Finally we approach the final moments...

2008 is winding down... the ball is ready to drop in NYC and the world in general is ready to put this one in the bag.

My year has generally been OK, fortunately I didn't suffer quite as bad as some folks did and for that I am eternally thankful.

I've been fortunate to make some very good friendships and at the same time put distance between present and past.

I am excited about the new year, the prospects of seeing our new President make great headway into curing some of the problems that have made this past year so memorable... Not in a good way unfortunately.

I will be bringing in the New year with a wonderful friend and her brother and girlfriend.

Looking forward to next year, I may try to travel a little more, and especially get more involved in the things that I enjoy.  That would include helping folks and improving myself along the way.

I will have a new picture up for tomorrow... one that I deem appropriate.

Happy New year to those who read this blog and may 2009 bring you new expectations, great health and personal satisfaction.

Thanks Leann for a great evening... drive carefully and talk at you later.

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Today was my last day this year...

After a rousing coffee hour, I went to deliver my last meals for this year... I have tomorrow off and Thursday is a holiday so Friday will be my first day delivering meals and it will be the 2nd day into 2009.

A quiet day, after finishing the meals thing, I came home and got out the ham that Sean sent me and divided it into packages for vacuum packing and freezing minus a nice portion for snacking on this afternoon.

Along about 3:15 I decided to go to Bi-Mart and check my numbers... of course none of them showed up on the big board so before I left the store I checked the price on my favorite soup.  The sign said $1.99 a can so I picked up 4 cans and went to the checkout.

There, the clerk told me that it was actually on sale for $1.25 a can so I went back and got a case for a total of 16 cans.  Normally $32 for $20... one helluva good deal for me.

Nothing special planned for tonight.

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Mundane Mondays Make Me Mad...

Pretty nifty use of the letter 'M' wouldn't ya say??  Nothing to great happening today, coffee as usual then off to deliver meals.

Stopped at Roths to get some stuff to make a neat energy bar that Winnie gave me the recipe to plus I picked up a monster 'flat iron' steak for my birthday and a few other items.

Home and made some hot chocolate and had the piece of ham that Del gave me and an English muffin.

When I arrived home, the ham from Sean had gotten here... that will be good.

Talked to Lollie a little on the phone, I mentioned to her again that she repeats herself a lot and of course she denied it... stubborn girl that Sister of mine.

This morning while at the Senior Center, Leann called and extended an invitation to me to join with her and her brother and his girlfriend for New Years Eve festivities... very nice to be invited... Thanks young lady !!

Don't know what the day will hold, the weather is of course not very nice so I shall forego any venturing outside...

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Ho hum...

Not too excited about today... Del sent me home with a chunk of ham that he had cooked with the expectation that I would use it to make some gravy and have it over some of my home made biscuits... actually not my recipe, and I've only made them once but they did turn out great...

I have a load of laundry in the dryer to fold and absolutely nothing else on my plate for today.

Nice list Leann... all very good goals and I will be rooting for you on each and every one of them...  (Tice's should be 'Ticks').  I know, I hate it too... some call me the grammar or spelling police... I don't mean to be but that is what it is.

Shall I pick the '10' or will you??

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Saturday morning... more of the same

It is odd, to go to coffee at McDonalds and realize that Harold and Marilyn won't be there... Yesterday, Harold was served a 'No Trespass' order by McDonalds via a Lebanon police officer... evidently he made contact with someone and it was deemed inappropriate... Odd, he is in his 80's and I think that there was an over reaction.

I briefly considered starting a petition to get the order lifted, but I truly don't know enough of the particulars to justify such an action.  I do pray that it is temporary though.

Anyway, most of the same gang was there so life will go on.  Our society, even though very permissive in many areas, is still very conservative in others.  One can never be too careful of their actions and the things they say.

It brings to the fore front of my mind how vulnerable we actually are and often times it is only the perception rather than the actual that convicts us.  I don't like the direction the world is going.

Very windy out this morning.  Not too much dampness, but some for sure.  I only plan to do some laundry today, and not too much of that.

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The years end approaches...

A typical valley winter day today, chilly and damp.  I don't think that we've seen the last of the snow days but at least for now they are hidden here.

Yesterday, "Christmas Day" proved to be a very pleasant experience, both with my daughters visit and then the afternoon spent with a dear friend... we shared a wonderful meal together at a nice restaurant and then enjoyed an animated film at a local theater.  

