38 x 38 - Create a Website

Last Fall, I enrolled at our local community college to earn my certificate in Web Design and Marketing. It's been 20 years since I attended school and I wasn't a shining student. But I'm older and wiser and I've been yearning to actually complete something.

So off to school I headed. It's been fun. It's been challenging - between working full-time and the kids, it's hard to find time to get my school work done.

All in all, it's been rewarding. And I've created my first website. It's hosted on our server so it's not "live" per se. . . I am not sure I'm going to actually keep it so I've got to think about that. If you'd like to see it, you can view it here.

I should get my certificate in just a few more months. And with just a couple more terms than that, I could have my degree in Business so I think I'll just continue on.

Feeling proud!

Stop the Boat!

There's no earthly way of knowing 
Which direction we are going. 
There's no knowing where we're rowing 
Or which way the river's flowing. 
Is it raining? 
Is it snowing? 
Is a hurricane a blowing? 

Not a speck of light is showing 
so the danger must be growing. 
Are the fires of hell a glowing? 
Is the grisly reaper mowing? 
Yes! The danger must be growing 
For the rowers keep on rowing. 
And they're certainly not showing 
any signs that they are slowing!

To say I've been busy is an understatement. Truthfully, I don't know that I'm any busier or slower than the next gal but man, I feel run down but also energized. Weird. 

So I thought a quick check-in was in order. 

First, weight loss - c'mon you knew I'd start there. I've lost 100 lbs! 100 lbs! That's like a small deer. Or a Great Dane. Or an adult goat. It's a lot of damn weight. You can read a little bit about how I celebrated here on my weight loss blog. I'm purposely not posting a comparison photo - I have something big in mind;) 

Second, Marc. Oh my delightful wonderful 18 year old. Two proms. That's what. Two? Yes, two. Ok, really thankfully he's a boy and so I didn't have to do much. Except rent two tuxes, remind him the girl needs a corsage, make him get his hair cut, remind him the importance of shower and cologne, make sure he has something nicer to drive than his geo, hound him all day that he better stop by for photos....yeah, easy! But look at how handsome this young man looks and how beautiful his date is. 

Marc and Jyni

Jyni, Marc, Jenni, (can't remember his name, how sad), Haley, and Alec

They're so handsome!

If you know me, you should not be surprised I love me some prom. I wish there was prom for adults. I LOVE LOVE LOVE an opportunity to dress up. Formal gowns? Yes please. Makeup? uh, duh! Hair? Oh yes! I don't have girls though so again, read my role of a prom parent above. However! I did get a chance to do hair and makeup for prom. My great friend (and author!!) Chrystal was dealing cards at prom. I did her hair and makeup. I'm a genius but really it's easy when you have such a beautiful natural canvas. You can see the photos here. Chrystal pointed out that I could go to prom as a chaperone...Marc would hate me. 

School. Of course, there's school. So far I'm stuck in a database class. It's like being stuck in hell. The only bright spot is that it's about to be over. The database part anyway. Now I get to move on to video...watch for my video debut in the next few weeks. 

And lastly, the wedding. It's coming up quick. I've got my bridesmaid dress (remember, sunbeam yellow). I've got a great tan going on. Yikes, and I'm not even the bride. I'm looking forward to it. Photos soon!

Oh and speaking of that wedding, there's something else big coming that weekend. Marc's bio dad. My first husband. It's been well over 10 years since we saw him and he's meeting us in Portland. I'm excited for Marc. He and Roy (bio dad) are both so excited it's cute. Really. Cute. Yeah, that. I'm on the fence. On one hand of course I'm excited for Marc and Roy. I'm also a little "mama bear" and he better not screw up. And of course, there's a weird part of me that just wants to make sure I look fantastic that weekend - eat your heart out. haha. So yeah, a little busy around here. Happy days!!

39 x 39 - Be On Stage

I added "Be on Stage" to my annual bucket list with a bit of hesitation. I'm an introvert. I've learned I'm not shy but I'm definitely not the stage type. I prefer time alone or with a couple of good friends. I am inside my head a lot. I think before I speak. I'm not an attention-getter. 

So I added "be on stage" and then wondered how I'd make it happen. I freeze in front of a ton of people. 

