Go Tigard!

Yesterday I met Mark at Tigard HS.

He was at a youth football game and afterwards we were going out to dinner.

Tigard!

Been here many, many times.

I remember the days the boys had to weigh in for every game.

 

Mark!

Love the view from the stands: all the greens and Mt. Hood in the background.

The boys were wearing pink to show support for breast cancer.

Oh Tigard HS, you are still a pretty fine place.

Love my Mom

My Mom's birthday is coming: November 2nd. 

Here she is with her sister, My Aunt Mikie. 

Don't they look a lot alike?  Loving their smiles.

We lost Aunt Mikie to breast cancer several years ago.

I miss my Mom a lot.  I want to call her and tell her stuff.  Just plain ole stuff. 

I've been thinking about Mom lately. 

I love that she watched Jeopardy and Wheel Of Fortune.  And that she was pretty good at them.

Crossword puzzles.  Agatha Christie.  Ancient Egypt history.  Coffee.  Wine. 

And Sean Connery was THE James Bond.  Truly.  Take that to the bank.

Love you Mom.  Miss you. 

Mary and the opportunity of a lifetime.

What a wonderful opportunity I have before me.

Working at Hands On Greater Portland is opening a new world to me.

One of the tasks I'm doing is taking part in different volunteer opportunities.

Here I'm volunteering for Store To Door.  They take grocery orders for seniors and disabled people, do their shopping, and deliver the groceries to their door.  Wow, you get to shop and it doesn't cost you a cent?  Sign me up.  The people running the event were so nice, it was very organized, and I felt good after taking part. 

If you didn't understand something on the order, or they didn't have the item listed, you called the person you were shopping for to confirm.  I had to call a couple of folks, and one of the women's last name was Dixon.  Part of my family on my Mother's side are named Dixon: this made me feel more connected to what I was doing, even though she is probably not related to me at all. 

This is the picture they posted on the Hands On Greater Portland Facebook page.  Wow, a picture of myself I like: ha, I gotta hire this gal to take my picture for LinkedIn! 

Here I'm volunteering at Molly's Fund: it's was a fundraiser to support research for Lupus.

The event was filled with dining rooms decorated by local decorators.  I fell in love with several of them and they made me want to spruce up the house with lots and lots of color, LOL.

I can't tell you how nice the folks were I volunteered with.  I so enjoyed this event, I loved what they stood for and believe in, and I will gladly help Molly's Fund in the future.

 

Look at the colors here.  Look at the fun this decorator had while helping to raise money for a great cause. I will try to post more of the rooms later.

Next week I'm volunteering for an event at Intel (go figure) and I'm looking at the HOGP calendar to see what other volunteer events I'm going to help with. 

HOGP is in the United Way building.  Their receptionist has been ill and I've been filling in for her, giving me new job skills, and a chance to see if this is something I'd like to do.  I'm meeting so many people this way, and learning more about myself everyday.  Yes, as I've said before, this is scary for me not knowing what is coming next, but I still think it's an amazing opportunity for me to grow, and to find out what I want to be when I grow up.  I think I'm one of the luckiest folks you'll ever know!!!

 

Dad explains the world to Piet

 

I was going through Cari's blog and I found some fun pictures.

That's what I love about blogs: you can go back through the years and remember things that happened.  Like Mark talking to Piet.  Well, I think he was really talking to Cari.

But we'll let Piet think he was talking to him.

 

Today was a good day at work. 

Hands On Greater Portland is in the United Way building.  Their receptionist called in sick today and I covered for her during the morning.  I really enjoyed it.  She left very clear instructions, and everyone there is so nice that it made it very user friendly for me.

 

I had a young woman call who needed some assistance: she didn't have enough money to cover her heating bill.  I was able to direct her to 211: they are an organization who helps folks find support at a time like this.  It felt good to be able to connect the young lady with someone who could help her.

 

I'm working on a couple of other projects as well for HOGP.   It's a good fit for me and I'm very lucky to have this opportunity.

Portland at it's finest

I got off work today at 1 and it was so nice and sunny out that I decided to take a walk before catching the MAX home.  With the weather we're having, when the sun is shining you need to take advantage of it!!  I ended up at Pioneer Place and this young man was outside performing.  I couldn't resist taking a picture.  I donated a couple of dollars to his fund as I enjoyed the performance, and I ended up with a pretty cool picture.  Ah Portland, I do love you.

And it's pouring down rain as I type....Oregon weather..............

RMH Auction

Last night was the RMH auction.  I have worked it the last two years and it's always a good time.

Lots of folks who come every year, intending to spend lots of money to support some very deserving families.  I love the spirit in the room at this event.

Last year my friend Chad wore his red high top shoes.  I decided to do the same this year. 

As you can see in the background, Ronald knew his shoes weren't even in the same league as mine, so he left the room.  Sorry Ronald........

Tom Soma, the executive director of Ronald McDonald Houses Charities, is stepping down next year.  He has done an AMAZING job to promote the Houses (there are two in the area), forge good relations with leaders in the communities, and I have to tell you be a friend to the families.  I've seen him many times interact with moms, dads, and kids, and he truly cares about them.  He is not just in the office: to me he had the right balance between getting the job done, and giving it his personal, caring touch.  He will be missed and I wish him much success in whatever awaits him!!

Radom Amsterdam

This morning I was going over some things and I found a link to Cari's Amsterdam Blog.

I reviewed the pictures and they are amazing. I love her viewpoint.

This was one of my favorites.  She stated that this shot was one of the reasons they would leave the house for times like this.  She said these men were going up and down the canal with this 'object' in the boat, and they couldn't figure out a reason.

Oh Amsterdam, you funny, funny city.