tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79982172024-03-07T07:59:03.923-08:00SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTIONConfronting All the Potholes of Life Head-on at Full Speed - Ignoring Detours.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-90801473151468046012011-10-23T19:40:00.000-07:002011-10-23T19:40:33.662-07:00Tree Car-Fresherners: No Longer RequiredI recently bought my first new car. It is a 2012 and had 100 miles on it when I took possession, and that was only because they drove it here from Salem since apparently that was the only dealer to have the specific color I wanted. <br />
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Buying a new car was not an easy decision for me to make. For one, I was an adamant follower of Dave Ramsey (live debt free) and had managed in 2007 to pay off all my debts, have a $10,000 emergency fund in savings, and had prior to now, stayed out of debt. So, I caved and rumor has it I will now spend my eternal life in debtor's hell. But, I'm ok with that. Apparently, so is my mom. <br />
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When I showed my new car to my mom I thought she was going to cry from her excitement. Her face lit up and she looked at me with such approval that I had not seen since early sophomore year in high school when she found out I was still a virgin (yes, a story will follow later). She asked if she could sit inside. Of course, I let her and watched as she gushed over the pristine upholstery and bluetooth technology. She looked years younger by the smile on her face while sitting in the passenger side inhaling the new car smell and checking out the vanity mirror. "Oh honey" she exclaimed, "I am so happy for you. This is a very nice car. I am so proud of you". She leaned over and hugged me. I thought she was never going to release me. It was a comforting emotion to know. My mom loves me now.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-88840893565099137952011-10-17T22:40:00.000-07:002011-10-17T22:45:36.997-07:00Pink Canopy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxMxygHaooUPHlfo_8hV9CDexmqbijg35lP5w5Q0srPVXMuoHslgCzt0zh4LjfXwpXyfLA0QL8BuKpW9XLTAxi9J-ZPd-ZvK3NNOk8_RNDONWPIGjsQh6uNNAQn126W7pLm0SxQ/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxMxygHaooUPHlfo_8hV9CDexmqbijg35lP5w5Q0srPVXMuoHslgCzt0zh4LjfXwpXyfLA0QL8BuKpW9XLTAxi9J-ZPd-ZvK3NNOk8_RNDONWPIGjsQh6uNNAQn126W7pLm0SxQ/s200/scan0001.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It doesn't really make sense that I grew up wanting to be a writer. I didn't have a traumatic childhood requiring years of therapy and thousands of dollars in recovery. I wasn't abused, poor or fat. I never went to bed hungry or without dessert for that matter. I didn't grow up in a broken home, in fact, my parents didn't file for divorce until around the same time I did (a two-fer special at legal aid that month). I was a pretty, petite, blue-eyed, dish-water blonde growing up in the rich part of town, known as Lake O. My grandparents lived on the lake with a boat. Each new school year meant new dresses, new shoes, new lunch boxes, new backpacks and sometimes we even got a new car, every 2 years or so, I think it was a rule. I had a pink room with a pink canopy bed, a ruffle bed skirt, and matching curtains. We had family game night, movie night, pizza night, and vacations to Disneyland every five years. Now to grab your attention, this is where I should unveil some dark family secret that would invoke empathy or pity and thereby justify the mediocre life I've created. The truth, there wasn't any. I really had the ideal childhood.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-37917220230801054072011-10-09T22:28:00.000-07:002011-10-09T22:30:00.138-07:00Angry SkeletonsThis weekend I attended a workshop at Wordstock in Portland called Radical Disclosure. The workshop was essentially about the ethical and moral dilemma writers often face when writing about experiences that will bring embarrassment to themselves or others. We were asked to write in class for five minutes about a real life experience that caused embarrassment or was otherwise a "skeleton" in our family and if we were willing, to share it with the class. This is what I wrote:<br />
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The day I received a "pocket-dialed" phone call from my uncle and overheard a frightful argument between him and my aunt, was the day my respect for him was lost. I was on a trip out of town and missed their call while out of range, so it went straight to voice mail. I played the message. The first thing I heard was my uncle yelling "I told you I don't want anything. I'm not f**king hungry! I am trying to get this f**king stuff done. Why didn't you listen to me. You never f**king listen. If you would have listened you don't listen to a f*cking thing I say. F**K!! YOU JUST...I CAN'T....F*****CK!!!!!!" I heard my aunt in the background "I was only trying..." My uncle sounding like a rendition of Ozzy Ozborne screamed out a final "DAMN ITS THIS IS F*CKING, F****CK!!!!" <br />
