Ruben's Beach Trip

Ruben was invited to his friend Max's family's beach house in Lincoln City for the weekend. He seemed to have a great time! Here are the pictures that Max's mom Lois texted to me. 

Hi it's Ruben! On Friday, Lois and Max picked me up around 4 pm to go to the beach house. In the car we got bored so we played phone chess and listened to music. When we were done shopping at the store for food and done arriving at the beach house, I noticed some things about the place. This red house is bigger in height than width, a basement in progress, the plants outside are in mediocre condition, also the house isn't right in the perfect viewing spot for the beach so it has a balcony overlooking a lush forest with gnats swarming everywhere. On the inside of the house there is 2 bathrooms on the 1st floor and 2nd floor, 2 normal bedrooms and a guest room. Max and I had a room with 2 bunk beds and some gaming equipment. I decided I would like the top bunk with a closer viewing distance to the screen, Max had a chair to sit in so he wouldn't hit his head on the top bunk. 

Upstairs there is a kitchen, 5 chairs, 2 tables, and 2 couches. There is also entertainment up here as well because there is a TV with special services and Hulu, Netflix, maybe 8 other things that aren't important to you or me. On the last day there we played on the Wii which is a gaming console produced after 2008. There was Kirby's Dream Land in the Wii already so we gave it a try. It was a little fun broken game fit for all ages (as long as you don't get a tantrum).While we were upstairs, we ate food. The food was things like bread, spaghetti, crackers, and sandwiches.

We did some activities. Saturday we all went and walked on the beach in semi low tide and looked at sea life. There was things like sea anemones and snails, seals, I even saw a crab, woah. Then, on the same day we did an 80 degree hike that goes up and down and up and down, but mostly up. Max was exhausted by the time we were done. It was one of those trails where tree roots pop out everywhere and make your ankle break which added an extra challenge.

Finally, we had a boring ride home on Sunday which consisted of us talking about the game we are addicted to and things that could be done once not in a car playing pop music and first wave rock.

Max's dad helped us set up hammocks in the back, thanks.

He really wasn't ready for a picture, We were lighting fireworks on the beach and                           that's the reason he has a lighter in his hand there.

                  Somebody left a fire for us, thanks people. It's cold right now.

                            That's Max because why not, also he looks tired.

                                                   

           My new profile picture. Also it's a nice shot of me in front of the sunset.

                                   What a view, what a steep, hot hike.

                    That's me looking at the thing you saw before this picture.

                                               Max and his mom,yep.

                               Max looks happy to be done with that hike.

                                   Also a dog with a plastic bag.

                                   I'm looking at something.

                                 A blurry picture of me, max, and a doggo.

Health Matters

It was the most depressing winter ever. Rain. Rain. Rain.
My job was the hardest it's ever been.
My son is growing up.
I'm alone a lot.
So I wallowed in self pity as it's easy to do when there is day after day of rain.
I wallowed in ice cream (and an occasional coconut rum) and gained a few unhealthy pounds, but continued to exercise when I had the energy.

In January my coworker and good friend Bob started a diet called 10-Day Detox Diet. He followed it pretty well, and without even adding any exercise lost 50 lbs and went off his blood pressure meds by the beginning of June.
I started counting every calorie in January, and continued to gain small amounts of weight all through the spring. Even with lower than recommended calorie intake. Even with exercise. I was so frustrated I decided to do something different. In April I started working out for an hour (P90X) every morning before school, and doing 10 minutes of yoga every evening. I got stronger, (really strong actually) but the scale stayed exactly the same, and still my nice clothes wouldn't fit.

So on the last day of school I asked Bob to loan me his book and I started the 10-Day Detox Diet. It's a lot like Lean for Life in that it is a low carb diet, but it has smoothies, healthy fat from seeds, coconut, and avocado. Today is day 6, and I've lost 5 lbs. It's easy to follow. I like not having the ups and downs from sugar, but I miss sugar. We'll see how I feel on day 10. My plan is to just continue on it until I lose the other 10 lbs.

Birthdays for Kittens

Ru and I celebrated the birth of our two furry friends. They were born June 24, 2016. Although we didn't get them for two more months, we are thankful for her mama kitty playing loose in the neighborhood, and for the lovely family that took her in and fostered all the kittens.

They started their birthday week with a fresh planting of cat grass, and I bought a can of fancy feast and a candle to stick in it. Prepare yourselves, adorable pictures have been added to the kitten's album. Scroll down to watch them grow up, and celebrate their first year!