Upon leaving the theater, it was dark and so we decided to take in the lights that put up to commemorate the seasons festive nature.  Peoria road provides one of the most memorable light displays and then many of the homes we drove by had very nice displays also.

It was obvious that this year not quite as many people went all out to decorate, but those who could do so, did.

We finished our tour about 8pm and our afternoon together ended... it was and will be a cherished memory for both of us I am sure... Friends are such a wonderful thing to have.  Thank you Leann.

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Well... it's here

365 days ago we were in this same warm fuzzy holiday feel good place... or at least that is where we wanted to be.

A tremendous amount has changed in that short year and yet 'Christmas' maintains a magical day feeling when we gather with family and friends and celebrate our reasons for being alive.  We watch the toddlers opening gifts that to them look pretty but they still aren't too sure about the fat guy in the red suit.

Hot chocolate and 'sticky buns' abound and cheery music blares out of an over priced stereo.  Huge hugs go around the room and smiles stretch from ear to ear...  Thank you God for this holiday and the opportunity to celebrate your Son's birth.

I hope and pray that this next year will be more positive for everyone.  I would personally like to see more love and empathy for the less fortunate.

Well my friends, go an open your gifts if you've not yet done so.  You hold a fond place in my heart and my hope is that Santa was good to you.

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"Christmas Eve", a most wonderful time of the year...

I awoke early today, about 5:20 or so.  No particular reason that I could put my finger on, so I have attributed it to having gotten a really good nights sleep.  It doesn't happen all that often as I suffer from 'sleep apnea' and cannot tolerate the cpap machine.

It is warmer this morning, and wet, very very wet.  There is still remnants of snow in the surrounding foothills with more predicted for the Northwestern part of the state... Portland will long remember this winter me thinks.

Fred and Dorothy are hosting a little pre christmas get together at their place this afternoon so I will drop by there for a little bit.

Not too much planned for today, I will likely go to Shari's and get a gift card for Melissa, I have no idea what she might like other than that...

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A little more and a little less

This morning came as a surprise to me, not that actual morning itself, but rather the presence of the 'white stuff' on the ground with more in the process.

Upon retiring last night, the tube said that we would likely not get any snow down on this end of the valley but as usual, their bubble was a little off center.

I think it would be nice to have a white christmas so I am not too disappointed in the results.  The question of course is how long will it last?

Leann, if you read this, I won't be taking the Mini out if the weather remains like it is... the car would do quite well but from what I've observed of others on the road it's just not worth the risk involved.  I will drive the Toyota, heater works fine and it will carry me/us where ever we need to go.

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Well finally, we get our snow...

A little late in coming based on the situation up North, but Lebanon, the banana belt of the Willamette Valley is finally catching up with the rest of the state.  Snow started this morning while I was at coffee and is drifting in at a leisurely rate...  No deliveries of meals today either.

Hope all is well and you are all safe and sound.  More as the day progresses...

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On this very Sunday...

Nothing much is new, my wish is that God blesses you in ways you'd never imagine.

I ask that God grant me more patience and a deeper love for my fellow human and more guidance in all that I do.

Everyone have a Great day and be careful.

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Warmer, wet but expecting much worse...

I rose a little later this morning as I stayed the course later last night.  I knew that it would be raining this morning but thought that perhaps a little more snow might make an appearance... 

The weather is warmer this morning than it has been, but according to the weather report on Channel 2 last night, we are in for the mother of all storms this weekend, one to rival the storm that paralyzed Portland for 4 days in 2004.  I think this is going to be a winter for the record books.

After coffee at McDonalds, I went to Appletrees and had a half order of B&G and then went to the Lebanon Rehap center to vist Henry Hoffman... I found out yesterday that he had 2 strokes while at home.

He is doing pretty well, still pretty affected on the left side but he can talk with a very minor slur and seems in pretty fair spirits...  He is a really nice old fella and I used him for the past two years to weed my flower gardens.  Looks like I may need to find someone else this year.

Melissa spent the night at her boyfriends parents house near Portland last night as the roads were still not too safe.  Hope she returns to Corvallis today.

Dusting the bedroom is on the plate for today, laundry is taken care of so that won't need attention.

Aren't you just SO excited though... Christmas is just around the corner...!!

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Nature's quilt of quiet and warmth...

