Today's blog is dedicated to my friend, Eileen Qualey Koutsulis daughter of Eleanore Qualey who passed away from breast Cancer in June 2007. Eileen and her sister are doing the Avon Walk in Chicago as I type, May 31st and June 1st. Eileen lives in Henderson, NV with her hubby, John and son, Sam. She has been training for months. One day she called me or I her, don't remember which but she was walking 14 miles that day pushing the limit. Her usual walk was approximately 5 miles, she was determined to get in shape for "The Walk". I made the tin so that she could document her walk: journal and pictures. I also made her a bracelet. She sent me some great beads that had the pink ribbon on them and a toggle. I forgot to take pictures of it so you'll have to trust me, it was cute. (Of course I copied the tin idea from my df Laura Plunk, she had made a few of these.) Eileen whatever you walk consider yourself a winner! You go girl!!!!! Can't wait to see pictures!

Mama please don't go.....................

I'm off to my scrapbooking retreat this weekend. This will be our 3rd retreat in 7 months and we will probably set the date for the next one while we're there.

I am part of a group of 10-11 women that likes to get together for a whole weekend of scrapbooking staying up to all hours, eating and drinking. We actually are productive, really! This time we are trying the Self and Soul Retreat Center in Talent, OR. Just a hop, skip and a jump from Ashland. It's close (which is a good thing right now) and it's a really nice place. We've tried other places but there's always been something wrong with them. I hope that this is "the one". Look for pictures next week!

The guys are on their own!

Today's blog is dedicated to my cousin Ruben Loranca who is losing his battle with liver cancer. He has been hanging on for 3 years! I received an email from his brother Rick (on the left) that he and Bob (youngest brother in Seattle) were on their way to Vermont to be with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time. Hang in there Rube!

This weekend was great except for our little jaunt on Saturday morning. Linda and I went to No Bare Pages to shop. Got there at 10am, shopped, left our purchases behind the counter and went to get coffee. We thought that we would wait until the line went down but it never did. It ended up circling the store! We waited about 2 hours and saw everything flying off the shelves including the actual paper trays! It was sad. There were people there from Redding, CA. Most of the people I'd never seen. Most display stands, etc. were sold or on hold for someone. I suspect that there won't be much left by June 13th. I will post the two pictures I took tomorrow.

Made it home in time to go with the guys to see the new Indiana Jones movie. It was great, very entertaining and a few surprises I didn't know about. I recommend it, so go see it if you haven't. And if you haven't seen Iron Man, don't wait any longer. It is the best picture I've seen in a while, (oh wait read below).
We Netflix, my favorite movie, P.S. I Love You, a total chick flick but Pete liked it, at least he said he did frankly I think he was a little bored with it. I love it and highly recommend it. I love it so much it's on my birthday list!
I am in organizational mode and am moving things around and getting rid of things. That's how I spent most of my Sunday! On Monday, I planted geraniums and alyssum in my pots and the beautiful azalea Pete and Rocky gave me for v-day, hope it makes it outside now.
Back to work and I need to start packing tonight for our retreat this weekend.

I just thought I would share one of my favorite pictures of Trinity Jayde Pagan, my great niece. This picture should be an indication of her zaniness. I wish they were closer, I always feel like I'm missing so much. When I left New York for many years while "the boys", Brandon and Trevor were growing up I spent many times crying especially around that time of the month. Pete would ask "what are you crying about" and my response would be "you know" and he knew. I just missed them growing up. I always felt like they were my own boys. Mom would babysit very often on the weekends. If I was out partying at night, of course the next morning I would try to sleep in and would awaken to a baby crying in the room next to mine. I would just get up, grab the baby and bring him to bed with me and then I would get some sleep. Worked like a charm.
Brandon's first is Trinity Jayde and second Tristyn Lola. Trevor's only daughter is Sofia Isabella. I don't hear much from Trevor but Brandon, my godson always keeps in touch and his wonderful wife, Jennifer never fails to keep me in the loop as far as pictures. How lucky am I that she loves to take pictures and I love to document my life in pictures!

I'm back! It wasn't that bad and I didn't have to stay the whole time, the case was postponed until mid-July and now I've done my duty.

