Mother's Day Weekend 2010

What a great weekend.....The weather finally cooperated.

Mr. I took me to the lake on Saturday, where I saw lots of this....

Which was fantastic.  Then Sunday, The best Son in the World took us on a little adventure. The adventure began with a ride in the van....

Now this van is a fun fun van. You can change in it, sleep in it take all your toys in it, we packed up a change of clothes and off we went to tour downtown Portland .....

That's my boy,  err, man...hmmmm.....grown son. But really how grown can he be? We are still riding bikes!
Anyway, it was so fun, and Mr. I and I learned some new bike shifting techniques from the pro....think of the money we save???

Rest stop on the Esplanade...Handsome guys.


Nice Views...

Now for Brunch at Salty's on the Columbia-

Nice Son-Nice Husband...Thanks so much to both of you.

Goof Balls!

Love MamaBus

Evian Roller Babies international version

Crack Up of the Day!

Blast From the Past-Red Rooster

I cannot believe this but I found this pic of a restaurant in Alamogordo NM. Not just any restaurant but the first place I worked when I lived on my own in a small god forsaken town in the great Southwest. The Restaurant was the Red Rooster. It was June 1974. Alamogordo New Mexico. And it was time to strike out on my own. I was 17, graduated from High School a little early. I turned 18 in October that year. I was forcibly brought to this town by my parents as an Air Force brat. Believe me I was none to happy about it. I'll blog this at a later date. In hindsight, it was definitely an experience.

Yes darlings, This was when America was really free. I made $1.15 per hour plus tips. Which I might add was enough to pay my $85.00 per month rent. I only paid electric and I think that was $3.00 per month. No cable TV, no cell phone, no phone at all. All calls were made from a pay phone or the phone at work, if it was local. Hanging out was at the "Drive In" on the highway drinking Cherry Schnapps and Everclear. Oh my, I even hate to admit that. Oh yes, and Coed tag football at the park/zoo that had one animal, a lion that roared incessantly. I could hear it at the trailer that I lived at down the street. Yes, kids trailer. Everybody lived in trailers in Alamogordo. Well, everybody in my income bracket.

I did not have a car at the time, but managed to get one in a few months from Mr.Cookson. Everyone in town knew him. He was my parents neighbor. Sly dog. He came in for coffee every morning to the Red Rooster and would make me feel guilty when I brought his ticket. I think gas was like .35 cents a gallon. And no I am not that OLD! Inflation has just been out of control.

Anyway, I ate PBJ sandwiches and meals at the restaurant. "Louie" the evil boss from hell, would watch all of our meals and count the french fires. Oh Oh Oh and there was this guy that was "Louie's" henchman he was a career dishwasher. Serious. Flaming guy with alternative lifestyle which was unreal in a small town like Alamogordo. And also the first time I had ever known someone of his sort. I remember he wore eyeliner and mascara and the makeup got thicker the closer it got to Friday night. I wish I could remember his name...Freddie? No... Oh Oh it was SAMMY, yes SAMMY. Anyway I think there was something going on between Louie and him.  It was all so sorted and I was so very naive.

I'd plug a dollar in the jukebox and play enough songs to get through the morning rush. I guess that was really a hard days work but didn't realize it. Youth.

So, this pic has given me a lot to remember.Hmmmm I wonder how much I can blog without recrimination.

Love Mamabus

'Babies' Trailer - Official Movie (2010) HD-Cannot wait for this Movie-Andrew!!! Mother's Day.....Be There

Oh My Goodness I didn't Forget all of you, Just had a Week!

I have so missed my blog for a week. I don't even want to review last week. We've all had weeks like that where time is too short and demands too much. Thanks for the inquiries of "Hey where is your blog"

Onto my next thought, err project, err thing for Mr. I to get started. The Garden. Mr. I and I went to get some starts over the weekend. I do this every year where I get them too early. I just get anxious. Anyway, this year I'm all about the Herbs Baby!