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The call ended. I was freaked out, and no clue really what I should do. A call from me this late would be odd. I was worried and concerned whether my aunt was in danger. I didn’t believe my uncle was capable of hurting her, but then again, I hadn’t thought he would ever scream like that either. And if I did call, there is a chance they might find out I knew.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-55814063604245232692011-10-09T19:09:00.000-07:002011-10-09T19:09:28.868-07:00Resisting ChangeI logged in this evening with the intent of starting up a brand new blog that I guess I hoped would entice me into a new approach and greater commitment to my writing. But after careful thought, I remembered that my intended purpose for my blog was to endure time and personal change, which as so obviously highlighted in the title itself "site under construction" was practically a guarantee that change is inevitable. So the only thing to resist change, will be my blog.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-24209220445752388902010-01-06T20:49:00.001-08:002010-01-06T21:54:20.205-08:00New Years - Again. Almost repetitive.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnDzR_3i4F701_kTrfCT5Y-bk0sxrsPKoEVVp3slNdBebJbSo9HmlkEP-toBWBeLsc2A50OQXhGMaLNySVyn6EAcT3K0oY21UdfknDchiANIf-WRPd9BsdwjfYZTXAZ_y97NUoA/s1600-h/Picture+287.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423872124101060690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnDzR_3i4F701_kTrfCT5Y-bk0sxrsPKoEVVp3slNdBebJbSo9HmlkEP-toBWBeLsc2A50OQXhGMaLNySVyn6EAcT3K0oY21UdfknDchiANIf-WRPd9BsdwjfYZTXAZ_y97NUoA/s320/Picture+287.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It seems like we do this ever year. The difference this year is I turned 40. I think the one thing I've realized this year is just how fast the rest of my life is going to go. Good or bad, the reality that this is my life settles on my mind like gum stuck on the bottom of my shoe, crammed deep down in the crevasse always and forever. I have not decided whether I am either happy or the less, just that I now know the secret of what they were trying to tell me when I was still young.</div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-24774679374907521552009-12-29T09:57:00.000-08:002009-12-29T10:14:21.934-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGXQ6rn51UNTslBAFNIZW5tc0mHlPQzMYJGO4jZ6lgvhDcqcdPvtFaoARx5DSuEXoHbepa2KANCJGwL685o-iOp4b524bGAOPUPb8iy3-uIjIFmP9PAo2HnegJCernj-W5zve8g/s1600-h/Picture+247.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420722927737682898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGXQ6rn51UNTslBAFNIZW5tc0mHlPQzMYJGO4jZ6lgvhDcqcdPvtFaoARx5DSuEXoHbepa2KANCJGwL685o-iOp4b524bGAOPUPb8iy3-uIjIFmP9PAo2HnegJCernj-W5zve8g/s320/Picture+247.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Remember how fun it was to pretend to be something? Freeing your imagination to take you on amazing journeys to magical places that belonged only to you. I went on a hike yesterday by myself and had a faint glimpse of my childhood world as if it never left and was waiting for me to return. Perhaps...</div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-31953885836655029592009-11-29T11:18:00.000-08:002009-11-29T12:24:08.739-08:00Portland Water Bureau - Keeping Us All Under WaterThey say its all about timing. Evidently so, as mere hours transpired on Wednesday, Nov 24, between when the Portland Water Bureau ("PWB") received a nomination by <a href="http://www.pdxtech4good.org/">PDXTech4Good</a> for: <a href="http://www.portlandonline.com/water/index.cfm?c=39678&a=244383">"outstanding job of using their website and blog, as well as Twitter, Facebook and Flickr, to educate Portland about their water supply and PWB's role in keeping Portland's drinking water flowing safely and efficiently</a>" and PWB's discovery of E. coli in the Washington Park Reservoir. It would be a natural assumption given the recent accolade that PWB would provide immediate notice to its customers via their website and blog, as well as Twitter, Facebook and Flickr, of the emergent danger to the City's drinking water supply. Instead, on Wednesday PWB disabled all of its communication outlets and posted this:<br /><br />"Happy Thanksgiving From the Portland Water Bureau.<br /><br />I will be out celebrating thanksgiving with my family and friends for the rest of<br />this week! Blogging will resume on Monday, 11-30.<br /><br />Jennie Day-Burget,<br />Public Information Officer"<br /><br />Only late afternoon on Saturday, following a second positive test result, was the media alerted and the story broke. Still PWB did not post anything on its web site, blog, Twitter, Facebook or Flickr. Many people went unnoticed until as late as Sunday. Interesting hindsight 20/20 perspective, indeed.