Grandma's Visit is Over

This morning I dropped Katie off at school and then dropped my Mom off at the airport. She caught an 11am flight home to Kansas after spending 10 days with us. Last week, Katie's school had their Spring Break, so she had plenty of time to pal around with her Grandma.

Next item on our agenda - 8 days in Virginia visiting family.

Road Trip With My Mom

Tolovana Beach State Park, Northern Oregon Coast

My Mom and I left the apartment at about 10:30am and drove a 235-mile loop today. We took highway 30 west to the coast where we turned south on 101 and spent some time at Fort Clatsop learning a little bit about Lewis and Clark and their Native American guide, Sacagawea.

We continued south on the Pacific Coast Highway 101 and ended up in Seaside, Oregon. We walked on the beach, browsed through a couple of the shops and ate dinner at Dooger's Seafood and Grill.

After dinner, we made our way to Tolovana Beach State Park where we photographed the gorgeous sunset over the ocean.

Highway 26 east took us back to Portland and we were home by about 8:30pm. It was a good day, but I'm exhausted and ready for bed! Signing off ~

Sure Is Quiet...

... when Suzie is busy! I haven't talked with Suzie or Katie since they headed up to Seattle. And, very little texting or emails either! I am sure they are enjoying the space, neighborhood and Suzie's Mom. They head down here tomorrow -- long drive along the coast -- I think. I will do my "no rain" dance... I only do it when we really need sun shine in the Pacific Northwest!

Katie Just LOVES Her Cousin Abby!

Cousin Abby stopped by for a quick visit before driving back to her home in Southern California, after spending three weeks at Hedgebrook for a writer's retreat. Hedgebrook is a rural retreat on Whidbey Island where woman writers gather from all over the world to write, rejuvenate and be in community with each other. It's quite an accomplishment to be selected as a participant and we're so proud of our Abby!

Katie and I drove up to Seattle on Friday, March 20th, picked up my Mom at the airport the next day and we're planning to stay here for the majority of the week. It's Katie's Spring Break, so no school for her. Abby spent last night with us, which was a treat since we don't get to see her all that often.

We had a lazy morning, while we waited for the refrigerator repair man to arrive. After that was fixed, we ate lunch and took Abby to see Snoqualmie Falls. At about 4pm, she continued on her way. Katie was especially sad to see her go. From the moment Abby walked in the door yesterday, Katie was all over her! I think it's safe to assume she's looking forward to the next time we get together.

Hokies Out

Well, March Madness ended for the Hokies as the fell in round 2 of the NIT tournament today. They could not buy a basket. At least for me, still a little bit of excitement as I head back out today to watch the second round of the NCAA tournament here in Portland. We have a lot of folks who have attended three of the four schools playing today - University of Washington, Gonzaga & Western Kentucky! So, I am cheering for UofW in game 1 and Western Kentucky in game 2!

Had a great time on Thursday but boy was it a long day. I can't complain as I was sitting in a box suite. Today, much more manageable!

Another Interview with Katie

1. What is something Gina always says to you?

"Ouch", when I pull her hair.

2. What makes Gina happy?

When I wrap something in a box, with paper and ribbon and I let her open it up.

3. What makes Gina sad?

When I pinch her.

4. How does Gina make you laugh?

When she tickles me, and I laugh.

5. What was Gina like as a child?

She was funny.

6. How old is Gina?

29

7. How tall is Gina?

4 tall

8. What is Gina's favorite thing to do?

Her favorite thing is to play with me.

9. What does Gina do when you're not here?

She likes to run around the house. And she goes to work to get money and stuff.

10. If Gina becomes famous, what will it be for?

Earning lots of money.

11. What is Gina really good at?

She so good at earning money.

12. What is Gina not very good at?

She not really good at sewing.

13. What does Gina do for a job?

She does nice things.

14. What is Gina's favorite food?

Phish Food (Ben and Jerry's ice cream)

15. What makes you proud of Gina?

If she runs just like me, but faster than me.

