Sign of the Times ~ How Time Flies

This lovely tranquil spot happens to be where I take my night class. We have a break and I come out here and enjoy the serenity.

RELAY FOR LIFE, my sister is a survivor!

This is my sister Kitty's luminary at the Relay For Life. (more on that soon!)

Sign of the Times

A sure sign of the times... we are all so busy we don't even have time for each other. But, do make time for what is important to you for TIME IS SHORT! I always joke that "Life is like a roll of toilet paper ~ the closer you get to the end, the faster it seems to go." Isn't that so true?

So I've decided to go back to school, because I STILL don't really know what I want to be when I grow up... but at least I am heading in a positive direction and I'm really proud that I ACTUALLY am doing it. I tried to talk myself out of it. I said outloud that I didn't know if I could do it. My sister and my niece said "YES YOU CAN!!!" And then when the financial aid seemed like it wasn't going to go through in time, I almost was glad... (it did come through in time) but then I realized that I NEEDED to go out of my comfort zone and do this. Part of it was my mindset that I might not be smart enough. But most of it was that I was just AFRAID to try it, to jump forward, to leap into the unknown. And of course now I am glad that I am doing it. IT'S HARD! It requires a lot of organization, planning, concentration. Not to mention juggling... juggling family time, cleaning the house, sleeping, homework, class time (on Thursdays I am in class for 6 hours) and the absolute knowledge that it is CERTAINLY TRUE what they tell you, that for every hour of class you should expect 2 hours of homework.

So, I am making the time, (and the leap!) into college. For me, for my family, for my future! Step outside of your comfort zone ~ there's a lot of life there waiting for you!

WOO HOO

Graduations, Promotions, and squirrels!

Camping spot at Sunnyside. Oregon is SO pretty!

5th grade promotion

This charming fellow is my great nephew. Drinking SODA??!!!

Easily amused!

This guy wants to join in the fun!

AFTER he ate the Pringles....

and, BEFORE he ate the Pringles....

It's been a busy month!

My oldest graduated from high school in early June, top of his class. Received the Presidential Award! My youngest has been promoted on to middle school. I'm officially on vacation from my school job, so now I will go back to college, summer term! My middle son wants to get his drivers permit! Oh Lordy I'm busy! But happy!

This last weekend I went camping with my sister, daughter and great-niece. Just us girls! All went well until I woke up in the middle of the night to ABSOLUTE SILENCE! Mind you, my house is right by the freeway so I've gotten used to the (loud!) traffic 24/7, but never thought I'd have trouble sleeping with no noise. Then there was the sound of crunching leaves/twigs right outside our tent. Have I ever told you I am a big CHICKEN? Afraid of the dark, I am!

I was never so happy to see the sun rise as that morning. Now I feel silly....

My sister and I entertained ourselves by tempting a squirrel (or is this a chipmunk?) into a PRINGLES can and watching it stuff 6 or 7 or 8 red grapes into its cheeks. That was our fun.

Then there's this sweet old dog I currently have listed for sale on Ebay (thanknukindly) that would just LOVE to chase after one of those squirrely squirrels.

Summer's going to be great! School, fun, relaxing, spending time with family. Wonderful!

Finally, the end to a great day: FOOD!

These are the backs of the antique stores we were in.

A view going out of town. Yes, OREGON!

My favorite house in Silverton. What's it's story? Can I come live there?

My dinner: teriyaki chicken breast with pineapple salsa, fresh squash veggies and baked red potatoes and a tall glass of iced tea. Looked good enough to eat! So I did! Oh MAN, was it GOOOOOOOOOOOD! (5 stars!)

And, 80 degrees at sunset OVER the river is where we sat to eat this delicious meal! Can life get much better than that?

Silver Grill in Silverton, Oregon

A wonderful, high class restaurant, yet casual enough you can walk in comfortably in jeans.

A surprisingly affordable menu.

And... absolutely delicious food to boot!

Great staff! Great view overlooking the Silver River.

Another must stop!

More Day Trip, Next Venture: SILVERTON Downtown

Ah, my favorite things... vintage jewelry!
Old windows!

A feast for the eyes! Where do I look first?!

So pretty!

Downtown Silverton Antique Stores

After we left the Oregon Garden we had a choice: go on to the Woodburn Tulip Festival or check out downtown Silverton. We decided to drive downtown and we'd decide there.

Here are just a few shots of the antique stores we went to. So much to see!

More Oregon Garden

Something at every turn to please the eye. This, a large dragonfly sculpture.
I loved all the different trees!

...and the birds in them!

A great idea for kids, from the children's garden.

Kitty's favorite flower found here.

This couple has really gone to pot!

Wonderful, soothing fountains were aplenty!

Each turn, a vignette!

Amazing!

...and then, the smiling daffodils!

This was such a fun day for me and my sister, Kitty!

A nice little getaway looking at things we love... plants! And stopping at most of the benches to enjoy the view and conversation at a pace we could relish.

I have to do this day trip in sections! First we went to the Oregon Garden.

You really must go each season. We happened to go during spring. Daffodils in bloom. Or, as Kitty said... "They're smiling at us"... how enchanting!

Every flower, tree, bush, fountain... was a treat!

Hurry! GO! You might miss something!

The Oregon Garden in Spring!

A cool arbor with the scent of daphne. This was heaven! Our favorite spot!
A spectacular view! ... Actually, everywhere you look is spectacular!

A view from the arbor!

A second favorite spot! There were quite a few favorites!

But somehow we kept coming back to this one....

A Day Trip To The Oregon Coast

Just to the left of the Devils Punchbowl , above.

Cape Foulweather is off to the right, above.

This old stump dared to block my view, but isn't it beautiful?

My three, silhoettes... above.

The boys favorite shop in Newport, above. Upstairs is the most interesting things... They always get a new hat. And we have fun in the black light room with all the psychedelic posters... do go if you like the smell of incense!

And the view of the Newport bridge, which I walked across last spring. Oh dear, it was such a long walk. But... INVIGORATING! I dare you to try it!


Our trip to the coast today! A spur of the moment! The weather in the valley was gorgeous. Why sit home when we can test our luck that it's the same at the coast? (actually, weather.com confirmed it!) It was perfect, barely any wind, late enough that the tourists were mostly gone. A gorgeous day and fun time with the kids. Have you ever been? Make sure you put it on your to-do list if you haven't.