Grandma Zelma & My next blog.

I have a lot of blogs I want to get out of my mind and onto this site.
But writing has been slow in coming.

My 97 year old Grandma passed away.
My thoughts have been with her.

I thought about blogging about her,
but each time I begin,
I stutter, and trip, and can't get the words out.

I guess for now, I will just wait until the words flow smoothly.

http://www.cochranmortuary.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1170065&fh_id=10368

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All about Business, or is it?

I got my new business cards for work today.
I remember in years past being quite excited when I got my first box of business cards.
Gee, that seems like a lifetime ago.
I was a youth minister at St. James Church in Kearney Nebraska.

Hmmm.....  (personal reflection)

Yep, that was a lifetime ago.

It was all good.

I have made my own personal cards as well.
There was a period in my life when I needed to feel important.
I needed to feel as if I was 'somebody'.

And when I was out and about with other working folk,
and they pulled out their fancy business card holders,
I too had something to hand them.
My own cards also came in handy when making my own luggage tags.

Granted...
back then my cards just contained my name,
basic contact information,
and my latest tattoo design.
But somehow that was enough.

After moving to Salem, and while working at Habitat for Humanity, I had a couple of different titles .
So that meant I had a couple of different boxes of business cards.
For the most part the cards just sat in the box.
I guess I don't meet enough new people that I can give away 500 cards in 3 years.

When ordering my Mid Valley Mentors business cards I questioned my boss.
(I know.       Not a wise move for a new employee.)
I asked her if I really 'needed' business cards.
When she said, "yes",
I asked,"How many?"
"500", she said.

Personally I thought she was nuts. 
But I figured I already questioned her decisions enough for one day.
"Just keep your mouth shut and do your job." at least that is what my friend always says.
Good advice, I am sure.

I continued to wonder what roll business cards even have today.
With all the technology, social media, and smart phones that can share contacts, photos, apps, and the like, by simply 'bumping' each other,
what do we need with an actual business card?

Regardless of the answer,
today 500 business cards with my name and work number arrived just for me.
I feel committed, or stuck.
I haven't decided which yet. 
It feels like I am in for the long haul. 
It feels like I can't quit until the box is empty.

After all, I am too practical
( http://steppinoutwithdwntwn.blogspot.com/2011/01/being-practical.html )
I don't want to throw away obsolete business cards contributing to the already overflowing landfills.

Besides all that,
just a few short months ago I created my own
Brand New Personal
'business' Card! 

(I suppose deep down having a card still makes me feel legit,
real,
important.)


I am excited about my website, my photography, my Mushroom Book...

Oh yeah, did I tell you I sold one already and have a possibility of selling more in a gift shop?

And the book I sold was bought by someone other than a family member! 
They are anxious for me to finish my next book.

So now I feel torn.
I am torn between working all day and trying to squeeze in time to write at night.
Or working all day and just setting aside my writing so I can better take care of the house and not ignore the family.  After just a few evenings of working on the book I sense the family feels neglected.
I know the kitchen certainly LOOKS neglected.

But then again...
I have all these cards.
Business cards for work.
and
Business cards for my 'hobby'.

I guess I have to do a better job of finding the proper balance.

Hmmmm....  (more personal reflection.)

Yes, I have been in this boat before.

Now if I could just remember how I navigated through the rocky waters of 'proper balance' last time....
Then it would all be good.





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My Next Book...Fire Hydrants

I started writing my next book.

Its about fire hydrants.

This book seems to come with more challenges than
my first book on mushrooms.

I seem to have a bit of writer's block.

I have roughly 200 photographs of fire hydrants that
I have taken over the past 14 months.
Yet I don't know where to begin.

The personality and characteristics I see in a simple fire hydrant
hold a lot of fascination and interest for me. 

I guess time will tell whether or not anyone
else will find my photos of interest or not.

As part of my research I found some information
and details on fire hydrants.
but the information isn't enough to help me
with my writer's block.

So for tonight,
I will set my photo editing and writing aside
and hope tomorrow brings the words I am looking to write.


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Silver Falls State Park

 Many of you know I began volunteering at Silver Falls State Park in April.
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php

I committed to 4 shifts a month in late March because I had not been able to find work and I needed to get out of the house.
The very next week, I found a job.                Go figure....