16. If Gina were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Horton

17. What do you and Gina do together?

We do races.

18. How are you and Gina the same?

We both are going to the same place.

19. How are you and Gina different?

When we go to our rooms, but not the same room.

20. How do you know Gina loves you?

Because she says, I love you, to me.

21. What does Gina like most about your other Mommy?

When she gives her a present.

22. Where is Gina's favorite place to go?

Work.

Men's March Madness!

Wow! It has already started... Go HOKIES! While they didn't make it to the big dance, they got a #2 seed in the NIT tournament and won in double overtime to win the first game.

Tomorrow, I spend the day at the Rose Garden watching the four games set to play in Portland, OR for the NCAA tournament! We are taking clients and sharing a box suite with two other companies. Everyone is excited because it is the first time the tournament has been played in Portland and we got Washington and Gonzaga. Even though they are not Oregon schools, they are considered "local" favorites! Unfortunately, Portland State (located right here in the city) was sent to Idaho.

I've never been to the big dance and I don't think I have watched that much basketball at once, either! We head out at 10:00am and will more than likely get home at 10:00pm as I think we have the last tip off at 9:55 Eastern. And, that's not all... we head back on Saturday for the last two games!

I want upsets and close games!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I picked up Katie today at school and here's how our conversation went driving home:

Me: Did you do anything for St. Patrick's Day at school today?

Katie: We had green milk for lunch. But, I didn't like it. My teacher finished it for me.

Me: Were you the only one who didn't like it?

Katie: No. Everyone at my table and even the kids at the other table didn't like it either.

Me: Well, why not? What did it taste like?

Katie: It tasted like poopy.

Me: What? Poopy? How do you know it tasted like poopy? Have you ever tasted poopy to even know what it tastes like?

Katie: Well, yes I have.

Me: No you haven't.

Katie: Yes, I have.

Me: Oh really, well when did you taste poopy?

Katie: Well, one time when you and Gina weren't home and it was just me there, a bad guy came in and he made me eat poopy.

Me: A bad guy, huh? Whose poopy did you eat? His, yours, or did he bring someone elses?

Katie: He made me eat his.

Me: So, how exactly did that work? Did he poop right there in front of you and hand you a piece?

Katie: Yep, and he made me taste pee, too.

Me: What did that taste like?

Katie: Pee.

Me: Hmm, ok. So, how did you finally get rid of this bad guy?

Katie: Oh, I killed him.

Me: Really? How did you do that?

Katie: Well, actually, I didn't kill him. I just chased him out of the house with a broom.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium

Today we felt like a road trip and Regina had heard good things about the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, so we all buckled in and headed out. It was a rainy, yucky day, but we were able to forget about that during our visit to the aquarium. It was totally worthwhile.

Katie's Colorful Playdate

Today after school, I picked up Katie and took her over to her friend's house to play for a while. She was excited to also eat dinner at her friend's house, because that's what big girls do.

After I dropped her off, I drove over to pick up Regina at her office and we went shopping for a portable gas grill. Regina had done some research online and found one she liked, made by Coleman. Living in this apartment, we really miss being able to grill meats for dinner, so Regina thought we should buy a portable model for while we're in the apartment and later we can use it when we go camping. We found the one we wanted and bought it. At that point, it wasn't yet time to pick Katie up, so we went out to dinner, all by ourselves! What a treat!

After dinner, we picked up Katie and discovered that she and her best buddy had drawn all over themselves with red magic marker! Oh my goodness, they got it everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE - you know what I mean. Crazy girls.

After laughing about it and taking pictures, it was time to get serious about cleaning it off. Regina put her in the shower and began the process of scrubbing it off. She wasn't having much success and asked me to look online for solutions. Of course, every parent has a "magic marker" story, so google turned up numerous suggestions for the most effective method of removing magic marker from skin. Each person swore that their solution removed it like magic, although we failed to have the same magical results! We tried bath soap, dish soap, olive oil, sunscreen, toothpaste and A&D ointment. It was also suggested we should try baby wipes, alcohol and makeup remover but we didn't have any of those in the house. Actually though, we think the toothpaste worked the best out of all the things we did try.

