I've Been Looking So Long at These Pictures of You That I Almost Believe That They're Real

I can't say enough about this website. Finn and I had the best time creating these.

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FINN:






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ME:

Weird Coincidence

This article is called "Finn's Just-Right World". It seems to have appeared in a children's magazine. Finn's big brother in the story? You guessed it - Ash (different spelling). Isn't that just too weird a coincidence??!?!?

Finn's Just-Right World

I Know a Boy, a Boy Called Party.

Finn had a birthday party today. He had a tiny one on his birthday (9/25), with his cousins. Dennis had to work that night and it was Back to School night, so we had an actual birthday party this evening. It ended up being quite festive. It was just family and Lisa's family. We have a big trip coming up in November (shhhh...) so we aren't doing much as far as big celebrations and lots of gifts. Also, we're thinking every other year for "big" parties is plenty.

Finn wanted a dinosaur cake, so Helen's (Bernhard) made him the best cake. I hate cake and I even like Helen's cakes...It was a white cake with whipped cream frosting. I asked them to put a green dino (T. Rex) on it. That's all I said...well, my goodness, this kid got a whole dinosaur world!! He was so excited for this cake, so I'm glad they made it really cool for him. I had a grand plan of making one...yeah, right.

Caver was in Napa for the weekend, so she called and Sean picked her up during the party. I was so glad she could make it. It's uncanny. Her family often misses my kids' birthday parties, because they're always during either Spring Break or Oregon football game weekends. Caver and I joke that her family just never comes to my kids' birthdays...we sorta plan on it.

It was great to see Grandma Janet and Aunt Holly. The boys hadn't seen them in awhile. Some of the party, the kids were playing video games. Later, they went out and played some football. The best part of football was Caver, Ashe, and Cade vs. Sean, Dennis and Andy. Soooo funny. Ashe and Cade insisted on playing against the three dads, but finally, it was agony to watch them...so, the big guns (Aunt Caver) went in and helped them out. Dennis kicked the ball out - Caver caught it - then Cade and Ashe just stood there. Caver yelled "Block for me, you guys!!" They were no help, those little boys!! Anyway, the game ended when Dennis got injured - he got the hugest contusion on his knee - literally the size of an egg...He is quite athletic, but always seems to be getting injuries.

I think that's his last party this year. Two and a half parties for any one person is enough...and, actually fewer than usual. All done for a couple of months anyway. Cade and Tucker have birthdays in November.

Da Na Na Na Na Na...You Say It's Your Birthday...

Finn is six years old today. Finn's so happy, outgoing, deliberate, artistic, and sensitive. Just a delight. Conversely, he's headstrong like his mom and after a full day of being on his best behavior at school, he can be a handful. For the most part, though, he's got the most positive, inquisitive demeanor. As Caver (maybe Granny?) once put it: Finn's a presence.

I so want to go into the "Six years ago right now, I was suffering...blah, blah" But, by this time on the 25th, I already had my Finn. He came at 4 a.m. The short version of the story is: Dennis and I were preparing to go to an Elvis Costello concert on the night of Sept 24th, 2002. I thought maybe I was going into labor and called the nurse and asked if I should go to the show. She was very blase` and said "yes, just drink lots of water." Of course, I had to leave the show early and I had Finn in the wee hours of the morning on September 25th.

Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Finn. Happy birthday to you.

Finn poses with his treasured birthday present.

Fire! Fire on the Mountain.

Another food post...there's a theme here...

I'm assuming they got the name of Fire on the Mountain from the Dead song. They have lots of Grateful Dead memorabilia there and the tables we usually sit at have either concert (jam band-types) ticket stubs or album covers from Dead, Dylan, Beatles, etc...anyway, it's a good song with a perfect name for a place that has a sauce called "El Jefe"...

If you haven't been - these are the best buffalo wings ever. I LOVE buffalo wings, so I'm entirely biased, but they are yummy. I don't like soggy wings. I don't like wings that are sorta fried, or thrown in a pan a little bit. I want them crisp!! They are perfectly deep fried, then sauced...the ones above are my current favorite flavor - spicy peanut - but they have like 15 sauces. Tonight they were having free beer tasting. It was lost on me, as I rarely drink.