Imagine my surprise when this was one of the first things I accomplished. Although, it feels a bit like I'm cheating so if the opportunity arises, I may do this one twice. . . 

At our Annual Awards Gala, the president of my Chamber surprised me with the President's Choice Award. He presented it to me on stage and I had to walk out to accept it. I'd like to say I was completely composed and said something brilliant. Instead I said, "I told Chip I wouldn't get on stage." Then I caught my breath and thanked the wonderful people I work with, our board, the folks who volunteer on my committees, and all our Chamber members. 

Then I walked as quickly as I could off that stage in 4.5 inch heels. 

It feels good to be recognized for what I do but it also feels a little funny. It's my job. But I do put a lot of my heart in what I do. 

Without further adieu, here's me accepting my award:

And because you've followed my weight loss journey, I have to post this picture. This is me one year ago at our Gala and this year's gala. What a difference!!

38 x 38 - Take a Class on Photoshop

I've always wanted to learn how to use photoshop. Admittedly, I really wanted to know 80 lbs ago so that I could make myself look thinner. hahahahahah

Photoshop classes aren't offered often here in Klamath so I took some down time to try a few online tutorials. Of course, I started with beauty retouching tutorials. The key here is to not change them drastically. I thought this was a good resource (although one or two of the links didn't work).

So I took a decent picture of myself (instead of trying to start with something horrible):

And then I lightened it, got rid of a few stray hairs (look at the top of my head), gave myself a nip/tuck in the chin area and whitened my eyes to make them stand out a little more behind my glasses. I think for having never done it before it's not too bad.

Then I messed with a landscape photo.

Before:

After:

Mark it off my list!! I'm not an expert but it's a start.

Thankful #26 - Struggling

Today has been a rough day and I've not felt very inspired nor very thankful. It seems like Thanksgiving (and a short work week) plus our town's big Snowflake Festival have all come together at one time and the result is me...feeling overworked, a little overwhelmed, and more than a little cranky.

As I try to wrap up loose ends and check my lists, then check them again, then check yet again, I worry that I've forgotten something important.

As I pour over the calendar of events, I worry that I forgot an event. I count them and count them again. I compare them to last year's calendar.

I proofread and proofread and proofread only to discover that I forgot a "t" somewhere in skate which took it from an ice arena event to a Ska music event.

I listen to people come in the office who want to know if they can be first in the parade. I smile and remind myself that they don't want to hear how difficult it is to lineup 100 floats who all want to be in the front. So I tell them I'll do what I can.

I smile at the silly questions...why is the parade on a Thursday at 7 p.m? I can't answer that..because 30 years ago, it was set that way and it's just stuck ever since. Besides, it's what makes our parade unique and exciting.

Then there's those days today when it just isn't quite coming together like I envisioned. And I really want to say "But it wasn't my fault, so and so didn't do it." Except I don't....because it doesn't do any good and no one wants to hear it.

And I grumble to my boss a little. And my very closest friends. And I turn on some angry music like Nine Inch Nails, Staind, or Alice in Chains, close my door and work work work.

And rather than say, "It'll just have to do..." I work late. I lay awake thinking, "What else can I do?" I pour over the event and think through scenarios - what can go wrong? what can go right? I wake at 2 a.m. thinking "Shoot, add that to the list."

I could carry on. But I'm trying to get to something I'm thankful for. . .

A job? Of course. A pretty good work ethic I got from my parents? absolutely. Volunteers who take time out to help with the event? YES. People who can give constructive criticism without making me cry? Yes. A front desk person who can handle some of the calls and let me focus? Yes. A community that loves this event and mostly appreciates all the time that goes into it? Yes.

and maybe just maybe I'm also thankful it'll be over in two weeks....leaving me two weeks to find my Christmas spirit! LOL

Thankful #20 - Flexibility

In the last twenty years, I've had a bit of ADHD when it comes to my job.