I've always wanted to grow an herb garden with all those varieties that you want to get but think how will I use those.

I picked several just for the foliage. Check this out:

Curry- Silvery branchy leaves and swear, it smells just like Indian Curry. It's supposed to get bushy about 18x18.

And this Lemon Balm-Beautiful leaves that smell like-----Lemons----yes, but check it out when you rub the leaves on your arm....viola .Mosquito Repellent.

 And this Lovely Sage....Purple Sage, I think it's just for looks, it looks like velvet and feels like velvet.


Then there's Basil the Queen of all Herbs

 and did I mention  Parsely.....as much as can be planted. hummmmm,

And finally, some Zinnia seeds. I love Zinnias they are like a Summer Party. Can't forget the Marigolds, they keep away the bad bugs.

Mr. I will be tilling the next couple of days and the veggies go in, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers,

Oh yes, One last thing...the Lilacs are blooming here in my yard in the Great Pacific Northwest: Here are some of mine....Love them. Don't they smell good?

Oh yeah, my blueberries and strawberries
The Dogwoods. I could go on and on.

So, I'll keep you posted. Just pray for warm weather. Oh yes, one more thing...my mom sent me this hummingbird chime and I love it. I just want her to know I love it and her. It's actually chiming in this pic. All those who talk with mom in the next couple of days....tell her I blogged her.

Love Mamabus

Can I have some Church up in heeaaa.......Redemption...Glory Glory

I know, I know. We just finished Easter, we've been to church, ate the Easter Meal. Loved on our family and friends. But just one last thought before we get on with Spring.  A word comes to me, Redemption.

We are now celebrating being "Redeemed in Christ", meaning freed from sin. Free from sin. Delivered from Sin's bondage. What a miracle. Ponder it People!

Ok, well now I feel ready for anything. So I better get to it. Love Mamabus.

PS. Check out this link-http://www.gotquestions.org/redemption.html thought it was kinda cool for reference.

The Blessing of Flowers and Hearts and Easter 2010

These White Bleeding Hearts live on my front porch with with the Roses and Tulips. It's the perfect weekend to shoot these perfect flowers. So pure. Hearts with wings. So perfect for the Easter Celebration. Enjoy and know I'm thinking of all of you.....all of my family and friends. Enjoy!!!

  

Elephant Pose.....Are you kidding me!!##......

A few years ago I started taking Yoga. I'm probably at the advanced beginner level. I can pretty much hold all the poses or fake my way through it. That said, I really love a good yoga workout. I really feel that all women should consistently take some type of Yoga a couple of time a week no matter what the age.

Now, I have a lot of funny yoga stories, which I will share periodically. But this is my most recent.

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to pick up a Yoga Class during the day, which with my schedule is rare. So, the instructor was new to me, and the participants were new to me. They all seemed a few years older than me and it was during the day, so I thought I was settling in for a more "mellow" possibly less challenging class. "Nice" I thought. I didn't notice that they all had their own mats, and water bottles, and actual appropriate "Yoga" clothing....I don't know how I missed that.

So it began.....on our hands and knees...a little unusual then to plank...normally this position is reserved to later in the class but the instructor must have been feeling "strong". I glanced over and noticed the woman next to me in perfect position plank, solid with matching yoga ensemble, and as I continued to hold the plank, breaking out in a sweat, I glance down the line of participants, all of them in perfect plank, none of them shaking or trembling. It was then I realized, I was not going to experiance a "mellow" less challenging class. It was then I realized that all the "older" folks were going to out "Yoga" me in a big way.

And so the torture continued, with 50 "Downward facing Dogs" and 25 plank holds, 10 triangle poses with 30 chair poses sprinkled in for good measure. I know I know I'm exagerrating a bit....but not much. I have never sweat like this in a yoga class. I could have used an oxygen tank and medical attention but honest I was trying my best. Then came a little pose she called the "Elephant" and this is how she instructed us.....seated position, legs forward, put your left foot in your hand, lift over your head, place both hands on the ground, and lift your lower body into postion..............Are you kidding me!!!!!#####
 
I have never been so happy for "corpse" pose in my life. So for fun I included a link that shows the elephant pose. Good Luck trying it. Do not try Alone. And I'm picking up a Yoga class or two or three.