I have been trying to honor my commitment at SFSP.
Partly because that is how I was raised,
and partly because I enjoy it so much.

I meet people from all over the world.
Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Greece...,
just to name a few.

And the volunteers I work with have their own wonderful story to tell.

I also enjoy getting away from the city and taking a drive up into the mountains and getting away from the busyness of life.
With the price of gas, I do think about whether or not I should be spending the extra money.
I wonder if there is something else,
someplace else that would benefit from 4 volunteer hours a week.
I am sure there is.

But I enjoy this volunteer position, a lot.

This past Friday I worked with a volunteer/board member who lives near SFSP.

In hearing his story, I learned we share a love of photography.

He told me of a local farm that had a field of yellow flowers in full bloom.



I don't remember the name of the crop, but I was intrigued.

He pulled out a map and directed me to the back roads that would take me to the field of yellow.

 After a long morning at work,
then a long afternoon on my feet at the Nature Store, I declined his offer to follow him.

I wanted to get home and kick my feet up and pour myself a cold beverage.
Driving unfamiliar back roads of the Willamette Valley was not in my plan.

But as I approached the turn off, I found myself taking the path less traveled.


 The road and the hills were exactly as my new friend had described.
In fact, the roads and the hills felt familiar,
as if I knew where to go.

When I approached the field of yellow,
I was NOT disappointed.

I had never seen anything like this before.

I went past the field and up the hill as instructed to get the better view.

Even though the sky was a bit overcast,
the brilliant colors were vivid and bright.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
It seemed unreal.
I just wish I could remember what he called this plant!

I am especially glad I have continued to honor my commitment.
And I am glad I followed my spirit and took the path less traveled.



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The Best is Yet to Come

Now,
If I just had more time...


- Posted by DWNTWN

Fresh Fish?... Summer is near!

I spent the past few days giving my fish mobile a fresh coat of paint and some new string.

Its a yearly ritual that I have come to look forward to.

(Last years' blog.)
http://jbrownflash.blogspot.com/2010/06/one-of-my-summertime-rites-of-passage.html 

For me,
cleaning and re-stringing my fish means summer is near.

This year the fish needed a fresh coat of paint in addition to new string.


I know...

I should bring them in over the winter months.

I just can't seem to bring myself to take them down when I am hanging the Christmas lights.



I  like their bright colors and wide eyed look in mid winter when the skies are gray and dreary.



After the fresh coat of paint,
I sprayed them with clear coat to make them bright and shiny.







Tonight I hung them back in their rightful place on the front porch.



Now I am officially ready for Summer!








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Waiting on a friend

This afternoon I am back at one of my 'old haunts' just waiting on a friend.

Friendships have always been in integral part of my life.
I don't have a lot of friends, just a handful or two that I truly call friend.

Most of my friends don't live nearby.
In fact, all but 1 friend lives in a different city,
And most live in a different state.

It makes it difficult to stay in touch.

Sure email, texting, Facebook and such make it easier,


But my dearest friends I need to sit with more often than opportunity allows when we live in different cities. I prefer to look them in the eye when I listen,
I want to see the laughter on their face when something is funny,
Wipe their tears when life brings sadness,
share a hug when they need comforted,
Or a give them a pat on the back when congrats are in order.

Its hard to do that when you are in different cities.

So in spite of a this week being crazy, busy, hectic, and mentally draining,
I am sitting at Johnny's waiting on a friend I haven't seen in several months.

I just wish all my friends could be so close.


"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." ~Albert Schweitzer

"She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind." ~Toni Morrison, Beloved

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Looking for work in Oregon

My last post was over a week ago,

sadly for me,
but perhaps a relief for anyone tired of my ramblings.

My lack of blogging is directly related to my last post...
I found work,

http://steppinoutwithdwntwn.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-found-work.html

I have a weeks worth of blogging rolling around in my head,
just no time for typing.

But tonight, I am making time.
I had planned to start on one of several ideas such as:

Space Age Gas stations & the price of Gas,

Collections,

Hot air balloons...Take me away,

The struggles of being a working mom again,

TGIF,
or Worry

just to mention a few.

(Perhaps now you can imagine all the constipation in my brain.)

