Clockwise l to r: Ashe, Lexi, Gray, Ella, Cade, Finn, Tucker.
CAVER'S 4TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY... The Ealys have an unofficial tradition of having us all over on Halloween. The regulars are: The O'Dranes, The Sorensens, Melanie (Andy's sister) and her daughter, Lexi, and Elaine and Ole. This year, Miss Sondi (Sandy, who Caver and I work with) came too. We all had a grand time. Ashe and Finn were more into the trick-or-treating than usual. Lexi and Gray didn't come home with the usual loot that they do. They just didn't have it in them this year. You know, when you get to be age 8 and 10, it's hard to keep up. :)
l to r - Cade, Gray, Lexi
Caver made her usual mummy dogs, salad, and carrots, so the kids could have some decent nourishment before going out and eating horribly.
It was tons of fun, as usual.
Granny and Sandy (Sandy happy that Ashe shared candy w/her)
Ashe had a field trip to Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery yesterday, Monday. I went along for the day-long adventure. I visited there several times as a school-aged Portlander, but hadn't been there in years. In addition to touring the Dam's Powerhouse 1 and Visitor Center for a Park Ranger's lecture, we visited the Fish Hatchery and Tanner Creek (to witness the end of a salmon's life cycle). One cool thing was we got to ride a school bus. I know. That sounds pretty routine, but Ashe only remembered one other field trip where he'd taken a school bus. All field trips I've attended with Ashe have been on public transportation (MAX lightrail)...very much different than when I was in school. It's good and bad - I'm a worry wart. I hate that the kids have to walk through and all over downtown from the MAX station to where they are going. On the school bus, they let you out at the door...
Ashe had fun and all the kids were great. Ashe loved the rainbow trout. There were ponds with trout and some amazingly large sturgeon as well. All the kids were fascinated by those, much more so than the Powerhouse and Dam itself. A few pictures of fourth graders in action:
There were adult AND children's Halloween activities this weekend. Yesterday, Saturday, Caver and I went to Molly's Halloween Poker Party. It's her 15th annual, but I've only been to two. I've been invited to four...which tells you how much it takes to get me to a party. I think I've mentioned I don't like people.
Molly's the awesomest girlfriend anyone can ask for. When we talked for the first time (goodness, only four years ago) it was instant friendship. I love this girl. We have so much in common it's not even funny. Our birthdays are five days apart, so we've started a (2 years so far) tradition of going to Seattle for our bdays. We gab for 36 hours straight on those trips. We go to coffee or lunch every other week. She's my music-going buddy. We can always find something to discuss. She's so down to earth and accepting and amazing. It's funny....when we shop together, we will shop in different parts of the store and end up with the same items. Or, I will just show her stuff that would look cute on only someone as teeny tiny as she is. She will try it on and end up getting it. I could go on and on gushing about her, but I won't.
My family and friends have gotten to know Molly over the years, and now she's just one of us. Caver went to the party with me last year, so Molly asked her to come again.
Anyway, it's a Halloween Poker Party, played for candy. In the picture below - see the gold charts on the wall showing how much each piece of candy is worth. Below those gold charts are the bowls of candy - you start with 300 points. Things like whole Hershey bars and boxes of Peeps are high points - 25. Gum and small suckers were only 5 points. Caver cleaned out the house!! She won three bags of candy. Of course, she didn't take it home. We both gloated about it, in poor sportsmanship form, while at the poker table. When it came right down to it, though, Caver couldn't take it all home with her. Tons of people...tons. Just a blast.
Today, Sunday, Dennis earned his "S". That being S for Superdad. He baked a cake with Finn. Then, he carved a pumpkin with the boys. He did tons of laundry. Now, he's dealing with the boys' baths. Dude! He's been so tired from working his new work schedule (8 hr days, M-F, instead of 12 hour shifts intermittently), he finally had some energy and went for it. Anyway, I was a bum and slept a lot and just let him be Superdad. He had a fun time and the boys are beside themselves with glee whenever their daddy is around.
A funny aside: Finn diagramed the pumpkin face he wanted. He included two different templates for mouths with teeth (see the small photo to the right). In case the two-toothed pumpkin failed, he included a template for a one-toothed pumpkin. I don't know if that's creative and cute or OCD. Love that kid. Below is a picture of Finn describing his pumpkin diagram to Dennis.
Me resisting is futile. Everyone knows who I'm voting for. Actually, I already voted on my Oregon mail-in ballot.
I've said for months that I hate all politicians. I like Obama fine, but he's a politician like the rest of them. He's not my ideal either. I figure I'm not going to be happy either way, so I've been sitting back and enjoying the show. Saying all of that, McCain's had some priceless senior moments lately and here are a few.
#1 is him accidentally agreeing to nasty things about the people of Pennsylvania and telling the people of Pennsylvania that. #2 is him meaning to say "cut", but he added another consonant saying (we're all adults here) "rates were CU*T IN THE BUSH years". #3 is him accidentally saying "my fellow prisoners" instead of "fellow Americans".
You are old, but my god, dude, figure out how to talk. You are running for President.
Finn just finished soccer season. It's not really the same in kindergarten - they don't play games. There are only drills and "scrimmages". It was perfect for Finn - who's never been in sports and not that interested actually. He's decently inclined for athletics, but he'd rather be drawing. It was fun for him, though. Here are a few pics from the action on the last day.
