SEA...

...HAWKS!

It happened, the Seahawks WON the Super Bowl - and we watched in AWE
as they TROMPED Denver! 

We had such a fun time with our other "season ticket holders" that would be our Hosts Dan & Dani, Jenni and Melissa. The Dockter & Martin families also joined the fun, as well as Dan & Dani's son Zach and his cutie wife Yuki.

We CHEERED and CHEERED and CHEERED! I would like to think that we are the Felida 12's - we were loud in their house I can't imagine what it would be like at a home game.

Good Times with Good Friends!

 Here's to the Seattle Seahawks and their first ever win at the Super Bowl!

Our favorite QB and the Lombardi Trophy

It will be a very long wait until the 2014 NFL Season.

GO HAWKS!

There really was a wedding...

It's just not obvious from these pictures!

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MOVIES

It's not a secret that I'm not a huge fan of movies...or more specifically, going to the movie theater to watch a movie. Actually, as I think about it, when we get movies from Netflix...I'm not always that interested at home either.

HOWEVER - today Tom and I along with Dani are going to see:

Then this coming Saturday we'll be going out with the gang to see...

I know, two movies in the same week...crazy! Then I started thinking about it...each film has an actor who has appeared in the Lord of the Rings movies. Andy Serkis (Gollum) is Caesar in the Simian flick and Hugo Weaving (Elrond) is in Captain America. Of course, I want to see what else these actors do apart from LOTR. Plus the movies sound pretty cool! I'm really not turning into a movie person...really. It's just a coincidence :) So with these two movies and the X-men movie we saw a couple of months ago, I think I'm good with trips to Regal Cinemas.

MMMMM....movie theater popcorn!

Memorial Day Ride

On Monday afternoon Tom and I rode over to Claudson's and we went out for a ride - it was a perfect day! Mostly perfect...bonking is no fun. I was happy to make it home!

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Food, Fun & Friends

This past Saturday we met up with some friends for Pizza, Frozen Yogurt and then games. We ate a lot and had a lot of fun together. These friends are so great, love them all! After I got the photos all downloaded I was a little sad that I missed getting a photo of Dani...so I used a photo from last year's pizza & dominoes night. Clever yes?

Good food, good fun and great friends!

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Tom Celebrates Another Year!

We met up with some good friends at Charlie's Bistro and enjoyed some food...some wine and a lot of birthday fun! The best(?) gift - the lost wicket from our croquet set.

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Time Flies...

It doesn't seem like these photos were taken that long ago...

Chuck's

My Monday routine for the past bazillion years has been to meet with Robin and Andrew and hang out and drink coffee. Well, it's been a bazillion years and things are just now starting to get a little stale. So now we are diversifying and going to different places for our visits. Here's a sampling - Yo'Licious frozen yogurt, Charlie's Bistro, Starbucks at Esther Short park and this week Chuck's Produce & Street Market.

Chuck's opened last Thursday in what used to be Joe's on Mill Plain. It was a fun outing for the 4 of us (Andrew & Tom came along too) and while I thought they had a nice variety of food stuff, I don't think that it is a place that I would go to routinely. It is a little bit out of the way -  15 to 17 miles to Chucks (depending on your route) while Winco is just about 5 miles away from our house. Less driving is best for me :)

It might be fun for lunch, if we happen to be in that area...which is not that often. At least we have options. 


Got some good photos though...

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Making Pancakes

Making Pancakes

Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the 2 counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.

He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked!. Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!

That's how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.

Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.

But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to 'make pancakes' for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried.

I was thinking and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said, sometimes, 'I love you' can heal & bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.

Best Teammate EVER!

This year has been a year of challenges as I move past the 5 year mark of my brain cancer diagnosis and with each passing week another 5 year mark is passed (first surgery, second surgery, first day of radiation....etc) I feel more confident everyday about where I am as far as my health. Nothing crazy weird has popped up and I'm keeping up on my MRIs and doc visits. I Even was "fired" by my radiation doctor whom I only visited once a year. Her assessment of me from my June visit was that I am doing great and there is no need to see her anymore....WOO HOOO! No more trips to NW Cancer on 136th Avenue!!

With Livestrong going to Seattle this year I decided to find something different to do here in the Portland area to challenge myself. Livestrong is a ride or a run event...we've done both in past Livestrong events so why not put them together?! BAM! Duathlons here we come!