My boys love it there too. They have a great kids chicken strip basket and corn dog basket. They're great, just because I love the fries that come with them so much. So tasty.

Seven Year Itch? Never!

Today, September 22, 2008, is Dennis and my seventh wedding anniversary. We have been together almost 14 years, but got married in 2001.

It was strange getting married so close to 9/11/2001. We planned our wedding in March of that year, so we weren't marrying because of 9/11, like a lot of folks ended up doing. We just figured we'd been together for seven years and we had a two year old. Maybe it was time to get married.

When 9/11 happened we debated not marrying - since our wedding was in Las Vegas. Our plan was to get married at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel; eat at Postrio, as a reception of sorts (restaurant at the Venetian); and, stay at Caesars Palace. After 9/11, my fear of flying almost kept me from going. I mean, who would want to fly after the events of that day? I decided it was probably the safest time EVER to fly, so we went ahead with it.

There were long waits at the airports and that part of travel wasn't very convenient, but Vegas was EMPTY. Our VERY expensive room at Caesars was knocked to half the original price, because occupancy was so low. Dennis and I have spent lots of time in Vegas. I have been there at least 10 times. It was amazingly uncrowded, compared to usual.

Only our immediate families were there. Lisa - my closest and oldest friend - also came. Caver was pregnant with Cade. Elvis joined us. Dennis would have been happy having Elvis marry us, but I wanted somewhat of a traditional ceremony. Elvis sat in the pews for the ceremony and then serenaded us afterwards.

It was one of the best times of my life. Dennis is a wonderful husband and father. Just a note about this wonderful husband and father: he went to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds with his friend tonight! I encouraged it, because he literally goes out about twice a year. Literally. I'm always out with friends.

That's what I love about our marriage. We don't make each other do anything and are both so easygoing about any holiday, really. Part of that is realizing that you shouldn't wait for a special day to appreciate your family. Part of that is due to Dennis' occupation (Energy Trader) - we often have to celebrate holidays on days different from the actual day.

At the top of this post is our fave wedding picture (our bro-in-law, Riccardo, took it), but no current day picture of Dennis and I. Dennis bristles at the thought of appearing on my blog (that is why the picture of him at the bowling alley is a rare one). Instead, below is a picture of the beautiful orange roses he gave me today...yes, our family's obsession with orange continues.

We're Gonna Bowl Tonight

We had such a fun time with Tyler today. Ashe doesn't have a lot of people he enjoys hanging out with in his life, so it was great when Becky got in touch and told me Tyler wanted to play. Tyler lives in Spanaway, WA. We hadn't seen him since before the summer. He went to school with Ashe through second grade. He played basketball with Ashe. He's such a polite, sweet kid and Ashe really enjoys him.

First, we met Tyler and his family - including twin brothers - for bowling. Finn quit near the beginning of the second game. He decided to draw the bowling alley, instead of actually bowling. So typical. Dennis was his usual

competitive self-trying hard to beat everybody-even the five children under age 10. Becky was the best bowler of all of them. She and Jeff both gave Dennis a run for his money.

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After bowling, Ashe and Ty voted for going home with Dennis, while Finn and I opted for a later lunch at Laurelwood. On our way, we had to pick up something at Caver's house, so she and her boys joined us. Yes. Another meal with Caver and her boys. Something new and different to report. Not. The boys and I had yummy food; the boys played in the play area; and, Caver and I chatted while she had a beer and watched the end of the Ducks/Boise State game (Ducks lost).

When Finn and I got home, Ashe and Tyler were playing Wii and Xbox...Ashe, Tyler and I walked up to the store, then played outside. Finn came out and rode his bike for a bit. We had some dinner and then took Tyler home.
How great it was for Ashe to spend some time with a friend that he really gets along with. That is so rare for Ashe.

