Let go and let Barbra

Thinking about Roseburg, OR tonight. . .



I am in Medford which is much like Roseburg in many ways.

Brody's First Day of School

Brody is so happy in this photo, I just had to share. This is his first day of pre school. I am so proud of my sister right now for many reasons, but mostly for dealing with homework. I forget how much mom and dads help with homework. I can't even imagine. All I want to do in the afternoon and evening is nap.

God Bless the parents and children. --Sean

Introducing the Nephews

Above is Layke, Brody and Layne Lynch, my nephews, Kelli's boys. Layke started 4th Grade, Brody started pre school and Layne is in First Grade. We have good Genes, ya?

The Girls, Liza, The Shed and Politics

Jim and I often refer the girl kitties as models as they are so pretty and sometimes have an attitude. Here are the girls posing as they do. Not often the three are together like this. Cappy I am sure was thrilled to be left alone for once. Bianca (whom I've used for my blog photo) has become my morning buddy. She's always there waiting for me on the ironing board, and always gives little kittie kisses and hugs. Then when I am off to the shower Gracie is always there waiting for me on the sink to watch me shave and then right into the shower. She loves the water and the bathroom. I am thinking it's because she was locked up there for the first week here.

On Monday night I wanted something to watch, so I browsed through Jim's DVDs and found the Remastered version of Liza With a "Z" concert made for television back in 1972, which is the year of my birth. I have always been a fan of Liza Minnelli, but have become obsessed this week with her and now Bob Fosse. I've danced his choreography when I was in Sweet Charity at Western, lead male dancer, I may add, and had forgotten how brilliant he is. So, I watched Kiss Me Kate, one of his first "acting/dancing" roles. Below is a clip of Bye Bye Blackbird, which is my favorite piece from the show. Aren't the moves amazing? I'd forgotten how well Liza moved. . .



Below is a photo of Cindy, Frank and Alex working on the cement slab for the potting shed. Pretty cool.



I've been intrigued with the conventions the last two weeks, both of them. I always like listening to both sides and couldn't get enough of the spectacle. It's just so fascinating. After spending three days in Dallas, TX I have more of an appreciation for Portland and how progressive we are. Jim was observing the other night at how different the regions are throughout our nation culturally and politically. We forget that they all aren't like us up here in the Great Pacific NW. With that, it's interesting to me that I've become more conservative as I get older and independent.

Kelli's New House

My sister Kelli and her husband Casey just bought a new house in the Indianapolis area. Brilliant! I won't tell you all how much they paid, as for those of us in the NW we deal with such a high price to live in God's country.

I wish them and the boys the best of luck. The poor boys had to start off the year at a new school. But if they are as social as Kelli is they will do very well.
Much love!

South Garden Two

Above is a picture of Alex (our yard guy), Cindy and Frank (Jim's good friends). What are they doing? They are all moving plants, building foundation molds, and moving rock to build a potting shed. The yard is brilliant and this year I am more of the supporting actor as all I am really doing is nothing, just a few words here and there. I Pop in from time to time. I have been on the road a lot lately.

I've been to Montana and Southern Oregon most recently. Thanks Mom for the Keno numbers. I won $42.00 in Missoula!

Thinking about my sister Kelli and her family living in their new house. Congratulations Casey and Kelli!!

I am also thinking about my Grandma, Aunt Toni and Wanda who are in Florida. They are dealing with a huge storm and their property is flooding. State of emergency! So far the house is fine. The yard is totally flooded including the pond. God bless you Toni. Once I heard Jacksonville named on NPR I knew instantly there was a problem.

Much love to everyone.

That's it for now.

The Last Two Weeks

I promised myself this blog would never be about work, but knowing you all deal with the same kind of stuff I do, I must say it's been crazy The Last Two Weeks. Enough said.

Above is a photo of Hay Stack Rock. Jim and I drove to the coast last weekend and walked on the beach. So many hotties. At times I thought I was in SO California. I am so used to the SO OR coast where there are no people walking around. We went to Cannon Beach, which takes about 1.5 hours from Portland. It was just good for me to bond with Jim. Such a good guy. Thanks Jim!

My weekends have been full of movies, DVD TV series, a garage sale and lots of house cleaning and weeding. I have some media recommendations for you all. Calendar Girls (British movie with Helen Mirren), Definitely, Maybe (romantic comedy, many may tease me, but who doesn't like love?) It made me feel good. DVD TV series: Eureka. This is a show on the SCIFI Channel apparently. I don't have cable, so I rely on renting DVDs for all my cable viewing. Love this show! I am not a huge SCIFI fan, but this show is well done and very entertaining. It's all about a top secret town which inhabits the smartest people in the world. Don't see Mix With Water, waste of time. I also watched the first X-Files movie again, which was delightful. About a month ago I watched the whole mini-series of John Adams, which I also recommend.

On the Internet: For all you mothers, check out: www.inthemotherhood.com Don't ask me how I discovered this site (a long chain of clicking and Youtube), but there are some great webisodes with Chelsea Handler and other folks acting out real life "mother" stories.

That's it for now. I am currently in Pasco, WA getting ready to watch the Opening Ceremony to the Olympics, which I always love. I've watched the opening ceremonies since the Summer Olympics in LA back in 1984. I was 12. And I think in 1988 Whitney Houston sang a theme song, which put me over the top.

Below is a one-handed photo of me and Jim on the beach. Don't make fun of my huge head. :o)