But tonight something else caught my attention as I sat down to write.

Tomorrow I have 2 family members with job interviews;
a son and a son-in-law, both of whom currently live with me. 

While I hope they are both successful in their interview process and finding a job,

I was especially captured by the job posting for Rogue Brewery where my son-in-law will be interviewing tomorrow morning.

Are you Rogue enough to work here?

We have jobs – some existing, some new, for hard core unemployables who understand:

We believe “Job Security” is a myth, seniority is not fair. 

God gave us 1 mouth and 2 ears for a reason, 

win-win is a book title not a reality, 

the risk of insult is the price of clarity, 

thinking, problem solving, courage are more important than WPM or other computer skills, 

but we do have pet and legal insurance, 401K match, phantom plan, 2 paid holidays, bad health insurance (like most others not paid for by us) for Government staff, 

hurt feelings report.

We do not plan, budget, forecast, or waste time on getting bigger. 

We only wish to get better.

Failure is encouraged – 

Even if you suck at one position you may be perfect for another position within the company.

You will be interviewed by a decision maker. 

Ties are not recommended for the interview, 

nor slacks or jackets, all of which are banned by our dress code

– or would be if we had one.

The following are banned words: 

great, excited, end-of-day, execute, throw down, great question, may I say something, may I ask a question, devil’s advocate, on one hand, in the long term, xmas, mo, outside bos, depends, synergy, build brand awareness, dude, Oh my god, spaced it, 24/7, close the loop, working on, ball in my court, on my radar, proactive, dear, reach out, same page, brain storming, in progress, behind the eight-ball, and others.

Aggressive people appear to do well here, passive aggressive – not so well.

Do not be offended if you do not get a form letter in response to your application. 

If we received it, it will be read and given consideration. 

If called for an interview do not be offended if the meeting is brief. 

Hiring decisions will be inexplicable 

– this ain’t widgets, we will be wrong a lot. 

Please review our website, prior to application and interview, so as not to waste each others’ time. 

These are mostly new positions 

– we have no HR department so may not have the answers you think we should have as a business. 

That’s because we are not, 

we are a revolution. 

Rogue is not for everyone and everyone is not for Rogue. 

DARE, RISK, DREAM.

I couldn't help but laugh when I read this.
As I just recently completed my own job search,
and many of my own sentiments were represented in the Rogue Job Application,
I wanted to add a few more in regards to what I was looking for in a work environment:
I honor honesty, integrity, and simply being upfront.
Competition doesn't need to exist because we are all working towards the same goal...
getting along and keeping our jobs in a difficult economy.
When in an office environment made up of primarily women remember...,
junior high and high school were a long time ago.
There is no place for backstabbing, lying, cheating, rumor starting, or misleading information.
And most of all-
Be Nice!
If everyone lived by the rules we all learned in kindergarten we would be much better off.

[Source: "ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" 

by Robert Fulghum.  See his web site at http://www.robertfulghum.com/  ]

• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.  (Not even with words.)
• Put things back where you found them. (My folks always taught us... leave things nicer than you found them.)
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. (And don't be afraid to take it to the next step and say, "Will you forgive me?")
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.  (I would add: use the plunger if necessary and don't make someone else do it for you!)
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
• Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
• Take a nap every afternoon.  (Or at least get up from your desk and go stand outside in the sun, or the rain!) 
• When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
• Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we. { So do dads.  :(  }
• And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

For my sons and everyone else out there looking for work, praying for work, trying to maintain their sanity at work....
Hang in there.
And try to Be Nice.




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I found work...

I found work.
A while back,
I don't know exactly how long ago without looking,
I blogged about my struggles with finding a job.

http://steppinoutwithdwntwn.blogspot.com/2011/02/looking-for-work.html


I realized today,
after talking with dear friends,
that some of my family & friends are unaware that I have secured employment.
I worked briefly,
2 weeks ago,
before my trip 'home' to
Wichita,
Kansas City,
& Kearney, NE.

Today was, in my mind, my first full day in the office.
What began as a part-time job
just over two weeks ago
is already working it's way towards a full time job.

I'm okay with that.

What concerns me is the learning curve
and my ability to be a help to the organization
and not a drain on them.

