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!

Election 2010

The elections are over. No more TV ads. I read today that Portland was #3 in the country for the number of political TV ads this season. Ugh, glad that is over but those shows we recorded still have them. Luckily we can skip right through that part.

Dick's campaign led us through a lot of ups and downs, letters to the editor, rumors about Dick, speeches, coffees, radio interviews and a few hives for me, stress for Dick before it was all over. He was overwhelmingly successful so it was worth it. Lincoln City has a population of about 8,000 people but about 30,000 with the tourists that come to town. There are approximately 3,600 voters but of course they don't all vote. Dick got a little over 1,600 votes to the incumbents 991 and there were a few who actually voted for the cannibus candidate. There were no real polls. Our friends said they heard that a lot of people wanted Dick to win but you never know if it is just the circle of friends you know that say that or if there really are enough votes to win. Thus, the last week before the election, I broke out in hives. I went for a massage and that helped so much. About the same time, we were out twice a day at the D River waving signs during what we call rush hour (actually, it is just the time people drive to work but no rush in Lincoln City except the tourists coming on Friday night and leaving on Sunday). I was also busy getting food together for our election night gathering. At least the last few days I had something to concentrate on and the hives didn't come back.

The sign waving was fun! Even when the rain dumped buckets on us and the wind almost blew us away, we smiled, waved and had fun. There were a couple of people running for city council out there. Dick was there. And one day a candidate for county commissioner showed up for a morning wave with the signs. It was fun smiling and waving and seeing how many people would wave back or you could at least get to smile. There was a lot of honking and thumbs up. There were a lot of ballots waved as people were on their way to city hall to drop them off. One man made me really nervous when he wanted to make sure he showed both sides of the road that he liked the candidates, took his hands off the steering wheel and did a thumbs up to each side of the road. One of the funniest signs had a hand written "Honk for Dick" on it. There were a few cars with passengers and drivers laughing so hard they had to pull over and then wave, thumbs us or honk. I only knew about 3 one-fingered waves and that is expected but it was an overwhelmingly a success.

The election night gathering was another unbelieveable election experience. We invited many of the people who were active in the campaign. We invited about 100 people but many of them were from out of town so we had no idea how many people would come out. Both Brett and Allison made it over from the Portland area for the night and it was nice to have family there! Allison hooked up her computer to broadcast our event online. It was slow but at least people could see what was happening even if they couldn't attend. Then she hooked up my computer to show the county results through a projector onto a big screen. We had lots of food and drinks and I brought out the custom M&Ms with Dick's picture and "Mayor Anderson" on them. We voted for our favorite local pizzas after tasting them. And then the results came in...

Wouldn't you know it but I was in the bathroom. I heard somone clap...just one or two. Then I ran out and up to the screen and saw that Dick had a wide margin and was in the lead. Everyone had believed it was going to be close. All of us! So, we just stood there and looked. We were shocked. No real screaming, clapping, hooting or hollering. We just stared at the screen. Then we all started congratulating each other and giving each other hugs. No one really wanted to jinx things by celebrating too early. But it didn't look like there were enough votes still out there to change the lead even if they all voted for Lori. But still no one wanted to jinx it! Lots of celebrating and happiness but no real outburst. It felt so strange but we were all so happy. It was a cautious celebration. Later, when more results came in, the margin got wider and we knew for sure and we all went home for a good night's sleep.

The group at the election gathering was unreal. There were those really active in the campaign people, behind the scenes people, financial backers, neighborhood walkers, sign wavers, and some who were quiet supporters. They were from all walks of life, retired folks, young people, Henry from the doughnut shop, the gravel pit people, construction people, waiters, people from the arts, people recovering from health problems, friends drove over for just a couple of hours from Wilsonville and it is a 2 hour drive, people from the coffee shops, art galleries, florists, accounting people, one friend who makes purses, a hotel owner, our kids, our friends and neighbors. It was a true mix of all kinds of people who had heard the names of most of the others but most had not met. We even had one couple who rarely get out attend. It was comfortable. It was Lincoln City at its best pulling together to elect someone who can change things and help the town become a true community once again.

Dick came down with a cold the next morning and had to be on the radio the next morning at 7:30am. We put Nyquil into him and got a cup of hot coffee. He stopped coughing long enough to talk to the community for half an hour. We have been stopping by our coffee shop hangouts to thank our supporters. We have driven all over town to take down signs. Dick is doing a lot of planning for the future and we have to get him a new notebook he carries to keep track of people, phone numbers, email addresses and most importantly...ideas from the community. He has two more interviews on the local radio talk shows on Tuesday and Thursday. People are calling for meetings. He met with the Siletz Tribal people. Dick is on the move. People are coming out of the woodwork and speaking their minds. This is a true community.

It's just another sunny day at the beach!