 

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

Enjoy your Day! Love Mamabus

What a whirlwind.......

The day before Andrew left for Ethiopia, his father, Mr. "I" took him on a boat ride. It was a beautiful day.


Then the next day.....the controlled chaos began.......

Then we sent them on their way

Now they are home with many stories and new thoughts and a hairy face......Precious.  Love Mamabus.

 More to come.......

Random Friday-Palm Sunday Weekend

Last Summer Mr. "I" and I went to the Redwoods and the Southern Oregon Coast. It was hot on this day and when I saw this pic it reminded me of that day and Summertime. It also reminded me of the sense of comfort and order I get when we stop in a teeny tinny town in the middle of the ocean forest country and stop in the heat of the day to completely enjoy the moment.

Last month Darryl and Andrew and I went on a hike to Punchbowl Falls. To get this shot I had to rock hop to the center of the creek/river and teeter on a couple of boulders and "snap" quickly. That's why it's blurry. I still managed to get my feet soaking wet. But, being there in person to watch the falls from that vantage point was pretty fantastic. Love that sound.

I noticed that the roses are beginning to get the new wood and blooms on...so soon we'll have roses again. Ahhhhh.


I am soooo glad it's Friday and the weekend can begin.  I'm really looking forward to Sunday to Celebrate Palm Sunday. I love Lent and Holy Week. I pray all of you will have a blessed day on Sunday. Much Love and Devotion MamaBus.

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass's colt (Jn 12:13-15)!"
Today we commemorate Christ's entry into Jerusalem for the completion of the Paschal Mystery. In the old calendar before Vatican II, the Church celebrated Passion Sunday two Sundays before Easter, and then Palm Sunday was the beginning of Holy Week. The Church has combined the two to reinforce the solemnity of Holy Week.
The Palm Sunday procession is formed of Christians who, in the "fullness of faith," make their own the gesture of the Jews and endow it with its full significance. Following the Jews' example we proclaim Christ as a Victor... Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. But by our faith we know, as they did not, all that His triumph stands for. He is the Messiah, the Son of David and the Son of God. He is the sign of contradiction, acclaimed by some and reviled by others. Sent into this world to wrest us from sin and the power of Satan, He underwent His Passion, the punishment for our sins, but issues forth triumphant from the tomb, the victor over death, making our peace with God and taking us with Him into the kingdom of His Father in heaven.        

It's Come to My Attention--Err---I Mean... Mr. "I" has brought it to My Attention....

A couple of posts ago I made a list of Spring Cleaning Projects that I wanted to get done. Mr. "I" only occasionally checks this blog and when he did yesterday he pointed out that 2 things had to be added to the list. In addition, He mentioned that the list is actually "His" list as each item would be a project I would defer to him.  I said "No honey" that can't be true. He said "well let's just go down the list"....

List

Paint upstairs hallway-Mr. "I"always does the painting. Apparently I am only capable of painting large spaces with no edge.Which I am more than happy to help with.

Install upstairs light fixtures-Mr. "I" always does electrical, I'm only allowed to find the tools not use them.

Paint Master Bedroom-  Mr. "I" always does the painting. Apparently I am only capable of painting large spaces with no edge.I'll pick out the paint and help with all large spaces.

Have a garage sale-Now this I can do! Mr. "I" can go fishing.

Sell stuff on Craigslist-Now this I can do!

Organize a new office -Now this I can do! 

Clean and Seal Deck for the Year-Mr "I" always does outdoor projects. But I can plant and point and clean the brushes.

Till existing garden-Mr "I" always does outdoor projects. But I can plant and point.and pick the veggies and flowers for the house.

