Another entry!

This morning, Zoe, Uncle T and I went down to the Daily Bagel (a local coffee shop that features...bagels). We had a great time. Zoe had a cheese bagel with egg, ham, and swiss cheese (her choice). I had a double cappuccino and a strawberry pastry. Uncle T had a bagel with salmon and onions and a cup of coffee, which also sounded pretty good. If ever you are in Klamath Falls and are in need of a cup, I highly recommend the Daily Bagel (and so does Zoe).

When we returned home, after watching a couple of videos, we went out to feed the birds. In the bag of quail food, we found a mouse! It was very cute, and after chasing it around the inside of the bag (I don't know how long it had been in there, but it seemed quite plump), I caught it by the tail and we had a look. After thoroughly inspecting it, we released it into the compost area where it could eat scraps and find a safe sleeping place. (Probably it will end up back in the bag of bird food!)

Take care everyone.

P.S. I'd like to again suggest that you start a blog so that I can read about you!

A Great Holiday Season

Grandma Campbell, Amy, and Travis on Christmas Eve

Happy New Year, everyone!

So far this year has been pretty good for us, though it is only a few days old. Our holiday season made us smile, as we visited old friends, gave and received some wonderful presents, ate some great food, and spent some quality time with loved ones. We are sad that it is over, but looking forward to having a great new year. Who knows what surprises we will encounter when we enter the world of "true parents" with the addition of a second child. I wonder what Zoe will think. When we talk about her new brother or sister, I can just see the wheels turning in her wonderful brain.

Mara and Jeff in Corvallis

I'll tell you about our holiday season in no particular order starting with our trip to the north. After spending Christmas Eve with Amy's parents, then Christmas Day and two nights with Jeff's parents, we drove up to Corvallis to spend some time with Alex, Mara, and Liam. On the way, we found out what traveling with a potty trained girlie was all about: we stopped four times to go potty. We didn't regret the stoppages, but we did have to learn a new way of traveling. It will take longer to get places, but that's okay.

Grandpa Gary reading to Liam and Zoe

In Corvallis, we meant to spend only one night, then drive up to Salem and stay with Ryan, Michele, Kennedy, and Paisley. Unluckily, Ryan came down with a cold, and so, instead of exposing a two year old, and a pregnant mother to it, we stayed two nights with Mara and Alex. Serendipitously, Gary and Irene (Mara's parents) were planning on coming down on later in the week. Mara talked them into coming a day early, so we were able to play Euchre (the best card game ever invented) (and if you don't believe me, it is because, you need to come to our house and try it out).

All in all, it was a very good visit, though Zoe was a bit afraid of Liam, who is much louder and full of energy. Thank you, Mara, Alex, and Liam for having us.

Zoe opening up her new doll, Sara

Christmas Eve, we spent in our usual way: Broccoli, potato soup, opening presents, and spending the night with Monte and Debbie. We had a great time, Zoe especially. She really likes opening presents, and liked helping everyone else as much as opening her own.

Zoe sharing her crafts with Nana

Christmas Day we spent with Jeff's mom. We had dinner at Aunt Vicki's house, with Great Grandpa Bill, Vicki, Eric, Dave, Becky, Doug, Andrea, Cameron, Brandy, her fiance Brian, Kathleen, Eric's mom, and Nana. It was good food and good company. Thank you for a delicious, fun time, everyone.

Zoe with her new kitchen and her new haircut

Lastly, Zoe started the new year with a new kitchen, and a new hair cut. It really makes her look more grown up. Mimi (Debbie) and Amy cut it while Zoe watched "The Doodlebops". She didn't squirm at all. I don't think that she really understood what happened until it was over (if she understood it then). The real test may be the next time that we try to clip it.

That's about it. I suppose that I could post my resolutions: It boils down to eat more healthily, work harder, and have more fun. Pretty easy, right?

Have a great year and check back often: I am making updating the blog part of my resolutions.

Hello all.

I have been so busy that I have not had a chance to write, neither here, nor anymore on the novel. We went to the Christmas Bazaar at the Fairgrounds last weekend. We sold some stuff and handed out many cards. It was a good experience and we think that we are going to try again next year, and maybe in the summer at the Farmer's Market. We will see how it goes.

The house is decked out for the holidays. I think that this is my favorite time of year. I love the carols, the lights, the smells, the giddy anticipation of much loot! Actually, the loot part takes a back seat to watching Zoe open her presents. Speaking of Zoe, she is playing/hauling around the xylophone and singing the ABC song, while wearing my Birkenstocks.