I have had to 'train' people before and
Honestly
It takes more time and effort from the established staff members to train a new person.
I hate the thought of being a drain on others.
But there is no doubt that there is a learning curve, and I am in need of some guidance.

In addition to that
I am trying to juggle all the tasks and chores at home in the short few hours I have remaining in the evenings.

I've done this before...
I should have this 'working mom' thing down pat.
But I'm out of practice.

I am very thankful to have an adult daughter and her husband living with me.
I got home from work and they had dinner nearly prepared.
And my daughter cleaned the kitchen while I dealt with other household tasks.
I think I will miss the additional adult household members when they have to move out.

For the meantime I will work on re-adjusting to life as a working mom!

Oh!
By the way...
I am an Executive Assistant At Mid Valley Mentors.
You can find them via Facebook or google them.



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Happy May Day!

May Day...
As a child I remember May Day celebrations, Maypoles, flowers, and candy!

We lived in a great neighborhood where we would exchange handmade baskets filled with flowers.

Each year mom would get out the construction paper and show us how to fashion a cornucopia type vase from a sheet of paper and we would cut color coordinating strips for handles.

Some years, if strawberries were in season, we would save the little green plastic baskets and attach pipe cleaners for handles and that became our May Day flower basket.

Most years the tulips, daffodils, and iris' were in bloom.
Sometimes we had lilacs and peonies as well.
And some years, If there was a late frost, flowers were scarce and we filled the baskets with homemade cookies or treats.

It was a challenge to drop off the May baskets, ring the bell, and escape the large porch, and make it out of sight without getting caught.

My brother was much faster than me, but he was far from delicate with the May Basket.
I remember him dumping a basket on the porch spilling flowers everywhere. After that, I was in charge of setting the baskets down and he was in charge of ringing the bell and leaping off the porch and running down the street.

Years later,
while living in Nebraska where the winters last longer and spring arrives later,
May Day baskets consisted of paper cups filled with candy, and the treats were no longer homemade.
My kids enjoyed May Day just as much as I did as a child,
but somehow the spirit of the holiday was less exciting for me.

We were talking and reminiscing yesterday, the eve of May Day, about all best baskets, special treats, and favorite neighbors we've had throughout the years.

Here in Salem we have some great neighbors.
The kids and I all agreed...
it is time to resurrect the best aspects of May Day,
homemade baskets,
flowers,
and homemade treats.

And after that... I think a Barbeque and perhaps some homemade ice cream will be on the menu.
What a perfect way to begin the month of May!

Oh yeah, and the guys will be brewing up another batch of beer!

Whether you have memories of May Day celebrations or not,
I wish you a great May Day filled with sun, fun, good food, and great family & friends.

All about Home

 It seems like I write about Home a lot.
I especially have these past couple of weeks.

• Going Home...
• Kickin' back in my childhood home...
• Heading Home...

And even other blogs in between not containing the word home were About Home.
Taking a glance at my previous blog site
http://jbrownflash.blogspot.com/
I notice that too was often times
All about Home.

• Home Sweet Home...
• Making my way back home...
• Homeward Bound...
• And lots more.

I don't think of my self as a 'homebody'.
I love to get out, go places,
explore, and meet new people.

Some people have asked me, "Are you ever home?"
I always answer, "Home is where your heart is."

However...
After 2 weeks of sleeping on air mattresses and small beds,
visiting with lots of family and friends,
traveling, and eating in restaurants
I am enjoying my quiet house
and being nearly alone at home.
(Only 2 dogs and 1 sleeping teenage son remain in the house).

The sun is shining and I am thinking about going for a walk.

Life, as I have experienced the past 16 months,
will not be the same.
Life is changing again.
And I am okay with that.
I have never cared too much for life always being the same.
I don't mind a bit of daily routine, 
but I don't want life to get stagnant,
or boring.

Clearly my life would not be considered boring to any outsider.
Raising 8 children alone keeps things in constant motion.
And so it goes....
Daughter #3, her husband, their dog Tessa, and soon to be baby boy are now living with us.
We are excited to have them here on the west coast, and in our home
...at least until they find their own place
Tomorrow, #2 comes down from Seattle for the weekend.
9 people, and 2 dogs in the house aren't a worry for me.
Parking 7 vehicles on our tiny street is!
I anticipate lots of car moving, shuffling, and repositioning.
It will be a noisy, chaotic, and a very loud home, filled with much laughter,
and probably even some bickering.
But it won't be Boring!

