12 Days of Christmas

Julianna Giggling

Jen sent me this short video of Jules giggling while playing with Dad. Hard to believe she's 8 months old already.

Where's My Bottle Barkeep?

Where's my bottle, barkeep?

Jujube Sunset

Spent the afternoon with Jen and Julianna. Forgot my camera -- again. *head hanging in shame*. Thank goodness Jen sent me this photo of Jujube sitting on her mat playing with her toys this evening. She is 6 months and my guesstimate of her weight was 19 lbs 6 oz. She has her 6 month checkup tomorrow so we will find out just how accurate her grammy's guess is :)


When I headed over to Jen's this morning, I saw a large smoke column on the north side of Cape Meares -- a debris burn was my guess. When I got back into town on my way home, the smoke from the controlled burn had settled over town and the air had that shimmery glow from the low angle of the sun reflecting on the smoke particles. I figured tonight's sunset would be grand and I was not disappointed.

When I got home, I watched the sunset and took this shot when it had the most color.


As always, click the picture to biggify it -- there are some spectacular colors!

Hippo Birdies

Hippo birdies two meece
hippo birdies two meece
hipppo birdies deer meeeeee
hippo birdies two meece
..... and mini s'mores.....

More Pictures

I figured I had better post some more of the pictures taken while Mom was visiting. These are of Jennifer, Mike, Julianna, and the roses Mom bought me.

Jennifer -- I love that smile!


Jennifer, Mike, and their darling creation, Julianna.

Julianna sitting on her play mat holding on to her toy with one hand and her mom's finger with the other.

The roses! They were a total surprise -- Mom borrowed my car on Saturday while I was working with the FDL Membership Engagement Team and she returned with roses! For me! They glow with an almost neon pinkie reddish maroon when the sunlight hit them (or the flash in the picture above).

Here is a picture of the roses taken without the flash.

They smell as good as they look. Thanks Mom!!!

Four Generations

I know, I've been terrible and haven't put up the pictures from Mom's visit. I've been busy doing stuff and neglecting this wee little blog.

Here's a picture of Mom, Jen, Julianna, and me.

Happy National Coffee Day

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Sorry for getting this out so late -- I needed more coffee and it took longer than I anticipated to become fully caffeinated.

She Sits

Jujube sitting! Jen emailed me this photo today as well as the one below of Julianna sleeping documenting that Julianna has indeed discovered her feet.

What a little cutie!!! I had such fun grammy-sitting Julianna earlier this week.

In My Daughters' Eyes

Martina McBride -- In My Daughter's Eyes

For my girls.

Clamming In The Fog

Its been socked in here for several days now -- yesterday I had bright sunshine until around 4pm when the sun disappeared behind a heavy blanket of clouds and fog. Today it has been foggy all day -- not a surprise when it is hot in Portland, it tends to be foggy here.

The picture up top was taken a few days ago -- shows folks returning to the fish hatchery nearby after clamming during low tide. As always, click the picture to biggify it.

Spoke Too Soon

Yesterday was spectacular - just look at last night's sunset through the trees:


After sunset and just before everything faded to dark:


The smoke from the Mt. Hood fire and the other fires in the Cascades and central Oregon reached me just before sunset and gave everything a hazy look (and a lot of particles in the air to reflect color). Here you can see the haze looking up at Cape Lookout:


I was so amped when I saw the haze -- figured for sure I would have a repeat of last night's colorful sunset tonight. I fear I jinxed myself - look at today:


Socked in foggy all day long. Temps in the mid to high 60's most of the afternoon. It got down into the 40's last night (brrrr) but it is still in the mid 50's right now. I went from short sleeves light cotton clothing yesterday to a fleece hoodie today. Was great sleeping weather last night tho -- nice and cool and I'm hoping for a repeat tonight. Don't think I'll get it -- that thick fog blanket is gonna keep it much warmer.

The record still stands at 4 days in a row of sunshine... didn't see hide nor hair of the sun today.

Getting Better

Last night's sunset was even better! Woke up to a much warmer day without a cloud in the sky. Thank goodness an afternoon breeze cooled it down from 95 to the mid 80's. Now the sun is behind the trees and the house is in shade, the temperature has dropped to a very pleasant 76 on my front deck. Per the weather service, it is still 91 in Tillamook.