I knew last night before retiring that it had snowed... not a lot, but an inch or so.  It was what I expected to see this morning when I arose to prepare for the day... I also knew that we wouldn't be delivering meals again today.  I've made my client calls so that is done

Not too sure what the day will bring, I don't have much to do but noticed dusty conditions in the bedroom on my furniture so will likely run a rag over it.

Leann, so you don't think you will make it to work eh??  As far as the price of chains go, if you look around, you can find some that would be pretty inexpensive, they aren't the typical tire chains, but would be great for the little bit you might need them...

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Just another day... no snow ~ yet...

Coffee and deliveries... ho hum.  I had expected a little bit more from the weather/storm front, but it seems that Portland and such got the most of it.

I haven't totally discounted it yet, but I've yet to see it too.

If the weather is at least dry on Christmas day, I will take out the Mini and Leann and I will go see a movie and maybe have Christmas dinner... something that friends should probably do more often... as lives become even more complicated, free time seems less available and the cost of entertainment is hard to justify.

One of the advantages of not having a significant other is you basically only have to worry about your own expenses except of course during the holiday seasons.

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Cold but not as cold as yesterday

It was cold this morning, but much warmer than it was at 9pm last night when the temperature dipped to 10˚.

Coffee first then home to get the defective cartridge then back to Postal connections to get it replaced.

Mailed the last xmas card out and signed a petition to keep the aux post office open.

I will pull the lamp from the Toshiba and send it off today.

I just returned from the UPS store where I sent the defective lamp for the big screen... it will certainly be different now, watching the little 20" toshiba that I will bring out from the bedroom... 

Sorry Leann, we won't be watching a movie on the big screen on Christmas.

Maybe we can go see a movie if they are open or perhaps just drive around a bit and look at lights... suggestions??

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Extreme cold can be and is painful...

This morning's venture into the realm of mother nature proved to be anything but a pleasure.  It was 14˚ when I got up to go for coffee.  Even gripping the steering wheel of the Pickup proved to be uncomfortable as I wasn't wearing mittens or gloves.

After coffee I shagged it down to deliver meals and was scheduled at 22 (the most of any of the routes).  During the course of running the deliveries this morning I had two clients cancel and another was a no show.  My route should now even out at 19 or 20.

It is beyond being beautiful today... I believe that the colder it is outside, the bluer the sky becomes.  Makes me happy to be alive and chases any doldrums right out of the picture.

Leann, Cathy got back yesterday but her computer router seems to be on the fritz so we won't see an update for her for a bit.

You are off today so what are you planning???

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Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells. Camels in the Snow...

I awoke to the beauty of a white lawn and streets that are eerily quiet with the blanket of snow.

I tried out the traction this morning on the empty streets and that is always fun to do.  It amazes me though, the number of people who don't know how to approach driving in the snow.  I didn't see any accidents but am pretty sure that there will be several.

I've paid my bills so now must see what remains in the coffers to support my habits till the next payday.

I am instant messaging with Leann at the moment, a fun thing.

Omar doesn't know what a 'Stallion' is Leann.

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Darn... I can see the grass

Well I awoke this morning expecting to see a gentle white blanket covering the landscape... Not yet.  It will happen I do believe that, but as weather always does the unexpected here in the Valley, I suppose it will be later rather than sooner.

Nothing too exciting is happening right now, I did order a toaster oven from Williams and Sonoma yesterday though.  I felt that turning on the big oven was wasteful when I only need a toaster oven for most things I heat up.  The nice thing about this one is that it is a convection oven too and has a full range of temperatures and the digital features that make it handy.

It is made by Breville of Australia and they've quite a name for quality and I expect to put it to good use.  You can even bake a full sized pie in it and up to a 13" pizza.  

Leann, thanks for your posted comment, Sunday will be OK, but not much is planned.  Call if you like or I may call you.  Wish I knew your schedule especially your sleeping one so that I wouldn't disturb your rest...

Anyway, have a great day and I will have MSN on.

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Brisk, but not frozen... yet !

I woke at 7 this morning and dressed and headed to McDonald's for coffee.  Not many of the group were there this morning.  Del and I decided to go to Appletrees for breakfast (he owed me one).  I saw Davey boy and his wife and mom there and we chatted a bit.

Back home now and folded and stashed the first load of laundry and the last one only has a heavy flannel shirt and a towel in it and it should be dry in a minute or two.