Now she's ready for bed, minty fresh and with only the slightest evidence that just a couple of hours ago she was pretty messed up.

An Interview with Katie

1. What is something mom always says to you?

She always says to "go potty" when we leave.

2. What makes mom happy?

If the key been broken and we called someone to fix it, and then we screwed it back together, put it in a box, and gave it to Mom, then she would open it up and hug me. Then we would tell Gina about it.

3. What makes mom sad?

When you hit her and then stick your tongue out.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

When she tickles you, and then you laugh.

5. What was your mom like as a child?

Sweet.

6. How old is your mom?

Five

7. How tall is your mom?

A hundred ninety tall.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

To take pictures of me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not here?

She works.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

For a rocking show.

11. What is your mom really good at?

Getting me dressed into clothes.

12. What is your mom not very good at?

Not really good at climbing houses.

13. What does your mom do for a job?

She help Gina sometimes.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

Ice cream.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

If she gives me a stuffed animal, like a teddy bear, and wraps it in a box, gives it to me and I open it up.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Mickey Mouse.

17. What do you and your mom do together?

We go to the park together. The one that has the dinosaur bone.

18. How are you and your mom the same?

We both wear jewelry.

19. How are you and your mom different?

We don't wear the same clothes.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

Because she loves on me.

21. What does your mom like most about your other Mom?

Her curly hair.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

To Disneyland.

Katie Portrait

We went to downtown Portland today to check out the Portland Saturday Market. It wasn't quite what we'd hoped it would be, so we didn't stay long. I did however, find a brick wall I liked and had Katie stand in front of it for an casual portrait. And here it is...

Extreme Spring Forward

While we were busy advancing our clocks one HOUR last night, Katie seems to have advanced hers by about 10 YEARS! Our little "teenager" has either outgrown most of her clothes, or she has holes and stains in the knees, so we went shopping yesterday for her. At Old Navy she picked out these low-rise jeans with a belt (which she loves - she always pulled her pants down below her waist anyway...) and a cool cat t-shirt. Her white leather shoes are new too and you can't tell in this picture, but they are Mary Janes. She needed something other than dirty sneakers to wear when she dresses up.

This Little Piggy Went to Market

And we'll be hollering "Yay, yay, yay, all the way to closing!" With any luck. Hmm, we'll see.

Yes, the house is going on the market today. I've been preparing the house for the last couple of days and then tonight I'll drive back to Portland.

Last year when we tried to sell, our realtor staged the house, which is something we've never done before. After seeing what she did, we realized we loved how it looked. So this time, we staged it again, but on our own. I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of what we did.

In the foyer, we never could figure out what to do with this space. When our realtor staged the house last spring, she put a small table with a lamp and artificial flower against the wall. So, we figured we would just do that again. But, last week we were browsing a furniture store in Portland and saw this combination of two chairs and table which immediately seemed like the perfect thing to put in the foyer. And, to make it even more fun, it was all marked way down and in Oregon we don't pay sales tax!

This is the kitchen table all set up.

And here is a closeup of the setting. We already had the gold chargers. The plates, napkins, and napkin rings all came from the clearance shelf at Pier One. I absolutely love these plates and loved them even more when I realized they were marked down 75%.

This is what we did with the dining room table.

And here is a closeup of the setting. We already had the white plate, but bought everything else at Pottery Barn at about 80% off. Well, not the napkin rings. Unfortunately, they are new this season so we paid full price. But, I loved them and really, really needed them. The placemats were a steal because they were considered Christmas merchandise. If you look closely, you can see a pattern on the surface. It is made of gold seed beads sewn on. Really gorgeous.

Okay well, I have a little bit of cleaning left to do before I start my drive back to Portland. Gotta go...