HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Another years has gone by so quickly.  Happy Halloween to all!  I am currently working in the PGE Gresham Community Office.  We had an office potluck and dressed in costumes and gave candy to the kids who came in to the office today.

Gary Sprague, Connie (me), Alisa Rich, Sue Diereckx

cowboy - Cruella deVille - pirate - Minnie Mouse

 

Little Alexis was supposed to be BMO from Adventure Time.  She lasted only a house or two then decided the box was too constricting.  She swapped costumes with her daddy and decided to be Finn.  Then the had got too hot so she decided to go costumeless and just run around the neighborhood begging for trick or treat candy!

Alexis as Finn

Alexis with her candy loot

Happy Halloween from the other Tulls

 

Hope everyone had a good time.  There were only twenty trick or treaters in our neighborhood this year.  Leftovers for us!

OMG! BIG NUMBER!

Today is my birthday.  I cannot believe I am turning 60 this year.  Where did the time go?  I don't feel 60.  I don't think I look 60.  I know I don't act like I am 60.  All I know is that I am very blessed to have live 60 years.  I have a wonderful husband, daughter, son, daughter in law, granddaughter, two sisters and the best extended family and friend network ever!  Bring on the 60's-it just gets better and besides, it is only a number, right?

FAMILY CAMPING TRIP

Our annual family camping trip to the A-House as Alexis calls it.  We usually go in the month of July.  This year was Jay's 60th birthday, so a celebration it was.  Fishing and playing at the lake, laying around getting some vitamin d, making smores and just enjoying each other.  So thankful to have a wonderful family, we truly are blessed.

The trip was topped off with a visit to Crater Lake!

Happy Halloween

I cannot believe it has been an entire year since I posted something on my blog.  Well, have to start up again sometime......

Happy Halloween.  A lot of people dressed up in costumes at work today.  Not me though, I am not in to that and besides I can be pretty scary just the way I am.

I am sad that Alexis was not able to go out tonight.  She has been looking forward to trick or treating dressed as her favorite pet, Joey, her cat.  Vanessa, bless her heart, who does not normally sew, put together her costume.  However, tonight she had a temperature of 101, coughing and vomiting, had to stay home.  After a nice warm bath, she did get to put on her costume and answer the door a few times dressed as Joey.  I hope to post pictures later.

As for trick or treaters in the Regency Park neighborhood, not so good this year.  Normally we get over 100 kids come to the door.  Tonight, there may have been maybe 25-30 at most.  Kinda disappointing, especially since the weather decided to cooperate and not rain between 6-8 pm.

HAPPY GRADUATION JORDAN

Good grief!  Jordan has graduated from high school in a blink of an eye.  It seems like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms as a baby.  I am so proud of you Jordan for everything you have accomplished so far in your 18 years and what you have yet to accomplish in your future.  I wish you the best next year at Coe College in Iowa.  That is far away, but it will make you appreciated your home and your family when you come back for visits.  We will miss you, but I know you will be very successful in all that you strive for.  Congratulations!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Today is my dad's birthday.  If he were still alive, he would have been 93 today.  Not a day goes by that something I say or do reminds me of him.  Like father, like daughter.  Happy Birthday Norman Yuen Chinn!  I miss you.

GARIBALDI OREGON

Jay and I went to the Oregon Coast for a spring getaway courtesy of our lovely daughter Andi and our wonderful son-in-law Clark.  We planned ahead, made the reservations and anticipated for at least a month.  We had a wonderful time, stayed at a wonderful hotel with a pool, sauna and hot tub, hot breakfasts in the morning.  We visited the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Here is Jay enjoying some ice cream while I have fun in the bus.



We went to Cape Meares and hiked around the trails there.  I love a storm at the beach, but not really when we are out walking about.

All in all we had a wonderful time.  We drove up to Cannon Beach and Seaside to do some shopping.
Thank you for a great time and Happy 38th Anniversary.

NEWBERG HIGH SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

Carol and I walked in the 5K fundraiser.  I think it was for the senior party, but not sure.  I made it, that's all that matters, bringing up the rear.  Anything for charity, right?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY ALEXIS

Hard to believe two years have gone by.  Are we ready for the two's?  This G-Ninnie is ready, bring it on!

BOO!

Happy Halloween to all!  This is really not my favorite holiday.  I had to work until 7:00 pm tonight, so by the time I got home all the cute little people in their cute little costumes had come and gone through the neighborhood.  Jay said we almost ran out of candy.

Here is my sweet punkin, Alexis, having a fun evening with her friend Keely.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Yes, as I celebrate another birthday, I remember how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family and friends to enjoy life with.  Thank you to all of you who remembered and made me feel so special.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY SIS

Yes, it is true, we are twins, we just celebrate our birthdays on different days.  Happy Birthday to you, only 365 more days until the big 50.  Glad we could have lunch together.  Maybe next year we should plan a trip - I miss our birthday vacations.

GO NEWBERG TIGERS!