Election Fever

Oh, I have election fever and I am worn out! The Lincoln City mayor's seat is a close race. The fangs came out with lots of rumors about Dick and of course I take that as an assault on me. I did chose to marry the guy anyway. Wait! Nothing personal was said about girlfriends or affairs or anything...just how he stands on some hot issues in town. Dick would rather not stoop so low as to argue back but a number of supporters have sent letters to the editor in our newspaper so things still get ugly. This is why I don't like politics.

The good news is that we have lots of people (some we are suprised to hear from) coming up and telling us they are voting for Dick. Some say they were strong supporters of his opponent in the past but have jumped ship. I think there is a good chance he will win, but it will be close and it will be a battle.

We have busily put up signs and banners in highly visible places around town. Lori, who is very green, had said in the past she would never litter the environment with yards signs. She now has yard signs. One of our supporters printed us bumper stickers. Lori printed bumper stickers. We have had some wonderful buttons from day one. Finally, Lori made some buttons. Wish she would get a marketing plan of her own. I just hope the citizens have noticed how she copies us along the way. Ouch!

My means of coping with stress from all of this is to cook/bake/can. I hope all my friends are hungry as the stress level rises. Today I made two batches of blackberry jam and finished up some applesauce. Tomorrow we go to Lake Oswego and make apple cider at Brett's house. At least we will get a day off to spend with family.

I have been working with Dick on mailings, writing his bio, answering questions from the employee union, the Newport newspaper questions, setting up for a Senior Fair this next week, Photos to use...take them and print them, make food for some coffees we have attended at friends houses to talk to neighbors, designing one last postcard to send out, doing bulk mailings, spending 5 hours at Safeway for a fundraiser where I did the work so Dick could talk to people coming through, writing letters to the editor for another campaigner, and anything else we can do. The house is dirty. We are on top of things for the campaign.

This week starts the radio interviews, prep for radio ads, the Senior Fair, a Candidates Fair for Federal, State, County and City hopefuls and still maintaining the usual with coffee at different coffee places each day of the week traveling to all ends of the city. The postcard should be printed and I will get to work labeling them so they can be mailed in about 10 days. Whew! Can't wait until November 2nd. Oh, wait! I have to plan the election night event. I will relax next month.

It's just another day on the campaign trail.

September Sunshine

Fall seems to be here according to the tourist drop off but it has been sunnier and warmer than most of the summer. We are really enjoying the clear mornings and beautiful sunsets. This is why we moved to the beach.

The grankids are back in school and I am back to babysitting one day per week. Eliana has been emailing me about our football pool as football season starts. She is a true Dallas Cowboy fan just like her dad. She loves cheering at the touchdowns and watching how many picks she got right. She has won the money before so this isn't something new to the 10-year-old!

Allison and Jason and the kids just got a new dog. We aren't sure exactly what kind he is but he is cute, about a year old and very well behaved. His name was "Puddin" but it just didn't fit. The girls decided that "Dreidel" fits him better so he is Dreidel. Sarina, who is our house cleaner grandchild, has taken on the job of keeping the back yard cleaned up. We will see how long that lasts. She does like cleaning bathrooms so maybe this won't seem like an awful chore. Otherwise, the other girls are going to have to rotate doing the job also.

Dick is off to a City Council meeting and his campaign for mayor rolls along. We went to a fundraising event for a wild cat sanctuary with Tippi Hedren last night and picked up new campaign bumper stickers while there. We met a number of new supporters for his campaign, also. It is always nice to meet more people backing him and gives us hope that he may even be successful. Here come the Letters to the Editor, mailings and then in October we will start hearing the radio ads. Keep your fingers crossed.

I just went through all my cooking magazines that have been stacking up over the summer while Allison and the girls were here. They keep me busy so I didn't get to decide which recipes I want to keep and try and rip them out. Usually during the year I can keep up with them and try lots of new ideas. I guess I take the summer off. Watch out waistlines...I am inspired. Plus, my corner where the magazines were piling up is nice and clear now!

Yes, I am inspired but when will I get to buying apples to make applesauce and cider? Finished the jams but it is apple time in the Northwest. Brett will gather friends together for the cider pressing sometime in October. Hope our campaigning doesn't interfere with attending. It is a very fun, kid-oriented, outdoor time. All the kids do the grinding and pressing with Grandpa Dick's help. We also have any newcomer join in helping the job along.

Well, it is September and just another busy time of year!

Summer's Over?

I can't believe that summer is almost over! The grandkids have already gone home and I didn't get a chance to write much about our adventures. The girls grew an inch each the first month they were here. All that fresh air, exercise and good food did the trick. Dena has been singing all summer, all day. She seems even taller but I think it is maturity that makes her seem to have grown. At 3, she is much more mature like her older sisters. At 7, Sarina survived...rather devoured her first weeklong overnight camp. She was really into it and went both inner tubing on the lake behind a boat several times and tried out the ropes trail. Art is her favorite other activity at camp. We still have a grocery bag full to prove it. Eliana, at 10, blossomed this year as well. She took guitar lessons, spent her first 3-week overnight session at camp and also grew a lot taller. She came home and immediately got on her computer to input all the email addresses of her new friends and was amazed she had emails waiting for her from her friends back in West Linn. Busy girls.

