Fridays rock!

A week ago Friday was an amazing, sunny day.  I decided to go out and enjoy the weather.

I wanted to go and check out the big ole 'guy made out of metal'.

The weather has been so dreary lately that the sunshine was so very welcome!

I passed the pond down the street.

I walked to the mall and it still cracks me up that there is a car dealership in the mall.  Really?

We call this 'the monkey house'.  For years it was covered in vines and trees: you couldn't see the house at all.  Then one day it was for sale and a young man bought it to fix it up.  Steven and Doug talked to someone at the house who told them the woman who lived there had worked at the research center in Aloha and had two or three monkeys that had been used for research living with her at one time.  Don't know if that's true, but we still like to call it 'the monkey house'.  Has a ring to it.  And the house looks SO much better now.

Got home and as I walked out of the bathroom I admired my penguin with the football in my hallway.  My friend Kseniya put it up in my office: her son Jon did it and I LOVE it!  He greets me every morning.  Oh, I added the football.

That night we barbequed some steaks, opened a bottle of wine, and Mark built a fire.

It was a wonderful day.

Polar Plunge

Today I decided to celebrate Mark and my 33rd wedding anniversary by taking part in the Polar Plunge.

The Plunge benefits Special Olympics.

Got a kick out of some of the costumes.

Mark was such a good sport and hung out with me. 

He enjoyed it and I think he's going to join me next year!

I made sure I knew where the changing room was.

I didn't want to be in my cold, wet clothes for very long!

Thank goodness this tent was heated.

Here is the beach before the crowds showed up.

This is my friend Bill, who is a coach for Special Olympics.

I'm very proud to be his friend and I was glad to support his efforts in helping this great organization.

Okay, say it.

We're still cute together after all these years.

There.  I said it.  Deal with it.

Yea Special Olympics!

There was a costume contest.

Had to get my picture with the Polar Bear.

I found penguins!

Life is good!

Here we are, waiting in line to run into the river.

It was exciting and for a good cause.

I am so lucky to live in an area that gives me so many opportunites to do stuff like this.  I love my life!

Winterhawks!

Mark and I went to a Winterhawks game, thanks to Intel.

Bunnysuit folks were there, handing out glow sticks.

Got to hang out with some fun kids!!

We always have a great time hanging with Victor, Kathy, and crew.

Charlie had me take several 'funny' pictures.  LOL!

See?  She told me to take a picture of the chairs. 

Ok.

So cute.

It was a great game and the Hawks won!  Yes!

For Clyde

We bought a gift from the giving tree at Lamb's Thiftway for a teenagers.

I needed to buy a gift for someone, didn't know what to buy for him,

and decided he would appreciate me buying a gift for someone in need.

I know that teenagers are usually passed over since folks usually like to buy toys and such, so I hope Clyde has a Very Merry Christmas.

I know we will.  I hope you do as well!!!! 

Merry Christmas!!

Need to figure out my blog status: have to begin paying for pictures, so once I get that in place I'll be back.

Until then, Merry Christmas!!!!!

A rainy day in Oregon

Mark and I took off for some adventures Sunday morning.

Our first stop was to Helvetia Tavern in Hillsboro.  It's right next door to the entrance to the Rolof's farm, from 'Little People, Big World'.  For some reason I hadn't realized that before.  Geez.  I gotta get with the program!

Love the rural setting.  Dad, you remember going here, right??

Gotta love all the baseball hats (and a couple of Santa hats) on the ceiling.

We were the only folks there when we started, and by the time we left the place was jumping. 

We took a drive in the country: loved it.

We then stopped off at the 'Every Husband's Nightmare' bazzar at the Washington County Fairgrounds.  Of course I found a penguin. 

You knew it was gonna happen. 

Fun day!!!

A place where kids find their worth

Last night I helped serve a 'Friendsgiving Dinner' for the group Friends of the Children.  They provide support for kids in need in Portland.  I've donated gifts there for the last couple of years, and this was another way I could show my support for what they do.

The gym was very festive, with decorations and balloons.

I talked with some of the kids, and from what I saw the sign above says it all.

They had a 'Thanksgiving Tree' for everyone to write something they are thankful for.  I wrote my family.

Interesting information on this sign.

I loved the tree: I'm going to make one for Relay.

Oh yes, I'm thankful for Justin too. 

It was a wonderful evening.  I loved the feeling in the room, and the care and attention the adults in the program were showing the kids.  The kids were so well behaved, and you could see the mutal respect and affection between the kids and the staff.  I want to increase my time with this group: well worth it!!