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-38591114831251914862009-09-13T22:32:00.000-07:002010-01-06T21:58:03.436-08:00Roll Windows Down<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN6xQLTE8ImN5j9kKYbxeur411U1KVwrQBOciXmCReTEmWYahZT7EMPCGnsd-rrV_0y9aXu9nflg_xPKn7wF-piGZxURr30o6qkj7-RsVYrF2yzDLnVB2-5E_9rsgyRFQ93iyAA/s1600-h/Picture+288.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423873097395485586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN6xQLTE8ImN5j9kKYbxeur411U1KVwrQBOciXmCReTEmWYahZT7EMPCGnsd-rrV_0y9aXu9nflg_xPKn7wF-piGZxURr30o6qkj7-RsVYrF2yzDLnVB2-5E_9rsgyRFQ93iyAA/s320/Picture+288.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am presently at one of those points in my life where it seems nothing very exciting is happening. I guess if it seems nothing exciting is happening, then most likely its not. I think partly its because three weeks ago I ran Hood to Coast which was an exhilarating and challenging experience for me and now the high has run its course. I really need more cowbell. But, its crucial to hope for more twists and turns are up ahead. Now, I am merely in a straight stretch trying not to nod off the road. I guess I need to roll down the windows, throw my arms to the wind and blast some music. Maybe some BOC.</div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-82083422069667682852009-06-10T12:49:00.000-07:002009-06-10T13:22:13.376-07:00Starbucks: Memorial Day Weekend -"Double" LattesI thought I was seeing double when I reviewed my bank statement the Tuesday following Memorial Day weekend and found two charges from <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090610/ap_on_bi_ge/us_starbucks_double_charge_2">Starbucks</a> for $3.66 on the same day. I rarely go to Starbucks so I knew for certain that I hadn't gone twice on the same day. I was out in Washington visiting a friend who had just had a baby, and on my way home decided to pick up a Caramel Frappaccino. Guess they decided to give my debit card a double shot rather than my latte.<br /><br />To make matters more complicated, I had just switched banks the week prior so I was unfamiliar with how they process charges. I called my bank and explained my dilema to them and they informed me that I would need to come into the bank and sign an affidavit stating that I had not authorized this charge. All this for a mere $3.66! Now we're talking principal. I believe a lot of people would simply write it off for such a trivial amount but if everyone did that how much would that amount to? Well, apparently it amounted to over <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2009-06-09-starbucks-doublebills-accidentally_N.htm?csp=34">one million</a> customers (multiply 1,000,000 x $3.66 = $3,660,000, but Starbucks is not disclosing the actual $ amount). <br /><br />My bank straightened everything out, but until today I half blamed my bank, and wondered how it happened and was concerned whether it could happen again only for larger amounts, like at the grocery or department stores. <br /><br />To further complicate matters, upon reviewing my bank statement online today, I discovered a new credit to my account for $3.66?! Which was what led me to discover the Starbucks debacle. I called my bank to alert them to the new credit in my account for the amount which was already credited, so now I need to give it back to Starbucks. Overall, if you were to add up all the time expended and variety of business and people involved in order to resolve this entire fiasco - I think Starbucks owes us all a "free latte day". I'll be waiting.<br /><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090610/ap_on_bi_ge/us_starbucks_double_charge_2"><br /></a>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-38480552990660946872009-06-07T21:19:00.001-07:002010-01-06T22:10:04.501-08:00What If I Died Last MondayIf I had died last Monday...<br /><br />My favorite shirt I put in the dryer Sunday night would still be tumbling in the heat (my dryer timer is broken)<br /><br />On Monday, my clothes would remain in piles unfolded on my bedroom floor<br /><br />On Tuesday, I wouldn't have overslept and been late for work<br /><br />On Wednesday, I wouldn't have read that email from my friend planning for our run on Thursday<br /><br />On Thursday - I wouldn't have experienced the perfect storm that blew through Portland. . . <br /><br />and, I wouldn't have laughed with my friend on the phone about having to cancel our run due to the storm that blew through Portland<br /><br />and, I wouldn't have talked to my sister on the phone on my way home from work while sitting in traffic for an hour due to the storm that blew through Portland.<br /><br />and, I wouldn't have reminisced with my dad on the phone on my way home from work while sitting in traffic for an hour in the storm about past Rose Festival parades and how I couldn't go to this year's, and saying maybe next year...