I worked as a receptionist for a construction firm. I worked for my dad who insisted I call him Bill at work. He was harder on me than any boss I've ever had. Funny story: I walked in on a Monday with my eyebrow, lip, and nose pierced (a fun weekend with a good friend). My dad told me to take it all off. With disgust, I explained that I was now an adult and he could not tell me what to do. So he fired me. I grabbed my purse and went on a mission to find my next job and prove him wrong. But I learned that my appearance does in fact matter and that my dad had the right to tell me to get lost if I wasn't representing his business as I should. 

Which is how I ended up at a television station. I applied for a coordinator position and got it. I coordinated all the FOX kids club events in Albuquerque. They also hired me on the side to do voice-overs for commercials in which I was paid with gift certificates to whichever business I worked with. It's how my love for sushi happened. I did one for a sushi place and ended up with $500 in gift certificates for sushi. Oh and it gave Marc an opportunity to star in commercials for Midas and some other places. I learned that my singing lessons had come in handy if not for singing, for speaking. And I learned to coordinate events. 

Then I moved and became receptionist for a sawmill in Boise, they transferred me as office manager to Houston Texas. I hated that job. But it taught me that no amount of money could make me happy. I made 5 times more in a year than I ever have and I still quit. I learned the value of my time, my experience, my own happiness, and the dollar. And I learned I could be states away from any family or anyone I know and survive, as a single mom, and survive quite well in fact. 

Then I wrote resumes. And I learned the art of selling. Resumes aren't about listing your qualities, it's about making them want to interview you. It's a lot like marketing. 

Then there was law - my favorite field. I excelled at voir dire. I learned I'm pretty good at reading people. I learned to watch for subtle cues. To read and pay attention. To deal with people from all walks of life. 

And then I was a customer service trainer for a window and door company. I put my fear of public speaking aside and learned I can do anything I put my mind to. Even those things that terrify me. I took all the lessons I'd learned at every job and became a pretty good trainer (if I must say so myself). 

Then I was a project manager and I learned to be assertive and hold people accountable. 

And then I was here...the marketing and program coordinator for the Chamber and it's probably my favorite job I've ever had. I get to use all my skills from every job I've ever had to make things happen. I get to be creative and design marketing campaigns, keep the website up, and use social media. I get to pay attention to trends and be 'cutting edge.' I get to help people. I get to plan events and spend the day on a golf course. I plan parades, firework shows, galas, dinners, trainings, and more. I get to analyze things and train people. It's the best job. I meet new people. And of course, it earns a decent paycheck. And I get to work my schedule around my kids. I can leave for a football game, to volunteer in their school, or take them lunch in the middle of the day. 

I could get a job making more money but I wouldn't trade this for anything. My kids will be grown before I know it so for now, the flexibility is a huge benefit. Plus it's just a fun job! 

Thankful #7: My Boss

Today I'm thankful for my boss Chip. Over the past five years, Chip has mentored me, trusted me to do my work, and helped me become a pretty decent Marketing Coordinator. But he's also become one of my closest friends. He's one of my sounding boards when I'm working through an issue. He gives advice when needed but listens and doesn't offer any when he knows that's not what I need. In Klamath, he's one of the closest things I have to family (him and some really great girlfriends). It's great to work for someone you admire, respect, and really like.

Thankful #3 - This Project is DONE!

Two years ago, I was accepted into the Ford Institute Leadership Program. It's a series of training classes based on the belief that vital rural communities develop from a broad base of knowledgeable, skilled, and motivated leaders, a diversity of effective organizations, and productive collaborations among organizations.

A little background: the leadership program is run by the Ford Family Foundation. In 1936, Kenneth Ford started a single sawmill in tiny Roseburg, Oregon that would later become Roseburg Lumber. Interesting enough, it's also where my grandpa worked most of his life and eventually retired from. The Foundation was started in 1957 and has grown. They give grants, help create vital rural communities, and offer scholarship assistance.

As part of our program, your "cohort" chooses a project. Our group chose to help add to the beauty of our downtown by installing twinkle lights in the trees on Main Street. Truth be told, we've argued over the lights, selected deadlines/missed deadlines, and so on and so forth.

But this morning, a group of those of us most dedicated installed the lights on 4 city blocks.