On second thought instead of taking a walk, I should probably make a grocery list and head to the store.
There will be a lot of mouths to feed.

Even with a house full I can't help but wish we
ALL could be home this weekend.
We will still be missing 5 more family members,
Bella, another dog,
and Mr. Burnside, a bunny.

 
Yep....
Certainly Not Boring!

Tonight we kick off the kids 3 day weekend by celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with 2 of my daughters.
By Monday I will be ready to get back to the new job I started 15 days ago.

Welcome Home to me!







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On the Road Again

We rolled into Pendleton a bit before midnight last night.
The drive over the mountains in Eastern Oregon was quite gorgeous.



We were happy to avoid more snow and rain over the pass as we had experienced enough bad weather already this trip.
Spring weather is unpredictable in many places especially through Wyoming and northern Utah.



I do love watching a great storm cloud though.


Today won't be a long day of Driving,
but it will be a Long day.

I look forward to being home,
In Salem.
Hugging my younger kids again
and sleeping in my own bed.

- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:SW Court Ave,Pendleton,United States

Unwinding at Rock Springs

It was great fun spending Easter with the grandsons and my oldest.
Zack is getting so big.
He chipped in and helped with the yard work yesterday.


And He gave me a high five with his "Papo" style work gloves.


Today I took great delight in watching the boys splash around in the rain with their new boots! I hope I get to see them again before the year's end.




We made Rock Springs after a long day of driving through wind, rain, sleet & snow.
Tomorrow we hope to make Pendleton Oregon.

I suppose it's that time...
I get some shut eye.
We have a longer day ahead tomorrow.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:U.S. 30 Business,Rock Springs North,United States

Heading home

After a wonderful Easter weekend and a fun filled morning with my grandsons we are headed for home, Salem, OR.

Mixed Emotions....






- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:Tower Hill Rd,Kearney,United States

Pitter Patter & Prom

This morning I woke to the pitter patter of little feet.
I'm in Kearney with my oldest daughter and grandsons.
Life is good.

While I am glad to be here, my thoughts are also with Caroline #6 as she prepares for and attends her senior prom back in Salem.

I have struggled for years with having to choose.
Having 8 kids means I can't be every where I want to be at the same time.

Most days I like having choices.
I like options.
I like things open ended,
but not in situations like this.

I am blessed to have a big family and I am especially blessed today knowing my older sister is stepping in for me back home in Salem.
Knowing she is tending to #6, so I can be 'home' here in Kearney with #1 & #3 is a huge comfort.

Happy Easter to all!


- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:W 4th St,Kearney,United States

Kansas City

My day has been a busy one.

It began with packing up in Wichita and detouring on our way out of town to visit my 97 year old grandma, Zelma.
I love her so much!
Grandma loves baseball and so do I. When I was very young I would spend the night with her and grandpa and they would take me to watch the Wichita Aero's Minor League Baseball games.
That is where I first learned how to keep stats, and learned about baseball strategy!

I sure hope today wasn't the last time I get to see her and hear her wonderful stories.

Every time I visit her I try to ask a different question,
or at least ask the same question in a different way.
By doing so I learn more about this amazing woman each time I sit at her side and listen.
She is sharp as a tack, but her hearing isn't quite as good as it was 5 months ago.
And she seems a bit more tired, perhaps even weak;
physically, not mentally.

I have tried to capture as much of her life story as I can...
While I can.
I hope to see her again soon.
As I said before...
I love her so!

We made our way to Kansas City by mid afternoon.
We unloaded the car, then packed boxes, cleaned cupboards,
(am I the only one who uses the word cupboards any more?)
vacuumed, cleaned some carpets, cleaned the oven & stove top, did laundry, made dinner,
and hauled more boxes to the garage.
All in all a very busy, productive day in Kansas City.
Tomorrow will be even more so,
I hope!


- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:Roe Ave,Mission,United States

Kickin' back in my childhood home

I've been in Wichita for  just over 4 days.




Tomorrow its time to head to Kansas City and help my daughter (child #3) move to Oregon.

