You did what?

I ironed. I don't remember the last time I did it but I ironed. I have set up the equipment when I have sewed in the past to press newly stitched seams on Halloween costumes and aprons, but really iron clothes? It is almost foreign to me now. I do remember times I would set up all the stuff:iron, ironing board, spray starch, hangers, ironing basket, then turn on the tv and watch football or old movies all Sunday afternoon. But not in the last 15 years, at least.

It all started because the weather is changing. I am feeling colder even though the sun still comes out. Sometimes. I have two sweaters that needed hand washing before I could wear them for the season. I had a blouse I washed this summer that really came out wrinkly. I had a blouse I took to the cleaners a year ago to be laundered but because of the sequins on it, they said "no thank you". It needed to be washed by hand. So I washed all that needed washing. The sweaters dried on towels very nicely and the blouse dried on a hanger. I think I let them sit around about a week to dry.They smelled great and any spots were out but boy were they wrinkled.

So, I gathered them up along with the other machine washable blouse with the wrinkles from hell...actually make that two washable blouses and set up for the task. Where do I set up an ironing board? I found room in the dining area so I could look out the windows at the ocean. Can't be all bad. I plugged in the antiquated iron and set up the antiquated ironing board. I think I will swap them out with the nice ones at our Portland condo since those REALLY don't get used. I filled the water in the steam iron and waited for it to warm up.

Okay, the old spit on the finger and touch the iron trick and I was sure it still worked. I started with one of the washable items in case the iron decided to spit back in protest. Back and forth. Back and forth. Those wrinkles barely budged. AHA! Spray starch. I threw out the last rusted can when it stopped dribbling out starch with still three quarters of a can remaining years ago. I jumped in my car...top still down because it isn't snowing yet...and ran to the grocery store. Back awhile later with Magic Sizing. I am hoping it works better than the old spray starch and it does contain the word "magic" so maybe it will iron the clothes on its own.

So, sssssss, and I am off again. In no time, those wrinkles are out. The blouses are hung up and look great. The sweaters needed the wrinkles steamed out too. They looked great and folded up nicely. Dick asked me to iron the collars of a couple of golf shirts. You know the Mayor needs to look decent. I think this need to have things ironed must have been contagious.

We now have nice wrinkle free clothes hanging in the closet and folded in the armoire. I don't think I want to do it again soon and definitely don't want to start another "ironing basket" but the old art of ironing has not died yet! At least in this household.

Awareness

I am finally becoming aware that since moving to Lincoln City years ago, I have become fascinated with the people of Lincoln City and how varied they are. They are so unique. Probably that happens everywhere but in a small town you can get to know people and see this uniqueness much more easily.

Also, events, groups or happenings in town are more interesting in a small town. You are more aware of the diversity of what is around you. I might have heard of the same things in the Portland area but it was much more interesting to get to see the workings of such things up close in a small town.

Of course, Dick being the Mayor has opened doors for such things too. Here are a couple of examples:

Taft High School Football. The school system here is not very good. The Administration is working on it and a lot of people are trying to help these disadvantaged kids get food to eat, clothess on their backs and school supplies. After meeting with the high school principal and hearing of numerous great things happening, I want the people of Lincoln City to know about the positive things happening at the school. It doesn't hurt to have a little school spirit! A friend of ours is the cheerleader/dance coach. She had so many girls try out this year, she was getting ready to make cuts when the school district stepped in and said uh-uh. Keep them all. Wow, what a problem to have. We have a new football coach this year. We have the most kids in years go out for the team. The usual season with NO wins could have a new look this year. Dick and I went to he game just last night. Cheers exploded with each first down. The team doesn't really have a kicker so they went for two points after their touchdown...yes they had one. Because of that extra point, the game rolled into the fourth quarter with the Tigers in the lead at 8-7 over Seaside. We didn't make it this time, bu the possibility was there. I have hope that before the season is over, these guys are going to make us very proud. Once the kids can take a little pride in their school, they can take pride in their school work.