Doctor's Visit

O.k. - I know I am posting about doctor appointments, but I had to post this cute picture of my little Ashe P. He's almost exactly 9 1/2 years old and such a great kid. He had his nine year appointment with Dr. Vestergaard yesterday. He's in tip top shape. He's in the 70th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. That means just what we already knew: he's tall and skinny like his dad.

I hope he doesn't kill me when he's older for posting this picture, but he just looked so darling sitting there. Love you Ashes. You're the best nine year old first-born ever.

That's Just What You Are

My Deep Thoughts for the day (idea from another blog - love it).

I AM … a little bit crazy.

I WANT… my parents and children to live forever.

I HAVE …a better life than I deserve.
I KEEP … no secrets about myself.
I WISH I COULD …help Ashe have more friends.

I HATE …indirect and dishonest people.
I FEAR … death.

I HEAR … Rick Emerson and I swoon.
I DON’T THINK … that very many people know how to drive.
I REGRET … I didn't see Arcade Fire in Red Rocks, because otherwise, I have a really great life with virtually no regrets.
I LOVE … the incredible family and friends I have.
I AM NOT … patient.
I DANCE … at concerts.
I SING … anytime I hear a song I love - I can't help it.
I NEVER … draw or do anything artistic.

I RARELY … eat well or exercise.
I CRY WHEN I WATCH … just about anything that's not overtly happy.
I AM NOT ALWAYS … in a good mood.
I HATE THAT … I'm moody.
I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … more things than I can count.
I NEED … to be a better citizen and guardian of the planet.
I SHOULD … be more attentive to people in my life that I love.

Everybody's Working For The Weekend

We had a busy weekend. Caver had a plethora of wedding activities for her college friend, so my parents had her boys and we hung out with them too. For the first time EVER in life, I asked Ashe about possibly playing at his cousins' at one point and he said "No, I've seen Cade a lot this weekend." I was shocked. He NEVER turns down his cousins.

Ashe and Finn stayed the night with Granny and Grandpa on Friday night. They had a slumber party there with Cade and Tuck. Granny got up early on Saturday and took them all to Cade's soccer game at Laurelhurst Park. That Granny is a saint!! She then brought my kids home.

Later in the day, Cade and Tucker came to our house (picture on the left). Dennis worked Saturday night, so he saw the four boys a little before work, then he was off...we brought Cade and Tucker back to Granny's. Later that evening, Lisa, Andy, Gray and Ella came over for dinner and football watching. The kids played upstairs, although for the most part, Gray hangs with the adults. We watched the lopsided USC/Ohio St game, then switched over to the Wisconsin/Fresno game...

Andy's great: he made Caver's kids and my kids Harry Potter wands. He whittled them down then burned decoration and their names into them. My kids were so excited. Andy's so nice.

Sunday, I had a CAbi party. My grade school friend, Angela (Angie), is a CAbi Consultant. (She's the cute one below standing next to the clothes with a big smile on her face.) I had a CAbi party in the spring and had THE best time. I don't typically like those sale-type parties, but these clothes are so cute. Angie's wonderful. My friends, who like the CAbi stuff, are wonderful. It's just a wonderful time. So, I decided to have one again.

I've known Angie since 2nd grade. We were best friends all through high school - went to prom together - senior spring break trip (to Mazatlan) together...just someone, like Stephanie, who I truly had in my life the entire time growing up. A few years ago we realized our kids go to school together. Portland's so small. So, we see each other pretty regularly now. I love Ang. She's the best. You can see a few of the "CAbi ladies" in the photo below.

My boys did such a great job. They just quietly played upstairs during the party, since Dennis was working. They called me from our home phone, on my cell phone. They came down for a cupcake and coupla snacks, but I was so impressed! These are the squirrelly little boys that I know and love. So amazing.

Ashe had the classic line of the day: Near the end of the party, people were finishing up trying things on. Several asked Ashe and Finn what they thought of this or that. Finally, Ashe said "Do I have to keep judging everybody?" How cute is he?!?

Sell Out For a Song Where I Don't Belong*

This is the first page of my ticket stub book, which shows a few of my first live music experiences. I love to note that Madonna's 1985 show - with Beastie Boys opening - was only $15.50. Also note - Tina Turner OPENED for Lionel Ritchie. Unbelievable.

