Thanksgiving

This picture is of J shooting his Ruger 22. As you can see we had quite a line up of bottles to shoot this year. We filled them with puddle water so when we shot them the effect was a little more dramatic. By the way, canning jars are fun to shoot, they just shatter!

I am sure that I have told some of you (jokingly) that the reason I married J is that his family has a tradition of target shooting on Thanksgiving just like my family does. This year J had Thanksgiving off from work. By taking only one personal day he was able to have a 5 day vacation. We spent the first two with my dad at the ranch and the last two with his family with a day in the middle for travel. Tuesday we went riding and shooting and I made a little mini Thanksgiving dinner since Mom is down at Nan's and Dad is home alone. We had a very nice time and it felt really good to ride again before winter sets in. Normally there is snow at the ranch by this time of year, but not this year. Thursday M made breakfast for us then W, K, J and I went shooting. We shot a box of clays then moved on to shooting bottles with the 22s. We had a whole lot of fun. I was a little frustrated with my shooting. I know I am better than what I did, but not having my own gun and switching guns every time I go has really really damaged my average! (Hehe, at some point I will have my own 22 rifle and shotgun and then will have no more excuses for my poor shooting! ) Just the thought of having a gun sighted in the way I like makes me sigh. J's sisters were not home so it was just us and his brother and parents, but we had fun playing games and eating the wonderful food M fixed. Friday we went with J's family to cut their Christmas tree and we ended up getting one at the same time. I have never had a tree so early before, and it has gotten me in the mood to start on holiday activities. I made gingerbread cookies last night, and I think tomorrow we will dig out the Christmas box and decorate the tree. I think I will make an apple pie, a wreath, and some ornaments too. Hum, guess I should get going on our Christmas cards too! Wow, where has this year gone! Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was fabulous and that the true Christmas spirit is on its way to your home.This is not my tree picture

RSP=Rock Paper Scissors

I had no idea there was such a thing!

Wins First Ever All-Female Championship Final Match with a Dramatic Throw of Scissors Beating Paper to win $10,000 Grand Prize. Local RPS talent prevailed when Monica Martinez, a jewelry store owner from Toronto who won match after match to eventually seize the title and the $10,000 grand prize.

On Saturday night, Monica battled for more than five hours with spirited seasoned RPS veterans spanning all parts of Canada and the US, and country champs and competitors from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Argentina.
"We are honored to award Monica the title of 2008 Yahoo! Rock Paper Scissors World Champion," says Graham Walker, Events Chairman, World RPS Society. "A determined and focused competitor, Monica showed the stamina and discipline it takes to win this title. Now she is a World Champion."
This year, more than 700 players and spectators descended on Toronto on Saturday night for the world's premier RPS event. It was a spirited night of sporting subculture competition featuring outrageous costumes, team jerseys, face paint, and a Street RPS competition.
The prize for second place was $1,500, with the third prize winner going home with $500. Sarah Harris of Burlington, Ontario won the EYE Weekly Street RPS competition and took home $1,000.

I remember I first learned about this game when I was in second grade. Ahh, but I do miss the life changing discoveries of childhood. I think as adults we tend to take our selves too seriously. Lets take a moment to remember how fun life can be. Also here is a little interesting thing I read. It really is a game of skill. The wines are very good a reading people. I also read that men are more likely to "throw" rock on there first round and woman are more likely to "throw" scissors. So go ask your someone to play you a game and see what they are really made of ;)

This Made Me Laugh

I received a bunch of coupons in the mail today and I just came across this. Does anyone else see something a little outrageous about this? Who really wants to be carrying a paper cutter around with them so they can listen to music. And how good do you really think those speakers are. Wow we have come a long way since the 80's, haven't we! How funny would it be to see someone carrying a paper cutter around on their shoulder like they use to do with boom boxes. Are we a spoiled nation or what?! It is funny to me, the odd things advertisers do to sell a product. Have you ever seen the completely unrelated item being offered if you buy something? I saw a bag of pens and they were including a pack of gum as a freebie offer. Or those infomercials:" buy this box set of Cd's and get a free glow in the dark handkerchief!" I guess if they can say you get something for free they make more sales. It makes me laugh anyway.

Just Took Some More Pictures

It is raining here today... can you tell?

Some Fall Pictures I Took

Our Latest Little Adventure

Whenever J's dad has work in our area rather than staying at a hotel he stays with us and takes us out to dinner. In this way we have been able to try a variety of wonderful and different cuisine at our local restaurants. We like to try something new each time. We have found our favorite Mexican, Tie, Indian, and German restaurants this way. This last Wednesday W was here again, and since J did not get off work 'till 10:30 he wanted to find somewhere close to where J works so we did not have to eat any later. J talked to some guys at work that recommended McMenimins Kennedy School which is open 'till 1am. It is an elementary school that was built in 1915 and has been converted into a hotel and restaurant. It is really something to see. They have managed to preserve the feeling of an elementary school through the unchanged structure, but made it homey and almost museum like with artwork. Here is a blip from their web page.

FALL ASLEEP IN CLASS

AT McMENAMINS KENNEDY SCHOOL

Remember when the worst thing you could imagine was being kept after class? My, how things have changed! At Kennedy School, you'll never want to leave.

Here you may chew gum, laugh out loud, and even pull that special someone's pigtails (as long as they approve, of course!), take a nap in class, enjoy an aged whiskey and a cigar in detention, and enjoy a movie in the old auditorium. The possibilities here are endless.

Since it opened in 1915, this historic elementary school has been a beloved fixture of its Northeast Portland neighborhood. McMenamins has renovated the once-abandoned scholastic gem and turned it into Portland's most delightful lodging establishment. Here you'll find 35 comfy guestrooms fashioned from former classrooms (complete with original chalkboards and cloakrooms, private baths, telephones and modems), a truly unique restaurant, multiple cozy bars, a movie theater, soaking pool, and even a working brewery (just wait until the principal hears about this!). Extensive original artwork and historical photographs cover the walls, ceilings, doorways and hallways of this place and the gift shop beckons with mementos of your stay.

For neighborhood residents, out-of-town guests and business travelers, Kennedy School is a memorable and comfortable place to gather. The hotel is also located minutes from Portland International Airport and shopping in downtown Portland.

As you can see, this unique place has a lot to offer. The food was great, with a range of yummy things on the menu. From a $5 burger up to a $20 steak. I had butternut squash raviolis, J had a burger, and W had a calzone. We probably spent another 45 minutes after we ate just walking around looking at the building and artwork. So if you are ever in the Portland area and just don't want to stay in a hotel (and for some reason don't want to stay with us!) I recommend checking out one of Mcmenamins 8 hotels. It was a fun adventure, and I know we plan to go back.

God Bless America! (especially today)

We actually voted by mail a week and a half ago, but I think everyone should know what they stand for enough to vote for leaders that they believe will do what's right.