Add another plot to existing garden-Mr "I" always does outdoor projects. But I can plant and point. and purchase all the starts, I just love that.

Finish Trim on House-Mr. "I" always does the painting. Apparently I am only capable of painting large spaces with no edge.

Paint Front Porch-Mr. "I" always does the painting. Apparently I am only capable of painting large spaces with no edge.Also no "high" place painting for me.

Have carpets cleaned yet again-Oh yeah, I hire this out.Love Aquacare guys.

Clean Windows-All of the Windows-Oh yes I hire this out too.St Marys window cleaning. Although Mr. "I" thinks it's a waste and he can do it. Which is true but he really doesn't have the time to devote what with the rest of the list.

Hang some pics I've been wanting to hang-Mr. "I" hangs all pictures, again I am allowed to find the tools and point to where the pic will go.

Paint inside of Master Bedroom Closet-Mr. "I" said I might be able to handle this but he doesn't see me doing it, he sees he doing it.

Complete reorganization of Master Bedroom Closet-This I can do.Love this part of a project

Added to the list by Mr. "I"-

Clean the Garage-Now Mr. "I" has been stalling on this one. I would actually be happy to do it. Plus all the painting. I would love to take this on but I don't think he'll let me.

Finish shed-Again, Mr "I" always does outdoor projects. But I can plant and point.

Now this brings me to a couple of conclusions. 

1.Man I do really depend on this man to "Make It Happen" and I just want everyone to know how much I appreciate all the money and time he saves me and the family. And I so appreciate all the "Lists" that he has tackled throughout the years.

2. Honey I know fishing/camping season is coming up and if you could please get these items done on this list by say June 1...that way we can go play all summer on the boat.... Love you Mr. "I". Love Mamabus

Mom and Dad-Please Comment I need your Help

I could probably have an entire blog dedicated to Mom and Dad. Really, they are a full time handful. They are partners in crime for sure.  They've been married 54 years. Those numbers don't come up much now a days. They are a handful because since they live in a different state and city....they do what they want....and their children are ALWAYS the last to know....."IF"... and that's a big "IF" we ever find out. We will probably never fully know their escapades. (I'll discuss this in future posts) Anyway, I was thinking about them all day today. Cause my dad is a fisherman and he had a fall at the fishing hole. Pretty bad, he cut his face. He probably shouldn't have been up there on his own but there are only a couple of activities that he has some freedom.  He said, "nobody helps each other anymore" he said that because there were 2 other fishermen on the bank that never even came over to help him up. (Artificial hip and all). Is this possible is my question? Is it possible that people really don't care about each other anymore? Who wouldn't help that face? Ok, I'm getting mad now. So please what do you think?

2 Thoughts Spring and Summer

I am loving this years change of season. But I can't make up my mind which I like better. Clematis is just starting to pop and then comes Summer.

Now my list for Spring is about a Mile Long.  And I have promised myself that I am not allowed to begin Summer until that list is completed. Wonder how that's gonna go....

List

Paint upstairs hallway

Install upstairs light fixtures

Paint Master Bedroom

Have a garage sale

Sell stuff on Craigslist

Organize a new office 

Clean and Seal Deck for the Year

Till existing garden

Add another plot to existing garden

Finish Trim on House

Paint Front Porch

Have carpets cleaned yet again

Clean Windows-All of the Windows

Hang some pics I've been wanting to hang

Paint inside of Master Bedroom Closet

Complete reorganization of Master Bedroom Closet

My stomach is hurting. I could list at least 20 more things.  Hmmm, I need to rethink this. 

I'm sure we all have lists and not enough time to complete them. Check in with me in the Fall. We'll see how it goes.

I'll Keep you posted.

Mamabus

And They're Off!

Family Day Sunday

So today is the beginning of the great adventure. We will begin with the strategic packing of the bags. Earplugs, Camera, lots of prayers and good wishes. Love you Bus. Come back safe and sound.