The past 4 days have been a good mix.

There has been time to visit with and catch up with family
and
there has been lots of hard work outdoors in the yard and garden.
I love working outside especially when I can work outside in the warmth of the sun.

I have had a perfect time.

There are still a lot of things to be done around the house for my mom,
but that is okay.
I will just have to make my way back here again soon.
But for now,
at nearly midnight,
I am kicking my feet up,
enjoying a beverage,
and looking back on my visit.

I am glad to have accomplished so much with the help of my awesome siblings.
I am blessed to have 3 incredible sisters,
and
3 incredible brothers!

All of us were home again the past couple of days except one.,
but even the missing one was with us in spirit.
{Love you "Otto"}
And on top of that I have been able to spend time with my 2 oldest daughters, a son in law, two grandsons, and my 97 year old grandma.

Tonight, with the help of many hands we shared another family dinner....
34 enchaladas  (beef, chicken and veggie) with all the trimmings;.

It was exciting to have most everyone here to share a meal.
We had grandmas, moms, dads, aunts, uncles, kids, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, pets,
and just about every aspect of family life in and around the table.
It was a true communion.
We were just missing Papo.

I am so blessed to have such a rich and wonderful family!
I hope to make it back here again soon.

Tomorrow it is time to head north to Kansas City where there will be more time with family and friends
and more hard work.

By the time I get back to Salem though,
I imagine I will be thankful for my new job.
I imagine I will be needing a break from my 'working' vacation!.

Life is good!.


- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:N Coolidge Ave,Wichita,United States

Amazing

It's absolutely Amazing!

I went to bed last night with the wind howling,
and the cold north wind blowing!
I huddled under my blankets like an Eskimo.

This morning I wake to birds chirping,
blue skies, & Sunshine!

The forecast looks...

PERFECT.

And to top it off,
2 of my baby girls arrive today with their families!

It's amazing the difference a day can make.

Life is good!

Happy Saturday!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Briggs St,Wichita,United States

Going home

This morning I am at PDX waiting a flight home to ICT.
As I say this I have to think about that word, HOME.

It seems odd to say, "I am going home."
Because after nearly 5 years, Oregon feels like home.
It was certainly difficult to leave behind my sleeping children at 4 AM to head to the airport.
My kids are my home.

Yet, ICT, Wichita, is still home...
My childhood home.

This will be my first time home since my dad passed away in December.
I have a jumbled mix of emotions anticipating what that will be like.
I know my siblings who still live nearby have had many opportunities to face going home without dad's presence there.

I am wishing I had asked them what it is like,
Being in the house without dad there,
then maybe I would know what to expect.

But enough of those thoughts for now...

I also will be in Kansas City and Kearney within the next 2 weeks.
KC & K town are two places I have called home as well.
Kearney was more so than Kansas City.
We lived in Kearney for over 13 years.
Kansas City for only 2.

I am blessed to have so many places to call home.
So many places where loved ones were left behind.
So many places that I look forward to going back too (or is it to)?

Regardless of whether I am in Wichita,
Kansas City, or Kearney,
I am looking forward to going home.

And after being gone for two long weeks,
I know I will be glad when I get back HOME!

What places do you call home?





Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me

My Mushroom Book

I spent this afternoon re-writing my mushroom book in an attempt to try a new publishing site.
I found it a much slower, more confusing site to work with, and in my mind not very user friendly.
I also found the creative options to be very limited in regards to
page colors, font options, text colors, and overall page layout.
On top of that,
It was more expensive.

I went to the trouble of uploading, arranging, re-writing, and editing the book mostly because I had a Groupon for this website and it was expiring soon, but secondary to that was I am looking for a way to make the book more accessible.
What I have found in using Shutterfly is,
I am able to share the book through
Facebook, Blogger, and email quite easily.

I placed my order and am waiting the final test... photo quality.

I am excited about this project because I sold my first book this weekend.
(I sold the larger iPhoto version.)
Someone saw it at the Doctor's Clinic and sought me out to purchase their own copy.  I am still a bit surprised, and I am honored at the same time.

They even asked me if I would autograph it for them.
I guess that makes me somewhat of an 'official' author.

Take a look below and let me know what you think.

When I return from a visit to Kansas and Nebraska, I hope to start the next book rolling around in my head...
FireHydrants!