My friend Mike Angeli helps hang lights downtown

Klamath Falls' downtown is beautiful. An earthquake in the 90s actually revitalized it. Folks turned the buildings back to the original state, preserving many architectural features. Our sidewalks are geothermally heated. There are great restaurants, wonderful little shops, and the Ross Ragland Theater. Some of my personal favorites:

• Basin Martini Bar - beautifully decorated, great martinis, and great owners.
• Blue Dot Kids - a kids clothing consignment store
• Crave - the best cupcakes you'll ever eat
• Indigo Beads - The owner Angie calls me by name and I don't even shop there all that often. Great selection, great service.
• The Ledge - an outdoor store and climbing gym run by my friend Mike Angeli (who makes an appearance in the photo above AND taught me the basics of kayaking)
• Periwinkle - The only place I really shop these days. Linda and her staff run the best consignment store ever. Picky, selective, great products....and great for someone like me who's been going through clothes every month.

I know I've forgotten quite a few but suffice it to say, our downtown is worth visiting!

Giving up the 4th

For 33 years, I celebrated 4th of July with the rest of the nation. It usually included a barbecue, a trip downtown to the parade, and a visit to the fireworks show. Sometimes, I went to the lake, a river, a campground, but always I was surrounded with family and friends.

That all changed five years ago when I was put "in charge of 4th of July." Of course, that's not exactly the case but I am the organizer for our community's local Independence Day celebrations. It sounds a little pretentious to say I'm in charge of 4th of July and when I made that comment the other day, I didn't say it for kudos or because I think I'm important. It's because I take my job seriously. I really do feel responsible for how well (or poorly) the events turn out.

I don't want kudos....those should be reserved for my volunteers who spend hours upon hours leading up to the event planning and organizing (and dealing with me). They call businesses for donations to be turned down 9 times out of 10. They call organizations to ask if they'll be in the parade. They call in favors from other business associates. They meet with me in the evening, they meet with me at lunchtime. 

Then these dedicated volunteers miss Independence Day with their families to show up early, work all day, deal with some of the public who are grumpy and sometimes rude. While their families are at home or at the lake, they're in the park with me. 

They work in the heat from sun up to well past sundown. They put up tents, haul our vendors tables and supplies to and fro, help lost kids find their parents, and pick up trash that didn't quite make it in the trash can. 

They survive sunburns, brave dehydration, and wear out their feet to make sure our community can celebrate in the best possible way. 

They act professionally and respectfully when they're yelled at by the guy who is mad he has to park two blocks down. When a vendor is grumpy because they don't like their spot and they call my volunteer a name (or two), my volunteers stay calm, cool, and collected. 

When someone complains the parade is too late, or too early, or that it's too hot or that they don't like this or that, they listen. 

These are my heroes. They deserve the kudos. 

And I ask that next time you're at an event, take time (even if it's after) to thank those who helped pull it together. It's a big task! 

So now that I've got that out, let me share a few photos from our Independence Day Jamboree and Parade. 

Debbie and Tori start out at 6:30 a.m. putting up caution tape downtown, they won't finish their day until after midnight

Jacob and his mom Holly meet us bright and early to hang flags on Main Street

Our pyro guys set up a spectacular fireworks show! 

The parade kicks off the event and many organizations put hours into their floats

Our theme this year was 4th on the Farm....lots of tractors and patriotism

With heat in the 90s, Roe Outfitters sprayed parade-goers with water guns! A welcome relief from the heat

Look closely and you'll see my cute little Nate waiving at me in an orange t-shirt. 

Even Marc and his girlfriend helped out. Marc hung flags in the morning, kept people out of the fireworks fly zone, and did whatever else I needed

Our event was featured in a magazine. That cute kid eating a snowcone is my Nate. The fireworks photo was taken by my friend Scott Brainard. 

I'm worn out, exhausted, but overall pleased with how the event went. I have a year to recuperate! 

Surviving a Crazy Week

Wow, what a crazy week last week! Between my event planning duties, a wrestling tournament, a birthday party, a trip to the ER, and the changing of the guard, I was worn out! Let me share with you (in photos) some of the highlights:

Nate places 2nd at a wrestling tournament!!

Nate, 8 years old, has been wrestling for four years now and is getting pretty darn good! He placed second which means he qualified for the Oregon State Wrestling Classic in Redmond Oregon. In this photo, he's on the left.