<br /><br />On Friday, I wouldn't have stayed up late preparing for the baby shower I was giving for a friend on Saturday...<br /><br />And on Saturday, I wouldn't have heard the news that my childhood sister/friend had died on Monday.<br /><br />And, I wouldn't be spending this moment really evaluating my life.<br /><br />In memory of my friend Kelly Huddleston Johnson who lived her life in a way that brought joy and inspiration to others. You can watch some of her performances on You Tube, on the video bar below.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-71010277862171207402009-01-31T00:23:00.000-08:002009-01-31T00:44:29.354-08:00ChanceI have been afraid of writing. Perhaps its guilt. The haunting inside me persists, but I have not approached it. If I do know why then I am in denial. Perhaps it is fear. Fear of rejection.<br />I started writing a novel. I have heard it said that we are in love with our own writing. If that is true then I can only believe my novel so far is amazing.<br /><br />Writing is scary. I have gone to secret places and exposed myself in words. I have saved in Word these words.<br /><br />It must be rejection I fear. Writing is vulnerable. The only question is when will I allow myself to be vulnerable and fully criticized.<br /><br />So many brilliant humans have lived this earth never to have known their own footprints.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-47849633459793408022008-09-10T09:32:00.000-07:002008-09-10T10:00:15.924-07:00Mineral of LoveI have this daunting question that silently hovers in the back of my mind about whether everyone in this life is entitled to find their one true love.<br /><br />If the answer is yes, does it mean for those who never found love, they personally kept away that love?<br /><br />Steadfast love between two people fascinates me and amazes me. It, is in my opinion the most precious natural resource the earth possesses. It can not be bought, traded or sold, it just finds people. <br /><br />The few who are strong, hold on to it.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-1695878965210561802008-06-07T21:54:00.000-07:002008-06-07T22:58:37.238-07:00Where is God, Really?I would think I was crazy, if I wasn't right here.<br /><br />My story:<br /><br />Im a backslider. Thats what the church I grew up in as a child would have called me.<br /><br />I made a decision when I was 17, maybe I was already 18, that it all was not for me. I didn't go down that last alter call.<br /><br />21 years later, and Im doing just fine. God is just not in the picture. I don't even think about a god or religion.<br /><br />I don't do bad things. I live a respectable, moral life. I work, pay my bills, and be as kind to people as allowed. I can't lie even if I was offered chocolate -well that depends on the lie, of course. But, really, I can't. just ask my parents!<br /><br />I don't go to church. I don't want to.<br /><br />I believe that religion was only created in an attempt to keep people in line, way back in the prehistoric days.<br /><br />So, for me, its unnecessary.<br /><br />I'm not inclined to hurt anyone, or to do anything at all, ever that would hurt or take away from any other person.<br /><br />So why today did some random stranger give me a "message from God?"<br /><br />I don't even think whether or not there is such a thing as god! I don't.<br /><br />I believe religion is something you have to choose when you are an adult. I think it is wrong to subject children to religious view and indoctrination, since they are unable to decipher such things and it only can be brainwashing to expose children to religion. What else can they believe?<br /><br />I watch the ABC show Medium. And, I get that. But, bring it into the present real life, and I don't know what I want to think<br /><br />Wanna know what happened that shook me up so much? I think because Ive been away from this pshyco stuff so long, I was taken by surprise.<br /><br />First, I have to explain my week.<br /><br />I've probably had the most challenging week for me as a parent.<br /><br />Monday, I discovered Maryjane, in my youngest son's backpack and on Wednesday, my middle son moved into his own apartment following a 30 day eviction notice I gave him because he<br />dropped out of his senior year of high school and 30 days ago,I found him in his room passed out with an empty 1.5 liter of jack daniels on the floor.<br /><br />Great week.<br /><br />So today, Im at this building center, looking for stuff to remodel the room that my 18 yr old son just moved out of.<br /><br />I was about to leave and I went back to ask the owner guy a question. Out of the blue the owner, Daniel, the owner, looked at me and said "Can i ask you a question?" Well, I said "yes".