What does this have to do with the best teammate ever? Besides having Tom by my side thru every aspect of my cancer, Robin was there too. She was there to help calm me in pre-op and visited me while I was in the ICU and later in a regular room. She drove me to appointments and took me places when I was getting stir-crazy. Really I couldn't imagine anyone else to be there during all that, I am so blessed to have her as a friend.

After Tom and I did the Blue Lake event I loved it so much that I looked for another event to do and saw the All Women's event all I could think is that I should have a team! Who else would come to mind...Robin of course. She said yes...we got registered and then came event day. Since I did my first du in June, I had an idea what was going to happen and slight advantage over my newbie teammate.

Both of my runs were less than average for me, but with the heat and the training lite over the previous 2-3 weeks it wasn't all bad. Robin on the other hand just ROCKED the bike course and completed the course in just under 38 minutes! An average of 18+ mph - AWESOME! It was truly exciting to see her returning to the transition area so that I could get going and do the my second run.

The best part was finishing and having "my people" at the finish cheering on! What a feeling of accomplishment - to have my closest friends and my sweet husband there to cheer and celebrate the finish of another awesome event.

What a way to celebrate survivorship with the best teammate ever!

4th of July

Spent a few hours with some friends last night and enjoyed some dessert and fireworks -

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He Has Risen...

and Felida had a ROCKIN' good time this morning! I'm tired and a little hungry so just photos from this morning...

Suzy came to worship this morning along with her daughter-in-law and grandkids

The kids helped out with a couple of songs...so fun! Awesome Men's Quartet! Me & My Goodest Friend - SO cheesy Nice looking couple...

Fun with a camera

Monday is our usual night to hang out with Robin & Andrew at Starbucks. This week Tom brought the camera along for fun...here is what we got -

Self-Portrait #9,999...Just leaving the house.

Welcome! (this is a Danielism) Standing in line at the ATM....I want some cash too... Surprise Brittney! Ooh La La

Good Start To...

...cycling season! I am hopeful that the days of bundling up as pictured above will soon be behind us. There is something so liberating about not having to wear the long pants and multiple layers - I feel like I go so much faster when I can just go with shorts and a jersey. Spring and Summer cycling will indeed produce less in the way of cycling clothes going into the wash.

Had a couple of great rides over the weekend and today, once I pack the backpack, I'll be off on my bike to work! Have logged just over 400 miles on my bike already this year, I'm really excited to ride to work now! 400 miles is more than double what I rode last year at this time...this year is going to be a really awesome cycling year! Tom and I will be well on our way to that century later this Summer.

The Rock Star prize goes to Robin for actually making it up Corbin Street/Road Hill yesterday afternoon - I think with only one stop. Even though my bike sports a compact crank the hills are still not easy - and since I didn't want to break the momentum, I kept going and waited at the top and cheered Robin on. She's a trooper for following me...yesterday and on Saturday. Yesterday was fun because the men were with us. It was a good afternoon of fellowship and riding - partly to celebrate Mark's birthday, but also it had been awhile since our last ride together as a grupetto. I have enjoyed the few rides that we have gone on together and now I am I am itchin' for an organized ride, the Worst Day Ride was too long ago now - Monster Cookie Metric Century here we come!

Big Long Ride

Yesterday Tom and I met Mark & Robin at their house for a long ride...longer than any ride that we have done at this time of the year. We did the I-205 to Interstate Bridge Ride or what I call Bridge to Bridge which was 39 miles for Tom and I starting from our house. It was a perfect day, almost warm and we even sat outside at the Heritage Place Starbucks. We thought it was the sun that was keeping us warm until we found that there are heaters above the outside tables! Now that is fancy!

Outside of M & R's House

Tom' took a self-portrait while he was waiting for us to return with the beverages

Getting ready to head out again Ooooh....pretty bikes!

Cycling Season Comes Early

Earlier than usual for a couple of reasons - first, I have started training for the Duathlon and second, Robin now has a road bike which has been a very exciting thing for all of us! A newbie, easily corrupted into the cycling illness that I think all people should fall into ;) Tom mentioned to Mark in an email that we would be riding this morning and that was changed to Mark and Robin joining us at noon for a ride around our area.