This Friday was quite the whirlwind. In addition to Finn's last soccer practice this year (will post pics and blog later) , tonight was the carnival at their school. This is the most exciting school event for every kid at the school. To give you some idea, Molly just left for Reno to campaign for Obama. She took her daughter, but her son wanted to stay home because he didn't want to miss the carnival. Honestly, the carnival is awful. It's way too crowded, but of course the kids are willing to stand in line to win one cent prizes and get yucky pizza. It's a kid's dream and a parent's nightmare.
Dennis and I got out of going this year!! We gave the boys a choice, suggesting the Fantasy Trail. They loved it last year. It's a Halloween decorated trail on a farm in Oregon City. It's also got a Haunted Castle, which certainly did it's job scaring Finn. They were more than thrilled to do this INSTEAD of the school carnival. Yay for Dennis and I.
This nice little lady's head was quite the fear inducer last year too. Hmmm....
Tucker and Cade came along for the fun. It worked out well, because Caver and Sean were at a fundraiser. Although it sounded entertaining, we were more than happy to hang out with the kids.
This picture of Ashe and Cade is so expressive. You just have to click on it to make it bigger and look at the sheer terror in their eyes...They were riveted by the freaky face in a mirror. But, nooooo, they weren't scared at all.
I went to Chicago for the October 8th taping (air date = October 14th) of The Oprah Winfrey Show. I know that sounds nothing like me. I think most people respect Oprah, as do I, but in recent years I haven't had much more than respect for her. Put in her position, I think a lot of us would be like her. Being a billionaire, by definition, puts you out of touch with most of the world.
I like Oprah, though. My love of pop culture has always made me curious about attending a taping of her show. More than that: she's a historical figure really. She will go down in history as a very significant person. All of those are reasons I was excited to go to Chicago for the show...
Not to mention that I am a complete freak for large cities. Chicago was literally next on my list of places I wanted to go (Austin's the next one). I don't know what it is about large American cities that makes me so giddy, but I LOVE them. Although I love Vancouver, B.C. as well...
My mom knew of Oprah - of course - way before she was famous. My uncle lived in Cleveland and called my mom once to tell her about this "wonderful woman named Oprah who was going to be famous some day." My mom loves ("deifies") Oprah. She adores her. When mom turned 70 yrs old (2004), we tried to get tickets and never could. Caver finally did this year.
The show was a depressing subject: Proposition Two in California. It's about the housing of animals. Basically - "Where does the food you eat come from?" You can research it yourself (see the link), but needless to say, it just adds more fuel to my fire that the way our food (animal-based food) is treated is reason enough not to eat meat. Of course, I still eat it but it's gross if you think about it.
There is so much to tell about going to the show. It's a well-oiled machine, as you can imagine. The security is impeccable. There is lots of waiting at the beginning. They place people in the audience based on look, color (of clothing), and filling out rows. After placing the rows that get lots of camera time, they called the rest of us by number, and we were allowed to choose seats.
Oprah was very low energy. She was not rude, but it was as if she was just putting in her time. Probably how you and I feel when we go to work every day. She was gracious and did engage for quite a few minutes (20?) after the taping, but didn't ask for questions. My theory was that people love Oprah so much: if she gives an inch, they will take a mile - and they did, somewhat.
I loved that she was candid with us about her thoughts on the Presidential candidates. She said she regrets saying she wasn't going to have any of the candidates on her show and not have a political show, until AFTER the election. After she endorsed Obama, she's vowed not to talk about it. She says she's itching to talk about the issues. She also said she's never received more hate mail than when she wouldn't have Sarah Palin on her show. She's not having her on, because she vowed to have NONE of them on, but still people were upset with her. She said a couple of times: "Only 27 more days and I can talk about it."
Overall I'd say an underwhelming experience. It could have been better if it were a happier topic. I think the tone from the beginning was that we were to be somber. We were.
Oh yeah - and Lisa Ling was the Investigative Reporter for the subject. I was never a fan of her's on The View - I got the impression she was full of herself. More and more, seeing the subjects she does on Oprah, I love her. She's so brave. She'll do anything. Seeing her in person - gorgeous. A pretty, pretty girl.
I can't thank my sister enough, though, for thinking of me and getting tickets for me. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm so glad I did it. During the pre-show prep, you hear some of the stories from people and how hard it was for them to get tickets. We were very lucky. Thank you, sister. :) Oh yes...and, Caver also made sure we all rode to the show in style. Isn't she wonderful?
in line at harpo studios - no cameras once inside.
Ashe - oldest son Finn - youngest Dennis - Ashe & Finn's Old Man, emphasis on the OLD Caver - Janice's sister/boys' aunt Cade - Boys' cousin/Caver's son Tucker - Boys' cousin/Caver's son
Clockwise l to r: Ashe, Lexi, Gray, Ella, Cade, Finn, Tucker.
l to r - Cade, Gray, Lexi
Caver made her usual mummy dogs, salad, and carrots, so the kids could have some decent nourishment before going out and eating horribly.
Granny and Sandy (Sandy happy that Ashe shared candy w/her)
Happy Halloween from Ashe and Finn.
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