March 13, 2011
Introducing Mercedes
This is Mercedes Humane Society picture. She still hasn’t been groomed yet because of her surgery. But she really needs a beauty day!
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March 12, 2011
Doggie Diary III
The weather on the Monday that I first went to see Mercedes was beautiful – mid 50′s and sunny and dry, something we Portlanders had not seen in a long time! But by the following Wednesday the weather had turned nasty…. bitter cold with overnights in the teens with rain, snow, ice, and sleet in the forecast. The weathermen did not lie. We had all of the above on Wednesday and Wednesday night; it started to clear a little by Thursday morning. Thursday was the day the I could go and formally adopt Mercedes. On my way across town, the roads were clear but I ran into ice, snow, rain, sleet and a hail. Just a little bit of everything, not enough of anything to make a big road hazard.
I was really excited to get her and didn’t realize how long the process would take. I had to go through an interview process where we went over all of her paperwork. Since she was a ‘surrender’ the previous owner had filled out 6 pages of forms which we needed to go over. Part way through reading these surrender papers, I started to cry while thinking, “How could anyone give up this sweet girl?” I was anxious to get her and take her home and start her new life with me, so I stopped reading so carefully and just glanced over the remainder of the form.
After they checked my Drivers License Number, I was then approved to go to the cashier and pay for her. I brought the receipt back and they went to get her ~ after waiting for an available kennel attendant. This was about a 10 -15 minute wait. Then my little ball of white fluff finally arrived in the arms of a caring attendant. She attempted to locate Mercedes microchip and when she couldn’t locate it, she took her away again (more waiting) to insert another one. Then more time to go over that paperwork!
Since it was cold outside, I brought a little sweater for her to wear in the car home. Then we put her seatbelt harness on her and the attendant carried her out to the car. They are very careful during this phase of the adoption process because I guess that they have had dogs bolt before they were put securely into the new adopters vehicles. We put Mercedes into her seat belt in the front seat and the attendant held onto her while I went around to open my door and got into the car and closed my door. Then Mercedes door was shut and we were off on our way!
Mercedes loves to ride in the car and I don’t think that she took her eyes off of me for more than a few seconds on the ride home. I took her outside on the leash so she would know where to go. She followed me around the house for the rest of the day and just kept watching me. She adjusted Ok that first day and even ate from her cute little dishes.
She whimpered a little bit at bed time, but I knew that she was fine and just had to ignore her until she settled down a few minutes later.
She has settled into our routine and is getting used to me and is really showing her cute, impish personality.
March 11, 2011
Daylight Savings Time 2011
Daylight Savings Time begins tomorrow on Saturday night, March 12, 2011. This is when we turn our clocks ahead one hour. Spring Forward, Fall Back.
So before you go to sleep on Saturday night, move all of your clock ahead 1 hour. So, if you are changing your clocks at 10:00 pm, you will move them to 11:00 pm. You moved the clocks ahead 1 hour and you just lost an hour of sleep! So get in bed and sleep fast!
March 10, 2011
Renovation & Remodeling Show 2011
The Portland Renovation & Remodeling Show is this weekend March 11 – 13th, 2011 at the Portland Memorial Coliseum.
Fri. 2pm-8pm, Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 11am-5pm
Portland Renovation & Remodeling Show is the premiere event in the building and construction industry dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. This is the only national event that brings remodelers, custom builders, residential architects, and designers together to meet face to face with top manufacturers to preview innovative products, information, tools & services.
March 4, 2011
Doggie Diary II
Back home on Monday afternoon, I decided to take a little rest after my long trek over the hill. “Well, I’ve been gone all day,” I thought. “So I’ll just check my email real quick before I lay down.” Nothing there so I decided to look at the Oregon Humans Society’s web site to see if perhaps a cute little ball of fluff came in.
I actually had my hand on the mouse to close out the site as I was quickly scrolling to the bottom of the last page – disappointed but glad to be able to take a little rest. AND …. there she was ! ….. second from the bottom. Suzy. A ball of white fluff with two eyes in there somewhere behind the cute little black nose. My heart started beating faster, my mind racing, trying to figure out if she really was available and now what do I do to get her?
I went back and reread her bio, jotted down her ID number, clicked around the site to find the phone number and called the shelter. Yes she is available, just came in today, there are no holds on her. I decided to go and see her, but the shelter is on the other side of town and now it is rush hour.