Nothing special planned today, No need to go out so I might get caught up on my DVR recorded movies.

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Winter?? here? now??? This weekend for sure.

Cold, that is what it was... all morning during deliveries it was just cold, the wind had picked up and there was no avoiding it.

21 clients again today and one of the ladies got a truckload of stuff...

I still wouldn't trade being able to help them though.  Not all things that are rewarding in life are fun or easy.

Well, I checked earlier and saw that Leann was logged into MSN, but sent her a message and no response... I assume that she just forgot to log out last time she was on.

The remainder of the day hasn't improved the weather at all, as a matter of fact I think it has gotten worse... The Sunday forcast of 33˚/18˚ is not very encouraging at all... hope you have your snow tires on.

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Chilly day and much to do...

Well coffee was good and a lively crew also.  Left about 8:30 to go to the Senior center to prepare for the days meal deliveries.  21 clients again today but we had sandwiches and soup and frozen meals so it was quite a chore... tomorrow will be nicer.

Went to WalMart after deliveries and got gift cards and Christmas cards to send out... then I stopped at the little auxiliary post office and sat down and addressed all of them and bought stamps and mailed them.

I've decided that I am going to print out mailing labels from now on because I really don't care to hand address envelopes anymore.  I also am going to buy a box of cards and that way I don't spend an hour while inundated by literally thousands (it seems) of card choices.  Plus it will be more affordable.

Not that I am being cheap, but my money doesn't go any further than yours does so conservation is a requirement.

Leann, Cathy is on the boat probably by now... hope she has a good time, by the way got your card and thus your mailing address... keep an eye on the mailbox. 

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No fog but I got the dog...

I am blessed I suppose, I have some good friends and today I get to share some time with my buddy Ralphy, not the crusty old guy I have coffee with but rather my four legged friend.  He doesn't hear well anymore, but then neither do I.

It's nice to not be delivering meals today, Wednesdays are my only day that I don't deliver now (except of course the weekends).

My friend Leann has evidently been swamped with things to do as I've not heard from her for a couple days now.  Cathy is preparing for her cruise today and will depart tomorrow.  Lucky gal.

Candi is in process of dealing with her present guy friend and it tends to be a sticky wicket at times.  Too bad people often prove to NOT be what they advertise themselves as.  I am WYSIWYG.  No false pretenses or misrepresentations here.  I tell you how I feel and I don't believe in slathering the truth in sweetness.  It tends to be a double edged sword though so one must be willing to suffer the consequences of being what I term as a 'Realist'.

Not much on the agenda today, but this evening I will probably go out and get the gift cards and xmas cards so I can mail them tomorrow.

I hope that your day is happy and joyful...

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Day off tomorrow then two more and 2 left...

Fog is the order of the day it would seem, I am so amazed at the number of drivers that fail to realize that their headlights are not only so they can see but more importantly so that they can be seen.  Especially in the dense fog that we've experienced the last month.  What are they trying to do, save the electricity??? Dumb @$#%&'s.

I had 21 clients today and of them one of the new ones was a no show and one of my regulars also but he rarely calls though I remind him every time.

The Holiday spirit seems alive and well as I drive my route I see more and more decorations up... I try to avoid the stores though as they are packed.

I need to get to Walmart tomorrow and get the grandkids gift cards and christmas cards too.  They are the only ones I will buy for this year.  Money is tight and people need to conserve their dollars.

I will be spending Christmas day with a friend, she did have plans, but they've changed so we shall share a dinner out and a movie in and maybe some popcorn too.

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Busy busy day, 19 today and 21 tomorrow... whew !!!

I was up early this morning, a little before 5:30am.  I wanted to get the stew started and needed to brown off the stew meat and chop the veggies and assemble it all in the crock pot, add the beef broth and stew seasoning packet.

After returning from a busy delivery schedule, as I entered the tent, the aroma of cooking onion permeated the air but by mid afternoon it just smelled like good stew.

Del came over a shade past 1pm and we chatted a bit and I had him read some articles and voice his opinion.  Sometimes an outside source can see things that you yourself are blind to.

Things at Meals on Wheels seem to really be picking up, I have the second largest route today and will have the largest one tomorrow and for the foreseeable future.  They will have to recruit more drivers if this keeps up.

Had a great lunch with Candi yesterday afternoon.  She is seeing a guy but I think the bum is going to be history pretty soon.