The Changing of the Guard!!

As the Marketing and Program Coordinator for the Chamber, I got invited to attend a ceremony where the outgoing commander of our air force base handed the duties and responsibilities to the new guy. Steeped with tradition, it was pretty awesome to be there for it. I was so impressed with our men and women in uniform. Nearly 700 of them stood in the back in formation for what had to have been hours while all of us arrived and throughout the ceremony. This photo shows the commander inspecting his troops for the last time.

A Trip to the ER!!

While not technically a highlight, we had to include this. So while I was at the ceremony I mention above, I got a text that my oldest son was on the way to the Emergency Room. AAAAGGGHHHH! Fortunately, not life threatening but still traumatic. He was attempting to cut the zip tie off of something and managed to stab himself in the leg. Three stitches, a tetanus shot, some shots for numbing, and he was on his way. After the initial pain ebbed, he had a story to tell (and chicks dig scars you know). 

A Birthday Party at School!!

My youngest turned 9! Wow, time flies. He asked me to bring donuts to school for his class. Of course, I did one better! How about one big giant donut! This whopper served over 30 kids! (look at the little girl's face on the left, it was so worth it!)

Climbing the Walls - another birthday celebration!!

After delivering the donuts, later that night we celebrated Nate's birthday at The Ledge/Yeti's Climbing gym where the little boys literally climbed the walls for two hours! 

The 92nd Annual Awards Gala!!

Part of my job is event planning and this week was our 92nd Annual Awards Gala. I'm actually quite proud of this event. We give seven awards (Business of the Year, First Citizen, etc). We do it "Hollywood-style" with red carpet, entertainment between awards, food, drinks. It's a great time but it's a LOT of work. I spend months planning, organizing, and attending to all the parts and pieces. Then the week of the event (with everything above happening), I check, double-check, and sometimes triple-check all my lists. Then the day of the event I have to dress up (ok, I love this part), get their early, make sure all is well, and then "mingle" with all the guests. It went off without a hitch this year and I'm ready to start planning for next year. 

This is the first year I've purchased a new dress. I usually wear something from my closet but this year I "splurged." Having to be there hours and hours before takes some planning and consideration. Here's my tips:

• I take two pair of shoes - I'm a "heel" girl so I always take cute heels for when everyone is there and I'm mingling. I take a pair of flats for the planning, put together part. I know others who just wear sneakers but with vendors, sponsors, etc coming in and out I still like to look put together.
• Mirabella Prime for Face and Eyes - I got this stuff in my Ipsy bag in December and LOVE it. It made my makeup stay amazing for the entire event! 
• Redken Guts 10 and Redken Fashion Work 12 - These two products made my hair look amazing all night long. It stayed up, didn't lose volume, and my curl held. It didnt get frizzy or awful. 
• Hollywood Fashion Secret Fashion Tape - My dress was a little low cut and if I bent over, it came open a bit more than I like. I bought this tape and was so impressed! It held all night long and helped me not think twice about my cleavage. I had enough to worry about without worrying that I was flashing those around me. 

That's it. Of course, I have a list five times as long for tips on the event planning side but that's just not as fun! 

Here I am Saturday night. I'll post another one when I get the official event photos back.

Making It Pretty

Did you know I love Christmas? If you read my blog, then you probably answered YES!

I've been struggling with the issue of time and all the things I want to do, feel I need to do, and have to do. Take that normal feeling and throw in the part where I share custody of Marcus and Nate and it tends to feel like everything is jumbling together and there's no time for anything. 

Rewind to last night. I've been wanting to make Salt Dough Ornaments since I saw them on Pinterest. I wasn't sure how they'd turn out....half expecting this to be a pin-fail. I had three million things to do last night so almost put it off. But after running around and getting home around 7, I decided I could either A) make the ornaments or B) watch TV. (note: TV nearly won out)

4th of July Well Done!

I really love my job. Oh sure, it comes with frustrations but I really truly enjoy what I do.

If you ask my friends what I do, they might tell you I hang out on golf courses enjoying the sunshine and an ice cold drink. They might tell you I spend the day in the park listening to live music enjoying the view of the nearby lake. They might tell you I go to the parades and get paid for it.