<br />He asked "How is your walk with the lord?" I said "excuse me???" "Are you serious?" Yes, he responded. Then, he said "Are you a christian?" Dumbfounded, I said, "uh, been there", and not sure what I said after that, then he said, "well God is telling me to tell you, he is not dissappointed in you". I probably looked at him with as much disbelief that he was actually saying this to me, and he continued to say to me, "You've had a tough time lately and God wants you to come back"<br /><br />So, I looked at Daniel, and said, "haven't we all, thank you Daniel, have a good day" and I turned and walked away.<br /><br />So, its like so frickin weird. He just out of the blue some random stranger picks on me on one of my darkest moments. I was not in the slightest showing any reason at all that it was not a good week. In fact, I was in one of my better moods today and joking with my son.<br /><br />So, since I seem to forget details to everything at the end of each day, Im blogging today, while its still a fresh wound. I think I am in the beginning stages of alzheimer, since I come home at the end of the day, and forget where I put things in the morning. Its become a game. I hide things in the morning, and when I come home I forgot where I put them.<br /><br />Scary. This is my life. HmmmAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-48882194682121596002008-04-02T23:08:00.000-07:002008-04-02T23:56:50.162-07:00End of DayMy body is desperately begging me to crawl myself to bed, close my eyes and once again begin the cycle of waking up to radio chatter, hitting snooze and momentarily drifting back into my dream only to be beckoned once more by my insistent cell phone alarm. Alternately, my mind is stirring with ideas it has suppressed all during the day when my time belongs to others and I am unable to let my creative voice cry out.<br /><br />I can feel it deep inside but buried too far beneath the 9-5 routine to break free and just become.<br /><br />My story is patient and lies dormant just waiting for me to discover that its really not buried so deep.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-6185448116375946292008-03-29T19:53:00.000-07:002008-03-29T20:00:47.370-07:00Teach the World- Earth Hour 2008The candles are lit, and all my lights are out, but for the glow of my computer screen, which I will turn off in 5 minutes.<br /><br />My spirit is calm as I stare at the flicker of each candle flame. I think the world could learn a lot from a time-out.<br /><br />To everyone who is participating, you are making a difference, one person at a time.<br /><br />Peace go with you.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-84725949312468002952008-03-28T16:27:00.000-07:002008-03-28T17:45:02.120-07:00Turn Off The Lights Portland!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT5LPm4zaz4vhgU_UZRUKrOIp095RW0pZApTuh80_e3lK_wrYxyBezW2gOuR3fG2jQKFyv6QoaR08g3BGRdszIb641oVDAHfesh9PAfi4PXyg_xV80o9T_U07pl__LbeoMI3srg/s1600-h/138120514.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKIznsj7bnqUMDWJlv7bGGf3D95Yd44dyy9auXt1tZ5e8eiWL5wrgqCc8Wf8mb9nkkhNDl2P1n3IvIzR3Oz3cXKY9aL3lPBkLAh3C-KrmEpy0hJaF7EUfaNSYZ0vcZ3drc-m8Yg/s1600-h/160122086_d816bd009b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182957109679389810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKIznsj7bnqUMDWJlv7bGGf3D95Yd44dyy9auXt1tZ5e8eiWL5wrgqCc8Wf8mb9nkkhNDl2P1n3IvIzR3Oz3cXKY9aL3lPBkLAh3C-KrmEpy0hJaF7EUfaNSYZ0vcZ3drc-m8Yg/s320/160122086_d816bd009b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Its an event not to miss. Mark your calendars for tomorrow, Saturday, March 29, 2008, 8:00pm-9:00pm. Then, turn off your lights! The 2nd annual "lights out" officially known as Earth Hour, was birthed in 2007 in Sydney, Australia by the <a href="http://www.wwfus.org/" target="_blank">World Wildlife Fund</a> to bring attention and focus on global climate change. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I know its been snowing, and a bit cold for spring break (hmm, I'm almost 40 years old, and I don't ever, ever remember snow to the valley floor on the last week of March) but nothing is as beautiful as the glimmer of snow under a moonlit sky, right? So, Portland (and surrounding metro area) TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I am soooo surprised, we as a city have not signed up. Are we that much in the dark? We should be the leader in the great Northwest! Really, are we going to let Atlanta, Chicago, Arizona and San Francisco show us up on leading the United States towards awareness and conservation? </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Ok, so here's the deal - - Go sign up. After all, its fun to be in the dark.