SUMMER HAS FINALLY SIZZLED OUT

Okay, I know most kids go back to school after Labor Day. My daughter even started her junior year at Warner Pacific College back in August. But my son went back to the University of Oregon just yesterday. School doesn't start at UofO until September 28th but he has a job and an orientation meeting for the new staff. Plus, he has to get his apartment ready for the new year.

So we helped Luke move back into his apartment, which is right across the street from Hayward field, a pretty prime location for the University of Oregon. I should know because I lived in Douglas dorm my freshman year (you can see the dorm I lived in, 30 years ago, in the first picture). That was before Hayward looked so fancy. But it seems like life repeats itself. Here's to Luke's senior year at UofO!!! Hope he'll have loads of fun 'cause we're going to miss him.

So that's my official END to summer and it's raining :(

I know it's Portland, Oregon and there's a reason we're called The Ducks - webfeet and rain go hand-in-hand but I just wasn't ready for the rain - yet. Guess it's time to get ready for fall and accept the fact that the kids are back at school :(

Fun Quiz - WHAT EUROPEAN CITY DO YOU BELONG IN

What European City do you Belong In? Is it cosmopolitan Paris, Friendly Dublin, or . . . Let me know after you take the quiz.

I found it over at Meredith Teagarden's blog, who got it at Holding Patterns, who got it at . . . well, you get the point.

Fun, short, quiz:. Post which one you belong in, in "comments" so I can see.

I was Dublin.

"Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions.

You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town."

Weekend Writing Tips

Here are a few word usages that I got from John Potter. He's a word-whiz.

lead/led: As a noun, lead is a kind of metal. As a verb, lead means "to conduct." A guide will lead a tour of the ruins. Led is the past tense of the verb "to lead"; He led the company for twenty years.

loose/lose: Lose is a verb whose past tense is lost: Did you lose your elevator card, again? Loose is generally an adjective for "not tight"; I have a few loose screws.

maybe/may be: Maybe is an adverb: Maybe the negotiators will succeed this time. May and be are verbs: The rumor may be true.

Hope these little tips come in handy. :)

Earth-Friendly Friday

Mom raised nine kids when her budget could only feed a family of four. How’d she do it? She was a super-sustainer; I just wish I would have known that she wasn’t being cheap and mean – she was just progressive and being green.

Here are some simple, money-saving, tricks and sustainable hints Moms can use to help save money and protect the planet at the same time:

• Soak a washcloth in water, place it in a baggie and put it in the freezer, when it’s slightly frozen, it will be a crunchy, soothing teething toy for baby to munch on without any worries about worn-out teething rings.

• Instead of using baby powder, which is talcum powder, use cornstarch. It’s cheaper, earth-friendly and totally organic.

• Extend the life of disposable diapers—at least at night—by using a cloth diaper, folded length wise and placed in the center from belly to butt. This will double the absorbency of the diaper, help you get a better night’s rest and cut down on waste in the landfills.

• Hang cloth diapers outside in the sun, at least in the summer. Saving energy one-third of the year is better than not at all and you’ll be letting the sunshine bleach your diapers rather than harsh chemicals.

• Mash up fruit and veggies for baby, rather than buying jars of food. If the mixture is too thick, add a little water. It’s cheap, organic and great for baby.

• Wash baby blankets, diapers and clothing in vinegar and baking soda rather than harsh chemicals. Use ¼ cup white distilled vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda.

• If baby is congested, put 1 tablespoon Baby Vick’s Vaporub in a humidifier and let it run in the baby’s room overnight. The adult Vick’s has Camphor which you don’t want to use for baby.

• Instead of buying specialty toast for baby to chew on, make your own toast and let it sit out for an hour or two, until it stiffens. Cut it into fourths and let baby chew on homemade toast.

• Always use rechargeable batteries rather than the one-use variety.

• Take digital pictures rather than one-use cameras, even on vacations. They don’t take up that much space and it’s so easy to email photos to family and friends.

Answer to Thought for Thursday

Answer: They can store fat in their tails - kinda like people and storing fat in our derriere

Not so many differences in the animal world ;)

Thought for Thursday

This is one of those questions that makes you say, Hum.

QUESTION/THOUGHT: How can crocodiles go without food for such long periods of time?

Play along with me
then come back about 3:00
to see

If you guessed right,
You're probably super bright

(put your guess in the "comments" so I know you were willing to play along - thanks)

Answer to Word for Wednesday

Word: "Extant" means in existence, still existing. If you want to read more, check it out here.