What a fun evening watching Jordan play his last homecoming football game as a Newberg Tiger.  Even better that they beat Hillsboro tonight.  I am glad to be sharing some special moments together with the Mayfield family.  Just doesn't seem possible that Jordan is growing up to be a very nice and special young man.

3 MONTH ANNIVERSARY

Today is my three month anniversary with PGE.  Yipee!  The time has flown by and I even have seniority now because a new class of Customer Service Reps started on October 3.  I am loving the job, the people and the company.  I learn at least one new thing every day.

FIRST DAY AT PGE

Today is my first day as a PGE employee.  Excited, nervous, happy, anxious.....so many feelings.  Andi took me shopping for a whole closet full of new clothes.  Reminds me when I used to take the kids school shopping before school started in the fall.   So, what will I wear on the first day? 

I decided on a khaki colored dress with a cute little cardigan with matching coppery gold sandals.  There are fourteen people in this new hire class.  I appear to the be oldest one in the class with the majority of the other people mostly in their twenties.  The stress begins... more to follow.  The first day was full of excitement, making new friends and trying to find my place at PGE.

IT'S GRAMMA WEDNESDAY WITH BOTH GRAMMAS

Yes, it is Wednesday, but no more G-Ninnie Wednesdays for me for a very long time.  Back to work, my prayers have been answered.  I sure will miss my baby Alexis.

Today, which is my last Wednesday before I start my new job, I was invited out to have a play date with Gramma Go Go and Alexis.  We walked to the park and played on the play structure until we got hot and tired.  Back home to Alexis' house, Gramma Go Go fixed us a very nice special lunch.   Thank you Teresa!  After lunch we blew bubbles in the front yard before naptime. 

I am so very blessed to have a good friend like Teresa which would never happened except two people fell in love.  Thanx Bryan and Vanessa!

Alexis and G-Go Go

G-Ninnie and Alexis

Yummy chocolate cake

Croissant sandwich and pasta salad with spinach and pine nuts

YAHOO! I FINALLY GOT A JOB!!!!!

After 700 applicants, narrowed to 200 for testing, narrowed to 100 for personal interviews, I was selected one of 14 people offered a Customer Service Representative for PGE (Portland General Electric).  I have passed the drug test and my start date is July 11, 2011.  I am super excited!  This has been a long time coming since I was laid off my previous job since January 4, 2010.  Thank you Lord!  Patience is a virtue.

NO NO SALLY

Alexis loves Lucy and Sally, but one day when she was here, Lucy licked her and Sally knocked her over, so she learned to tell Sally "no! no!"  That was so cute!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Happy Fathers Day to all the wonderful dads!  A special shout out to my husband Jay who is a good dad and grandpa and my son Bryan who is a good dad.  A mom has gotta be proud of that!

SALLY THE HUNTER

This morning Sally caught a crow while it was trying to eat suet out of the bird feeder in the backyard.  She caught it in her mouth and proceeded to kill it; the wings were still flapping.  It tried to fly away but ended up in the neighbors backyard and died.  Bye bye birdie!

CAMP NINNIE AKA GPA'S BOOT CAMP

We drove to Tacoma today to pick up Lucy and Sally for their three week summer vacation in Portland at the Tully's Doggie Day Care.  The parents are going to be out of town and unable to care for them so instead of us camping out at their house, we are taking them to Camp Ninnie aka Gpa's Boot Camp (and if they don't mind, they will get a boot up their you know what!).

The first night they were good doggies and were glad to be here and be spoiled with tender loving care!

devil in disguise

Lucy - aww so sweet

lockdown at Boot Camp Ninnie

CANDY STRIPER NINNIE

I love my volunteer job on Tuesdays at Portland Providence Hospital.  It is so rewarding to help others and give back to the community in which I live.  I have many memories at this hospital and now have been adding more to my memory bank.  I wear my cute little pink striped jacket and always wear a big smile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE DAUGHTER, ANDREA MICHELLE TULL

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to my favorite daughter, Andi...
Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!

31 years ago she came into this world and has not stopped since.  I am so proud of her and her accomplishments and I could not have asked for a better daughter. 

Nothing like a dad and his daughter!  Daddy's little girl is all grown up now...

ENVIOUS

I took my sister, Carol and my brother in law, Steve, to the airport so they could go on a wonderful vacation!  Although well deserved, I am envious.  Of course, the good thing for Jay and I is that we get to take care of their dog, Harley, while they are gone. 

Isn't she adorable?

I AM GETTING OLD

Today I went to the eye doctor for a check up and realized I am aging, my eyes are getting worse, so glasses full time for me now.  The doctor says progressive bi-focals are the prescription.  Okay, so I ordered some glasses and some sunglasses too!  I am becoming my mother, we all do at some point.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL

So glad to celebrate Easter with the family.  Clark, Andi, Lucy, Sally, Bryan, Vanessa and Alexis were here with Jay and I.  It was laid back and very relaxing to catch up with each other.  A time to rejoice, reflect and renew.   AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Wishing we could have had the entire extended family here, we didn't even celebrate Christmas with the entire family.  I miss that!

