A Yukky Start to a Fun Evening

Friday night after work, AJ, Maryanne, Al & I decided to go to the Volcano game here in Keizer. While we were having a pre-game dinner at Panda Express, we witnessed a horrific car accident. We didn't see what caused the accident only that one car was off to the side and one car was upside down with the roof crushed. As we passed by the scene a few minutes later it appeared that the passenger/s of the upside down car might have been dead. The paramedics had not yet arrived, police officers were frantically diverting traffic and no one was near the car. It seemed impossible that anyone could have crawled out of the car because the roof was so squashed. As we entered the stadium parking lot we heard sirens heading our way so hopefully our assumption was wrong. I never saw anything in the paper so who knows?

The evening improved as we were able to enjoy a warm summer night watching baseball. We ate cotton candy and nachos and root beer shave ice...the Volcanoes even won the game! Can life get any better?

New table...Old friends

Yesterday Jana and I went to Eugene to pick up my new coffee table. I have been looking for months and finally found one at the Pottery Barn in Eugene. I actually found it at the PB in Scottsdale and figured I'd have no problem finding closer to home. Boy was I wrong. But at last, my quest is over & I have a lovely new table to decorate (I've only just started in the picture).

On the off chance that my high school friend Nancy & her husband Curt were available, I called them to meet us for lunch. Instead, Nancy invited us to her home for lunch on the patio. It was so good to catch up with these dear friends. We talked and laughed and talked and ate and laughed for 3+ hours. It was a delightful way to spend a sunny afternoon. At 2:45 we headed home. I dropped Jana at her house, drove straight to the Garlinger's & picked up 2 year old Sarah and brought her to our house so I could get ready for Thursday night dinner. What started as a relaxing day with friends ended up a chaotic, loud evening with the usual crew of hungry diners, barking dogs and an excited 2 year old. Thursdays at the DeBacker's are always interesting...and fun!

Tom Sawyer DeBacker

Yesterday at work, Al asked me to create a chart to track some appointments that he and Patti are doing over the next months. I had an idea, that Maryanne enhanced, and began to work. Being computer challenged as I am, I kept asking Maryanne for help. She ultimately ended up creating a wonderful numbered (1-300) list. However my idea was to have the numbers go from 300 -1. We didn't have time to redo the whole thing so Maryanne worked and worked to reverse the order but had no success. We called Jana and she gave us some great ideas that we couldn't make work. So I called JJ and he saved the day. It took him all of 2 minutes to do what we'd tried unsuccessfully to do for over an hour. Bottom line...we ended up with a neat chart and all I did was come up with the idea. :-)

Happy Father's Day

Al's choice for breakfast...the Original House of Pancakes

The boys + Maryanne take Dad shopping for a new stereo receiver. They go to every electronics shop in Salem. Finally after much talk with the salesman, they find one that meets all the required elements, (and believe me, there are multitudes) only to be told by the same salesman that they don't have any of those particular receivers in stock. Feeling the crushing weight of defeat & disappointment, Al comes home and takes a 2 hour nap. The only thing that might redeem this day is a big win by the Lakers. O happy Day!

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Last night, Al and I officially said goodbye to the Bible study group that I've been leading for the past 9 years. We finished the study in early May but schedules being what they are, we had our year end social last night. The group treated Al and I to a yummy dinner at Bentley's here in Salem. It was extra special because a favorite couple from my Sunday morning group was able to join us.

One of the group members is taking over leadership so I know that it will be in good hands. As I walked away from the restaurant, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for this group of friends that have encouraged and challenged me for almost a decade. Thanks Lord!

Why I Love Scottsdale

After Taco night at Randy & Robin's

Isn't this illegal? NOT one of the reasons I love Scottsdale

Drunk on Mexican food and hot fudge sundeas

1. It's warm - 100+ degrees. Not once did I wear a sweater or even long sleeves.

2. There are great reaturants - Houston's, Sauce, & The Breakfast Club. I only gained 1.5 lbs .

3. Two of my brothers are there - Jeff & Randy and their families. We laughed a lot!

4. There is a fabulous Mall - Fashion Square, similar to The Forum Shops in Las Vegas

5. There are wonderful home decor stores

6. Jordan's Mexican Restaurant and Mary Coyle's IceCream Parlor - childhood favorites.

7. Jerry Sienfeld - a hilarious Friday night concert.

8. Daqaries by the pool...and fresh baked cookies delivered to my lounge.

9. All the cacti are in bloom and add lovely punches of color to the ordinarily brown desert.

10. It was vacation with all the above benefits.

Phoenix Phun

We are here in Phoenix enjoying perfect Arizona weather, a lovely hotel, great restaurants and good fellowship with the brothers. Tonight we were at Robin & Randy's home for tacos. They have repainted most of their house and it is lovely, warm and inviting. Earlier in the day we shopped at Scottsdale Fashion Square and ate the best pizza we'ver ever had...and that's saying somethin'. Tomorrow it's all day at the pool after I meet with my sweet cousin MeMe. Then on Saturday, it's haning with the brothers and then a Bar B Que at Michael and Rebecca's new home. Can't wait to see it. I hear it's quite the place. Enjoy the pictures.

5K, Roses & Indiana Jones

Saturday morning started bright & early as I drove Al, Maryanne & Jana to Bush Park for a 5K walk for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They did fantastically and finished 8th, 9th & 10th. After the walk, Jana & I headed to Starbucks and Al & Maryanne walked the almost 8 miles home. Training for the Marathon is serious business and they are following a very strict training regimine... and amazingly, enjoying it. Good for them!

This morning, I worked on the rose garden for nearly three hours. I've gotten a little behind on the weeding so I spent the majority of the time on that fun filled task. I did however end up with a ton of gorgeous roses that I have in bouquets all over the house. Roses are lots of work but the payoff is wonderful!

Later in the afternoon, Al and I joined JJ & Jana at the new Lancaster Mall Theater for the new Indiana Jones movie. It was really good until the last third and then it got a little too sci-fi for me. The boys loved it tho. I was so happy that the powers that be let Indie age appropriately, which played into some really funny moments. All in all it was a fun way to spend a gloomy Sunday afternoon.

On Wednesday, Al and I fly off to Phoenix for 5 days. I can't wait to enjoy the wonderful dry desert heat. We'll spend some good times with the Lloyd families x2 and on Friday night we're seeing Jerry Seinfeld at the Dodge Theater. Other than that, we'll be either at the pool or at Huston's Restaurant eating some of the greatest food in the world. I'll try to get to a computer while we're gone and post some pictures.