Big (BIG) News!!!!

Ok...its high time we told people this bit of information. Its seems selfish to not share our upcoming joy.

We are getting a new dishwasher!

You heard right, NEW. Not Craiglisted, not scratch and dent, brand stinkin' NEW!

We are (I am) having trouble deciding which brand to purchase. I have perused Consumer Reports, The Green Buying guide, numerous local Memorial day sales, and consumer reviews....but the fact remains, there is no sure thing.

So here is what we want: Quiet, cleans well, Energy star qualified, in the $5-600 range...pretty basic. Why does it seem so complicated?

Regardless, I can't wait...I love this kind of strategery and planning.

More spring fun...

The view from the back seat.

**Sara thinks this pic needs more explaination. Note: its her hair on the bottom edge of the photo...got it?

First 2008 meal off the Grill

Salmon, grilled asparagus and sweet potatos....

...cribbage, wine and Sara.
What could be better?

Big Gay Beach Weekend

...also known as Valerie's Big Gay Beach Weekend.

We rented a house at the beach...specifically at Fort Columbia State Park. It slept 12. It had a dining table for 12. It had couches for more than 12. It had old relics to explore. It had beach. It had bald eagles, sea gulls, terns, cormorants, grebes, ducks, newts, snails, slugs and a plethora of other wild life. The rental was affordable, fun and exceeded expectation.

And all that was just the location.

It was filled with great food. With old friends and new friends. With laughter, stories and good-natured fun. With quiet conversation, reading and intense scrabble. With raucous game playing, leg wrestling and raw, unfettered talent.

Yes. It was fun. Amazing fun. The people who came along made it fun...and as a sometimes socially awkward science nerd...I felt pretty gosh darn lucky. Thanks bitches.

Auntie Saras First Visit

I picked up Sara from the Airport on Thursday from her first visit to Colorado to visit the new niece. Sara's mom was there too. Sara and her sister 'Tweezer' took Grandma out to high tea for mothers days. All the ladies were dolled up in dresses, hats and feather boas...yes, there are pictures of the entire trip here! They hiked, relaxed in the hot springs, drank some beer, shopped and caught up.

Sara was an outstanding auntie from what I heard...besides making ridiculous noises and crazy faces to keep the wee one entertained, every time the baby cried, Sara would say "You're being such a baby, Jeez!" She said she had a fantastic time!

After I picked up Sara we headed straight to our Big Gay Beach Weekend (a.k.a. VM's Big Gay Beach weekend) which will be blogged about soon....or soonish.

Colorado Fun Preview

Sara, Sara's Mom, Sara's Brother-in-Law and Sara's Niece doing a little Colorado sight-seeing (with some horsing around on the side)

Weekend oddities

Nature reclaiming Portland. I visited the Fam this weekend, hung out with the nieces and nephews on Saturday...and Sara is meeting her first neice for the first time as I type this! Pictures of the merriment will be posted! Eventually....