Click here to view this photo book larger


http://steppinoutwithdwntwn.blogspot.com/2011/01/mushrooms-look-through-kansas-girls.html

Back to Work

Today I start back to work.

Last Friday, 

April Fool's Day,

I signed a contract to work at Mid Valley Mentors.

(I trust that signing a contract on April Fools Day is NOT bad luck.)

Today is my first day.

I have never officially been an Executive Assistant, but the jobs I have held in the past have given me many of the skills I will need to do this job.

It is only part time, 20 hours a week.

I think that will be a good blend of hours at work 

and hours at home with the kids.

Mid Valley Mentors recruits volunteers to mentor children and adults affected by incarceration.  
I think working here will be a good fit for me.

However, I am feeling nervous this morning.  
I will be meeting the other staff, key volunteers, and key donors 
as we set up for a big fundraising event this evening.
Meeting new people is not the easiest thing for me, 
especially in large groups.
But I usually can fake a feeling of being comfortable and at ease when I need to.  My past job experiences have helped me in that area.

So here I go again, 
Off to experience another new job.
I wonder where this one will lead me...... 

http://midvalleymentors.org/about/what-we-do/

P.S.   (Saturday recap of my first day)

It was a long day, 12+ hours setting up and working the fundraising event.  

I am stiff and sore this morning.  

Its been a while since I carried, moved, 

and climbed up & down a 12 foot ladder, let alone was on my feet for that long with little to no break.  

My body aches today, that is for sure.

But the staff I will be working with are dedicated and passionate about their work.  

And they are fun! 

Also,I got to meet and listen to Dave Dahl's story 

of Dave's Killer Bread. 

http://www.daveskillerbread.com/story.shtml

http://www.daveskillerbread.com/index.shtml

I ran into some folks from Habitat for Humanity that I had not seen in a long while.

All in all a good first day.

There is no doubt there are adventures 

and probably some misadventures ahead.

Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me

Choir Girls Rule!

Today was a big choir day for my 3 youngest girls.

It began this morning with taking Laura (#8) to school and her telling me she had to perform in front of the school this morning.

It would end with Jacquie (#7) and Caroline (#6) both performing at District Choir competition in their respective choirs, Asteria Singers and Choir of the Titans.

Before I get too much farther into this blog I want to share a bit of my conversation with Laura as we drove to school.

Laura mentioned to me in her non-chalant way their choir would be performing in front of the school this morning. 
She explained the teacher believed that the more often a choir can perform in front of an audience, the better they become. 

I can see the logic in this thinking.

She went on to say that yesterday their early morning Jazz choir practice was held in the hallway, as was the Jazz band practice. 

When she went up to her locker after rehearsal she heard people making fun of the band and the choir. 
She paused as if waiting for me to find a way to make all the uneasy feelings go away.

I thought for...
what seemed like too long.
I was searching for what to say.

I said something like this to Laura,

"It's not easy being in junior high.

And if you decide to be in choir in high school, 

it might not be easy there either.

Kids often times have to put each other down 

in order to feel better than their selves.

They make fun of each other thinking it will make them look better.

But they are wrong.

Can you imagine if the kids you heard making fun of the band 

instead went up to them and said,

Good Job!
You sounded great!
Its awesome that you come to school an hour earlier 

than everyone else just to practice.

I think that when kids
AND ADULTS
say nice things to each other
then everyone walks away feeling better about themselves. 
I think that is how it should be.
But its not like that ...
not yet."

Then we exchanged our 'I love you's'
and she got out of the car.

On my drive home to pick up Jacquie,
(She also was going to school early for a rehearsal)

I thought about all the activities my kids have been involved in over the course of 26 years or so.

I think being in band and choir has been more difficult than being in sports.  Yet some how it teaches my kids a lot about following their dreams, and sharing their talents with others
even when it isn't the popular thing to do.

I am proud of them for sticking with choir even though it isn't easy.

I know, for the most part, they love choir.

It has been a tricky week around our house as both Jacquie and Caroline have been sick.
As District competition has approached they have been more and more concerned about how to care for their throats and voice.

I woke up this morning to every possible assortment of medication and home remedy's spread out upon the kitchen counters.

