Memorable Quotes

Though we can never leave life without experiencing some measure of loss, grief, and pain, misery is optional--as is happiness.

Beverly Campbell

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me."

Erma Bombeck

Wednesday, February 18, 2009


Last night we celebrated our sweet granddaughter's birthday. I can't believe she is already 12! She also loves owls.


Here she is modeling her new hat.

I started today at the gym...6:30 a.m. water aerobics and then headed off to school.


Here's my library. It is a very open floor plan. The yellow table is where I teach my flooding group. I have six students in the first grade group and seven in the second grade group. We work on reading skills.


This would be my desk and one of my computers. I share the other one with the rest of the school. It is hiding on the counter in front of the chair in the background.


These windows look out on a courtyard. One of our EA's and her husband fixed plant boxes last fall so we will have beautiful flowers soon.


This is a wallhanging I made a couple of years ago. It hangs off the second floor hallway, overlooking the library.


It was such a beautiful day I just had to go to my favorite place for lunch.


Back to school I go. I don't lead a very exciting life but I'm happy with what I am doing and accomplishing.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Saturday was a fun day. Regena, Deb and I drove to Anna Lena's in Long Beach, Washington to buy fabric at her sale. We left about 8 a.m. and went over Highway 26. About 10 miles before the Cannon Beach/Seaside junction we were stopped by an accident. The highway had icy spots and had gotten very slippery. Someone lost control and....the rest is history....two cars involved. We sat for about 1/2 hour before we could go on. It did give us time to eat some cupcakes that a friend had sent with us. (Thanks, Jodi!) They were really good and hit the spot. We drove up to Astoria and crossed the Astoria Megler Bridge. I had mentioned to Deb that we had to cross it...twice. Her reply, "I don't go that way!!!" but since she was riding with me she did go that way. More on that later. The bridge is 4.1 miles long and is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. Fortunately for us the weather was good so we had a nice trip.We shopped at Anna Lena's for about an hour and a half. The sale started on Friday so things were kind of picked over but...I didn't have any problems finding some things I wanted. (Be sure to click on the links. There are some great pictures.)


I was sad to realize I never visited this shop before it closed. I could tell it would have been one of my favorites. Karen is very nice and even let us take her picture while she was running the cash register.


We were having so much fun on the way over that we forgot to take pictures so we made up for it on the return trip.

We visited the beach. You could actually drive out on the beach but we were headed to lunch.


After lunch we started back home. This is a picture of the Columbia River where it joins with the ocean. I have seen it from both sides of the river and it is impressive no matter where you view it.


Then....we returned across the Astoria bridge. Did I mention that Deb doesn't like to cross high bridges? Well, I'll let the next few pictures tell their own story.













She covered her eyes only when we got to the real high part of the bridge. She made it and didn't complain! Did I ever tell you the story about the Western Washington Shop Hop, Deception Pass, the floating bridge, the ferry to Port Townsend, and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge? That will have to wait for another time. Let me just say.....Deb was on that trip, too!

We had a great time. We stopped and got some freshed cooked crab. Regena said we could get some only if it didn't smell.

I have the best friends. When we are together there is constant laughter and lots of teasing....fun, fun, fun!!!