Fall

Three deer stood staring in the window at Lulu, who was of course staring right back!









A spider web on a frosty morning.

Colin Powell Rocks

I'll get off the political wagon soon and go back to posting pictures and writing non-controversial things, but for now...After knocking on doors again last night and finding more people that still have not decided how they are voting; I bring you quotes on Socialism from Colin Powell three days ago when endorsing Obama. Embrace it, do not fear it.
"And now I guess the message this week is we're gonna call him a socialist. Mr. Obama is now a Socialist, because he dares to suggest that maybe we oughtta look at the tax structure that we have. ....
"Taxes are always a redistribution of money. Most of the taxes that are redistributed go back to the ones who pay it. In roads, in airports, in hospitals, in schools, and taxes are necessary for the common good....
"...There is nothing wrong with examining what our tax structure is, who should be paying more, who should be paying less. For us to say that makes you a socialist, I think is an unfortunate characterization that isn't accurate, and I don't want my taxes raised, I don't want anyones taxes raised.

"The U.S. already has a progressive federal income tax structure. Those with higher incomes already pay more. The nation has Medicare--nationalized, subsidized health insurance for seniors as well as some others. Congress just approved a bail-out that partly nationalized banks--a deal Republicans and Democrats supported." Lynn Sweets, Washington Post

I've never understood why if one party does something it is okay and if the other party supports the same thing it is wrong and is given a name with a negative connotation. Everyone is guilty, please stop! And for those of you that have your ballots already - VOTE! That way this is all over sooner.

Amusing

One from Home and one from Work:
Last night -
As I lay falling asleep last night, something woke Bob and he jumped in his sleep. When I asked what he dreamed about the response was, "A book attacked me." I of course started laughing and he said, "A bug, a bug attacked me." I then told him that I hear a book, not a bug and that if books are attacking him in his dreams, we need to talk.
This morning-
When microwaving my tea I had to move an empty box of ibuprofen. I then took it to the office manager to make sure she knew it needed to be restocked. Work is not home, you don't just leave empty boxes! When I mentioned my opinion to the OM, she said, "Thank you."

The Obama Office

Today, Bob and I rode our bikes down to Obama's Salem Office. I was really surprised and encouraged by the number and diversity of volunteers. We were told about the different tasks we could volunteer for, how to register voters, how to ignore the polls and for the first time in history, Marion county has more registered Democrats then Republicans! I must add that this was not Bob's idea, it was mine. This time we were not going to sit back and watch the show. This time we were not going to say, on election day, "What could we have done?"
So over this next week, we have a packet with various names of people whose doors we will be knocking on. And we took a big step. We aren't staying in our neighborhood where we know how people are voting, we are headed to Turner. (For those of you not related to us and didn't grow up with us, this is where our parents live and where we went to high school. It is a rural town that used to be mainly farmers 10 miles from Salem.)
It is time for Change!! (10% is not enough)

Fear Mongering

I am so tired of these scare tactics! Obama is not a terrorist, he is not a uni-bomber, he is not a communist. If we want to talk about who has connections let's not forget McCain is tied to Liddy (Watergate) Keating 5 (Savings and Loan crisis in the 80s) Palin is connected to Troopergate (current investigation in Alaska) and participated in an Alaska Separatist Group.
Definition of liberal:favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs
Does that really sound bad to anyone? I think to be liberal, is a good thing. We need change in health care, change in taxes, change in environmental policies and to GET OUT OF IRAQ. I don't want someone who will run right in to war or has a 1 in 3 chances of dying in the first term, or thinks owning 7 homes is normal and you have to make over $1 mil to be wealthy/upper class. (what about over $250,000 which is less than 1% of the population in the U.S.)
So where will you find me on Saturday between 2 and 4pm? At the Obama Headquarters, possibly calling you or knocking on your door.
And what would be so bad about federal health care? If everyone was covered, all prescriptions, surgeries, births, cancer treatments etc., what is wrong? Talk to someone who has a pre-existing condition or can't afford coverage or someone who has had coverage in Sweden, Germany, Japan, Canada, England (oh yeah, just about every other developed country besides the U.S.)
Also, it is NUCLEAR, not Nucular.

Rant and Rave at the DMV

My fellow blog readers, you know how I lived and drove a car in Oregon for over 10 years before I moved to California for less than two. Two weeks ago I went to the DMV to get Oregon plates and a new license. I could only complete 1/2 of the task because I only had a passport and a CA driver license, but I was told to bring in my W-2 and it would be a breeze. I didn't need to fill out a form or retake a test because my Oregon License doesn't expire until 2010. So today I went back only to find out that starting today there is a new law, here is the form, the fee has doubled, and I have to take the test. Not only that, but I also have to take it before 4:30pm, and who knows how early I have to get there to do that! I asked why I was not informed of this 'new law' and was told that they didn't know about it when I was in last. I then asked how a law could be changed with less than 2 weeks notice and was told that they weren't notified of it and didn't know when it was changed. Do they know anything?? One lady said I had to retake the driving test even! Ridiculous!! I filled out a comment card, but I'm trying to find out who to call. Maybe if I wait a week they'll figure things out.