Allison had a hectic summer with all the things you don't really see behind the scenes at summer camp. They had a van totalled in an accident (no one injured) and had to rush around to find an emergency replacement vehicle for the next day's outing. In Lincoln City that is a miracle. The car rental place...if you want to call it that...is owned by the heating and air conditioning company. We multi-task around here. There was also a flu outbreak at camp and I think Allison bought out the store in the hand sanitizer department the first day. Luckily it only lasts 12 hours and the kids could go back into circulation but sometimes it hit 10-12 kids at a time. They had to make quick recovery rooms out of anything available and many extra runs to the laudromat for clean linens in each cabin as a sick kid appeared. That too did pass. Eliana's cabin was hit early and 11 kids went in the first night out of 16 in her cabin. She made it through the session staying healthy until the night before camp ended...it finally got her too. Even the doctor got sick but put on a mask and continued to watch over the kids in the health center.

Dick's campaign is in full swing now. We have buttons galore, brochures going out with a big mailing work party next Tuesday (8/24) and I am picking up signs today, I hope. Coffee at Starbucks and other places have turned into 2-hour morning rituals. Coffees are being set up at homes and new supporters are coming out of the woodwork. It is interesting. I have never liked politics but as long as it isn't me running, answering all the questions and being under the magnifying glass, I can support Dick's efforts. Keep your fingers crossed. It is a long time until November 2nd.

We will be out of here for a few days to meet up with the whole family in Camp Sherman in Central Oregon soon. A few days away will be fun and Camp Sherman is an even smaller town. The post office, gas station and grocery store are all in one. Otherwise there isn't anything else there except rental cabins, homes, etc. and one nice restaurant. I think we will hit that at least once. Last year I tangled with a brown recluse spider while there so I have already bought my bug spray for the bedroom. I didn't see any bugs but the spider found me in the middle of the night. I have a nice, huge scar on my neck to prove it. And I am going back again, you ask? Yes, it is a nice place to watch the wild life, trees, flowers, creek and no tv or computers.

It will be just another quiet day with at just running water, toilets and electricity!

FEELIN' FINE

I woke up this mornin' feelin' fine... sounds like a song I know. The girls weren't quite so cheerful this morning when they woke up. A little homesickness set in. Dena wanted her pink hippo (which Daddy is bringing over tonight) which made Eliana want to sleep in her own bed. So waking up was a little rough this morning. But, after a few Mommy cuddles and some of Grandma's Famous Buttermilk Pancakes all is well. By the time we were headed out the door for camp (and Grandma to Starbuck's) all of us were singing "Bye, bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levee and the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whisky and rye"...wait a minute. A 3-year old singing about whiskey and rye? At 8 o'clock in the morning? Oh, well. At least all 5 of us girls were singing and the sun was out to make us all happy.

I have been enjoying the musical touch the girls have brought to the household. Their favorite songs are Miss American Pie, Leaving on a Jet Plane, Jimmy Buffet's Volcano Song and Taylor Swift's song about "she wears short skirts, I wear tee shirts". Eliana has taken a few guitar lessons this summer between overnight camp sessions. So, as she practices each night, we are serenaded by guitar music. On Thursdays, Grandpa Dick walks her up the street to the nearby music store where Richard Paris (his middle name is France, according to Elie) tries to teach her as fast as she can learn. Dick sits by and listens for an hour before he walks her back and tells us Eliana tries to teach her teacher as much as he is teaching her. She is trying to keep her mouth shut during lessons but boy is it hard. Last night they even stopped by Humble Pie and brought back pizza for dinner. If you wear a tie dyed shirt there you get a discount. Both Dick and Elie forgot their shirts this time (Eliana had made one at camp) but next time we will remember. Do tie dyed shirts go with campaign buttons that Dick always wears? Why not?

The campaign is going well. We are hearing all kinds of support from people we don't even know but the 2 time mayor is going to run again so it is still a long road ahead until November 2nd. A friend and supporter is making buttons to pass out. They have all kinds of sayings so it is fun to let people pick their pleasure. There are simple ones with "Dick Anderson for Mayor" and ones with his face and a message like "Innovative Leader", "Integrity with Ears" or even "Lets move on". Not all are my favorites but we let people choose. A big check is going to come in today, we are told and that should cover our signs. We have collected enough to print and mail our brochures...which are just about ready...so we are moving into the radio and newspaper ads part of the fundraising. Signs will be ordered next week once the check clears the account. Should be interesting.

Today is my housecleaning, cookie baking, jam making, go to the library, drop off buttons day, and a day to myself day. My quiet time while Dick is golfing and marshalling all day. The kids all stay for Shabbat Dinner at camp so even dinner will be a quiet affair. It gives me a little rejuvenation time for the next week so I will take advantage of this time. The sun is shining and the beach is calling my name, so I think a walk is in order before my day gets too far along.

It's just another perfect day at the beach.