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.

Toothless Trudy

Trudy had surgery yesterday, a precarious procedure considering her age and potential reactions to anesthesia, however she pulled through and is home resting. She is officially toothless now at 15 years 10 months old. The last of her teeth were removed yesterday for good reason (see below). After 6-7 years as a puppy mill dog there was nothing Hubs or I could do to replenish the calcium to her teeth. We brushed, we bought solution for her water, we sprayed her mouth with special solution -- nothing could fix the years of neglect (abuse) by another family. We hope that she will start feeling better soon and find that life isn't quite as painful as it was before. It seems right now that she might have perma-tongue!

Teeny Tiny Front Door: Trim

One of the projects for this year has been to work on the trim around the doors and windows of our teeny, tiny little cabin. This is for two reasons: first, Clara (the woman who previously lived and died in our house) had a dog named Lady Ruby who apparently did not like to be left alone and thus there are claw marks on almost all of the moldings around the windows and doors. Second, we don't trust the insulation/installation technique used by the previous owner(s). Honestly, for good reason. Every time we remove something or update something in this house we have found shoddy workmanship. The plumbing, electrical, exterior paint job, insulation -- all of it done by someone with inferior knowledge.

Our front door was no exception. It only took about $20 worth of supplies from Home Depot to make it right -- good thing I have a husband who is rockstar at handyman projects!

We haven't decided if we will keep the trim white or paint it a different color. I suppose it will all depend on if we keep this door or switch it out for something better.

Spring has Sprung

Spring is officially upon us here in Oregon and we have been graced with both soggy, rainy days and days of brilliant sunshine. On those days of sunshine, we spend them outdoors either relaxing or gardening & landscaping. There is so much work to be done on our property it is almost daunting but pretty flowers make it worth the effort.

One of my rose bushes went crazy beautiful!

Churro is certainly an Arizona dog, she loves the sunshine!

One of the few times Trudy is sweater-free.

Lily isn't much for playing, just relaxing when it is warm.

The deer have returned with their babies, my favorite time of year!

My Birthday was Rad!

There are so many wonderful things about my birthday each year, I cannot adequately describe how much I look forward to it. Hubby always makes quite a production about it and it usually lasts several days. Plus, with all my clean eating lately due to my acid reflux little things like donuts and Taco Bell are more of a treat than they used to be. He knocked it out of the park this year with indoor skydiving! I enjoyed every minute of it! Thanks Hubs for another great year!!

Kristi's 37th Birthday Extravaganza

Thursday (My Actual Birthday):
Donuts for breakfast, Dinner at La Provence, Post Dinner Birthday Present, Cake

Saturday:
Homemade French Toast for breakfast, Indoor Skydiving at 9:30 am, Taco Bell Quesalupa for lunch, Eat more Cake, Watch "Zootopia" in the movie theatre and "Sisters" at home.

Easter Sunday:
Homemade French Toast for breakfast and a massage from the Hubs Man

Me

Hubs Man

Model Group Luncheon

Winter time is notoriously difficult for Oregonians, the cold and the rain forces us all to hole up in our houses and disappear for 6+ months. Now the sun is out, the flowers are blooming and friends reassemble like no time has passed at all. I was lucky enough to join up with (most of the) model group from Evergreen for a relaxing lunch. Good times and many laughs!

Me and Matt's Best Friend, Bob

Silly Schnauzers and Churro

Now that I am home again full time it is easier to catch the dogs doing adorable things. Since Hubby's mom had a stroke back in October, we have been caring for her dog, Buni, full time until she is well enough to have her back. The first few weeks were tough, introducing a new dog into the fold always is, but Buni (or Churro, as we call her) has acclimated to our home really well. We have Lily to thank for that as she showed her the ropes, taught her what to do/when to do it, and plays with her.

Not staged, they all just got here on their own.

When I sit on the floor, Lily gets on the couch to see what I am doing.

Lily's newest toy, the octopus

Trudy sleeps anywhere and in any position she so chooses.

Churro is very sleepy and just a tiny bit cute. 

They rarely share the same bed, but there are rare exceptions.

My morning snuggle buddy!

Star Wars sweater friends

Piper finally made an appearance on abnormally warm day.

Look at these two idiots, I love them!

Lily does this every. single. night.

It's tough being Trudy, wrapped in a blanket in front of the fire.

Suddenly awoken and still adorable!

Trudy looks so tiny and old in that big yard.

Trudy was having a "bad back" day, but Churro and Lily aren't far away...

Grandpa Phillips

We received sad news on Sunday that Hubby's grandpa passed away. Our prayers are with Grandma Mary right now as she suffers the loss of her lifelong partner and friend, I can only imagine how much she misses him after 64 years of marriage. Grandpa was awesome! He was strong and talented and had a green thumb like you wouldn't believe! Grandpa and Grandma have been our biggest supporters, always there for us when we needed them. He was a wonderful man and we will both miss him tremendously. Safe travels Grandpa!

Favorite Grandpa Story:

We were still living in Tucson the last time they visited and we had just moved into our first house together. Grandpa had just started to learn the violin and he had brought it with him and serenaded us in our living room with the song that he had been practicing -- "Amazing Grace". I remember being so moved by his performance and so impressed with his ability to learn at his "youthful" age. He taught me that day to always keep trying, discovering and learning!

Marion "Bud" W. Phillips, son of Albert Jordan Phillips and Dorothy Graves Phillips, was born on June 28, 1932 in Dexter, Mo. and died on February 28, 2016. He was united in marriage to Mary E. Jackson of Dexter on May 22, 1951. Mr. Phillips served in the Air Force during the Korean War for 3-1/2 years. Upon his retirement as an accountant, he returned to Dexter where he loved to sing at many of the nursing homes and at New Bethel General Baptist Church. Marion was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Helen Robinett. Survivors include his wife Mary, son Marion B. Phillips of Dexter, and daughter Carol E. Kannes of Phoenix, Az. His grandchildren are Nicole and Logan Kannes; Robert, Joshua, and Matthew Phillips. Visitation will be held on Friday March 4th at 9:30 AM with services beginning at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Mo. State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Donations in lieu of flower may be given to Stoddard County Childrens Home.

Resting Under an F-15

Despite the fact that I no longer work at Evergreen I still volunteer quite a bit. The other night we finally had a night flight in the Space Museum so I took the opportunity to rest somewhere unique -- under the F-15. It is nice & dark and blocks the overhead lights but it did cross my mind around 1:00 am that I was putting a lot of trust in the engineering and maintenance of said aircraft. :-)