What Goes Around

So, hubby and I had the thought that it would be a good idea to buy an investment rental in Corvallis some years ago when the kids started college. We didn't do it. Then, life for daughter took an unexpected turn ... as life tends to do. She and her fiancee ended up back in Corvallis in graduate school. Guess what? There was not a rental (apartment or otherwise) to be found. That's right folks, Corvallis rentals were at 100 percent. What? So, we decided to go for the investment rental again. This, mind you, was a total pain in today's economic climate. Come on lenders ... snap out of it. You goofed up but, life goes on. But, I digress. The purchase was made and the work began. Somewhere in the madness, I realized that this little house was as close to my first little house (lo those many years ago) as is possible. Cookie cutter houses you know. So, the past couple of weeks have been all about painting, cleaning, and teaching these young ones how to improve and maintain a home. They are quick learners and hard workers but, I have got to say ... I really feel like it is deja vu .... all over again.

In Over My Head

Okay, I thought (actually still think) that blogging is a really neat thing. I have found some blogs to be of interest because I actually know the blogger(s). Other blogs are fun and interesting because of the themes. So I like to write. I always have. I find it a nice way to preserve my thoughts. Occasionally it is cathartic. But, I admit it ... I am in over my head. I am so technologically illiterate that it is mind boggling. I view many blogs that I have to believe must take hours to create ... and yet, these people are spending their time creating beautiful homes, beautiful things, and beautiful families. Still, they have figured out how to take and post fun and helpful pictures to their blog sites, not to mention explaining in detail how to achieve said project. Now I don't have a very wonderful computer, which may be part of my poblem but, really, why can I not figure out how to do this stuff? I hate asking my kids because its so humiliating ... the way they look at me as if to say "Really Mother?" Gads, I hope I didn't do that to them when they were little and trying to learn something. Anyway, I keep thinking I should take a computer class ... or three. But then again, I guess I don't really care that much. I mean, I'm not blogging about cute home projects, etc. I'm just relating my life as a 50 (cough, cough) something-year-old woman getting on with life. If I live long enough perhaps technology itself will figure out a way to deal with people like me. In the meantime, I'll just 'write on' and satisfy my 'cute blogs' fix by looking at those of the 'younger set.'

Favorite Things

I have always liked the changing of the seasons. I look forward to spring because I can get back out into my yard and get my hands dirty putting out the plants I've been studying in garden magazines. So, it goes without saying that fall brings the same sense of change. I love to put out the fall decorations. This year I had a helper in my daughter and it was much appreciated. I love that trip to the nursery to buy chrysanthemums and pumpkins. I love the bright colors of the changing foliage. I love the crispness in the air and the occasional smell of smoke that drifts through the air. Its time to get out the warm sweaters and change up some of the home decor to reflect the change in the season. Now, I don't even like to cook much but, I will actually get in the mood to make comfort foods at this time of year. There is nothing like the aroma of a pot of chili or a pumpkin loaf baking in the kitchen. Of coarse, I also love all of the wonderful scented candles that appear in stores in the fall. Who could resist some of the names, let alone the scents. A candle that smells like apples and cinnamon that is called 'Home Traditions'? Oh yes! Another favorite .... the twinkling smile of a jack-o-lantern. Its fun to see what people do with their fall and Halloween decorations. So, not only is fall a favorite time of year, full of changes, it is the lead in to the holiday season and so many favorite family traditions. Its time to settle in, nest and slow down. Its time to really appreciate this wonderful life in Oregon and the wonderful changes that come with the seasons.

Schizophrenic Season

Well, its that time of year again in Oregon ... you know ... when it is fall one day and decidedly summer the next. I'm leaning toward liking the summery days at present. I know that all too soon it will be chilly, gray and either rainy or foggy and decidely overcast and, I'm not ready yet. Summer was way too short this year and flew by way too quickly. Don't get me wrong, I do like fall with all of the beautiful colors, the briskness in the air and holidays having to do with pumpkins. But, this year is going by so quickly and it is a year that is the end of an era. At this time next year both of my babies will be married ... Amanda in January and Blair in July. I'm happy for them and very happy with the two wonderful people that they have chosen to spend their lives with but, the mom in me realizes that although I already let them go ... on those wedding days I will be really letting go. And, I'm not sure I'm ready. I'm thrilled and excited yet nostalgic and wistful. I remember those little babies from day one and all through the happy and occasionally unhappy moments of childhood. It went too fast. I bet there is not a mother alive who would not want one more day with her babies. So, its a mixed bag ... these changing seasons of our lives. I'd like to stop time ... just for a minute but, then again, we are going to have some fun in 2011 and eventually I think I might even get some babies to hold again. I love you both kids and no mother could have been any more blessed with a dream come true as I have with you two.