</div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-67133123316725205092008-01-13T14:59:00.000-08:002008-01-13T15:43:27.232-08:00NOT Playing In a Theater Near YouI rarely go out to the movies anymore. Its just easier to wait for the video release and watch them curled up underneath a snuggly blanket on my couch. The exception however, when I absolutely won't miss seeing a movie in the theaters, is with any John Cusack event. Maybe seeing him on the big screen takes me back to the 80's, when he was my total hearthrob, while stuffing q-tips into his face he was absolutely irrisistable! For no matter the reason, I patiently await every new film he is working on to finally make its way to a "theater near me". <br /><br />Which brings me to his latest movie, <a href="http://www.graceisgone-themovie.com/">Grace is Gone.</a> I have been following its progression since early last year when word was released about the project. I have been eagerly anticipating seeing this movie, and finally it has been released, but only in a land far, far away from me. I am completely devastated I am not able to see this movie. What if something happens to me and I die and never get to see it...that would be the absolute end of it all.<br /><br />I have unsuccessfully tried to find out where it is playing, using fandango and yahoo movies. Unless I can guess a zip code, for some idiotic reason, the movie listings won't give you a list of locations where a film is currently playing. I seriously think that needs to be fixed. Example, I want to take a vacation but I'm not sure where I want to go yet. What I do know is that while I'm on my vacation, I want to see a particular movie. How will I know where the movie is playing in order to decide where I want to go on vacation? They really ought to think these sorts of things out when they are creating these web sites. Its quite an obvious oversight.<br /><br />Meanwhile, I am restricted to going to the official site of Grace is Gone, and repeatedly watching the preview for my JC fix.<br /><br />Trivia: The date in the movie they chose as the date of the death of Stanley's wife, is my birthday!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-7005268290551247702007-11-07T16:21:00.000-08:002007-11-07T16:32:08.753-08:00Listen to Dave Ramsey - Live Streaming Radio StationsFor all of you in the Northwest, whether you just can't wait til 7 pm to listen to the Dave Ramsey show, or, you want to hear him in real time, then check out this <a href="http://radiotime.com/options/p_20156/The_Dave_Ramsey_Show.aspx">list of online radio stations</a> back east, which are streaming live.<br /><br />Update on my <a href="http://buck50.blogspot.com/2007/04/baby-steps-to-financial-freedom.html"> "Baby Steps" :</a><br />I'M DEBT FREE!!!!!<br /><br />I am now on Baby Step 4.<br /><br />It is truly an amazing feeling and if I can do it (a single mom with teenage boys, receiving zero in child support) then anyone can. What do you have to lose?Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-28792696084451292602007-10-18T12:42:00.000-07:002007-10-18T13:44:37.738-07:00A Date with Dave RamseyI've been on a blogging hiatus for some time now.<br /><br />While I would love nothing more than to write my thoughts each and every day, that just does not pay the bills for me right now.<br /><br />But, today is worth the risk to post a quickie.<br /><br />I have a date tonight with Dave Ramsey! Well, not really a date, of course. But, I am going to see him - yeay!<br /><br />I have been waiting a long time (1 year) and here he is finally, in Portland!<br /><br />Last year, at this time I posted I was Debt Free. This year, I have maintained my debtfree-edness and will begin the new year, with a fully funded emergency fund.<br /><br />So, tonight I am going to see my leader - just kidding- really.<br /><br />Tomorrow, I will post how my date went and all the juicy details.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-28991794020562481962007-06-04T13:43:00.000-07:002007-06-04T15:02:39.233-07:00Energize Me Its MondayInevitably, the weekend has left us and took with it our beautiful sunshine. As much as I love, scratch that, crave the animated color and warmth of the sun as it beams down upon our northwest landscape, I won't move away to any other place that might enjoy its company more often than we do. So, I guess I love living among green things even more than I do being hit by sunbeams, as wonderful as that may be. It would be nice, however, if one of the results of "global warming", was for more sunshiny days in P-town. <br /><br /><br />I worked all weekend in my yard (except for my backyard - which, I am not going to touch- as I indicated in a previous post). And so, as the sun set yesterday evening after I had pushed the final pile of debris into the compost pile, upon impulse, I did a drive-by of my yard.<br /><br />I drove around the block and back from every possible direction, to see what my blood (literally) and perspiration had inspired. And Mom said it was good. I had a small glimpse into how the creator may have felt after the seventh day.<br /><br />When I found it to my satisfaction I decided to take a picture. Alas, my camera blinked "change the batteries" and I decided, that is how I felt too. Wouldn't it be sweet if we could just shut off when we had had enough, and blink "change the batteries".