Leann has been very busy what with the preparation for the holiday seasons.  Cathy is just about to Jump ship... literally.

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Contrast is just outside my window...this is 'whether weather'.

As the title might imply the question of 'whether' to do things is dependent upon the 'weather'.  I believe that today I will make some zucchini bread, I have the ingredients and I want something sweet.

Stopped at Roths after coffee to get the things I forgot yesterday when getting supplies for the 'Slow Cooker' stew I plan to make Monday.

As I compile the cost of buying the ingredients and time invested in the production process I find that the 'Stew' will not by any means be cheap.  I hope that then end justifies the means.

Leann, my comment was not meant to chastise in any way, just an observation.  I did decide after reading your comment that perhaps I should revert to the scenes I had been showing... I hope you like todays Masthead, it truly depicts the season (weather wise).

By the way, the ~ The tent dweller ~ is a link to Omars blog.

If you've not checked out Omars latest adventure, I recommend you do... this is truly classic.

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Sunny Saturday...

Well it was certainly chilly this morning, had to kick open the flap to the tent as it was encased in some serious frost.

Decided to take the Mini to coffee this morning, I am always a little paranoid about where to park it as I would rather not accrue parking lot tags on it if possible.

Some of the regulars were there and about just as many didn't bother to come in so it was a smaller group this morning.

After coffee, I came home and started the one load of laundry I need to do today.  I've no special plans today but I may stop at Roths and get some stew meat and put together a stew for the slow cooker tomorrow.  Hopefully I will be successful in putting together a delicious stew and then I can freeze some portions for later on.

Hope all is well in the world of readers of blogs and also that my friends are doing well too.

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Finally, the "End of the Tunnel" has arrived

It often amazes me how long it takes to get from Monday to Friday and this week managed to stretch my imagination even further.  I suppose the reason was that I delivered all five days though.  Starting Monday, I will deliver 2 days, have a day off and deliver 2 more days.

It was cold this morning and there was frost on the pumpkin as they say.  I liked the briskness of the air and the bright blue sky though.

17 clients today and it will likely go to 18 pretty soon.  Not a bad load, except for days like today where you have 6 items to carry to the door.  I truly do not like 'soup' day.

Not too much planned for the day, but I think I might go to Sum Yan's for dinner tonight.

So tell me, what plans have you ???

Be sure to check out 'Omar's' blog today... 

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A gorgeous day with blue sky and crisp temperatures...

Coffee at McDonalds as usual.  A great group of people, but poorly attended this morning for whatever reason.  I paid Ralph back for the roll of dollars that he picked up for me...

Off to deliver meals, no rider today... nothing but fresh air and a sense of tranquility.

I've no plans for the remainder of the day, I did stop at Cecil's and took off some retaining boards from the shed roof for him... he seems to be holding his own.  Margaret's daughter is spending a few days with them to get away from her houseful of people.  She recently had a hip replaced and there is just too much going on at her place.

On the way home from meal delivery, I stopped in at Roths and got some crackers... they've been out of the regular saltines for about 5 days.

Leann, I hope your time at work is going well, are you still pursing the shift to days?? I know you want that... perhaps you could contract with Omar to eliminate one of the day slots so you could move up??

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A very 'certain' odor persists...

Wednesday, not only known as 'Hump day' but in my case the last day that I carry with me on my route an older gentleman by the name of 'Bob'... he is nice enough of a guy but as I have found with many elderly folks, he tends to shy away from ample use of 'Soap and Water' and thusly emits a rather pungent odor that lingers after he leaves.  

I believe the reason elderly folks do this is that frequent bathing tends to dry out their skin and make them uncomfortable.  For those so afflicted, I highly recommend a good deodorant.  I didn't mention it to him, but did have to air out the cab a little.

We've had fog and clear and low clouds as a weather experience so far... I have a load of clothing in the dryer and then my chores for the day are done.

From now on, I will deliver meals every weekday except for Wednesdays.

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Another Monday and for awhile, 'Blue sky'

Started out a foggy morning at coffee and then beautiful blue sky appeared and now, just after noon, we have the overcast low cloudy stuff.

Leann and I will catch a movie tomorrow afternoon, she mentioned maybe getting something to eat so I am bringing along some rabbit pellets as they are pretty munchy.

Omar now how his own blog, view it here.  I figured it was time for him to branch out on his own and entertain those who visit him...

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