Barb's Birthday Book

Yesterday was my friend Barb's 50th birthday.  She and her husband put on a blow out party for the occasion.  I took a friend with me as I am usually shy in large groups of people who I don't know, but didn't have to worry with this crowd.  It was a great time, met new people and listened to a band they had hired.  These people know how to put on a party.  The food was delicious, as usual.  There was grilled chicken and ribs..the best tasting ribs I have ever had (heard many similar comments), potato salad, beans..just down home grub.  Greg shared that the ribs were glazed with a combination of reduced cherry coke and cherry preserves, yum.  I had planned to stay an hour or so, but ended up enjoying four hours of party.  Moral of story, stretch yourself, it usually is worth it!

For Barb's gift, I made  her a birthday book, a chronicle of our friendship, along with the others who are in the same quilt group.   I think it turned out quite well.  True to form, I finished the book an hour before I had to leave for the event, lol.  Of course I  have to share pics of the book......  Happy Crafting!

What shall I do first today?

This question is always a stumper for me....there is so much to do, fun and otherwise.  I have to admit I already did the first thing, take a shower, and the general public should be very thankful.  My other choices are; take a walk, do dishes, finish the laundry, clean out the car, go get David and visit a fun place or continue doing my current time-waster--play on the computer.  I think I will see how many I CAN get done, as soon as I can force myself to turn this thing off.

Walking for exercise and pleasure

 Well, what do you know!  Perhaps the doctors know what they are talking about with the ever popular statement of "get more exercise"!  Walking has been my more recent attempt at exercise...I have always found the E word boring and a lot of work and had the attitude of who needs it.  After being sedentary for the past 10 or 12 years, I have started walking.  This has been going on for the last 2.5 months so I think it is not just one of my OMGosh, I have got to lose weight moments.  My ankles were getting shaky, knees hurt all the time, balance was being compromised and I stepped off of curbs like an eighty year old.  Since getting off my butt and starting to move, it is easier to get up from a chair, step off curbs with confidence, lower back hurts a LOT less and feet feel better, not to mention I don't get out of breath just tying my shoes.  There is also the increase in energy ,lowered blood pressure, digestion is moving right along and I am sleeping much better.  Portland has a myriad of wetlands, parks and other  types of cool places to visit.  I have been walking with a variety of  people of whom each has their favorite places to visit.  The grandson is a great nature walk partner, his uncle gave him a digital camera and he loves to use it.  I hope he never gets the attitude that grandmas are people to be avoided.  Enough talking....now for the pics (my

On Lee's land

favorite part).

Creswell Oregon

Wetlands in Sherwood Oregon

Smith Bybee Lake

Smith Bybee Lake

Tillamook Forest Center

Update to my life..........

It has been awhile since I last posted.  The last six months have been very busy.   I have made three dolls and am almost finished with an altered book which is to be a retirement present for my brother.  My sister had surgery and I spent five weeks in California helping during her recovery.   With the onset of nicer weather, I have started walking; usually between one and two miles a walk.  There is so much to see in my neighborhood it makes the time go quickly and I have started taking my camera with me.  There is a wetland I go by which has numerous singing birds..a great way to start or end the day.  The photos being posted today are located in yards that I pass by.  Hope you like them.