A sad day for Rogue Valley scrapbookers. Last evening we received a newsletter from No Bare Pages informing us that they would be closing their doors forever in June. So sorry to hear that since it has always been my favorite place to crop. I've never cropped anywhere else and now we'll have to look for a new place. I belong to a group that does retreats throughout the year. Right now we are averaging 3-4 a year but we still like to do our monthly crops with the people we've come to know and love the last 3 years.

It's come time to close another chapter in our lives and open another. We will miss the comraderie we've had in No Bare Pages and wish Valerie and Carma the best in their future endeavors.

Inquiring minds are probably wondering what was Janie doing on jury duty.............well, I made it there by 7:50am and after getting through the body search and x-ray machines went upstairs to a room that was probably holding about 300 people. Wow, I didn't expect that many people there. They had coffee, juice, muffins, etc. I actually was made up and had a quick breakfast at home, but I hadn't had a cup of coffee yet. After securing a great, comfy seat I ran up and got a cup of joe with coffee mate (ugh). After filling out my paperwork and listening to the Judge do his spiel we waited until our "number" was called, mine wasn't and then I was out of there. There were 3 cases and by the time they put us through the process only one case was left. So by 9:00 am I was in Medford looking for something to do, let's see what shopping can I do at 9am! I hit TJ Maxx after getting myself a real cup of coffee at The Bros. and bought Rocky some clothing. I cleaned out his closet on Saturday and he didn't have not one dress shirt (just in case I need a real shirt) and only one pair of shorts (denim because he needs to have nylon shorts with an elastic waist and pockets). Bought him 2 pairs of nice shorts, 1 black nylon short, 1 dress shirt and a really nice tee shirt. I really hit it well at TJ's for him. I did not check anything out for myself since it was really all about him. I also stopped by Michaels - nothing exciting. Joann's, bought 2 - 8x8 paper packs for kids (still working on great niece's pages). Bimart - got batteries for a couple of watches. And a couple of miscellaneous stops and then it was time for work - ugh! I coulda kept window shopping at least.

Jury update: I called last night and they didn't need me today.

Just called and I need to be there by 9:00am! That will be 3 days that I don't work out, now I'll have to work out this weekend!

Lithia Park........thought you might enjoy some pictures I took on Friday night. Pete and I went to Hong Kong (the restaurant) to eat dinner and walked in the park afterwards. Rocky was on a boy scout campout trip up in Keno until Sunday afternoon.

Our hills arent' covered with too much vetch yet, but the sides of our road are (including some other weeds). The picture doesn't do it justice because the color is so vibrant. Pete needs to fix an attachment to the tractor because our weeds on the sides of the road are about to take over the car! Pete has been doing a golf tournament since Saturday, today is the last day and I think he might not do his regular Tuesday golfing, who knows. Of course if it is raining, he will stay home. My car and I hope for rain!
I am off to Jury Duty tomorrow, have to be there at 8:00 a.m. I hope those people don't expect me to be beautiful at that time! Later!

Today marks our 26th anniversary that I moved in with Pete in Las Vegas, of course. I was just a young Bronx girl who never thought about moving anywhere else until I met Pete and he asked me. Really Las Vegas............who would think about moving there, especially in 1982! It was a big adventure for me and of course my family. I was very close to my family and the only places I'd been to were Puerto Rico and Florida and those were vacations. To move was a big thing and of course to live "in sin" with someone was even bigger. It really was a big secret that only my brother and mom knew about for many years.

Well, here we are 26 years later, still together!

(This is our most recent picture taken last month at Pat and Willie's wedding celebration at our neighbor's Nan and Paul's house.)

Today I am off to the facial (since I can't spell the proper name) school to get a $10.00 facial that last an hour! The last time I went it was soooo great, so I decided to go again and take gf Linda Fern with me. We will be there in Talent at 9am and after hopefully a delicious breakfast somewhere and maybe a little shopping too. We will try and stay cool, it's supposed to be cooler today than yesterday, what a scorcher!
Rocky is off to Camporee in Keno with the Scouts and since I am out and about Pete will be golfing (he only got 2 days in this week).
Keep cool!