On December 11, 1982, I went to my first live show. It changed my life.

I saw Adam Ant on his "Friend or Foe" tour. I won tickets from Steve Naganuma on KMJK 106.7 in Portland, Oregon. It's funny that I remember the story so vividly. I was up VERY early one morning, a week or so before the show. My dad was taking me skiing. I heard the contest announcement and called in. I won the tickets and the album.

I took my best friend at the time, Rhonda, to the show with me. One of our parents dropped us off at the Paramount Theater (now the Schnitzer Concert Hall) in downtown Portland. Rhonda and I were huge Winter Hawk Hockey Fans at the time and our parents often dropped us off for events. We both had/have wonderful parents, but thinking back, they were so trusting of us...wow.

The first memory is walking in smelling something strange. (No, it wasn't marijuana. I already knew what that smelled like.) It was rampant. I thought it was weird that it was such a foreign smell to me and nobody was even making a big deal of it. I mean, how could I not know what this was? After all I was 13 going on 20. Well, it ended up being clove cigarettes. (Of course, as with everything new and forbidden to me, I had to get my hands on these and not very long after the show, I had me some clove cigarettes. I digress...)

This show really did change my life. I was riveted. Even though, prior to this show, I had heard only "Goody Two Shoes" by Adam Ant, I was now his biggest fan. I thought he was singing right to me. I loved him. He was gorgeous. He could dance. The audience seemed to be completely enraptured with him. They were all just doing what people do at concerts, but since this was my first one (other than Natalie Cole in like 1977, when I was 8 yrs old), I thought they were acting like this because of him. Again, I realized later that usually people at shows are quite big fans of the act...it's normal for them to be engaged and excited.

The other funny thing I remember after this show, and shows subsequent to this for several years, was becoming somewhat obsessed with meeting the performer. It wasn't in a stalker way. It had to do with the way I thought they were singing to me...I felt like I knew them. We had a connection. It's strange. That still sounds stalker-ish. The best way I can explain it is that I felt so connected to these musicians/performers from seeing them live, that I wanted to meet them to tell them that.

Most of you who know me, now, know that I am just the opposite. I have been lucky enough to meet and talk to my three favorite musicians EVER. Every time, I'm lame and don't say much and don't want to hang around very long. I mean, what can you say to someone like that: "I'm your biggest fan" or "I love your music." It's all been said before and I just feel strange. One of them, who I adore, even invited me to a party, to which I didn't go. Again, the lameness...

That's really it. The Adam Ant show began what has become my only real lifelong hobby and true passion - music and live music. Live music became a time-consuming obsession in 1990 when I followed the Dead for five years - in between work and college for the most part - but, honestly, the Dead came first. I continued this obsessiveness by also chasing after Sleater-Kinney, then Elliott Smith, then Arcade Fire. I still don't bat an eye at going out of town for a show, but it takes a special one like the prior three mentioned to take chunks of my life and bank account and follow them for weeks on end.

Ironically, I guess I should thank KMJK, a 1982 version of Z100, for helping me find my passion...

*Division Day, Elliott Smith

Orange

(Goodness gracious - I've said how much I love blogging. I must love it if I just wrote this entire freaking entry about "orange".)

Orange is sort of a theme in our house. Ashe's favorite color is orange. He's always been clear about that. Ever since day one, he's loved orange. The funny thing about that is my mom's, (Granny), favorite color is orange as well. Growing up, she would covet the few orange items of clothing I had (mostly during the 80's neon craze). I never knew anyone who's favorite color was orange - except my mom. In recent years, there's lots of orange out there. I know it sounds silly, but orange has made a resurgence in the fashion I see (granted, it's mostly at Nordstrom's)...so, I suspect I would find a lot more orange lovers out there now.

It's so cute to me that Granny and Ashe have the same favorite color, because Granny will be the first to tell you that she and Ashe are kindred spirits. As with all her grandchildren, Granny is Ashe's biggest fan. You can imagine how "proud" she was when her firstborn grandchild decided early on that his favorite color was orange.