Most Excellent Adventure

The idea of taking a road trip by myself had been percolating for awhile so, on June 6th I set out on my summer adventure. My destination ... Redlands, CA to visit my dear friend, Sue. Well, that is a roughly fifteen hour trip and I did not think that I would feel comfortable doing it in one day. On day one I drove as far as Sacramento. The trip through southern Oregon, over the Siskiyou range and into northern California was simply beautiful. Temperatures varied with it being the hottest (104 degrees) in Red Bluff. My car sailed right along over hill and dale with no problems and I spent a restful night. I departed from Sacramento in the early morning and arrived in Redlands in the afternoon of June 7th. I really enjoyed the drive. The weather was perfect in Redlands for the first few days and then it heated up ... reaching 103 a few days. Whew, not for me most of the time but, the saving grace is that Sue has an exceptionally beautiful swimming pool which I frequented. Every vacation has its bad moment and mine was the morning I woke up to find that the windows in my car had been broken out with a bat. Now mind you, this is a great neighborhood and nothing was stolen so it was obviously a case of stupid kids joy riding. Way to ruin a day punks! But, between the police officer, my insurance company and a very nice glass replacement expert who came right to my friend's home, all was well. So, a good time was had ... I met some fun people, enjoyed my friend and her wonderful hospitality, and after a week and a half I headed home. Sue rode with me to Yuba City where her daughter and grandbabies live. I spent the night there with her and came on home the next day. It was a long drive but thoroughly enjoyable. There is nothing like driving through this great Pacific Northwest and points south on a beautiful summer day. There is time to think, listen to favorite tunes, stop if the spirit moves you and just generally break out of a rut. It is good to get away in order to appreciate home. The caveat to that being that the weeds keep growing and the dust keeps settling while you are away. Ah well, it was well worth it. I'm already wondering what my next adventure might be.

Still Learning ....

I can remember a time in my life when I did not know the meaning of the word 'patience' let alone have any. As these things go, life has a way of teaching us the the things we need. I had a couple of kids .... and, that will teach you patience. The kids grow up and the lessons are many and varied. After the kids are grown and gone, parents can decide to settle into some sort of routine ... or, perhaps they decide to bust out and live the life that has been on hold for awhile. That can be exciting and even scary. But, hold up. We are currently enmeshed in a time in our history where the economy dictates much of what can happen in any family. Sometimes kids come back home. Which brings me to my point .... a person can get older and perhaps even be smug enough to feel they have learned all they have to learn. Not so. Just when you think you've got things down, the universe is going to set you up for another lesson ... perhaps its more patience ... or adaptation to new situations ... but, whatever it is there has to be a reason we keep getting these memos. It must be because we still need a lesson or two. So, what is there to do but get on board with whatever new agenda comes up? I'm an individual who does not like uncertainty but, if I decide to refuse a new circumstance then an opportunity to learn is forfeited. And, a lesson hard learned is a lesson worth learning.

Vacation in Paradise

Every Oregonian knows that spring can be a real tease. One day we are having absolutely balmy weather and the next day it is back to full on winter. This spring has been particulary dicey. People are getting antsy and on the stormiest of days, cabin fever sets in. It isn't often practical to pick up and go to a tropical island. So, I've found my little piece of paradise in the hothouses of local nurseries. In amongst the plants it is almost possible to forget how unpleasant it is outside. The earthy smell of growing things, the fragrance of many of the plants and the warm, humid air is pure sensory pleasure. Imagining late spring and summer gardens chases away the blues and gives a respite from reality. When I go to a nursery in the off season, there is no pressure to buy (which creates work). It is okay just to wander ... taking in the visual displays, reading the plant tags and daydreaming. I know that soon enough I am going to hit the nursery with a vengeance and start working in the garden in earnest. But right now, I just enjoy the brief escape from winter.