Party Pooper

Barney has had enough of the party..

Jewells the Elf

A little ditty to get you in the holiday spirit! :-) Enjoy!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Beaver Toes

All "the girls" escaped for pedicures this morning. I picked orange polish for my toes in honor of OSU. Go Beavs!

The Animal Test

You Are a Monkey

You are a very fascinating creature. People are interested in every little thing you do. You are smart, curious, and clever. You are naturally witty, and you have a great sense of humor. You can see things from many different angles, and you always have an interesting perspective on life. You are likely agile and playful. You stay physically fit simply by staying active.

What Animal Are You?

How to deal

Griswald's Holiday Ale at Red Rock is the perfect way to deal with holiday stress.

Flavored Egg Nog

Only in Utah! They have to flavor the Egg Nog since they don't add burbon or rum.

The Accent Test

See on Hilary's site a few months back. Guess this could be true since my Mom is from Indiana/Pennsylvania and I talk just like her, but they really should have a Utah category and ask if "picture" and "pitcher" sound the same.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The Inland North
North Central
The South
The West
Philadelphia
The Northeast
Boston
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Are we there yet?

Barney is wondering just how long it takes to get to this Utah place he has heard so much about.

Sunrise

Beautiful sunrise this morning as the road stretches out in front of us.

Thoughts on Benny

My Alma mater Oregon State University is the home of Benny Beaver. This is the Benny I remember from my college days at OSU. He's sweet, he's cute and he is much more likely to make you laugh with his goofy smile than cause worry about him biting you.

This is the Benny Logo they use today. He's a lean, mean, beaver machine. He charges at his opponents and causes tremendous fear of biting.

For the record I've never been much a fan of the "new Benny" but I am a fan of winning football games and smelling roses, and if "new Benny" means more success on the football field that I say, "Move over Sailor Benny, you've been replaced!"

Last week OSU introduced Benny Jr which they hope will appeal to "younger fans." He is sporty, sweet and fun-loving and reminds me a bit of the Benny of my college days.

Whichever Benny inspires the team to kick ass is just fine with me. I'll be cheering today and hoping that Arizona is terrorized by the Beavers!

The Dog Breed Test

You Are a Boxer

You are playful and energetic. You bring joy to everyone who crosses your path. You are hyper to the point of being a comedian. Everyone is wondering what you will do next. You energy can get the better of you if you're not careful. You can have a destructive streak when you're bored. You're very strong willed and powerful. You get you way without even trying to.

What Breed of Dog Are You?

Tea Test

You Are Chai Tea

There are many subtle sides to your personality. You are difficult to decode. You are a complex and deep individual. You have many nuanced beliefs, and your mood frequently changes. You are a creative and expressive person. You draw your inspiration from the whole world. You enjoy exotic food, music, and travel. Your tastes are very international.

What Kind of Tea Are You?

Beagle Armor

Barney showing off his new raincoat which will surely keep him dry and warm this winter.

Chalk Talk

Saw this on our morning walk. This is the home that has the gigantic "No Dogs" sign in front, which I always steer Barney past. I guess they decided to take it to a new level by pulling the poop onto the sidewalk and then drawing around it with chalk. Seriously?

The Boob Nickname Quiz

Thank goodness they have a quiz for this cause I have been stumped for years!

You Should Call Your Boobs

Trinidad & Tobago

What Should You Nickname Your Boobs?

The Latte Test

You Are a Cinnamon Latte

Deep down, you are a sensitive soul. You just want to be loved and appreciated. You may have a spicy attitude, but you're all sweetness on the inside. You are dependable and loyal. You have your life together, and you're able to be there for other people. You like nothing more than a warm, cozy house filled with friends and loved ones.

What Flavor Latte Are You?

3 Wheelin for Beers

On my way to the grocery store yesterday morning I encountered a man (a full grown one) riding a tricycle at the top of my street. I yielded to him as he made his way around the traffic circle all the while wondering, "What the F*#k?"

My question may have been answered when I saw this video on Citizen Rain today. Apparently there was a tricycle race down Queen Anne hill yesterday afternoon which also involved beer consumption.



My thought after watching this video, "Damn I wish I had a tricycle, and thank God I don't."