Ty and Heather's Wedding

This last weekend I was home and hung out with girlfriends and worked in the garden, but the weekend before that we were in Omak! Well first we were in Kennewick for Bob to present a paper he received a grant for, then we were in Spokane for the bachelor party (which ended around 4am and included a trip to the Idaho border and back by cab - I only know this because of my husband of course) and then finally in Omak. Heather's family is from there and it is a beautiful area and cute town, plus it was closer than Montana where Ty is from. We had a great time at the dinner Friday night, fun setting up for the wedding Saturday and then partied into the night with the bride and groom. The next morning we saw them off and said goodbye to our other Montana friends. It was great to have everyone together, but it is the last of the weddings (Bob's college buddies) and it is a bit sad not knowing when we will all be together again.

Wedding Pics (CA)

New York interrupted my blogging order! Here are the pictures from the wedding in Santa Cruz from the beginning of September. P&A also had a traditional ceremony, but I found the Korean one fascinating and had more pictures!

Whirlwind of a weekend!

We arrived at JFK airport around 3:40pm on Thursday and from there took the air train into NYC. When we popped out of the subway station near our hotel, this is what we saw.









After checking in to the hotel we headed to Broadway to buy tickets to Spamalot (a pretty funny, Monty Python type show). Then back to the hotel to shower, change, out to dinner and then to the show.

Friday Morning

We started the day a little bit down. We had learned after our show Thursday night that the Oasis show had been canceled. Of course we were still in New York and knew there was plenty to see and do. We caught the subway to Battery Park for a view of the Statue of Liberty. We walked down Wall Street past the New York Stock Exchange. We then took the subway to Brooklyn and walked back across the Brooklyn Bridge. After that we kept on walking to the construction site at the World Trade Center.

Friday Part II

The afternoon wasn't much different, except the weather kept getting worse. We were still able to see quite a few things before the rain really hit.











The Flatiron Building











Grand Central Station (We saw Hillary Clinton speaking here)

The Chrysler Building's reflection














Buskers in the Subway (playing Oasis covers). Bob was interviewed by a group making a documentary film, so keep your eyes open on YouTube!











Taking a bicycle cab in the rain back to the hotel before setting out for a walk through Central Park (in the rain) to the MET.

Saturday in New York

Since it rained yesterday, we had a lot to do before leaving. Here are some views from the Empire State Building - 86th floor. After visiting the Empire State Building, we headed to Radio City Hall and the Rockefeller Center (NBC Studios as well).
We caught one last view of Central Park from our Hotel roof before catching a ride to the airport.

Coming Home

Here are beautiful pictures of Mt. Hood on our flight home.









I think Lulu didn't want to be in the back of the car, but up front with us! She had her head squeezed between the headrests and was so cute, I couldn't help but take a picture.

NYC here we come!

Yesterday Bob won tickets to an Oasis show in New York, flight and hotel included. I can hardly believe it! We leave Thursday and return Saturday, with the show being Friday night. Our hotel and show are close to Central Park. The question is, what do we do with our limited time (less than 48 hours)? I'm taking suggestions! And don't worry, I will be taking pictures like a crazy tourist.

Thanks Friends!

A huge thank you to those of you that have sent me emails, posted to the blog, and called me. I know you are all out there, it was just a hard weekend and I felt a little lonely.
Thank you also to all of you in central California. The time with Keren and Adam, the time at the wedding and the BBQ on Sunday were just what we needed.
(pictures of the weekend soon)

State Fair

When my sister and I were little, my grandparents took us to the fair every summer along with our cousins and to this day I still enjoy it. This year I didn't go on any rides, but I watched my niece and nephew enjoy them. I did however eat my fill of yummy fried food, see the baby pigs, and the biggest vegetables.

Readjustments

This weekend was really hard for me. Coming home isn't always easy. I love my little house and my family and friends here but there are so many things in Davis I miss. I miss the warm evenings, the pool in the neighborhood, and walking to Chinese food. I miss my book club and everyone in it (don't pout, you aren't mentioned again at the end). I miss my co-workers asking me how my weekend was or how the movie I went to see was. I miss wearing my chacos to work everyday not just on Fridays. I miss playing Saturday soccer. I miss Lulu's friends. I miss a town where you can get to every place in less than 15 minutes. I miss bicycles being ridden by everyone, not just crazy people. I miss the diversity. I miss the Art and Rec Center. I miss the co-op and the yummy cookies right inside the front door. I miss picking up the veggie box on Wednesdays. I miss the Kellys, the Avila-Lauhons, the EAC group, the Torres-Castros, and so many others in so many ways. I miss the McCabes. I know that grad school is a strange thing and that people come and go and I am very much looking forward to seeing people this weekend when we head back for a wedding. I guess it will just take longer for me to find my groove here in Salem, longer than I thought.

Camp

Can they have this for Adults too?

I did it!

Bob and I got new bikes (pics soon) and today I rode to work! We've ridden to dinner, the movie theater, and downtown as well.

Kristina's Wedding

Kristina and Kyle









I have the same picture from my wedding!











Baby Ella











Will and Tonya








The girls (weekend prior)

Wedded Bliss

Kris, Bob's brother, and Heidi were married on July 26th and here are just a few shots of the events. (Yes that is Spencer and Bob in a bouncy house and it only tipped over once.)

The Move

I have internet again, so I'll be catching up on here soon. Thanks again to both the moving helpers in Davis and Oregon! Oh and the couch came with us, but we're getting a new piece of furniture too. Once the house is put together, I'll post.



My view for 9 hours.












Parents' garage