I think the girls tried about every combination of items imaginable including boiled ginger root (it didn't make the photo)
in an effort to be able to sing today.

I took videos of Jacquie and Caroline.
Unfortunately,
due to my iPhone not working well,
I messed up Jacquie's videos.

But figured it out to get a video or two of Caroline.

All in all it was a great day for my Choir Girls!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZImdiH3wBQ

Steppin' out with DWNTWN

DWNTWNimages.me

Makin' Bacon

 This morning is an unusual Sunday for us.
We woke to only 2 kids in the house.
That alone makes for an unusual day.
I don't mind so much as it gave me an opportunity to work one and one with the youngest, Laura Jayne.
Laura wanted to learn to cook bacon.
We were at the grocery store yesterday and somehow the bacon ended up in the cart in spite of the fact that it wasn't on my list.

I am a very deliberate menu/grocery list maker.
I have had to be over the years.
It is too expensive to feed a family of 10
(plus stray neighbor kids)
if I am not deliberate in my list making.

I am sure most everyone has 'popped' into the store for 3 or 4 simple items.
You grab just 1 of your recycle grocery bags.
After all your list is simple, such as; milk, bread, bananas, and toilet paper.
You estimate your bill to be less that $10.
and it will fit in one bag... Hooray!
Yet when you get to the check out counter you have lots more and your bill totals $53.00.

That happens when I let Jeff or the kids go to the store with me.
That is how we ended up with bacon in our cart yesterday.

But that's okay.
It gave me some early morning quality mom/daughter time with Laura that I wouldn't have had otherwise.

Over the years some of my kids have learned to cook and bake and others have not.
I think back and realize that I could have been more deliberate in teaching them all to cook.
It seems that those that were interested in learning have
and those that weren't interested in learning to cook haven't. 

In my house cooking has always been another chore,
its another task on my 'mom to-do list'.
But as our family gets smaller,
I find it more enjoyable
and sometimes...
I even find it relaxing.

There is a vast difference between rushing to cook enough bacon for 10 hungry people,
and teaching an interested 13 year old to cook bacon for 4 people.

This morning was one of those times when it was enjoyable and relaxing.
I look forward to more 'unusual' Sunday mornings.

My only regret is that I don't have the opportunity to spend an unusual Sunday morning with my older kids who are now cooking their own bacon.

Happy Weekend!
I hope you find joy in the unusual!



Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me

Taking the train

I love riding the train.


It's relaxing, rhythmic,
And peaceful.

I am heading to Portland to have a 'play day' with my sister!
We always have fun when we are together and it's been a couple of weeks since we've had a chance to see each other.


There is a Blazer game tonight so it just made sense to take the train, and hang out until game time.
I am trusting I can catch a ride back home with Jeff.

I need this today.
I've spent much of the week working on job applications,
tweaking resumes,
and I even had an actual face to face interview.

Nothing has come of all this,
At least not yet.

But perhaps soon.

I'm just trying to stay positive.
Some days it's easier to be positive than other days.

One thing I am holding on to is,

It's all good!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:NW Station Way,Portland,United States

Spring where are you?

 

Spring Break is over, 

the girls are back in school.

Sleeping in and having them home during the day was fun while it lasted.

Today I am looking for my routine.

I know it should be around here somewhere.
It hasn't been that long since I used it,
but in the last week or so I seemed to have misplaced it.

I have been productive this morning, in spite of losing my routine.
I have done 2 loads of laundry,
unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher,
picked up the house,
cleaned off the kitchen counters,
showered, dressed, and dried my hair.
(You might laugh at that last line, but there are days when I get busy
or too wrapped up in what I am doing and its afternoon before I get in the shower.)

In spite of being productive and freshly showered before noon,
I still feel out of kilter.

Maybe its the drab weather. 

Spring is a time for blue skies,
puffy white clouds,
and lots of new colors blooming in the garden.

Today is gray and drab.
It doesn't look or feel like spring at all.

Regardless, I need to get out my to-do list
and stay focused on the tasks at hand.
Because in 18 days I will be heading to home to Kansas/Nebraska where there is no routine
...And hopefully lots of bright blue springtime skies with puffy white clouds!

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Wet-cool-March-records-set-to-fall-118688339.html



Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me