And that's all true. But as the event planner for golf tournaments, seminars, community celebrations, parades, etc, I can tell you there's a heck of a lot more to it.

Take this year's 4th of July for example. For weeks leading up to the event, I worked 10 hour days mapping out the park, lining up 60 parade entries, and confirming things like the fireworks. I coordinated with the police department, the sheriff's department, the parks department, the street department.....I coordinated volunteers for everything from parking to barricade support to cleanup.

When the 4th finally arrived, I was up at 6 a.m. My committee agreed to flag duty which means at 6:30 a.m. we were tasked with putting over 100 flags down Main Street and in our town's Veteran's Memorial Park. It's not exactly easy but it is rewarding. The flags are posted high. My son (who's pretty tall) had to stand on a ladder in the back of a pick up truck to place them properly. I'm proud of my kids for wanting to help with this part of the event:

Then it was time to mark off the streets, warning folks that parking would not be allowed here during the parade.

After that, we moved into Veteran's Memorial Park. This park is beautifully located in downtown Klamath Falls and has wonderful lakefront views. It's the perfect place for our Jamboree celebrating America the Beautiful.

The event is free to the public and boasts games, activities, food, and live music. It's exciting to watch months of planning come to successful fruition. All of this is accomplished by only 7 people on my committee.  The local news station caught some of the action live on the 6 p.m. news, click here to watch.

The throngs of people start pouring in to the park after the parade at 5:30.
Estimates put attendance between 3 and 4,000 people.

Many businesses provide a free activity for kids.
Here Dollar Dog from Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union does a "ring the duck" contest.

The event is colorful and families really enjoy it.

Local rock band FatSexy played a mix of music. So talented!

Our local semi-pro baseball team, The Klamath Falls Gems, hosted a pie eating contest.
They even convinced my youngest to play along.

The event actually starts with a parade down Main Street.
This was our largest 4th of July parade in 5 years. Nearly 60 floats!

Food vendors (like this hot dog vendor) serve yummy food. Look at the lake in the background!

As event planner, I hardly have time to partake in the festivities. And I'm exhausted at the end. We literally worked from 6:30 a.m. to after midnight, organizing, cleaning, directing, and whatever else needed to happen.

Then the next morning we were up at 7 a.m. to cleanup the park and leave it as we found it. The local news station so very nicely showed up to record our cleanup efforts. If you want to watch the clip, click here.

All in all, I think it was a beautiful 4th of July! If you attended a celebration in your area, I encourage you to call the organizer and tell them thank you for all they do.

Lemonade Dreams

The boy wants a Kindle Fire.

My youngest son Nate has been diligently saving every penny, dime, nickel, and dollar since January 15th to buy himself a Kindle Fire. He loves to read (here he is below with his school award for meeting his reading goals).

He saved the $90 in birthday money. He saved the $2 he got from Great Grandma to go get an ice cream on Valentine's Day. He saved the 50 cents he found when he cleaned out my car.

He decided to not spend his money on a Wii game. He decided against purchasing more toy cars. He's avoided toys at the dollar store.

He's been counting down in his head until he gets the $199 to purchase his Kindle.

So two weeks ago, he came home and wanted to do a lemonade stand.

On Monday, I said, "Yeah, maybe one day this summer." I left it that thinking he'd forget.

On Tuesday when he remembered, I said, "I'm not sure people buy lemonade at stands anymore and we don't have family here."

On Wednesday when he woke up begging me again, I said, "I'll look at my schedule and see when we can do it."

On Wednesday, he came home from school, pulled a chair up to the table with a stack of college-rule lined notebook paper. He sat for 2.5 hours writing out 35 flyers to hand out. He left a big blank area for me to fill in date, time, and location. He wrote in his best handwriting and drew pictures on each and every hand-written flyer.

On Wednesday night, I caved. After all that hard work, it was evident I was committed to helping him with a lemonade stand.

We chose Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. I purchased the lemonade. Rob brought the "coolest pitchers ever" - according to Nate. I borrowed a table, grabbed my tablecloth, and we made a couple of signs. I created a private event on Facebook to invite all my friends.