<br /><br />My battery change, if I could do so, would be a week-long cruise where I could be pampered and not have to cook or clean up after anyone else. While I was away on this spectacular cruise, someone would be repainting and making repairs to my house, and doing all the laundry. And I would return refreshed to a home without a list of to do's.<br /><br />Ahhh, Energize Me!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-40600751819517485332007-06-02T14:53:00.000-07:002007-06-02T15:25:28.477-07:00There Goes My View<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKrS2w9pIy2Ifry8lqcsnIcvFbL7DQVbRbKeUauGImQEPlAY8NTGefTklkeBAAEatAfpqDgp4nn_eHLdHU-t5p2kXu3hFE0b2SZTy0HMOFNoTxeEsoOgMBk4_HTHpQw9zeRbWVA/s1600-h/Craigslist+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071588790654327010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKrS2w9pIy2Ifry8lqcsnIcvFbL7DQVbRbKeUauGImQEPlAY8NTGefTklkeBAAEatAfpqDgp4nn_eHLdHU-t5p2kXu3hFE0b2SZTy0HMOFNoTxeEsoOgMBk4_HTHpQw9zeRbWVA/s400/Craigslist+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left">See the house on the right hand side of the photo? It belongs to an elderly gentleman, who has always remained pretty reclusive during the 5 years I have lived here. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">So, imagine my surprise this morning when I see dozens of cars parking and people walking up his driveway and walking into his house and back out again with arms full of treasures.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Curious, I walked out front and noticed the sign that read "Estate Sale". </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I knew this day was coming. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">In fact, just last summer when my other neighbors next to me were moving and we were talking about all the new houses being built in the neighborhood, I said (without knocking on wood, obviously) that it was inevitible that once they sell that house behind us, they will no doubt tear it down and build 2 monster homes on the double lot, which will in turn block my view. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I'm not saying that its the most incredible view in the world, but, its mine, and its all I have. Its one of the things that actually differentiates my house from the other bungalows around in my neighborhood that are sandwiched in between big houses. Not any more.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The thought of having to sit on my back porch and look at someone's oversize house, pisses me off. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I was spending my weekends cleaning up my backyard, trying to make it look nice, but hell, Im going to stop now. If they want to block my view, well then they can look at a crappy, overgrown, weed-filled, yard! Beside, I'll have no need for it to look nice anymore, since I won't be able to sit out on my porch and enjoy my view or watch the fireworks explode across the hills on 4th July. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Se-la-vi.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-12497281390587814362007-06-02T10:59:00.000-07:002007-06-05T21:41:14.204-07:00Come On and Sweat With Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoz8kQRs61dz1vMHExGovDXqYD-fNQUClcR7rN6a4-FzaMi1tn-79WFFvwAaOT2dwqXfFAWThlhwEDrGB8z5Hg1mAb5lsh5I9EKh37JSjdSu1U6eoeyPKCxDG3XVhp5_IVXd7iw/s1600-h/Craigslist+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072806734156672818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoz8kQRs61dz1vMHExGovDXqYD-fNQUClcR7rN6a4-FzaMi1tn-79WFFvwAaOT2dwqXfFAWThlhwEDrGB8z5Hg1mAb5lsh5I9EKh37JSjdSu1U6eoeyPKCxDG3XVhp5_IVXd7iw/s400/Craigslist+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">My Mission: Get ready for summer and all that it implies, tanks, shorts, and the most feared - swimming suit!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">My weapon of choice: Eclipse 1100 elliptical, I just got off of craigslist for a mere $150 - way cheaper than a club membership, paying for gas to drive to a club, and I don't have to wait for a machine to be available. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Stay tuned...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-84833258817934524692007-05-31T10:44:00.000-07:002007-05-31T10:51:17.620-07:00My Backyard<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN7mxVS68UhYfq2tFR85YDhR7Oa4uV0wb_srt8Sh8X7ns2bUf5H2_wO_EBZIDoizjVfDdZhFyhI5k8WoyjNFHIfNhapWc1IHQHxj7ijyEbNExPJlTnZDo-bZVOfw0OG5kZ2ffwQ/s1600-h/Dec+2005-2006+134.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN7mxVS68UhYfq2tFR85YDhR7Oa4uV0wb_srt8Sh8X7ns2bUf5H2_wO_EBZIDoizjVfDdZhFyhI5k8WoyjNFHIfNhapWc1IHQHxj7ijyEbNExPJlTnZDo-bZVOfw0OG5kZ2ffwQ/s320/Dec+2005-2006+134.