Merry Christmas

From Our Furry Family to Yours...Merry Christmas!

Giving Up or Had Enough?

I QUIT!

These are honestly words I never expected to use during my tenure at the museum. I had always anticipated my employment status would change based on their decision, not mine. Unfortunately, the changes and uncertainty surrounding the museum have altered the way it needs to do business. Those changes include taking comp time and flexible scheduling away. While we are considered salaried employees and therefore exempt from comp time, the museum had always honored it since our department's schedule was so erratic. Sometimes we work 50-60 hours weeks, working hours during the day and the night, but we always took days off to compensate (flexible scheduling) or "banked" those hours (comp time) for later. Not anymore. If I were to work Monday-Friday and have an overnight on Saturday/Sunday, I would be expected to return to work Monday-Friday instead of getting Monday/Tuesday off. From my calculations that is 12 days without a day off. When I voiced my concern, I was told "that's the job". There are dozens of other conversations and altercations which lead to this outcome and wish I could say that I was sorry about my decision...but I am not. 

I will return to volunteering at the museum -- being a docent and giving tours brings me happiness -- I still plan to help my co-workers out with big events and maybe an overnight from time to time. I still love what the museum stands for and I believe in its mission but I will decide just how much time I will donate and when, not the other-way around.

Changing My Perspective

Things at work are rough. New management, new people, new rules & regulations, constant change and uncertainty, never-ending meetings, looming budget deadlines, etc. It is just so hard right now... however I had an epiphany a few nights ago. I can focus on all the daily things that stress me out and that I have zero control over OR I can focus on making incredible memories with the people around me who I truly care about. So Thursday night my co-worker (and fellow shooting buddy) Robert borrowed the keys to the 747 on top of the waterpark. So amazing! It isn't everyday that you get a chance to sit in the cockpit of a 747 ON TOP OF A BUILDING!

The next night I tooled around inside the fuselage of a DC-3 and sat in the pilot seat of a P-51 Mustang. Yes, the job is difficult right now but I have also been blessed with amazing opportunities to create happy moments and make remarkable memories!

DC-3

P-51 Mustang

My New Hobby

It has been lovingly brought to my attention that I haven't been keeping up on the blog lately. Honestly, Hubs and I have just not had the time to get out and do much. Between our jobs, the "kids", the house, Jackie's stroke/hospital/rehab and my position on the board at Champoeg -- I feel like all the days have simply blended together.

A highlight I found, however, when browsing through my phone were these pictures from last month. The guys I work with are serious gun enthusiasts and convinced me to go shooting at the range. I was introduced to two Glocks (a standard size and compact model) and an AR-15. I was absolutely terrified of the AR at first. It was big, heavy, loud and o' so powerful! It took some time and a trip out to the forest but I am becoming more comfortable and confident in my abilities.

My "Seal Team-6" photo

Not bad for a beginner

Handguns are far more difficult than I expected

Oregon, you are gorgeous!

Friends Who Moved On

One of the most difficult things about working at the museum are the friends we lose along the way. We lost two very sweet men just last month. Mel was my supervisor for 2.5 years while I was a volunteer. He was funny, kind and hard on me from time to time. I will miss his dry sense of humor and his constant fixing of the chains around the aircraft. Chuck was a Friday volunteer and I got to know him when I was part of the model group. He was always kind and checked in with me even after I got hired full time. He is greatly missed at the front desk.

Melvin Johnson

August 30, 1941 - August 31, 2015

Mel passed away in Marion County. He was born in Portland, Oregon to Mel and Alice Mary Johnson. After serving 8 years   in the Air Force, he settled in California and worked in the electronics industry. Upon retirement Mel and Rosey, his wife of 32 years, moved to Salem, Oregon where they farmed Blueberries. Mel also enjoyed volunteering as a Docent at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville. Mel loved his large family and rarely missed the annual reunion in Silverton. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Melva Anne. He is survived by his wife Rosey and their 6 children: Eric, Tom, Melanie Mangin (Steve), Laurene, Dean Westergren (Tracey), Jacklyn Lang (Chase); their 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind 6 siblings: John (Linda), Linda (Jim), Carol, Chuck (Jo), Marvin (Tracy), Greg (Mika) and lots of nieces and nephews. Mel's dog Chica misses him very much!

Charles Leon Howell, age 75, passed away on August 26, 2015 at his home in McMinnville. Charles was born on January 3, 1940 to Clyde Lorraine and Charlotte Ruth Grigson Howell. Charles and Alice A. Beery were married on April 6, 1966 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

After graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City, Charles attended Westminister College in Salt Lake City, Northrup Institute of Technology in Inglewood, CA and California State University in Los Angeles. He moved to McMinnville, OR in 1971 and worked for Midway Volkswagen and Mac Auto Parts before owning Dave's Trophy Shop for 23 years. After retiring, he worked for Lowe's and then was a volunteer at Evergreen Air and Space Museum. He was a member of Kiwanis for 42 years, was active in Gallery Theater and the Methodist Church, plus many community activities.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Larry. He is survived by his wife Alice, sister Carol Lutz (Gerald) and brothers Ralph and Vernon.