Grabbing a very quick bite of early dinner, and refilling my water bottle, I rechecked the directions and got in the car. She was still available when I arrived and she & I had a ‘meet and greet’ in a large private room designed for just that purpose. She was perfect! Since she had not been spayed yet, I couldn’t take her home that day but I could put a non-refundable deposit to hold her until she could go home. I knew that I would change her name since she was going to have a new life . I watched her carefully during our time together and when I called out the name ‘Mercedes’ she stopped her explorations and looked right at me! So that was settled, her name is Mercedes. She is a Bichon Frise which is the breed of dog that the Spanish explorers would take with them on long voyages and they are often pictured in Goya’s paintings of Spanish Royalty. And so my new little doggie has a beautiful Spanish name to go with her beautiful spirit. I immediately paid the additional $15.00 fee and signed the papers and told her that I’d see her the next day. And I left. I was tired when I arrived home.
The next day, Tuesday, I kept my promise and drove the 60 miles to see her again. But she wasn’t in her kennel when I arrived. My Motherly instincts kicked in and I went back to the front desk to find out where she was. She was on a ‘meet and greet’ with another family! I was so upset… She is my dog! They informed me that until she is formally adopted after her surgery that they can still continue to ‘show’ her and can also put two more ‘holds’ on her. When the attendant opened the door to the room that she was in (with the other family!), I said “There she is; that’s her!” Guess who came trotting over to the doorway? Mercedes. Yes, I am sure that she remembered my voice from the day before! She is a very smart dog! I told the attendant “Please tell that family not to get too attached to her. She is my dog and she WILL be going home with ME as soon as she can leave.” That dog was not going to go home with anyone but me!
I waited for the other family to be finished with MY DOG, and then I got to sit with her again and hold her and sing to her and talk to her. We had some more bonding time together and I got a lot of my questions answered. I told her goodby and the next time I’d see her, she would be going home with me. “Now get in your bed and go to sleep, Mercedes. I’ll pick you up on Thursday.” She had surgery scheduled for Wednesday and I would not be able to see her that day as she would need to rest quietly ‘in the back’ that day and night. I could complete the adoption process when I came to get her on Thursday.
March 1, 2011
Free Pancakes
Today, March 1, 2011 is National Pancake Day. To celebrate this day, IHop is giving away a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes until close tonight 10:00 pm. They are asking for a donation to Dornbecker Children’s Hospital in Portland and I believe that they will be taking donations for other childrens hospitals throughout the United States.
For the location nearest to you go to : www.ihop.com
February 23, 2011
Portland Spring Home and Garden Show 2011
| Show Dates & Times Wednesday, February 23: 11am – 8pm Thursday February 24: 11am – 8pm Friday February 25: 11am – 8pm Saturday February 26: 10am – 8pm Sunday February 27: 10am – 6pm Location Price Discount tickets available online or at all Portland area |
For a discount coupon, go to : http://www.otshows.com/shows/phs/attendees/discount_coupon.htm
February 18, 2011
Portland’s Yard, Garden & Patio Show 2011
Join us for the 2011 Yard, Garden & Patio Show, February 18 – 20, presented by Dennis’ Seven Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers! Enjoy our Patio Party Beverage Gardens, Outdoor Cooking Classes, and Backyard Games for all ages. Experience our Showcase Gardens, Free Garden Seminars & Demonstrations, and the Remarkable Green Market. Come for the fun, and prepare to be inspired!
Oregon Convention Center
SHOW DATES / HOURS:
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February 17, 2011
President Obama in Portland
Air Force 1 will be ariving at the airbase near Portland International Airport about 10:00 am on Friday, Feb 18th, 2011. President Obama will then helicopter across our fair city to the Intel plant in Hillsboro, Oregon. Hillsboro has been called the Silicon Forest due to the large number of computer processing industries in the area.
January 28, 2011
Fog in the Valley of Memories
Here in Portland, we have had a rather mild winter compared to the rest of the country. Yes, we did have some bitter cold during December, but with the lengthening of the days (so important at Northern latitudes – you in So Cal have no idea!) and the promise of a week of no rain, our Portlander spirits are rising!
And then what happens? The wind stops blowing and all the moisture that has accumulated in the ground begins to move upward and evaporate. And then with the night-time cool down we have been experiencing a LOT of fog the last several mornings. Mind you, I am not complaining…. Daytime temps are in the 50′s and one almost doesn’t even need to wear a jacket when you go out. Well, maybe a lightweight jacket, but not the necessary heavy coats of November & December!
I do not remember this type of fog occurring in the Midwest. Yet is is familiar to me and brings back memories of long ago. When I look out my bank of windows, I am reminded of foggy mornings at my Southern California High School. We wore uniforms. A beautifully styled grey straight skirt with 4 kick pleats (2 in the front, 2 in the back) and the omnipresent white uniform blouse which was topped with a navy letterman sweater. On especially cold mornings we would not even wear a coat, (it was southern California after all!) but would put another sweater under our uniform sweater for added warmth! That way we still had the required ‘uniform’ look, but were still warm in the morning and would be able to shed the under sweater as the day warmed up. And so those high school mornings are what I see when I look out my windows at the fog today.