Yesterday was the Snowflake parade. We didn't go. We had plans for me to run, and Zoe to ride in one of the snow-blowers from the base, but none of the worked out. So, we had Monte, Debbie, and Travis over for sausages, and french fries. Mmm. It was pretty good. We then watched the first part of "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer". It got too late, and one of us got tired and had to go to bed.


All in all, things are going well here. Things are getting done, and we are almost ready for Christmas. Have a happy holiday and a great, lovely, and joyous time of it.

Working Hard

Hello all. We are doing well here in K-Falls. Both Amy and I are working hard on our novels. Take a look, if you haven't already.

Also today, Randy, Isaac, Zoe, and I went down to the Daily Bagel. We had some coffee and pastries. It is always nice to sit down there and enjoy a cup of coffee.

We are going to be in a craft show! It will be at the fair grounds on the 3rd and 4th of December. I am working hard on that, and on Randy and Sandy's benches, and a screen door for another client, and we are trying to get the gas installed. Plus running and writing: I am busy! Not too busy to post on my blog, it would seem. Great. Now I have guilt that I am not in the shop. I will head there shortly.

Did I say we are also getting ready for Thanksgiving? We sent out invitations this morning. If you didn't get one, its because we forgot! If we missed anyone and you would like to come, we would like to have you. Just let us know. And, if you are coming from out of town, we have places to sleep.

Finally, I added AWADs A Word A Day and Quote a day on the sidebar. Some people have had to scroll all the way to the bottom of the blog in order to see the sidebar items. If they don't appear at the top, then look for them at the bottom.

Take care everyone. I'm going to get to work.

Snowy day

We woke up to more snow. It is so nice. Then it snowed all day. It was pretty wet, so not much accumliated, but now that it has cooled off, it is still snowing and no we have about three inches. I like it. Oh no! I just remembered that our sled is over at Mimi and Papa's house so we can't go sledding tomorrow.

The novel is going well.

First Snow

Well, winter is upon us: this morning as we arose and Amy started to get dressed, she exclaimed: "It snowed last night!" I stared out the window, shocked and excited. I think that I love winter, but fall is my favorite season because of the anticipation of winter (the fall colors are nice, too). Not too long now and we can go skiing. We have to find (or make) a pair of skis for Zoe, and build our pulk (a sled that she can sit on and that I can pull behind while I ski). It used to be downhill skiing, but now we are cross country skiers all the way. In the old days (specifically the high school days) I would get out my skis try them on in the living room on the carpet, then tune them up and have them ready to go by the end of September. These days I eagerly await the first storm up on the pass. We don't need a lot of snow before we can get out and enjoy the cold: it only takes six inches and we can go all day)

On other fronts, running is going well. Yesterday, Zoe and I ran down to Shasta and back, about four and a half miles. Today we are running out to Mimi and Papa's. Zoe will stay with Papa and then I will run home, stopping off at KU for a few pick-ups on the track.

Writing is going well. 4000 words in two days is quite a lot and a bit of a shock to the system. Amy and I were talking after our writing session that in some ways it would be better if it were National Novel Writing Two Months. Writing would become more of a habit and less of a mad dash once a year. A thousand words a day seems much more manageable. I suppose that if I can just take a couple of days off after November is over, and then set a goal of writing or re-writing then I could do it, just like running. We'll see.

Cheers!

All Saints Day

Happy All Saints Day, everyone. Halloween was a great success, at least Zoe didn't cry when she had to go and trick-or-treat. She made a wonderful Fairy Princess with her hat from Ashland, her dress from Erika's wedding, and her wand from her dad's lathe.

Last year, she would jump at the chance to hand out candy, but this year she wasn't as sure. I think that she thought too much about it: it was something to be pondered, not jumped into with both feet. As for the Trick-Or-Treating part, I took her out to Mima's work (Mazama High School) where she was showed off for awhile, then over to Oma's house for a fruit roll-up and some candy, then to the library for a goody bag. When they arrived back at our house (with Papa) Amy and I took Zoe to the neighbors for a little more candy. It went pretty well, though usually she forgot to say "Trick or Treat". She did remember to say "Thank You", though, so that was good.

For dinner we had Pumpkin Tureen (cheesey, oniony, goodness baked in a whole pumpkin, a volunteer that grew up at our place), and pop-overs. It was very festive, and very tasty.

Today begins the first day of the rest of our novels: NaNoWriMo is upon us. This evening we will start the writing: 1600 words a night. It is easier than you think, and if you have any inclination at all, you should give it a try. The trick is to just start typing and not even think about what you are writing. I am going to try to upload each day's writing on the Words blog (link at right). I will check it for spelling, but don't expect perfect grammar!

Wish us luck.