Model Group Luncheon

Back at the end of March, the model group from Evergreen (which has mostly disbanded) got together for one of its notorious luncheons. Due to illness and a myriad of other problems, the entire group rarely is able to make it to the same place at the same time...until yesterday. What a wonderful day! We traveled to Lincoln City and ate delicious food at Fathom's Penthouse Restaurant and Bar. Wonderful conversation, belly-laughs and celebrations of recovery!

Funny Story: Another patron, not with our group but who was the same age as the others, came up to me and asked why I would be there with all those "old people"? I told him those "old people" were my friends! My group thought this was simply the best and referred to me as their "bus driver" who cares for them over at the "old-folks home". They were still laughing about it all the way home!

Madam President

At the beginning of the year, the President of the "Friends" non-profit I volunteer with announced that due to health concerns he would not be running for re-election. This left the organization with a huge problem, as we are quite a small board and have a small contingent of members. After much contemplation, discussion and research, Hubs and I decided this was a challenge I should accept.

For two months, I slowly picked up more and more responsibility with the "Friends" group and still donated a ton of time doing overnights at Evergreen. I quickly realized there would be no way to volunteer with both groups, so I made a choice. I officially said goodbye to Evergreen and was voted in as the President of the Friends of Historic Champoeg on the same weekend.

It has already been a rollercoaster ride full of changes and unexpected road blocks but I am challenging myself to handle them with dignity and grace. We have a great staff, some wonderful board members and supportive Park staff which will make the next 2 years an interesting adventure!

Puppysitting

My friend Robert and his wife went on a short weekend vacation and needed someone to watch their 12 week old Corgi, Gibbs. Of course, we volunteered because PUPPY! Gibbs was so sweet and crazy and wonderful and exhausting. He is welcome back anytime (although I don't know if our dogs would agree)!

That face is just too much!

He discovered the cat!

I dressed him up in a U of A dress....

and taught him to sleep on the couch.

But mostly he slept a lot!

Look at those tiny legs!

Day at the Vineyard

It has taken 4+ years but Hubs and I finally went to our first Oregon vineyard. It isn't that we are opposed to vineyards but we don't drink wine so the opportunity never really presented itself. Luckily my friend's Mom had her retirement party at Blakeslee Vineyard Estates and boy was it lovely!

Dogs vs. Wild Part II

Back in September of 2014 I posted about all the wildlife our dogs have been introduced to since moving to Oregon. This includes: squirrels, deer, moles and opossums (2 of these have been in Lily's mouth -- you guess which ones?) All of these animals live on our property in one way or another and our newest tenant to move in is: a rabbit! She is very sweet, is out exploring quite a bit and will stay out as long as the dogs don't bark at her.