Another example of an exciting event that might go without notice in a big town is the opening of our new Fire Department training tower. It is state of the art. In a small town, we not only had a ribbon cutting but made it an event all day with a Disaster Preparedness Fair included. Lots of materials for handling the tsunami debris that is invading our beaches, how to take care of ourselves after a tsunami (we will be cut off from help and the rest of the world for awhile) and even hospital and insurance information. Classes were held all day for education, information and the answering of questions. People attended. The tour of the tower with explanations of how our volunteer firefighters can get training in cutting through a roof, working in smoke, getting into crawlspaces and attics and manholes was amazing. Talking with the chief, he explained that most of our calls are medical/accident/rescue calls and it is hard to get on the job training for fighting fires. The men are volunteers. I am sure their families are breathing sighs of relief knowing they can be trained for these emergencies as they put their lives on the line. And, the Sherriff's department has already toured the facility with ideas how they can use it in their training also. We have a great new addition to our city. Would I go visit such a place if I still lived in Portland? Maybe but again, probably not. The turn out in a small town astounds me. People take pride in what we have rather than being too busy to care.

It is just a great place to live...for me.

Today started out very foggy. I still drove with the top down on my car to get coffee. Coffee with the Mayor at Pirates Coffee was rather quiet but Dick got there after his radio half hour with Roger Robertson. It was still foggy when we got home.

I had Dick bring in the tall ladder and I spent a good deal of time cleaning our metal sculpture on the wall. It is so high I had to climb the ladder almost to the top to reach all the nooks and crannies. With all the pointy branches, it took forever and ruined a perfectly good sponge to get it dusted.

We also installed a new top-down, bottom-up shade in the guest room and it actually worked. Dick and I are not known for our handyman skills but together we got it done.

I edited a letter to Sunset magazine for "the Mayor" to send off. Can you imagine leaving Lincoln City off the Oregon Coast map? Not a nice thing to do! Quite a domestic day.

So it is finally a sunny day at the beach. I knew it would happen...even in September.

Another quiet and restful day in the Anderson household. I polished inside and outside my kitchen cabinets. Definitely not my favorite chore but it looks great! I washed all the glasses that are gathering dust. Dick washed windows inside and out and it looks like a high definition view out to the beach. WOW!!!
The crockpot is simmering away and producing wonderful smells along with the fresh Challah I just pulled out of the oven. Next time I will try the bread with garlic and cheese added to the recipe. It is calling my name. Who will be the recipient of the second loaf? It's Labor Day and I am not sure who is around but someone will win.

It's a good smelling day...fresh windows, cabinet cleaner, fresh bread and dinner! Yum.

Yesterday was a day to clean house and do laundry. Not much exciting except the beautiful weather. It is September but the best one in years. We headed out to go watch the fireworks at the casino at about 7:30pm and noticed 2 police cars with no officers parked across the street. Went on our way. With a stop at Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone we headed for the casino parking lot. It was busy but we managed to have parking karma and found a good spot. Top down on the car, we "people watched", read a little in our books and just relaxed. Great fireworks for about 20-25 minutes right above the casino. We headed home to find the police cars still parked in the neighborhood. Apparently, the home one house away had some domestic problems.

It's just the usual day at the beach.

I have decided to turn over a new leaf and write on this blog daily just for myself. Grandkids have gone home. The house has been brought back to normal but still needs some attention to details. The summer sun is still out even though the fall temperatures are trying to creep in to the beach. So, now is the time to do something for me. Give me another 3 days and will probably complain that I haven't seen my grandkids or kids enough, however.

So, Dick and I went to the Portland Timbers game in Portland last night. We drove Dreidel home to his girls and Jason then off to soccer. I know I am a Parrothead and love following Jimmy Buffet but now I am hooked on the Timbers, too. Not quite ready at my age to start being in the Timbers Army but I love watching them and chanting along with that crowd. Great soccer weather last night and we have that trip with all the crowds down to a science so the comings and goings to a game are easy.

Then this morning we had coffee and French pastries at St. Honore in the sunshine and then to the Lake Oswego Farmers Market. I think this is one of the best around. It may not be as big as the Portland one but it has a lot and overlooks the lake. Sitting out at the bakery waiting for it to pen isn't too shabby either. So relaxing and we now have artichokes and corn for our dinners this week.

So after seeing ALL the family for a few minutes, we made a few more stops...including our Organic garden...and headed back to "our beach". The view right out our windows is one of the best in the world.

It is a 10plus day!