Our Week So Far

We ended (or started, depending on your perspective) our week as we often do at the Klamath Grill. We sure enjoy going down to see all the people and have some good greasy food. Usually I have the chicken fried steak, Zoe has pancakes and eggs, and Amy has either biscuits and gravy or pancakes, or an omelet. If you haven't been, you should go. The staff is friendly and the prices are right.
Monday we had dinner with Bill, Vanessa, and William. We cooked soup and home made bread, Challah, made with lots of butter and eggs. Mmm, it is so good and rich.

Tuesday Zoe and I did not go over the hill for vegetables because the season is over. We were a little lost the whole day, not knowing exactly what to do with ourselves. Wednesday I didn't feel that great. I am wore out from not getting as many calories since Amy became pregnant: no beer for anyone, just to be fair, you know. So, I took a nap and ate much food (not at the same time). Today I feel better.

Also, I made a spoon and a box on the lathe.

Cheers!

The Saga of Scarecrow

Once upon a time it was Library Day. On Library Day, Jeff and his lovely daughter Zoe would go to the Klamath Country Library, Klamath Falls City Branch, and hear stories and sing songs at Story Time. Also, they would do crafts (not "craps" as Zoe would say; finally her dad convinced her that it is "crafts"; "Not crap," she would later say, "crafts." Finally, her dad would think).

The Ides of October had fallen, and the library summoned. On this day they sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (Knees, and Toes)", and "Old MacDonald (Had a Farm)". Also they heard stories about scaredy cats, farm animals and falling leaves. The craft, most difficult craft ever, was to be scarecrows. After an admonition from the librarian that Zoe should be doing the (most difficult) craft (ever), her dad finished. It stood five inches at the shoulder, then straw hat looking more like a sombrero. They carefully carried it around the library while collecting videos and books. The spoke to a reference librarian, a rare occurrence, because they could not find anything on plumbing natural gas.

Finally, natural gas bookless, they left.

Upon exiting the library they found that the wind stormed from the south, across Lake Euwana. Man did it stink. Autumn leaves swirled with dust and weed seeds as they carefully put the scarecrow in the stroller. They made their way to one planning department, and then another before securing a permit to install a gas line in the house, and made their way home.

When they arrived home, the scarecrow was missing.

Zoe's dad thought that he would not say anything in the vain hope that she would not notice. But, as the reference librarian had left a message saying that she had found a book, he decided that they would return to the library and secure another craft packet. Before they left, they read a story about going to camp. Along the way back to the library, they stopped and searched for the missing scarecrow, but without luck. The librarians were happy to provide another scarecrow craft packet. The book about gas line plumbing was retrieved and, as they made their way home, Zoe's dad dreaded the thought of making another scarecrow. They returned home, had lunch, and tackled the craft. It proved easier the second time around.

On an unrelated note, see the picture above at right of Nana and Zoe reading last weekend.

New Shoes

I bought new shoes! I am excited to have something different. I had been running on Brooks Adrenaline for a number of years (almost since the day that we moved to Klamath Falls). But the latest edition, 5, just really didn't do it for me. They broke down way too fast and never felt that good. So, I did some shopping around town and finally found the Saucony Regulate at Big 5. I didn't know anything about them, but they felt good on my feet, they seem like they will wear for a long time, and they were on sale. I have run on them twice and think that they may be my new shoe. I am going to buy another pair today, if they still have any in my size out at Big 5.


Speaking of running, yesterday we had a great workout at Moore Park. We warmed up, then did a pyramid: 30 seconds, 45, 60, 90, 60, 45, 30, then three steep hills at 20 seconds each. My legs were pretty much like jelly when we were done. Zoe didn't get to go for this run, though I couldn't have pushed her up the hill anyway. Instead, she spent the afternoon with Papa.

Tomorrow we will be in Ashland for the State of Jefferson Cross Country Meet

Days Behind on Posting

I am days behind on posting. Hopefully I can catch up in one day and then tomorrow (or this evening) I can stay caught up. I am going to start with today and work back:

Today, Zoe and I are having a pretty good day. We are watching a Tingo video. It is just over and now we will get some food. Some days Zoe talks me into watching more than one video, but usually that ends in a cranky, hungry girlie. Uh oh, now she has talked me into doing a little reading in a Let's Learn Japanese Picture Dictionary.

Good news everyone: she has eaten and is no longer being cranky.

Yesterday we went over the hill for the last delivery of vegetables. We are a little sad, but we will be able to clean the fridge finally (in a few weeks, anyway). And we are looking forward to eating up our Halloween decorations (squash and pumpkins).

Monday, Zoe had a cold and we spent much time watching videos. In the afternoon, I had an appointment with a nice lady who needs a new screen door for her house. It is made of oak, which is pretty exciting, and she wants it done right, which is even more exciting. My only worry is finishing as usually when I finish something it is for inside use, or we slap on a coat of paint.

Sunday we went to the Harvest Gathering out at the Whistling Duck Farm. It was fun, though we didn't stay as long as we might have since it took place all the way over in Ruch (west of Medford) and we needed to get home at a reasonable hour. We brought chocolate chip cookies. Zoe had a grand time touring the fields, she even ate a couple of strawberries.

