Happy Solstice 2008

Happy Solstice one and all! I had a really nice day, considering it's the shortest one of the year: slept in, took a beautiful walk out in nature, wrapped some prezzies and now I'm making chili.

Devin commented the other day, "Pennylicious, I've never seen you so in the Xmas spirit!" And it's true -- I'm not being a humbug this year, but feeling (and acting I hope) grateful for the amazing people with whom I get to celebrate the season.

At cookie exchange this year I felt really good to say, "Nothing is new: I have the same house, the same job and the same wonderful boyfriend!"

I have alot of plans and dreams for the upcoming year and I'll keep working at my goals, no matter the obstacles and challenges!

My love for pancakes started early...

When I was 5 years old - in 1969 - and was in kindergarten, I attended my first sleep-over at a friend's house. I remember there were some scarey ancestors' paintings and unfamiliar sounds in that dark house at night. All the little girls stayed up late telling stories (bloody finger, Mary something, the bride with the black velvet choker.) Classic '60s sleepover!!

In the morning Amy's mom made pancakes for us. Those pancakes were so good, I helped myself to a couple of extras and put them in my overnight bag, where to my horror they were discovered by the other little girls!!! "Ha ha, Penny has pancakes in her bag!!!" Luckily for me the mom must have thought it was funny and sweet and she smoothed the situation over. If she hadn't, I might have been known as Pancake Penny forever...but that would be just fine with me!!

Time to check in

After taking 4 days off for 4th of July, I was thinking to myself, "When will I get another long weekend?...Labor Day? Only 2 months til I get another long weekend." It dawned on me that I was wishing away my summer, and ultimately my life!!

I resolved right there and then to consciously leave work early one day a week to pick up my NINE year-old and do something fun that we could both look forward to. Thus began a really fun summer! I conquered some fears and can now dive off the springboard at the pool. I ran into friends and got caught up with them. My son and I are close to each other!

I've carried on the tradition and am taking time off from work to chaperone some field trips. This is a pic from the salmon hatchery from earlier this month. I learned a lot about my son and his friends and have determined that I LOVE the nine-year-old boy!! I thought A was the only one who was so quirky, but it ends up they all are! Hilarious!!

We're also involved in Cub Scouts and I'm working on projects at A's school. I'm really enjoying being more involved in my son's life. It's easier to do now that I'm all secure in the rest of my life: housing, work, relationship with my sweetie. Hmmmmm.

Fall Creek, anyone??

Eve suggested that we go for a hike this weekend, and I was ready to get out to the country, so we skeedaddled it up Fall Creek for the afternoon. First we checked out the campground where I hope we'll camp this summer. (The pix with D-man are at that camp ground.) The reservoir was empty, so it was eerie with the creek running where a big lake used to be. Then we accidentally, but luckily, headed up-crik and found us a nice trail to hike. I think we did 2 miles total, which was plenty for the kids and for my legs too! Goodness gracious, Oregon is spectacularly beautiful. And all this fantastickness is only 30 mins. away from where we live.

We saw the following birds: bald eagle (I kid you not,) great blue heron, woodpecker.

Look at the lushness of the trees. I can't wait to go back!!