Yes, I've been selected................Tuesday, May 20th, 8 a.m. Oh, my gosh I barely get up by 8! The last time I was called in I was about 6 months pregnant, so I got out of that one, because in Vegas it can go on forever. Luckily it's a short period here. So off I will go on Tuesday morning and do my thing, whatever that is. I will keep you posted!
Oh my gosh what a scorcher today, shades of Vegas...............
There is a merchant sidewalk sale going on this weekend in Ashland. So if you're in the area check it out!

Last night gf Laura, friend Ann, gf Anita and I went to see "The Clay Cart" at the Shakespeare Festival. Last night's performance and the night before were Comp +2. They usually do that when the performance is empty and they want to fill the house. I love those comp+2 because they don't count against my 22 comps a season. Unfortunately it's usually a last minute thing and it's hard to round up people that will go- but I managed to! We all met at the front of the theatre at 7:30pm. It was funny, and beautiful to look at. It was a different story since it was translated from sanskrit. The costumes were very colorful as well as the set. It's so interesting to see these actors, (some that come back year after year) in such different roles. Laura didn't want to see Fences but I really think she shouldn't miss it, it closes on July 6th.

Only in Ashland.................Deb Small came in the office Friday afternoon and said there was a lady by the Starbucks that just rode up on her bicycle. From the back Deb thought is was a tanned man with long hair because the back was bare, but no it was a woman in all her glory, tanned and bare from the waist up!

Later that afternoon I went over to the box office and Carol Bue has a window by her desk, she also saw the naked lady. Some guy wanted to take her picture and she stripped completely and did a headstand! How's that!

Apparently, she's from Ojai and likes living out here a lot better because she can ride her bike naked, the laws changed in Ojai and it didn't suit her, so now we have her! Every day a new adventure in this little town of 20,000.

Those fuzzy things are babies! Houston we have babies! I can't believe I got this picture I was in a hurry and took about 6 pictures hopping that one of them would come out alright and I think you can tell something is in there. I need to take a picture of our back nest. We have a swallows nest in the back porch that houses our heat pump and you can see it out the laundry room window. The swallows come back every year and have more babies. The nest remains in the same spot. The Wild Blue guys bumped it up a little and we didn't know if they would nest in it but they did, never fails.
Look for more updates!
And speaking of Wild Blue (satellite internet service) if you don't read your contact carefully they will cut out your internet access. We have the basic plan and downloading is limited! Can you believe that! Well, who'd a thunk! Rocky has been having a hay day downloading podcasts, etc. and they cut off our access. They said it was in our contract, Pete read it and lo and behold there it was. If we had the Platinum plan we'd be in like flint but we don't! Don't know how Pete and Rocky will survive the month!

Breakfast in bed and a drive was all I wanted for Mother's day, oh and a picture with my son and 4 legged kids, of course Lizzie was not much into my wish. Pete bbq-ed a tri-tip, garlicky (real) green beans and terriyaki potatoes, yum, a great dinner for Mother's Day and I didn't have to make any of it. He made a chocolate cake on Friday, I did make the frosting and frosted it for him and I did have a small piece on Saturday.

Oh, Pete made 2 mini breakfast, small pancakes and scrambled eggs with a piece of ham and a sugar-free vanilla latte, of course, yes that is a half a bagel (a little scorched but still good).

We went to see Iron Man on Saturday and I highly recommend it. Do wait until all the credits are done because you'll need to see what's next.

The rashes are still around and I'm learning to live with them. My neck and face has cleared up pretty much but it moved down to my boobs, gotta love that! I'm pretty much scabs and rashes right now but not as itchy as before.

The porch view is actually a picture Pete took yesterday when we were driving down Dead Indian.

Today is Mother's Day and my blog is dedicated to my mom, Aminda Pagan, born November 5, 1930 in New York City to Damaso Pagan and Luisa Lugo Pagan. If it wasn't for my mom I wouldn't be where I am today. She was mother and father to me and my brother growing up in the Bronx and always did the best she could. Mom stayed living in Henderson while we moved on. Today is her day and I salute her. Happy Mother's Day Mom!
(photo was taken at a tea in her honor, for her birthday at the Red Rooster Antique Mall in Las Vegas, NV.)
Happy Mother's Day to all my friends.........