The 6th Food Group

Cheese that doesn't require refrigeration!?! Meat that comes in a can!?! Some things just don't make sense and that is especially true when it comes to food. I decided years ago that there should be a 6th food group for all of the foods that can't be easily qualified in any of the traditional food groups. Kat, Don and I were discussing this over dinner last night and started making a list of foods that qualify for classification in the 6th food group. Our list, in alphabetical order, with hyperlinks:

Bologna
Bubble Tea
Cheese Whiz
Cool Whip
French Fried Onions
Fruit Cake
Hamburger Helper
Hot Dogs
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Jello
Macaroni & Cheese
Maraschino Cherries
Meat Pies
Marmite
Marshmallow Fluff
Mincemeat
Minute Rice
Powered Gravy
Pudding Snack Cups (unrefrigerated)
Soy Milk
Spam
Tongue Loaf
Twinkies, Ding Dongs and all other Hostess products
Vegemite
Velveeta
Vienna Sausage

When searching for the links for the items above I was shocked at how many of these treasures are manufactured by Kraft. The marketing professional in me couldn't help but think that maybe they should consider a new tag line - "Kraft: producing all your 6th food group favorites for 105 years" or "Kraft: where odd food is born." I may have to send them an email with my suggestion.

I eat foods some of the food that I classify in the 6th food group, in fact a few of the items listed are favorites of mine. I believe that life wouldn't be complete without many of the things on this list; cause, Cool Whip is just yum, it is fascinating to watch Velveeta melt and nothing cures a bad day like a box of Mac & Cheese.

Don sent me this link this morning to a few additional items which certainly need to be considered, proof that we have just begun exploring the world of the 6th food group. What food treasures do you think should be added to the list?

Dog Park Action

This is the extent of the action for Barney at the dog park today. Barney found the least muddy area and stood there, refusing to move, and observed the action.

Surf like a man or a woman?

Your Surfing Habits are 60% Male, 40% Female

If we had to guess, we would guess that you are a man. You use the internet to make your life more efficient - and to make you smarter. For you, the internet is like a vast encyclopedia. You search and surf extensively. You look up everything online.

Do You Use the Internet Like a Man or a Woman?

Weekend Wrap-Up

Don and I went to Corvallis, Oregon for the weekend, the highlights:

• Spent Thursday evening packing and getting ready for the trip.
• Woke early Friday to finish up and be ready to go at 7:00 a.m.
• Endured constant rain for the entire drive to Corvallis but Don made excellent time and got us there safe and sound.
• Had lunch at American Dream Pizza (one of my favorite college hangouts).
• Headed to campus for a couple of meetings.
• Met Don at Clodfelter's (another one of my favorite college hang outs) and had a few beer to celebrate successful meetings.
• Checked into our hotel and got settled in.
• Had drinks and then dinner at Micheal's Landing.
• Slept in.
• Enjoyed a mocha at The Beanery and decided that they really do make the best mocha in the entire world.
• Enjoyed the fall colors while walking around campus sharing stories and taking pictures.
• Picked up a new t-shirt and sweatshirt at the OSU Campus Bookstore.
• Saw the Homecoming Parade.
• Played cards and hung out at McMenamins (yet another college hangout spot).
• Cheered as OSU beat Arizona State although I could have done without the craziness at the end.
• Slept in, again. Yeah!
• Had breakfast at Elmer's on Sunday morning.
• Traveled home via Port Orchard to pick up Barney who had spent the weekend with my brother and sister-in-law.
• Unpacked and settled in for the week ahead.

How was your weekend?

Red State/Blue State Quiz

You Should Live in a Blue State

Your preferences are 75% Blue, 25% Red You may not vote Democrat, but you feel comfortable around people who do. You tend to do best in bluer states - like California or New York. You fit in with an educated, urban, progressive crowd.

Should You Live in a Red State or a Blue State?

Handbag Test

What Your Handbag Says About You

You tend to be relaxed throughout the day. You are naturally at peace. You are a high maintenance person. You feel lost outside of your normal environment. You are practical and down to earth. You tend to be a rather reserved and quiet person.

What Does Your Handbag Say About You?