Sunday morning, we set up. I tried my best to prepare Nate for the worst. "Honey, we might only make a few dollars and we're only staying here until noon, ok?"

He had $32 to reach his goal.

He set up on the corner and waited (not very patiently). I have to admit I'd buy lemonade from this cutie.

It was slow going and he was getting disappointed. I told him he should wave at cars and smile (everyone likes a friendly, cute, outgoing kid). By 10:15, Nate had his first customer (and it wasn't a friend or family member, it was a complete stranger):

She paid 50 cents for her cup of lemonade and gave him a 50 cent tip. He had the biggest grin. He just knew the $32 was in sight.

It was a little slow but then the church crowd got out and from 11 to noon, Nate's little stand was filled with people dressed in their Sunday best.

Many older people smiled and shared stories of how they missed little lemonade stands.

Many, many people commented that they'd watched a show just the night before where Glen Beck was talking about how the lemonade stand was disappearing for good and with it, the entrepreneurship of our country.

And nearly everyone told Nate what a great thing he was doing saving his money. He even had one lady hear his story and come buy just to give him $5.

All in all, Nate spent two hours pouring lemonade and talking to people. He made $41.20 (after he paid me back $6.00 for ice, lemonade mix, and lemons - cost of business).

He also learned important lessons:

• With hard work, we can achieve our goals.
• If we're willing to save, you can have the things you want.
• Smiling and waving (being friendly) will draw the customers in.
• Quality control is important. I was proud to see Nate not serve a couple of cups of lemonade because a speck of dirt had gotten in the glass.
• Manners are important. It was fun to hear him say Please, Thank You, and May I offer you a glass of lemonade.

Problem is now, he's trying to figure out how to repeat his success. Only this time, he's decided he should dress up in a lemon costume and dance. Oh yes, I will capture video.

Off to take Nate to buy his Kindle Fire......

Sun, Speed, and Soldiers

About four months ago, I was notified at work that I had been selected to participate in an ESGR trip. ESGR stands for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves. We have an active base here that trains F-15 pilots. They are our third largest employer and to say we are a patriotic town would be an understatement.

In recognition for their support, about 20 of us were treated to an overnight stay in Tuscon, Arizona. Our transportation from Oregon to Arizona was this beautiful KC-135.

Now maybe some of you have travelled aboard one of these "luxury" liners but let me help those of you who haven't. First, you'll notice there's no luxury. True to the military style, everything has a purpose. There's no real bling on this liner. I arrived expecting cargo net seats but was pleased to find they put chairs just for us.

So on a regular commercial flight, it's all prettied up. The pretty little lights signify the exit, yadda yadda. Not so on this plane. A warning is a warning - it's stated plain as day.

Anyway, we said goodbye to 42 degrees and headed up into the clouds. We were going to get treated to something special. About an hour into our flight, these beautiful visitors stopped by to say hi:

After they posed for photos, they took turns coming to the back of our plane for refueling. We got to lay down in the boom and watch the refueling. It was fascinating. I'm amazed at what the guy in charge of this is able to do. He basically uses two controllers similar to a joystick and lines everything up perfectly. Here's the operator.

Here's our first visitor for refueling:

Notice how close to us he is to our plane. We could darn near make eye contact. Well hello there flyboy:) Now back to the guy who refuels, he has to line up this thing (shown in the photo below) with the plane (shown above) to refuel.

He does this all while flying at warp speed in a circle. With me on one side taking photos and asking a million questions. He's a superstar!

We landed and got a tour of one of Tuscon's Air Force Bases. We got to stand out on the runway and watch the jets land:

And take off (that's our bus):

The next day, we were treated to a trip through the boneyard. The place aircraft go to retire. To say it's huge is an understatement.

We found a row that contained several planes from home

I'd like to add we also got to fly in their state of the art simulators...the only place we weren't allowed to take photos. After taking my plane underground, I recovered and was able to land it (sort of). I don't think pilot is in my list of available occupations.

We had a great time and I learned alot about the Guard's role in our communities. The men and women who serve were gracious and friendly and willing to answer questions. I'm so honored to have been able to go! Hope you enjoyed the photos!