Photos of Kittens

Audition for the FBI

Sometimes when I'm feeling bored I scroll through the craigslist musicians section just to see what's happening. That's how I found Salem Madrigal Singers. Today an ad caught my eye, singers were wanted for a funk band. I replied:

"Huge fan of the funk. I sing well, and play guitar poorly. If you're still looking for a front hit me up. I would love to tear up a stage again. I have a wide knowledge of music, sang in a jazz group in college, sang in a bar band doing originals and blues in my 20s, and currently I'm an alto in a acapella group and pretty bored.
I'm a strong singer, comfortable on stage, nice to look at, and I can harmonize with anything.
https://youtu.be/2NnCHd2Wm98"

I got a pretty quick reply from Terry:

"Hello Emily,Thanks for the inquiry.We were out gigging last year but went through member changes and erratic work schedules,causing rehearsal conflicts, thus losing more members.Thus the reason we have decided to create a "double team".Below is a sample of our sets which we have used to get our present guitarist involved.It contains also a couple "rock" songs we threw in because they kinda funk and are popular.The rest of our sets are Funk.Give these a listen and if you are still interested, learn them up and re-contact with me for a meet and greet.Because of set backs we are forced to re-start requiring patience as we"double team" FBI.The "double team" will ensure regular rehearsals plus a bigger band for SHOW TIME. https://www.facebook.com/503FunkBand/Thanks,Terry
Flashlight Locked out of Heaven,Be Thankful for What You've Got Too Funky Paris (Oooh Lala) Hella Good Uptown Funk Get Lucky Play that Funky Music Brickhouse No Diggity Hollywood Swinging All About that Bass"

So after listening to the songs for a day or two, and thinking about it, I sent him my number, we had a chat, and arranged an audition. Because they were looking for multiple singers I called Elke (from my madrigal group) and asked if she would be interested. She responded with a hearty 'Hell Yeah" so she came over on Monday and we worked on the songs. Elke has a bigger voice than me, and I think I'm a little better at the harmony. I set up Grandpa's old amp and we karaoked our hearts out. We worked out some leads and harmonies and sounded damn good. 

I got a call from Terry on Monday that the guys could get together the following Wednesday, my last day of school. Elke had tickets to a show and couldn't make it so I went solo. 

I think they had decided they liked me when I showed up cute, I think they decided they really liked me for the band when I brought out my own microphone and the lyrics to the songs on the list, and I think I was hired by the end of the first song I sang. Really it was such a fun audition, and because I was so prepared it was really more like a rehearsal. 

The band is good, nobody is still learning their instruments, just learning the tunes. They ALL sing backup which was surprising but awesome. The keyboard player blew me away, playing a talkbox through a moog. example here

I can't wait to go back.

Oregon Renaissance Faire

The middle two weekends of June I drove to Canby and sang with the Salem Madrigal Singers at the Oregon Renaissance Faire. The first weekend I was by myself, the second Sunday Ruben came with me. It is a great Faire, I like that the place is level and easy to navigate. The entertainment was excellent. I laughed and yelled many a "Huzzah".

Broon the magician, juggler

Moonie the Magnificent

Yes, the turkey leg

Sue and I in the pub

A fine looking lad

Bowi, Irish music from Seattle. Hire these guys, they are amazing. 

I won his favor

On stage in the pub

"Which is the properest day to drink?'

End of Middle School (for Ruben anyway)

I'm changing jobs next year, and Ru will be changing schools. Its a soft transition compared to when we left all our friends, family, house, car, and way of life behind and moved to Salem, but it is still going to be a change.

Here are some pictures from the 8th grade dance. It was a semi formal dance, but that didn't stop Ru from wearing his favorite outfit. I chaperoned and tried to stay out of his way. He didn't dance much, but his friends formed a tight group that moved around the room.

Next year I'll be changing classrooms but staying at Judson. I'll be working with gened kids with special needs, and won't be in a self contained classroom. It sounds MUCH different and probably will be easier.

Ru will be attending Sprague High School. Its actually only a few miles from our apartment. It's rated in the top 10 high schools in Oregon. I sure hope he does well.

Tie Dye and Plaid may be his favorite outfit.

It always freaks out the kids in my class to see Mrs. Pearson wearing a tie. Ties are for BOYS. I tell them ties are for shirts with collars. 

Last day of middle school.

At the dance with Dustin and Max

Early Season Camping

What, the rain stopped for a weekend?  "Hey mom, how bout a boat launch?, and do you want to go camping?"
Thankfully Mom and Jeff worked their butts off to make it happen. the boat had developed a thick coating of mold under the covers, and everything needed cleaned. We were so grateful for a night at the lake. It was quiet, warm enough, and everything was fresh and green. Best of all the lake was FULL!

Ruben captured many pictures of the geese with their goslings. 

The adults just wanted to sit in the sun and float down the lake. The kid needed entertainment. 

I don't know how he slept through the geese, crows, and early morning fishermen. 

So glad the lake has water this year!

Sports

I've been on a fitness kick lately. I haven't lost any weight, I've actually bulked up, but I've been doing P90x every morning for about a month. Ru has been joining me for a 10 minute yoga stretch every evening.
Every chance I can I get outside, (when it's not raining) and Ru and I got rollerblades. Here are some fun pics of us trying them out. Trying them out for the second time, the first time ended in near disaster when Ru fell and nearly dislocated his shoulder. We learned from that experience, and wore pads and helmets.

Jenkins doing yoga with me. He isn't really that helpful. 

The Cinco de Mayo message on Beachbody

He wanted to know if he was doing "up to flat back" correctly during yoga

Burning calories

Not helpful. Not at all.

He was okay a few days later