Finn's pretty much his own person, but one of the few places where he's decided he wants to be like his brother is Finn really likes orange. Dennis and I both get everything orange flavored, if that's ever an option. Or, clothing and backpacks and shoes, etc - orange, if possible...well, today, Dennis bought orange sherbet with chocolate chips. Really? I know there are truffles that come with orange and there are orange flavored chocolate "things", but I'm sort of horrified by the orange sherbet with chocolate chips. It just seems wrong. Ashe loved it and gobbled it up. Although Finn ate the sherbet, he left all the chips in his bowl. He likes chocolate. He likes orange sherbet. He said he just didn't like the chips in the sherbet. Smart kid.

here are the boys eating this
weird chocolate chip orange sherbet

You Spin Me Right Round Baby

I couldn't resist. I love music so much. It's so fun to make mixes. I didn't have anything to post the last couple of days, so thought I'd post another music mix. As last time, the imix is below for ease of listening.

Song L.E.S. Artistes	Band Santogold
Debaser	Pixies
The Start Of Something	Voxtrot
Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe	Okkervil River
Neighborhood 3 - Power Out	Arcade Fire
Honeybear	Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Erotic City	Prince
Hit the Heartbrakes	Black Kids
Burnout	Bangs
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?	She & Him
Mr. November	The National
The Rules Of Dating	Morgan Grace
Boogie Down	MGMT
Let It Whip	Dazz Band
Lora's Song	Sleater-Kinney
Once And Never Again	The Long Blondes
Violet	Hole
You Were Right	Built To Spill
Strumpet	Lois

This Crazy Online Community

The internet has obviously changed lives. Changed the world. It's really had an interesting affect on my life. I am a social person, but don't like people. It's this weird dichotomy where I want to be social on a theoretical basis, but when it comes to actually doing it, I avoid it. Someone recently teased me for being "a Ted Kaczynski" (the Unabomber), obviously minus the bombing.

When we first got the internet in our home (1997), I immediately joined music email lists. It ended up being a great way for me to be social and discuss the things I love the most (at the time it was Sleater-Kinney and Elliott Smith, both of whom I still love). I could do that and still be in my house and be unsocial...

Eventually these lists lead me to actually meeting two friends I still see on a regular basis - Bob and Asher - but many more friends I've met fewer times and keep in touch with regularly. It also lead to my jaunt along the east coast in 1998 following Sleater-Kinney. I traveled with Jimmy, Kristen, and Mo, all from the Sleater-Kinney list, and went from Detroit to Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

There are many stories like that...but, today, I hung out with Asher, who was visiting from San Francisco. I met Asher online as well. He used to travel here often for shows, and I'd go to San Francisco. We've traveled to Seattle and Olympia together. He's given me great live music videos and tapes/CD's, which he used to record himself at shows. He's a good friend, who I usually get to see at least a couple times a year. It had been awhile since our last visit, though. He's been working for Amazon.com and traveling quite a bit. It was good to hang out with him for a couple of hours and get caught up.

He was here for Musicfest NW, seeing lots of bands - like three a day. I don't have his energy, but I was at the Vampire Weekend show last night, that Asher was not at, which was also part of the festival.

Asher & I

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An internet friend has also touched me this week in a way I never thought she would. A woman that I have been on lists with for about 10 years, but never met, passed away. I think the reason it was hard is because it was so unexpected. She was in good health. She was my age. Her autopsy revealed nothing.

She and I have exchanged music. We have exchanged long rambling emails. I just discovered I'm one of her top myspace friends...She recently joined my favorite music email list and one of the few I am still on, a general music discussion list. She added new energy to the list. My friend, Bob, commented what a great addition she was. So, not only had I met her on these large volume lists, I indirectly got her to come over to a little list, with basically just a bunch of friends chatting...

Her name was Sydney/"Franny". You will be missed Franny. Even though I never met you in person, I have thought about you since I got the news yesterday. It's sad that I won't open my email inbox in the morning and see an email from "Frances Glass" or "Franny" or Sydney again. Like you, I'm not a religious person, but rest easy.

