June 23, 2010
So far the title is not very stimulating and will probably not tempt readers to pursue the content; however, maybe with a little thought, this could be one of my best stories.
Clint Cullard picked me up at the house at 5:30 and had me to the airport by 6:05. That is quite an accomplishment for ordinary drivers but for Clint, who I think was a pilot before he received his driver's license, mastered it efficiently and didn't even scare me. He carried my luggage curbside, gave me a hug, wished me well and barreled out into the morning traffic to accomplish his day. With plenty of time to spare, I grabbed a latte and an egg biscuit for breakfast before taking the walk of suspected terrorist, guilty until proven innocent, to the check-in.
Angel and Ashley picked me up at the Portland airport at 12:30pm. Claim Jumpers was our lunch destination which pretty much threw me. Claim Jumper has a lot of really good food, most of which is not on Angel's diet. Being a little uneasy about offending my sweet daughter-in-law, I just didn't know what to eat. She has cautioned me on the evils of certain foods. Probably the more I try to not offend, I do. It was sweet that they took me there and treated me. Following lunch we were off to Newburg to pick up Taylor from basketball camp. He is such a great boy and watching him play basketball is the best. He is a natural just like his dad.
June 24, 2010
So not a part of my daily routine! Up at 6:15am to be ready to watch T play b-ball. Wouldn't miss it for the world and, by the time we arrived at the gym, I'm wide awake..well, mostly. Angel and I talked about a diet plan for losing belly fat. She printed me examples. Staying on a regiment is so difficult for me and traveling will provide a good excuse for not. Angel has been so instrumental in changing my eating habits that definitely has helped me maintain weight and reduce some of my joint and back pain.
June 25, 2010
Currently on the Martin get-up schedule. It's 7:00am and we are off to the church where Angel and Ashley are involved in"Kid's Fest". They are coaching the little girls in cheerleading. The program was very good and my girls did a wonderful job with the little ones. Angel and I ran errands in the afternoon. Both kids are at sleepovers so Angel, Brian and I watched "Lovely Bones" and now I'm reading "Trial".
June 26, 2010
Another beautiful day in the Rose City! I walked 2 miles this afternoon while Angel and Brian put together new deck furniture. Later in the day, Ashley, Sharon and I went for pedicures. Now that Ashley is a teenager, it is again time for gramoo to take second chair. Not complaining, that is the way it is but first it's my own children and then the grandbabies. Now is the time to set back, reflect and try to concentrate on all that I did right. Sure do miss holding them on my lap though and seeing all that "I depend on you" look.
We all played charades after dinner around the firepit. Lots of laughs and some excitement when the firepit got a little over heated on the wooden deck.
June 27, 2010
Reading is a vice here in Portland. Brian likes the same mysteries that I like and he has a library of mystery writers. Now if I could only remember which books I have read without reading 3 chapters first. Someone told me that comes with old age. Is it really that bad to read the same book more than once? As I read the boys are doing yard work. Well, Brian is working, Taylor is mostly complaining which is probably more work than just doing what his dad has asked. By some miracle Brian never questioned his chores, he just did them. Brian was definitely my helper. He took on more responsibility than he deserved but maybe that is why is such an exceptional husband and father.
Angel is preparing a hot dish for a cheerleading potluck at 2:00. It is very warm in Portland today so tossing water balloons was probably the most fun. Went to church at 5:00, came home and watched a bit of TV and then went to bed to read.
June 28, 2010
Finally sleeping in this morning. Have been waking up around 6 to fit in all the activity that occurs around here. Ashley left for cheer camp today.
June 29, 2010
A little slow down in activity today. Taylor hurt himself by tripping over a chair while playing outside. He pulled a muscle or tendon near his rib cage. He's pretty sore but always has stamina to eat at Sweet Tomatoes. We all like that place and we can all find the kind of food that makes us all happy. Brian and I arrived together and checked out 24 Fitness while we were waiting for Angel and T. We both noticed simultaneously that there were a dozen handicap spaces in front of the entrance. Needless to say we had a chuckle over that. Guess we just didn't think about therapy since we are in such great shape, well, at least Brian is.