I had both doors open this afternoon, letting the breeze air out the house. My head cold/allergy thingie was back with a vengeance earlier today but now it appears to have been blown away with the breeze. All in all, a better day that brings to mind this song:



The Beatles -- Getting Better.

First Sunset of September

I love the interplay of the whiteness of the moon in the sky that still has traces of blue but is transforming into the fading colors left by a below the horizon sun and how it contrasts with the dark land and trees. A sunset worthy of celebrating the new month. As always, click on the photo to biggify it.

Weather dood said we may get up to 90 here tomorrow. The winds are shifting from the northwest to an easterly flow and that is going to bring all the hot air from the other side of the Cascades (by way of the Columbia Gorge) clear out to here at the coast. Of course, that also will mean clear skies and the temps will really cool off fast at night. Labor Day Weekend is the last weekend of tourist season around here -- the area will return to its slower pace of life with a lot less traffic. The trees will soon be changing color and dropping their leaves as the peaceful retreat by the bay welcomes fall.

Last Sunset of August

This is a photo of last night's sunset -- the last sunset of August.

The car is home from the mechanics. Turns out to have been an easy (and relatively inexpensive) fix -- there was air in the brake line and they had to bleed the line and then put in more brake fluid. Woohoo happy dance for not having to replace the master cylinder and/or brake booster. Tis good to be mobile again and the drive home was worry free :)

August Sunset

I've been derelect in taking care of this place. It's not like I've gone anywhere - my car's brakes went out the beginning of the month and goes to the mechanic on the first -- when I can afford to have it fixed. I'm gonna have AAA tow it there since it has been sitting for the past month with minimal brakes and I'm not going to risk driving it there. No car means no trips to see Jen and Julianna so I'm jonesin' real bad. I've been making calls for the lake's membership drive during the day and, of course, spending my nights by the virtual campfire at my Late Late Night FDL posts. Was real ticked off that no car meant I could not attend Busted's wedding :( I was really looking forward to seeing him and NG get hitched.

Jen and Julianna spent a week down in CA this month and are back home. Kayla and Karina headed back to their mom's in Alaska the same day Jen flew to CA -- their flights were about 30 minutes apart so they all went to the airport as a group.

Jen posted on Facebook that Julianna rolled over yesterday! Woohoo, now the fun and games begin :) Pretty soon she will be scooting and then crawling and before we know it, she will be totally mobile. Julianna is looking more and more like Jen at this age - looking at pictures of her is like looking through a time machine window back to 1977. I'm hoping Jen will send me more photos so I can share them.

My mom is going to be coming up to see Jen and me in September. I'm going to be sure to get some 4 generations photos. I've not seen Mom since Jen's wedding so it will be great to see her again!

My landlord came and removed the temporary plate at the bottom of the wood stove and is having a new plate fabricated. Gotta have the stove in tip top shape - fall is already here on the coast and the nighttime temperatures are starting to steadily drop.

Still have had only 4 days in a row of sunshine this summer. The picture up top was taken on Wed, Aug 24th which was a sunny day but the clouds came in towards sunset. Luckily, they didn't come completely in before sunset so I was able to see some color instead of the gray. As always, you can click on the photo to biggify it.

Grocery Shopping

4 Months Old

Time has been whizzing by so fast since April 9th. Hard to believe it but its been four months since Jujube was born. Look at what she has found!

She has her mother's skin. Jen sent me this picture and it reminds me so much of Jen at that age. Right down to the thumbsucking.

Four Generations

In this picture is Jen, me, Julianna, and Julianna's great-great aunt Mary.

I have to share this video of Jujube's reaction to tasting a drop of apple juice. She Did. Not. Like. and wanted everyone to know it. I can't wait until she starts talking -- she's gonna be a hoot!

The Girls

Jen's girls.

Jujube Makes Noise

Had a great time at Jen's Tuesday. Here is a video I took -- I'll have a post with pictures up soon .

