January 31, 2012 - Words with Friends

Really, so many 'E's?
What can a person do with this?
At least I am a few points up on Sonny,
But I am not holding out for a big win.

January 30, 2012 - Sometimes...

Sometimes I think about picking up the phone and calling my dad, or visiting my grandma again. It seems like such a long time since I've called to check in with them, see what they are up to, and how they are doing.
And then I remember they are gone from this world.
It makes me sad.

January 29, 2012 - Baby Things

January 28. 2012 - Pelican's Brewers Dinner

January 27, 2012 - Weekend fun begins!

Picture proof! I have 9 kids, not 8!

January 26, 2012 - Embarrassing Laura

It is so easy to embarrass our daughter. All we have to do is smile and wave at her! :-)

January 25, 2012 - Valentine gift to avoid

Seriously? Avoid spontaneous Valentine purchases, please!

January 24, 2012 - Mentor Awards

http://steppinoutwithdwntwn.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-mentor-awards.html?m=1

January 23, 2012 - Rose Garden Arena

After a very therapeutic afternoon with my sister, I get to catch another Blazer game.

January 22, 2012 - Surprise! Baby Gabe!

Surprise visits are a priceless gift!

January 21, 2012 - Carving a Hiking Stick

I'm just beginning my newest hobby, carving my own hiking stick.

January 20, 2012 - Final Stitch!

Finally!

January 19, 2012 - Colbert & Taylor

Really?
Goin to Carolina in my mind.

January 18, 2012 - Red Wine kind of night

It was one of those kind of days that turned into a red wine kind of night.

January 17, 2012 - snowfall in West Salem

January 15, 2012 - 42 enchiladas

Before the party.

January 14, 2012 - A New Machine

Tonight I finally unboxed one of my Christmas gifts,
A new sewing machine!
My old machine still works even after 30 years,
But my eyes don't work as well and I wanted a machine with an automatic needle threader.
Tonight I hope to finish Laura's quilt!
It's been a VERY long time coming.

The rest of the story...

January 13, 2012 - Small Treasures

I have a full blog rolling around in my head involving this photo. More later...

January 12, 2012 - Firehydrants: my new books arrived!

Today,
copies of my book on Fire Hydrants arrived. 

I have been looking for a company/printer that could provide easier access and affordability for anyone who might want to purchase a copy.    I think I might have found what I am looking for.  Keep an eye out for more details to come.

January 11, 2012 - Pocket Treasures

On occasion I put my hand in a pocket and find a surprise. Most often it's loose change, or if I'm really lucky a few stray bills.
But today it was Gabe's pacifier instead of money in my pocket. I don't know if it's left from when I last wore the coat, or if Gabe's mom wore my coat over Christmas break.
Regardless, it made me smile.

january 10, 2012 - Heart Shape within

One of my favorite heart shaped rocks.


Click here for My last blog about rocks.

January 9, 2012 - Just one glass

I appreciate this wine glass, especially because it holds nearly a half a bottle of wine.
I can sip on a glass of merlot all evening and still say, "I only had one glass."

January 8, 2012 - Primroses in January

I love this time of year when the weather is perfect for primroses and you can find them for sale everywhere. 
It brightens up an otherwise foggy, wet, and dreary winter.

The biggest challenge is deciding on what color I want to buy this year.

Maybe I'll just have to get one of each.

January 7, 2012 - My 1st Yoga class

I'm guessing that most people have explored and taken their first yoga class well before they hit their 5th decade.
I expected to be the oldest person at Dallas Oregon Yoga this morning when I checked in for class, but I was wrong.
Apparently there are a number of ladies who are just beginning to explore yoga.
I am thankful that I am not alone.

January 6, 2012 - Snow at Silver Falls

It began snowing this afternoon during my volunteer shift at Silver Falls State Park. We weren't very busy in terms of sales, but that's okay. I managed to take down the Christmas decorations, dust, re-stock shelves, and sweep the floor. I also met people from Korea, the Netherlands, as well as Switzerland.
It was a good day.

January 5, 2012 - Go Blazers!

Here's to the Portland Trail Blazers who beat the Lakers tonight 107-96!

January 4, 2012 - Melissa's 31st Birthday

Today is my oldest child's birthday.

Melissa Sue (Brown) Herrmann is 31 years old today.

I can announcing her age without concern because Melissa lives life to the fullest.

She is not embarrassed by much, and certainly she would not be embarrassed by my posting her age.

She certainly doesn't look her age.  In fact recently, she was even mistaken for a high school student.


But I want the world to know that Melissa is an awesome mother, wife, and Dean of Students.


I would go on and on about her, but this blog is meant to be a 'quick snap'.

You can see more about Melissa by clicking here or here.

Happy Birthday Melissa!

January 3, 2012 - Walking Sticks

My next project: Fashion myself a new walking stick, a staff for my 2012 journeys.

January 2, 2012 - New Year, New Hair Color

I hope the new year and this new color will be exactly what I'm looking for.

January 1, 2012 - First Hike of 2012

I enjoyed my first hike of the new year along the cape of Cape Lookout.
It was nearly 3 miles out and 3 miles back along narrow, muddy, rocky, and root bound trails.
But the views were tremendous!
I hope to make First Day Hike a part of my New Year Tradition.