ANOTHER SUNNY DAY IN TACOMA-PRAISE THE LORD IT'S SUNDAY

Thank you God for another sunny day.  The dogs are loving how they are getting spoiled with lots of attention, walks in the neighborhood, treats and being able to just roam about the cabin as they say (no crates for these dogs for the past five days). 

They sure enjoy sunning themselves either outside or inside.  They are some happy campers at this Tacoma house!

Clark and Andi's neighbor, Robert, is spoiling them by edging and cutting the grass this morning.  Then he is spoiling me later by treating me to his homemade navy bean and ham soup that has been simmering all day long.

I have to drink some caffeine this afternoon so I can stay awake to go pick up the kids at the SeaTac airport.  Their flight doesn't arrive until approximately 12:30 am, yes, in the morning.  Hope they don't have to get to work too early tomorrow, cuz it will be a late night for them and me.

I am missing my sweetie in Portland, so will head off on to I5 tomorrow when I get up.  I hope he misses me too.

SUNNY SATURDAY IN TACOMA WASHINGTON

I woke up this morning to sunshine and my two granddogs licking my face telling me to get up and get us breakfast!  After leisurely enjoying my coffee, both dogs got a walk through the neighborhood; first Sally, then Lucy.  I cannot walk them together by myself.  Lucy is way too strong for me to handle her and the puppy.  Then I left them in the backyard while I trotted down to the farmers market in the Proctor district.    There were lots of pretty flowers, fresh veggies and fruit, garden plants and they even sell fresh beef and pork there too.  Farmers markets are always good for people watching.  Didn't come home with any purchases, but had lots of fun taking it all in.  I also had to walk through the Metropolitan Market - always fun to see what they have there.

I came back to see Sally peeking at me from under the gate in the front of the house.  Lucy was sunning herself on the back deck.  Andi and Clark's neighbor was outside working in his yard.  He invited me over for a tour of their newly remodeled home.  We saw it last fall when they were still under construction.  It was a complete makeover.   I enjoyed seeing the completed project, new kitchen appliances, hardwood floors, new furniture, new bathroom, bedrooms and had a nice visit with Robert and Marla.  I especially liked the open floor plan which creates a great atmosphere for family gatherings.  They have been such good neighbors to Clark and Andi and are very nice people.

Lucy, Sally and I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the deck soaking in the sun (at least I think that is what that bright thing in the sky was).

Thank Goodness It's Friday

A break in the rain here in Tacoma gave me a chance to take Lucy for a walk.  I think she had her feelings hurt yesterday because Sally got to go for walk.  After we got back, she took her morning nap.  While the dogs were napping, I went on an outing.  A trip to Tacoma is not complete without a trip to the Brown and Haley factory outlet store, home of the infamous Almond Roca!  I picked up a few things to take home (Jay's favorite-cherry mountain bars) and then off to check out the North Tacoma Goodwill store and new thrift store on 6th Avenue.   No money spent there since I didn't find any bargains or anything I had to have.  It was happy hour at Sonic so I stopped to try a cherry limeade that Bryan is always raving about.  I also went to a cool store called Tacoma Boys.  The deal of the day was a fresh mango for $1.  I stopped at TJ Maxx and wandered around before my outing was over. 

I prepared a chicken, bowtie pasta, broccoli dish for dinner.  I made lots so Clark and Andi will have leftovers when they come home.

The pantry was in need of a makeover, so that kept me busy for the rest of the evening.

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED

After taking Clark and Andi to SeaTac airport late last night, the girls and I got settled in for the night.  Unfortunately, I woke up this morning at 6:00 am to sound of Sally chewing up my slippers.  She must have been at it for quite a while because one of them was pretty well shredded.

I got up, fed them breakfast, had my coffee and breakfast, then decided when there was a break in the rain, Sally needed to go for a walk to get her wiggles out.  Lucy stayed home and I don't think she understood why she had to stay home.  Tomorrow will be her day.  This gramma dog cannot handle both of them at the same time.

Taco salad for dinner with leftover taco meat, cheese, tortilla chips, lettuce and one of my favorite salad dressings, cilantro lime.  Yummy!

The refrigerator and microwave was in need of some soap and water, so did my mom thing before the luxury of watching tv in bed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NUMBER ONE SON!

It is hard to believe that thirty two years ago today (it was FRIDAY THE 13TH) that 6'4" son of mine came in to this world.  It has been thirty two years of happiness for our family.  What a proud mom I am to see what he has become.  As a mom, that is all we want for our children...for them to become productive, happy adults.  What a blessing!

He spent the day at one of his favorite places, Mt Hood, snowboarding!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN!

I spent the day on the road north to Tacoma to have some quality time with my granddogs, Lucy and Sally, while their parents take a little time off for some rest and relaxation.  They are meeting up with the Mather family (Chris, Nancy, Graham and Erica) to celebrate Graham's birthday and have a mini family reunion in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia!

Andi made homemade pizza for dinner before we had to head out for their red eye flight.  Can I just say yum?

G-NINNIE WEDNESDAY

It is G-Ninnie Wednesday, but I am on the road to spend time with my granddogs, Lucy and Sally (check out my other posts this week).