Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't.
I...Love...Neil..Diamond! Here I sit on a Friday night jamming and singing (well trying, because I lost my voice this week due to being so sick) to the beautiful ballads that are his songs. What an awesome dude. He's like what 90? And he can still shake those artificial hips all over the stage. I have to giggle to myself a little because of how much fun I am having watching his TV special, my little sister Allison would consider it complete torture. Come on Al, how can you resist?....how can you not get up and dance to the tune of "Cherry, Cherry".."she's got the way to move me Cherry!"
such fun. I remember going to a Neil Diamond concert with my parents and my sister Natalie when I was in 10th grade, and even all these years later, it still remains one of the best concerts I have been to! Nothing says great like two old people singing to each other on the stage "you don't bring me flowers......anymore." And then all the old ladies jumping around with their relief society arms jiggling to the floor. Okay really, it wasn't just the old people, and that is one of the things that is so great about the man, he attracts fans of all ages! Heck he performed at the Grammy's this year, and they showed some of those rappers singing along with "Sweet Caroline!"
I can only imagine that is the song immigrants listen to crossing the ocean to our beautiful country....."We're coming to America!....today!"
I don't think you can say you love America unless you love Neil :)
If loving Neil Diamond is wrong, I don't want to be right!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
My mouth hurts!
The last couple of Saturday's have been quite nice. Since we finally got both of our bikes and Sam's bike trailer in working order (now that it's toward the end of summer) we have been taking bike rides around town. If we didn't have apartment stuff to do, we might have ventured to downtown Portland and enjoyed the "bite of Portland" that's going on down by the Waterfront, but I wasn't so sure I would make the journey back (mostly uphill about 7 miles). I felt a bit more wussy today. But maybe we will try next week.
Last week was a bit depressing because I was huffing and puffing up the smallest hill. Of course I was also dragging about 50 extra pounds behind me with Sammy in the trailer. I was a bit discouraged. But then today, Dave hooked her up behind his bike and the hills didn't seem nearly as bad today. I thought "okay maybe I don't totally stink at this!" It was fun being outside, enjoying the nice low 80's weather, and getting exercise too.
The other adventure of the week was my second trip to the dentist for round 2 of fixing one of my side front teeth. My first trip a week and a half ago took about 3 1/2 hours, and the one on Wednesday took 4!! I love my Dentist and think he did a great job, but the whole experience was horrible. I have never been in so much mouth pain as I was on Wednesday night. That's all I'll say and now I think I have developed a complex about the Dentist now. Not...fun
This week was an awesome grocery shopping week though, so that was a good distraction. Albertson's had awesome deals. One was where you spend $30 on certain items and get $15 back in Catalina coupons, and most of the items I already had a ton of coupons for! So I have been to Albertson's at least 3 times this week and might go one more time tonight. They also have a Kellogg promotion where you buy 10 items that are on sale and you get a $10 rebate.
So yesterday I bought all this stuff from Albertsons. Out of pocket I spent $22.00, but got $15 in coupons back for my next purchase, and I qualify for the $10 rebate from Kelloggs! So it was like making $3!! My total savings on my receipt = $84.10!It was awesome. And that was only one shopping trip I made this week. Let's just say our pantry and fridge is completely stocked and we are having to put a bunch of stuff in the garage. Food Storage!! We finally have something! So if something horrible (heaven forbid) happens, it's nice to know we can survive on fruit snacks and dried cereal!
Last week was a bit depressing because I was huffing and puffing up the smallest hill. Of course I was also dragging about 50 extra pounds behind me with Sammy in the trailer. I was a bit discouraged. But then today, Dave hooked her up behind his bike and the hills didn't seem nearly as bad today. I thought "okay maybe I don't totally stink at this!" It was fun being outside, enjoying the nice low 80's weather, and getting exercise too.