PS: I always thought adding one sweater under another was a really cool trick! Or should I say a really ‘warm’ trick! Tee Hee!
Portland Firefly is in a great mood today! For those who are wondering I am feeling well!
January 26, 2011
Portland International Car Show 2011
The Portland International Car Show 2011 starts this Thursday at the Oregon Convention Center. The show runs from Jan 27th -30th. The doors are open from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm daily except Sunday (10:00 am - 7:00 pm).
It actually sounds really cool! The America’s Got Talent finalist bike rider will be there and they will have a special ‘Kids Zone’ and ‘childcare’ (?) available. I’d be careful about leaving my little ones, but it sounds like there will be something for everyone at this show.
For information on Discounted tickets, click here: http://www.portlandautoshow.com/special.html
For more information on the show: http://www.portlandautoshow.com/
January 17, 2011
Today is Shred Day
Today, Jan 17, 2011, is Shred Day at the KGW Studios at 1501 SW Jefferson, Portland, OR. Remember, you can bring up to two boxes or two paper bags filled with documents to be shredded for free. Hours are from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm. It is usually a drive up situation with no parking required.
January 14, 2011
Shred Day Jan 17, 2011
KGW is having another shred day this coming Monday, Jan 17, 2011. Up to two (letter sized) boxes of documents may be dropped off for free between 5:30 am and 7:00 pm. You may bring up to two paper grocery bags full of documents instead of the two boxes.
All paper will be recycled. A tree is saved for every 600 pounds of paper that is recycled.
The Shred Day will be held at 1501 SW Jefferson in Portland.
January 13, 2011
Portland Bridal Expo 2011
The Portland Bridal Show will be held at the Oregon Convention Center on January 15 & 16, 2011. This is Portland’s premier Bridal Show and they have some specific rules. Also they suggest that you purchase your tickets ahead of time.
For more information, please go to : http://portlandbridalshow.com/info.html
For a coupon for the show go to: http://portlandbridalshow.com/coupon.html
January 12, 2011
Portland Boat Show 2011
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The Portland Boat Show begins today. It runs from January 12th – 16, 2011.
Portland Expo Center
2060 North Marine Drive
Portland, Oregon 97217
Wednesday: 10am – 9pm
Thursday: 10am – 9pm
Friday: 10am – 9pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm
PRICES : $10.00 ADULTS ; UNDER 12 : FREE
$2.00 Discount Tickets are available http://otshows.com/shows/pbs/attendees/discount_coupon.htm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://otshows.com/shows/pbs/
ONE OF OUR REGIONS LARGEST INDOOR BOAT SHOW; IT WILL BE FUN FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY!
January 7, 2011
Portland Build, Remodel, & Landscape Show
This show starts today January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 9th.
Oregon Convention Center
Friday 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tickets:
Adults $6.00
Children Under 18 FREE
But if you go to this website and give them your email address, they will give you a ticket discount! http://homeshowcenter.com/visitors/ticketdiscount.aspx?show=portland
For more info: http://homeshowcenter.com/Visitors/HomeShow.aspx?show=portlandhomeshowportlandmemorialcoliseum
January 5, 2011
2010 in review
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:
The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.
Crunchy numbers
The average container ship can carry about 4,500 containers. This blog was viewed about 17,000 times in 2010. If each view were a shipping container, your blog would have filled about 4 fully loaded ships.
In 2010, there were 227 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 596 posts. There were 50 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 90mb. That’s about 4 pictures per month.
The busiest day of the year was January 6th with 297 views. The most popular post that day was Ultimate Survivor Casting Call Today.
Where did they come from?
The top referring sites in 2010 were inspire.com, en.wordpress.com, search.aol.com, centurylink.net, and en.search.wordpress.com.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for flamenco, kgw raptor cam, this portland movie channel, flamenco shoes, and riptide.
Attractions in 2010
These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.
Ultimate Survivor Casting Call Today December 2009
Flamenco! OLE! October 2008
1 comment
KGW Raptor Cam March 2009
Flamenco Dance Terms October 2008
6 comments
THIS Movie Channel July 2009
January 4, 2011
New Year’s Resolutions
I know, it is nearly a week into the new year of 2011; but that is Ok, it is never too late to begin positive changes.
I have some things that I hope to accomplish in the new year.
Movies. I was reminded of my love of movies at a New Years Day party and how I have not ‘rewarded’ myself with that simple pleasure very often the last two years. Too much chemo sickness, I think. Anyway, I am going to try to attend at least 12 movies this year. I am very picky about the type of movie I enjoy, so it might be sort of difficult, but I am going to go to the movies more often!
Organize. I have a very good girlfriend who is a professional organizer and she has offered to help me. Well, I don’t want to impose on her, so I have started taking little tiny baby steps in organizing my house. Just the fact that she offered to help was an inspiration to me and now that I am feeling a bit more energetic, I can tackle some projects that I have been unable to even think about for the last three years.