On the way to the Harvest Gathering, we stopped in Ruch and had breakfast (second breakfast, really) at the Magnolia Grill. We will definitely go again. It is a nice drive out past Jacksonville and the food is tasty.

Saturday, we drove to Medford, picked up my mom and headed to the Chieftain Invitational Cross Country meet. We enjoyed ourselves, but the kids were not spectacular. That is okay, we are making progress (though there were not a whole bunch of PRs this day). We will see what happens at district (in three weeks).

That's about it. Whew. All caught up for now.

Library Day

Friday, as usual, was story time at the library. We really like library day, and the more we go, the more Zoe participates. She is doing hand motions and calling out when questions are asked. And, it is good for her to interact with kids. She doesn't get much of that (I am a little worried about sending her off to preschool next year).

We made a spider for our craft. Our stroies were mostly about spiders, and we sang about the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. The librarian had a puppet that actually swallowed things. It was kind of disgusting, actally. Back to the project. We taped legs on the back, and the eyes on the front. Lastly we tied the string on so that we can hang it up for Halloween. I tried to let Zoe do most of the work, only directing a little, and helping with the glue.

Create Your Own Blog!

I would like to formally encourage any and all of you to create a blog. It is so easy, and then I can read about your lives as well. When I created this blog, it took only about ten minutes and I had my very first post posted. All you have to do is go to Blogger.com, explore in the "What's a Blog?" area, or go directly to "Create a Blog in 3 Easy Steps". Or click on the "Get your own Blog" button at the top of the page.

Yesterday the kids ran a pretty good workout: 9x400m at pace, then 3x300m cut-downs. I didn't run because of an ongoing groin injury (so frustrating).

Tuesday we went to Pasta Piatti in Ashland. While you are there be sure to try the Ravioli Di Zucca; it is amazing.

Great Run

We had a great run yesterday. Zoe and I went out with the Mazama cross country team and we ran up to the Shasta Hill on the east side of town. Zoe and I ran the hill once (I should have made some of the kids push her), and then ran back to the school with Randy and Steven (a senior). On the way back, there was a little consternation because Randy was taking a turn pushing Zoe. When Zoe realized this, it made her cry. We had hugs, and she said that I was sweatty; then everything was okay again.

Have a great day, all.

Big News

Hello everyone! I am so excited and proud to announce that we are having another baby (one just wasn't enough!) Amy is just about two months along, the due date is May 12th, and, more good news, Amy has accrued exactly enough sick leave to take her to the end of the school year.

Zoe also is excited to have a sibling. She says that she wants a sister. The whole process boggles her mind, every now and then: we will say something like, "The baby is in mommy's tummy," and she will stare off into space for a moment, trying to work that all out. She is so cute (and we say that way too much, but it is true).

In other news, I started a Blog recently, as you can see. I try to post each day, but sometimes, especially on the weekends, I get a little lax. So check back often.

Yesterday, I started a purely writing blog called "Words". The link is at the right, if you are interested.

We are doing well down Klamath way. I am so happy this morning to be sharing this news with you all. Come and see us sometime, or we will come and see you when we get a chance.

Love to all,
Jeff, Amy, and Zoe



P.S. You can leave a comment by clicking on the "Comments" button just below. You will have to type in some funny looking letters before your comment will be accepted (just follow the instructions). This is because of "comment spam" (and I think that you can figure out what that means). Cheers!

A Good Weekend

We had a pretty good weekend. I didn't go to the Cross Counrty Meet in Albany, and am a little sad because the kids did so well. Good job everyone.

On Friday, Zoe and I went to Story Time at the library. We were joined by Randy, Isaac, and Isaac's cousin, Brandon. We heard some great stories about fall, and wind, then made leaf pictures. Unluckily it was about one day too early for real leaves, so the kids had to do with cloth leaves and tissue paper. Even so, we had a good time pasting. Zoe chose the "pink" (red) acorn.

We caught up on our sleep this weekend, which was really nice. And both days, I did some woodworking. The benches are on the way, Randy and Sandy. They should weigh just under a ton each as they are made of hard maple which is quite heavy, and, as you might guess, hard.

Zoe got some new gloves; she can even put them on herself. We had gone to Rite Aid for vitamins and a stereo cable. While there we noticed the glove rack had been put out. Well, why not shop for some gloves? I thought. We will need some soon, and the ones that she has are too small. Well, one of the first that I saw, were these blue ones with pictures of the Disney Princesses on them. Zoe, of course, loved them right away. I then found some mittens that are waterproof; they looked pretty warm. Zoe was unconvinced, however that we should get them. I assured her that we could get the princess gloves also, but the waterproof ones were a no-go.

Saturday evening, Zoe, Mima and Papa, found some leaves that had fallen over night and so made them into an authentic Fall-Leaf-Picture. I think that it looks pretty good.

On Sunday, after working on the benches, while Zoe and Amy drove, I ran to the Hill's. It rained a bit, and the wind blew, but overall, I had a good time. The fire in the earth stove warmed me up when I got there, and then we all shared a relaxing afternoon while catching the last half of The Fifth Element on TV.

Watch this space tomorrow for a big announcement. Until then, cheers!