Vote 2008

Took this just after I completed my ballot in the Shaw Room at the Seattle Center.

The Voting Test

You Should Be Allowed to Vote

You got 14/15 questions correct. Generally speaking, you're very well informed. If you vote this election, you'll know exactly who (and what) you'll be voting for. You're likely to have strong opinions, and you have the facts to back them up.

Should You Be Allowed to Vote?

Test Run

Sound Transit has been running test runs with the new light rail cars for a while now and I saw one today.

VOTE!

I love to vote! I have always voted at my assigned polling location, never by absentee ballot. There is something I love about voting in person. I love signing my name, getting my ballot and closing the curtain behind me as I punch holes or fill in dots on my ballot. The whole process makes me feel very American, very proud. Plus I love getting my "I VOTED" sticker and wearing it for the rest of the day to remind others to vote.

I know many who hate voting in-person whether it be the long lines or the craziness of the whole experience and opt for an absentee ballot. My parents have already voted as Utah offers the option to "vote early" in numerous locations. I don't so much care how people cast their votes, just that they vote.

Voting has never been an "optional" thing in my world. My parents instilled the importance of voting when I was young. I remember them engaging my brothers and me in conversations about the candidates and issues when we were children seated around the dinner table. I remember watching as they sifted through the Voter Guide and made their decisions of ballot measures and candidates. And, I remember being envious of the process and wishing I were 18 and could participate for myself.

It is hard for me to understand why people don't exercise their right to vote and take the responsibility seriously. According to the United States Census Bureau in the last presidential election (November 2004) only 64% percent of voting-age citizens cast a ballot, and that was the highest turnout since 1992. In the previous presidential election (November 2000) only 60% of voting-age citizens turned out. Those that don't vote often have their excuses and reasons but if I were to get a few minutes with someone that I knew wasn't going to vote tomorrow I would share the following.

Not only are we electing a President tomorrow but we are electing 11 Governors, 35 Senators, and Representatives for every seat (435) in the House. States will be voting on ballot measures that include issues like abortion, anti-affirmative action, immigration, same-sex marriage, renewable energy, transportation, drug policy, elections and campaign finance, to name a few. The men and women who will represent us and shape the future of our country will be elected (or not) tomorrow. When you think that one vote can't make a difference, consider the following:

• In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.
• In 1846, one vote started the Mexican-American War, which resulted in the U.S. gaining control of the territories of the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and California.
• In 1867, one vote ratified the purchase of Alaska.
• In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
• In 1875, one vote changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
• In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency of the United States.
• In 1920, one vote gave women the right to vote when Harry Burn cast the deciding vote in the Tennessee State Legislature, making Tennessee the 36th state to ratify the 19th amendment and finally ending the 72 year struggle for woman’s suffrage.
• In 1923, one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi party and eventual control of Germany.
• In 1916, Woodrow Wilson defeated his opponent by less than one vote per precinct in a single state.
• In 1941, one vote defeated the bill to kill the draft law, three months before Pearl Harbor.
• In 1948, Lyndon B. Johnson became a U.S. senator by a one vote margin.
• In 1960, the presidential election, one additional vote per precinct in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and Texas would have put Richard M. Nixon in office eight years earlier.
• In 1978, one vote decided an Alaska state senate election.
• In 1982, In Illinois, Governor Jim Thompson defeated Adlai Stevenson by less than 1/2 a vote per precinct.
• In 1986, one vote raised Iowa’s drinking age from 19 to 21.
• In 1994, one vote would have decided a Wyoming state representative election. Instead, the tie-vote election and recount for the seat from the Jackson Hole area was decided when a ping pong ball, bearing the winner's name was pulled from the Governor's cowboy hat in a drawing before the State Canvassing Board.
• In 2005, one vote killed legislation banning discrimination against gays and lesbians in the state of Washington.

One vote can and has made a difference! Please take the time out of your day and exercise your right to vote tomorrow.

Won't commit to the bed

Taken while waiting for the ferry to Seattle. Barney won't get in his bed in fear of missing out on something so he's asleep on the edge.

Fall Color

The leaves and Willamette River from the riverfront path outside our hotel.