Write. I will publish at least one book this year. My photographer is in place and we will be taking the photographs for my Scarf tying book for chemotherapy patients soon. Then I’ll be doing a lot of revising as we set the photographs into their position in the book. I’m very excited about my ‘authors photo’. It is a candid photo of me taken during one of the workshops at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Convention in Washington, D.C. last summer. I was still wearing turbans as my hair had not grown out yet, and I was unaware as the photo was snapped. I will continue to write my weblog. And I will continue to work on my other book.
Travel. I will probably take a few trips this year as my health allows.
Stuff vs Things. I have so much stuff and so many things. I think that I’ll try to eliminate some of the stuff that is inside of some of my things. It is part of organizing, but I wanted to give it it’s own ‘stage’.
Live & Love. I plan to live my life and love deeply the people in it.
G. K. Chesterton
The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
January 2, 2011
Brrrrr…It’s Cold!
It is freezing here in Portland! It has been down in the 20′s ( and even in the teens) at night and only in the 30′s to low 40′s during the daytime. Brrrrr! And I thought all that was behind me when I left the midwest! The good thing is that it is so cold when I go outside that my house feels very warm when I come back inside!! So, I guess if you are cold, then go outside for a few minutes and then when you come back inside, you will feel warm!! And I hate to say this, but it ‘feels’ like it might snow here soon. If you live in the midwest, you know what I mean.
December 31, 2010
Oregon Gas Prices
Oregon Gasoline prices will increase by 6 cents per gallon on January 1, 2011. I’m filling up my vehicle today!!!
Oregon’s gas prices are already some of the highest in the nation because we have mandatory attendants filling up our gas tanks. In fact, it is against the law (or so I have heard) to insert or remove the gas nozzle from your own vehicle.
December 20, 2010
Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight
Tonight, Monday December 20, 2010 there will be a total lunar eclipse. It will be visible from the Pacific Northwest if we do not have too much cloud cover. It is the Winter Solstice and a full moon. You only need to be anywhere that you can see the full moon in order to view the eclipse. The moon will be high in the winter sky.
This celestial event begins at 9:29 pm Monday night and ends at 3:05 am on Tuesday morning. The time frame for the total lunar eclipse is from 11:41 pm (Monday) to 12:53 am(Tuesday) on the West Coast.
Pacific Standard Time:
- Penumbral eclipse begins 9:29 PM PST
- Partial eclipse begins 10:33 PM PST
- Total eclipse begins 11:41 PM PST
- Greatest eclipse 12:17 AM PST
- Total eclipse ends 12:53 AM PST
- Partial eclipse ends 2:01 AM PST
- Penumbral eclipse ends 3:05 AM PST
If you want to get a better view, go to OMSI and they will have telescopes out for the public to view the eclipse for free.
Be sure to dress warmly if you go outside — it is Wnter!!!!
December 6, 2010
Depressed
I have been fighting depression for several weeks now. I cannot seem to shake it off. I think it is a combination of the reoccurrence of my cancer, the days becoming shorter and our Portland weather being very grey and chilly. By the way, Portland is so far north that it is dark by 5:00 pm now because the sun sets so much earlier here than it does in California.
I also was very sick for over a week from my last chemo and for the first time in my cancer odyssey I am not looking forward to chemo on Thursday. Also, my doctor wants to put me on a new drug therapy that I will be on for a very long time… and I was so looking forward to being off chemo again for a (hopefully) long time. It looks like it is not going to happen. And that is probably the thing that makes me the saddest.
On days when I am not to chemo sick, I try to make myself go out side for a walk. Last week I started using the little light box that I bought at Costco the end of last winter. I usually sit in front of it when I get up in the morning as I eat my breakfast and try to wake up. I really think it is a valuable tool and I’ll continue to use it.
I did get my home decorated for Christmas and I try to have a few events to look forward to doing, but it only helps a little. I will just keep going along, putting one foot in front of the other….
November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010
Today is the day that we give Thanks for all the bountiful blessings that we have been granted. Portland Firefly is very grateful and thankful for so many things….
I love cooking Thanksgiving Dinner but today I will not be spending the day cooking for my family. Today I will be working at a homeless shelter. My duties today will include passing out blankets, hats, coats, gloves and toiletries. As a Flight Attendant, I would often deposit my hotel toiletries in a box designated for the homeless. I never saw ‘the rest of the story’; today I shall.
I wish all of my readers a very Happy Thanksgiving…..
November 16, 2010
$.99 Taco Tuesdays
On The Border is starting it’s 99 cent tacos every Tuesday. There are a few ‘rules’ but they are easy to follow!!!
Cheap Tuesday eats!!!!
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