.00! No concert, but heard country band in the lounge - we listened from the passageway. We did watch the RAM's game on the big screen. Great game! The hot tub was working great! Both of us had MLK day off...but, we were home in the early afternoon.