June 30, 2010
Taylor and I went to the guitar store this morning and he bought an acoustic guitar with a little help from gramoo. He has an electric and is doing really well. He wants me to get one too. Maybe when I get home I'll look into it. Angel is picking up Ashley and Sharon from Cheer Camp. Taylor and I are driving Brian's truck to guitar lessons. Taylor's instructor gave me info for purchasing a guitar in Phoenix. After lesson we picked up a Jamba Juice for me and a hot chocolate for Taylor.
July 1 ,2010
Not a whole lot going on. Took T to his guitar lessons and also got info on the guitar I'm buying in Phoenix. Suggested retail price is $300.00. T's teacher seems to think that if I buy something inexpensive I won't like it and loose interest. Knowing me and my impatience I will probably loose interest if I'm not playing Garth Brooks songs and entertaining my friends in a month or two. Oh well, it's only money and, because Taylor wants his gramoo to play, I just might stick with it.
July 2, 2010
My darling grandkids and I had lunch at Red Robin and then we shopped Streets of Tanasbourne(sp) I bought a B&W blouse. Dinner was chicken Parmesan prepared by me. Taylor is spent the night at a friends for a BD party, Angel went with girlfriends to watch Eclipse. Brian, Ashley and I had a nice evening together.
July 3, 2010
Sweet potato salad is something I can make that Angel can eat. Makes me feel good to do something nice for her. She and I did some vacuum cleaner shopping at Costco before we all went to Sharon's and Carrie's for a Cul de sac potluck party. A few fireworks and good food but the weather was cold. Needless to say I was freezing. First time in a long time that I have been really cold.
July 4, 2010
Another BBQ potluck, this time at coach Jose's. More fireworks and more cold weather. Would you believe I wore tennis shoes, long pants and wrapped a sleeping bag around me to stay warm. Hey folks, it's July 4th, what's with the weather?
July 5, 2010
Back to the real world! Paying bills! Called State Farm to be sure I was covered to drive a rental. Watched the movie, "When in Rome" Kind of like reading a book, please don't ask me what it was about tomorrow. Took T to tumbling and, after dinner, packed for tomorrow.
July 6, 2010
Enterprise finally picked me up at 11:15. They always get lost finding Brian's address. It has been about two weeks since arriving in Portland and a change will probably do us all good. It was 1:30 when I finished packing the car and leaving the house. After purchasing a much needed Latte at Starbucks (no coffee since leaving AZ in 6/23) Surprising, except that I like coffee, it didn't seem to alter my perspective high or low. It is a beautiful drive through the Columbia River Gorge and like taking my time to look, admire and thank God for such an amazing creation. I arrived at Michelle's at 5:30. Alexis has won a coloring contest from Famous Daves so we ate there enjoying ribs, soup, salad and, of course, a glass of wine for Michelle and me. We visited and got to bed around 11:00. Michelle snores and Alexis can't seem to remember to sleep in her own bed so it was a bumpy night.
July 7, 2010
Michelle left for work at 9:00. Lex and I had breakfast, started the wash and put away her clothes. Now here is where gramoo begins feeling the crunch of her economic situation. Much like government, I can't seem to say no. We hit ToysRus and the mall at 11:30. We bought Zambi the elephant, kid size house cleaning stuff and books at B&N. Lip gloss and a candle at Body Works and then exhaustion and an empty bank account struck me and we went home.
That's all Folks
You won't believe this, or maybe you will, it is November 7, 2011. There is no way I will complete 2010 vacation with still over a month to go. Vacation 2011 is long gone with nothing yet recorded. Maybe when I die there will be technology so advanced that my brain can be rewound and all I have seen and witnessed will be available to whomever is interested. Oh good God, I hope not.