Like I said, this online world is strange, and as lame as it sounds, it's a community. It's an important part of my life anyway.

A Milestone for Finn

Finally. This is the third post I've had about Finn's kindergarten, and probably the last one for awhile dedicated to it. He had his first full day today. Although only half the class was there, he was there ALL DAY. We took video and photos. I was going to post video of his first day, but that truly is something only a mother and father could love. :) Here are some pictures of him in his new classroom. So cute.

A couple of things of note: he has three! Finns in his class. No, I'm not joking. There are four Finns total in the approximately 60 children in kindergarten. Also, two of the Finns in his class are Finn O. The great thing is that there are only 18 kids in his class. That would have made it so much easier on Ashe if he had a smaller kindergarten. Eighteen is the size a kindergarten class should be.

I mentioned yesterday that Finn had soccer practice after full-day kindergarten. Dennis, Ashe and I all went. It's just kick and chase, so no games. Soooo many kids and craziness. I hope he enjoys it. A busy day for the little guy!!

It's interesting how different kids/people can be. Ashe went to kindergarten for a half day. He hated to see his mom and dad leave. If it were up to him, he'd have just gone on home with us. Dennis and I kissed Finn goodbye this a.m., told him to have a great day and do his best. He just kissed us and said "Good bye." Good for him...

It's so weird that both my little boys are in school now. It's crazy to think they will be out of the house if we blink.

Just a Soccer Dad From Oregon

In addition to having his first full day of kindergarten tomorrow, Finn starts soccer. I am hoping to make it to practice, but I might not. Hence the title of this post. I thought I'd feel Vice-Presidential saying: "I'm just a soccer mom from Oregon." Since I have to work, most likely Dennis will be Soccer Dad tomorrow.

Dennis took Finn down to buy his soccer equipment today and he looked so cute in it. He wasn't too into the gear. Then he saw our neighbor (his "girlfriend"), Loghan, on her way to practice dressed in her soccer gear. Now he's wearing his with pride.

At different times today Finn asked Dennis and I: "Since you can't touch the ball in soccer, what happens if you fall over it like this [demonstrating] and your hand accidentally touches it?" Hmmm, glad to see he's really taking this seriously. :)

I went in the house to get my camera and came back out and Finn was posed like this. That kid is crazy!!

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Down By The Schoolyard

Ashe went back to school today. He's in fourth grade. So funny to think that he's halfway to being an adult - in age, anyway. Hopefully this will be a good school year for him. Third grade was probably his hardest year so far, socially. He lost his aide, Peggy, partway through the school year, so that could have contributed to his frustration. The summer has been up and down for Ashe, so we'll see.

For the last couple of days, I've been asking him about his feelings on starting another school year. He doesn't have much to say. Yesterday I asked him if he was sad summer was over and he said "no - there's gonna be more summers." This morning, taking him to school he said to me: "Mom, I'm 100% nervous." I told him that was normal. That was sort of good to hear. In the past, he's been sort of aloof about starting school. Nervousness means he's at least given it enough thought to come up with a feeling.

There were several kids Ashe has not been in class with the last couple of years. That is good. Some of you may remember us talking of Phoebe, Ashe's first friend in elementary school. She's in his class again, and that made him smile. He's also in class with Molly H. We like her parents a lot and she's such a nice girl. He sits next to a boy named Derek, who is very well-behaved and sweet. You could just see the look on his face, and him shaking his head, when he saw Ashe sit next to him.

Ashe's teacher is Ms. Wilson. She seemed nice. I met her for the first time today. Good luck Ashe P! Just do your best. That's all I ask.

Finn only had a meet and greet with his teacher today. Will post more about his starting kindergarten, when he has his first full day this Friday. I'll wipe away my tears as I type...

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Finn, checking out his classroom at the meet & greet. He was more nervous than I expected, but when he saw his preschool friend (in the white), he said: "Mom I'm not shy anymore, because I saw a friend."