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; width: 7px; height: 7px;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> I am taking the day off of work tomorrow and this is where I will be. In the morning with my coffee, relaxing on my back porch looking out across the Willamette river to the hills of Oregon City. In the early part of the afternoon, I will sit and read whilst I enjoy some ice tea and listen to the quiet peace of no kids running around the house or neighborhood. Just a day to myself. Ahhh, can you hear me un-stressing? <br /></div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-60864457656639509702007-05-30T14:01:00.000-07:002007-05-30T17:04:27.213-07:00Vietnam's Missing In Action - Still POW's - Or - Just Another Conspiracy Theory?Over the Memorial Day weekend a book was released, claiming that hundreds of soldiers were left in Vietnam at the end of the war knowingly abandoned by the U.S. government, with the possibility that some may still be alive. The book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enormous-Crime-Definitive-Abandoned-Southeast/dp/0312371268/ref=sr_1_2/002-3267153-6933652?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180558443&sr=1-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">An Enormous Crime</span></a>, written by a former US Senator, Bill Hendon (NC; 1981 - 1983; 1985 - 1987) and an attorney, Elizabeth Stewart, depicts accountings of sightings of American soldiers and boasts on its cover a spy satellite image of a rice field in Laos with five foot letters "USA" with an army code beside it known only to U.S. pilots, leading to the belief that one or more soldiers are waiting, hoping to be rescued.<br /><br />When I heard about this book and its claims for the first time last night on the <a href="http://www.coasttocoastam.com/shows/2007/05/29.html">radio</a><a href="http://www.coasttocoastam.com/shows/2007/05/29.html"></a>, I decided to look more into this story, because I'm all about conspiracies inside our government and this one just seems huge!<br /><br />In my investigation I stumbled upon another site, <a href="http://www.miafacts.org/hendon.htm">MIA facts.com</a>, claiming that in fact, Bill Hendon himself is a phony and is simply spreading this conspiracy with a few others as a means for publicity and monetary gain. By 1986, he had apparently raised over $2.4 million, as a sort of reward fund waiting for whoever returned or found the missing POW's. I hope he put it in a mutual fund, because today that would be a lot of reward money. If I was a guard of these American prisoners in Vietnam, and I saw that, I'd let them all go in a heartbeat.<br /><br />Furthering his cause, Hendon teamed up with Congressman John LeBoutillier, who apparently is full of himself. I found an article about him <a href="http://autone.wordpress.com/2006/12/22/john-leboutillier-mock-and-jaw/">here</a>. Apparently, Hendon was overheard telling LeBoutillier to stick with him and they were going to make a book and movie out of this. Not someone, who I would team up with, if I wanted credibility. Nonetheless, to support the release of the book here is a letter from <a href="http://www.aiipowmia.com/inter27/in140407enormous.html">Congressman LeBoutilier</a> dated April 13, 2007.<br /><br />I will let you read the links and decide for yourself. Either there really is a government conspiracy comparable to the Watergate scandal, which would explain the negative verbage about these guys, in an attempt to undermine their mission or, they really are all about greed and politics and maybe a little pride thrown into the mix. It really would make for one hell of a John Grisham novel/movie though. My only request would be that Matthew McConaughey get the lead.<br /><br />I guess the only appropriate conclusion is to pay tribute to the U.S. soldiers through history up to now. Thanks for all you have sacrificed and continue sacrificing now to serve our country, despite who is calling the shots.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enormous-Crime-Definitive-Abandoned-Southeast/dp/0312371268/ref=sr_1_2/002-3267153-6933652?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180558443&sr=1-2"><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></a>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998217.post-65803814634006857522007-05-29T10:43:00.000-07:002007-05-29T11:55:11.144-07:00Wanna Come Out and Play?<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaw85PFyxkcx9CBvC_sAogWxo1zx8HCi2dXOfEd85G7oND1XrkG4te-MuELa_2J_ewZnjML6xvYC66ynTjvfJFBQulI4gP8bUGKdQj8IfCRwA24lnpDzhnyTbshi3vYIsVu_Wr5g/s1600-h/4A.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaw85PFyxkcx9CBvC_sAogWxo1zx8HCi2dXOfEd85G7oND1XrkG4te-MuELa_2J_ewZnjML6xvYC66ynTjvfJFBQulI4gP8bUGKdQj8IfCRwA24lnpDzhnyTbshi3vYIsVu_Wr5g/s400/4A.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; width: 8px; height: 8px;" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> No birds were harmed in the taking of this photo.<br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18422725762808230423noreply@blogger.com2