Hi Grammy

Jen sent me this yesterday with the subject line the title of this post. I talked with Jen on the phone today. Jujube is 13 lbs and wearing size 3 month clothing now. Can't wait to see them on Tuesday!

Sunshine

Finally had a bit of sunshine towards sunset.... here are some pictures, including one of Token looking for some nasty smelling dirt to roll in.

Hippo Birdies Jen!

Today is Jen's birthday. I drove over the coast range to spend the afternoon wtih her and the girls. Took a few pictures, a video, and had a blast. Kayla and Karina made Jen a birthday cake and spelled out her name in hearts on top. They arranged the candles on the cake so it read how many years she was celebrating.


The girls brought the cake to Jen after Mike lit the candles.


Julianna even had a card for her mom.


As did Kayla and Karina.


Here's that video:

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, daddy. I miss you more and more each day.

Thursday's Fix

Thursday, I went to Portland for the FDL Meetup. I had a great time visiting with the pups who attended -- the pictures I took of the meetup are here. The food at the Goose Hollow Inn was fantastic. We took over almost an entire side of their front deck and time flew by so quickly. Before I knew it, 2 hours had passed and it was time for me to head to Jen's.

After saying goodbye, I drove over to Jen's to visit with her and get my Jujube fix. Mike's daughters, Kayla and Karina, from his first marriage are there for their summer long visit and it was great seeing them again. My goodness, they have grown -- they are 14 and 12 now and are totally teenagers.

Looking at them, I see a lot of resemblance between the girls and Jujube. Here's some pictures of that visit:





I missed seeing Mike's mom, Becky, who had been visiting Jen and Mike this week. She was across town visiting Tim, Mike's brother, and his family when I was at Jen's.

Jen looks wonderful!!! She glows and I can easily see how motherhood agrees with her. Julianna is thriving and is an estimated 10 lbs. now. She's got a lot more head control now and pushes with her strong little legs and was trying to climb Mt. Grammy when I was holding her. Soon, she will be sitting without assistance.

Jen told me that she has decided not to return to work and put in her notice at Mary's Woods. She's going to stay home and be a full time mom -- I'm so happy that she is able to do so. Jen is such a good mom and I doubt any daycare could take care of Julianna as well as Jen does.

Jujube just loves her sisters! She smiles and waves her arms and is really starting to engage with people now. She has the sweetest little personality and I'm enjoying watching her reach each new level of development.

Jujube Smiles

Jen took this photo of Jujube smiling last week -- she was 8 weeks at the time and is now 9.

Thursday, I will be headed to Portland to attend an FDL Meetup at the Goose Hollow Inn -- the meetup starts at 2pm. I am planing on heading to Jen's to get my Jujube fix (and more pictures) after the meetup. Mike's daughters Kayla and Karina are visiting for the summer and Becky, Jen's mother-in-law, is visiting for the week. Gonna be great catching up with everyone -- I've not seen Becky since the wedding and its been two years since I've seen Kayla and Karina.

8 Weeks

Jen sent me these pictures of Julianna. Mike took them Saturday the 4th, the day Jujube turned 8 weeks old. My stars, time is just zooming past lately.

Lost On Gilligan's Island

If you are a fan of Lost, you will especially enjoy this:



Lost On Gilligan's Island

Cotton Candy Sunset

June started off with a great sunset last night. The actual sunset was hidden in the trees but the clouds along the horizon do a good job of reflecting the cotton candy colors.

Still, its only been in the 50's and 60's during the day -- weather dood said we are going to get Instant Summer this weekend when the winds shift -- dood is predicting 83 Saturday and 85 Sunday.

Yeah. Sure. Right. I'll believe it when I see it. Of course, he is also predicting rain on Monday.

I've had bands of showers coming across the bay this afternoon. I enjoy sitting at my desk, watching the dark clouds move in against the lighter grey and white clouds on the other side of the spit. Everything else seems so still until the wind starts to push up ridges on the bay waters. I can watch the wind's progress as it moves toward me by watching those mini white-caps. The wind and the rain usually arrive at the same time and quickly move on. Brief showers instead of the steady rain of winter.

There will be no sunset eye candy tonight. The blue patches in the sky are quickly filling in with clouds of varying shades of gray.