Summer Vacation: Day 8

The plan for the remainder of the trip had been to make our way through Yosemite before returning to Oregon. Instead we spent Day 8 driving the rest of the way through Utah and Idaho so that we could get home. As mentioned before, Trudy wasn't doing well on this extended trip so we made the decision to get her home and comfortable as soon as possible. In hindsight, we were a little ambitious to expect a 105 year old dog to adjust well to five 5 states in 8 days!

Somewhere in Idaho

I think she could sense we were almost home!

Oregon, home sweet home!

The pups are finally getting back to a normal schedule

and are feeling much better.

In the end we put over 3500 miles in and got 25.6 miles to the gallon.

Not bad for a V8.

Summer Vacation: Day 6 & 7

Day 6 we left Tucson and made our way to Kingman. The whole vacation idea kind of started because of the need to go to Kingman. You see, Hubs' mom lives in Oregon now and we had some loose ends to tie up in Kingman. The only way both of us could go (because of the dogs) is if we drove which was now possible with the new car. Tada!

Monsoon season in Tucson, my absolute favorite!

Such good traveling dogs, but by this time 

they had just about enough of this vacation

After things were done in Kingman we went to Williams, AZ where we stayed at Mountain Ranch Resort at Beacon Hill. Day 7's goal was the Grand Canyon! Yes, folks I am a native Arizonan and had never been to the Grand Canyon. So glad we finally made it!

Mountain Ranch Resort

When we arrived at the Grand Canyon, the sun was out...

But then the clouds started moving in....

And the rain held out for a few minutes...

But soon the heavens opened up and everyone was soaked!

Than the sun came out again...

And than it rained...again.

By this point, Trudy had had enough! She wasn't having anything more to do with this trip. She was soaking wet, tired, achy, getting her medication at weird times and simply wasn't feeling good. Soooo, we ended our trip a week early and made our way to Salt Lake City, Utah for the night in hopes of making it home on Day 8.

Summer Vacation: Day 4 & 5

Day 4 began back in the car, this time leaving San Diego and heading to Tucson. We made a short stop in Yuma for lunch where it was 104 degrees. When we arrived in Tucson it was 110 -- we have been gone too long because neither of us could tolerate such hot conditions! Hubby surprised me and got us a room at the La Paloma and it was amazing! The room was bigger than our house and I told him that I was going to live at the resort from now on. Day 4 concluded with dinner at El Guero Canelo, one of our old haunts from years ago, with my friend Brittney. It was as delicious as I remembered!

La Paloma Resort

Trudy especially liked the balcony and all the sunshine!

El Guero Canelo

Day 5 started out beautifully with sunshine and a delicious breakfast at Azul in the lobby of the La Paloma. For lunch we went to Eegees because it is amazing and we miss it so much! Right afterwards we visited Hubby's bridge because he hasn't seen it since it was built. He had a wonderful time seeing his vision in person! Next, we went to the UA to do some shopping and visit my good friend Mike at the Arizona State Museum (Hi Mike!). We closed out the night at Macayos with Brittney and Derrick and the mountain on fire!

Beautiful Tucson Sunrise

Lily liked the balcony too!

Oh Eegees...how I miss you!

Hubby's Bridge

Trudy's new dress! Isn't she precious?

Macayos for dinner

No Tucson trip would be complete without a mountain on fire

Summer Vacation: Day 3

Day 3 began with dolphin-watching and walking around the Cove. Leaving our wonderful balcony in Pismo behind was difficult but it was time to head to Santa Barbara and San Diego. This time we were on the move to visit the Hudson Clan, who had just left Oregon only a few days before us. This was the most we had seen them in years and it was wonderful!

Good Morning!

Dolphin-watching

Pups enjoying the balcony

Pismo was incredible!

Lunch in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Courthouse

We stayed at the Old Town Inn near historic downtown San Diego. The hotel was cute with bungalow style rooms and free breakfast! We had a super chill evening hanging with our friends before leaving for Arizona the next morning.

Trudy can sleep anywhere...

Summer Vacation: Day 1 & 2

Hubs and I needed a vacation, we have been working too hard and for too many hours, it was time for a break! We packed a bag, threw the kids in the [new] car and headed out. No planning, no schedule and no hotels lined up -- just us and the open road! First stop was Pismo Beach, CA where my sister lives. We arrived around 9:00 pm on Day 1 and crashed at her place because every hotel was booked. Whoops. Day 2 began with eating breakfast in San Luis Obispo and visiting the Elephant Seals in San Simeon.

San Simeon

Most of the day was spent relaxing and walking around Pismo Beach. Much eating took place and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Ember, a highly recommended restaurant in Arroyo Grande.

Lily @ Pismo Beach

We were finally able to track down a resort which was pet-friendly and had a vacancy. Inn at the Cove was an absolutely outstanding resort with unparalleled views of the ocean. Each pet-friendly room included a gift basket full of blankets, bowls, treats and toys for the pups to enjoy. They also offered complimentary binoculars for whale watching. I couldn't get over the whales, so much so that the balcony became my favorite place.

Inn @ the Cove

Pretty ocean sunset