My neighbor's on Dead Indian have quite the menagerie, mainly peacocks (traditional color and white), turkeys (heritage and white), ducks, geese, and goats. This would have been a great picture if the peacock didn't hear me walking up to take the picture. It was actually showing it's feathers but dropped them when it heard me. Maybe next time..........
Our mailbox is next to one of their fields and occasionally when the goats are in that field they all stare at me when I get out of the car, it's really funny. They will even come up closer if they're far away. I guess they think they're getting company and have to make their presence.

I am an absolute mess right now. Pete and I don't think it's all poison oak, we think I'm allergic to something. Today it's more hives in many places, mainly my arms and legs. I have a rash that starts on my chest, up my neck and is spreading onto my face, what a beauty! I did take zantac and claritan for the itching just like Dr. Leone recommended for Pete's poison oak and we think maybe it's not working for me so I stopped it today. I'm trying a homeopathic remedy now and lots of itching cream! I also took just one claritan alone.

The rhodies are in bloom here at the Festival and they are beautiful! Just behind that planter are the roses that I occasionally snip so that I can have one here at my desk.

The weather is finally BEAUtiful! Still cool, but sunny.

Lots going on today here in sunny Ashland. 1st street is closed by the Ashland Springs Hotel getting ready for Billary's, sorry Hillary's arrival at 5:00pm. I wasn't sure if the Elks parking lot would be open to the public, and thank god it wasn't. I got my ole parking spot and I'll take a different route when I get out today or stay a little late until all the hoopla is done. She's supposed to be there 5-7pm. I'm sure she'll have a good turnout but most of the Festival and I think, Ashland is pro-Barrack.



Saw my new best friend Jeanne White yesterday and got my knee and my right thumb stuck! I can feel an improvement with my knee already on the second visit, hope it only gets better.

Also, went to visit my friendly eye doctor, Ken Loftus of Ashland Eye Care and mama's getting a brand new pair of glasses. I'm not retiring my beautiful old ones, just making those totally reading glasses. The new pair (Melissa) are Liz Claiborne's, kind of a magenta color with mother of pearl in-laid on the sides, very snazzy and no one has them yet! I decided to make them my everyday pair so that I can continue to advertise for Ken since everyone loved the old ones. It was very hard to give them up but Melissa said I needed to get new ones and she's right. So many beautiful frames these days, very hard to make a choice.

Four eggs now. Mama's been keeping them warm. It's funny when I let Shadow out in the morning Mama bird doesn't fly away, I guess because he's lower to the ground. When the human's go out of course she flies away. Lizzie was bugging me when I let Shadow out and I could hear the birds because they heard her so I'm sure they were freaking out a bit. Lizzie thinks she wants to be an outside cat but we don't let her. Ocassionally we'll let her out when the weather is nice but we check on her. It has to be nice. When it's cold and she wants to go out she'll step out and turn around to come in- whimp!

It was all about Trinity and her baby pictures for me on Friday and Saturday. Of course, eating, shopping, socializing, etc. I started an 8x8 album a while ago but hadn't kept up with it. Trinity is now 3 and she has a one year old sister so needless to say I have to get busy. I was so blessed that Brandon married Jennifer, who loves to take pictures at least until one of the babies gets a hold of the camera! Baby Tristyn recently broke Jennifer's fairly new camera so I haven't gotten too many pictures lately. Oh, and they've added to their brood, now they have a mastiff puppy. Four kids; 2 under 3, 2 grammar school kids and a puppy, oh boy someone has their hands full! Besides the piles and piles of my own pics I also have my sweet nephew's family! I can't even think about Rocky's People to People trip last Summer, you should see that pile!

OUT CREATING

A couple of layouts in honor of "National Scrapbook Day".......let the festivities begin! At 5:00pm today you can find me at No Bare Pages until 10:oop.m. and then back there again on Saturday, 10:00am - 10:00pm. There will be a challenge, make-n-takes, prizes and lots of scrapbooking going on. There will also be lots of eating and socializing, oh, and shopping, forgot the shopping, yes, shopping. It will be a fun-filled 2 days. We get to leave all our stuff on Friday night so we can take off running on Saturday morning. Can't wait until 5:00pm to meet the gang. Will return to posting on Sunday!

For some reason my post is a little off.
Looks like I might have a winery a mile down the road from our house. If you look real hard you can see the vines in one of the pictures. The next picture shows the entry gate that they are building. They also put a bridge over the creek but it's not open to the road yet.

Can't wait to do some tasting!