I always enjoy riding and usually it is just Tom and I, but having another couple that we have been friends with for so long to ride with is a pretty sweet deal. Even more fun to help a new roadie break in a new bike! Nothing like a new ride no matter who it belongs too...it's just plain exciting! Riding with other people is a good way to improve and to challenge ourselves, so I'm glad that a couple of my favorite people are both roadies now!

I have to say that this really is the earliest that we have gotten out for a road rides. The weather has been so great - a little on the cool side, but dry. Tom and I rode on Monday which was a nice start to the week and I managed to get a couple of lunch rides in this week also. I'm feeling pretty good and still hold out hope that we'll ride the 45 mile route of the Worst Day Ride on February 15, but I'm not going to hold my breath. We'll see how things go until then.

The surprise of the day was that it started snowing a couple of miles from Starbucks - SNOW! I'm pretty sure that the motorists were thinking we were nuts, but when we left there was no hint of snow and I rather it didn't snow. It does make a good story though. Fair weather riding? I don't think so.

On 179th Street - Tom had an opportunity to stop and take a couple of photos as he bombed thru the light before it turned red.

STARBUCKS - the best part of any ride! Back home again...notice the snow in my hair.

January 5-11, 2009

Week 2 of my weekly photo challenge...enjoy~

January 5, 2009 - This is one of our favorite people at Starbucks - Daniel! He was not happy that I gave this photo to Stephane - hee hee...

January 6, 2009 - This is me (duh) and I have had these glasses for about a year, but I don't wear them often because I have figured out that they don't go well with my summer cut. I got more comments on today for some reason. What a geeky look! I LOVE IT! I was a little tired and Tom wasn't feeling well, so we went to Bamboo Hut for dinner like right after I got home. So much for what I thought we would have for dinner tonight.
January 7, 2009 - I forgot to take a picture today, so I decided that the toilet would be the subject. BTW, this was finally installed a few days before Christmas. A working toilet in the downstairs bathroom - WoWiE!

January 8, 2009 - This is one of the Captains at work. He is usually more goof-ball like than this photo shows. This was during the heavy rains this week and I-5 was closed and we needed personnel to go standby at the fairgrounds to assist the stranded truckers.

January 9, 2009 - Another Starbucks buddy, although he is no longer at our Starbucks, but at the Woodland Starbucks. I emailed him earlier in the week to see if he would be interested in joining Tom and I for dinner at Sushi Tsunami - he said sure and was even on time. That is a rare thing, but I told him that this place fills quickly and we don't like to wait for a place to sit ;) It was good to see our ol' buddy Dave again.

January 10, 2009 - This is Mark, THE mechanic at Performance - he's pretty cool and he is pretty good with the bikes! I didn't like him very well in the beginning, but over time he just kind of grows on you. He is a little intimidating too, tall, a little taller than Tom. You would think I would be okay with that, but for some reason he just seems really tall! So when we visit with him he needs to stand a little bit away from us!

January 11, 2009 - I'll probably get in trouble for this one, but I was trying out a new (to me) mode on our camera. This is Robin who has been my friend for longer than she has been a mom (but not by much!) She started leading worship on a regular basis in the last year and I have to say that she does a super job...Good job this morning Robin!

Felida Friends

Here are some photos of the people that are a part of our church family...some of them we have known for the 17 years that we have been fellowshiping at Felida and some are newer, still, these are good friends!

Fancy Pose by Tom and RobinEver Bashful Kay

Doug & Mary

Attentive listeners

Farewell to our friend Lindsey

One of our favorite people at Starbucks is leaving!!! As much as we are going to miss Lindsey, we know that she is moving on to follow God's will in her life. A few months ago she announced that she would be starting an internship with Mark 2 Ministries working with young women with developmental disabilities at the Young Life's Wild Horse Canyon Family Ranch located in Antelope, Oregon (the former Rajneeshpuram Ranch). She is leaving the Couve, for the Desert!


Lindsey has such a sweet spirit and her love for God is evident in so many ways in her life. It has been a privilege to get to know her and a blessing to call her a friend and our sister in Christ. She will be missed, but we'll always be connected in one way or another.

Monday Evenings....

We spend most Monday evenings at Starbucks with Robin & Andrew to catch-up with each other, vent about our days or whatever. This last Monday we had extra shots left on the disposable camera that we took with us on the Worst Day Ride so we thought we would bring it along to use it up and get the film developed...here's what we got

I look GOOD!

Me & Daniel....and grumpy Drew in the background

Tom, Andrew & Robin goofin' around