Time Flies

I can't believe we are already in February. 2009 is going fast, already. Lot of things are happening in Lincoln City and with the grandkids to keep us busy. We recently visited a new, City sponsored transitional home for men here in LC. I was really impressed by how nicely it was set up and monitored by a live in resident manager. One man was only 18 and kicked out of his home once he was of legal age. He was going to high school and working but the home gives him a roof over his head to help him move on with his life.

Today, we went down to pick City Hall to up a laptop supplied by the city for Dick's use as a City Councilor. We went into the meeting hall and the IT guys showed Dick just how to plug in to use it during the meetings and also had set it up with desktop icons to help him navigate all the city documents, etc. Dick brought along his people (me) to get training also, but I think they actually did such a great job there won't be much for me to do. I did connect him to our wireless connection here at home (there is also one set up for when he is at City Hall) and he is ready to roll.

Dick and I signed up to work on the 2010 census and go to take our tests tomorrow. We figured we walk all over this town anyway, why not put it to good use.

Finally, we also accepted an invitation to help the Culinary Center celebrate it's second year of existence here in LC. A great chef at our favorite restaurant, Blackfish Cafe, established the Culinary Center in an old, unused restaurant over City Hall. They not only provide classes for locals and visitors, but also do classes for employees of restaurants and bars for licensing and for food handlers. The remodeling makes it a beautiful setting with a lot of stainless steel cooking areas, mirrors for viewing chefs at work and a beautiful view of the ocean. For those of you who know Lincoln City a little, it is next to Price and Pride (near the outlet mall) and over the library. I am still hoping to take some classes there soon but we have enjoyed special events in the center.

The grandkids are all fine and growing strong. Grandpa Dick just completed a light bar to go over Eliana's bed and amazingly, it works well. Eliana is happy to have her own room now that she is 9 and her little sister just turned 2. In the few minutes we were trying out the new light strip, Dena had papers off Eliana's dresser flying everywhere and her camera out of the case and pushed lots of buttons. I can see why Eliana likes her own space. So far, Sarina is still enjoying sharing a room with a 2-year-old. Dena hasn't climbed up to the top bunk in the middle of the night yet!

We are looking forward to this summer when all the girls, Allison, Eliana, Sarina and Dena will be here in Lincoln City on weekdays and home with Jason on the weekends. Allison is working for a camp here is Lincoln City so they will be staying with us at night and at camp all day. During most of the year she will be working out of Portland since the camp is only open during the summer months. I am sure I will have pictures of camp to post once that happens.

In a couple of weeks we will be helping Brett's dog, Tank, celebrate his 15th birthday. This is pretty old for a big dog but Tank is hanging in there. He doesn't hear too well...or at least fakes it well enough. He has some joint problems and trips a little when he is trying to run up the stairs here at the beach. But good old Tank still loves to come visit us at the beach and tries to pretend he is young and runs and bounces a little just like the rest of us as we are getting older and pretending right along with him.

So, with the Arctic Blast at Christmastime past and snow melted, we then had wonderful 70 degree weather this past week. It was amazing to drive from Lincoln City to Portland with the top down on my car in February. Now we are back to normal Oregon weather...it's just raining!