The other adventure of the week was my second trip to the dentist for round 2 of fixing one of my side front teeth. My first trip a week and a half ago took about 3 1/2 hours, and the one on Wednesday took 4!! I love my Dentist and think he did a great job, but the whole experience was horrible. I have never been in so much mouth pain as I was on Wednesday night. That's all I'll say and now I think I have developed a complex about the Dentist now. Not...fun
This week was an awesome grocery shopping week though, so that was a good distraction. Albertson's had awesome deals. One was where you spend $30 on certain items and get $15 back in Catalina coupons, and most of the items I already had a ton of coupons for! So I have been to Albertson's at least 3 times this week and might go one more time tonight. They also have a Kellogg promotion where you buy 10 items that are on sale and you get a $10 rebate.
So yesterday I bought all this stuff from Albertsons. Out of pocket I spent $22.00, but got $15 in coupons back for my next purchase, and I qualify for the $10 rebate from Kelloggs! So it was like making $3!! My total savings on my receipt = $84.10!It was awesome. And that was only one shopping trip I made this week. Let's just say our pantry and fridge is completely stocked and we are having to put a bunch of stuff in the garage. Food Storage!! We finally have something! So if something horrible (heaven forbid) happens, it's nice to know we can survive on fruit snacks and dried cereal!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The month of July
So it has been a while since I last blogged, and I can only attribute it to being lazy. I usually do my blogging from my laptop while reclining on my couch, but unfortunately for me, my computer crashed and is being rehabed right now. All of my files and pictures were lost on the computer, but subconsciously I must have known this would happen, because just two months ago I signed up for an online system that backs up your computer for you called Mozy.com (totally recommend it). I almost cancelled it one day, but was like "heck it's only $5 a month, I might as well keep it a bit longer"....and viola! look what happened. I think I would have died if I had lost all my pictures especially my mom's family pictures that I spent a month on converting them all from slides....just the thought.....(shudder)
I don't think I have ever been so freaking hot in my life as I have been today. Okay, Portland?? Not supposed to get to 106 degrees!!! And add the humidity into that, and add the fact that my house is on the second level directly facing the sun. It is now 8 p.m. and still 100 degrees! There was no chance of me cooking, so we went to a lovely air conditioned restaurant, and then walked around the mall for an hour to stay cool. For lunch we went downtown by Dave's building and swam in the fountain. That was nice and refreshing, especially being next to the sweaty hobos taking their monthly bath next to us. One thing about being in a public place like that is you feel so much better about your own body image. Instead of having only one layer of blubber around their midsection, some had five or six. It was like a bunch of sea lions sunbathing around the fountain while lighting up, and taking their meds while chasing it with some kind of cognac. ahhhhh.....Portland....what an interesting place. It has been a very busy month besides going on vacation without Dave, doing apartments stuff, and celebrating Sam's 2nd birthday! Oh my gosh I have a two year old! Although I think that whole terrible two's thing starts early. Okay she's really not that bad, but does have some temper tantrums. It's the whole, throw my head back, open my mouth wide, and fall to the ground dramatically!! Then, peek through my fake tears to make sure mom and dad are looking at me! I'll show them for trying to help me eat my food. I have to do it myself! She is little miss independent, and sometimes it drives me crazy. But she is also very sweet most of the time, and very helpful. Her new favorite thing is to help me with the laundry. Yesterday she went to the bathroom and grabbed her stool (the thing you stand on) and took it to the kitchen where all the dirty laundry was. She then proceeded to sort the laundry and put it in the washing machine. It was funny and sweet. Here is the video if you are so inclined.
For her birthday she was spoiled because she had 2 parties. One on the last night we were in Utah with my family. It was fun being able to celebrate with my family, since I rarely get to do so anymore. We had pizza and cake/cupcakes, and then her cousins very generously helped her open all her presents, and then helped her break them all in by playing with them :) She's good at sharing though.
On Monday on her actual birthday, we had a little party where Dave's siblings were nice to come over and party with us, and she was spoiled some more. It was a fun birthday celebration.
I am so happy and blessed to have a happy, healthy little girl who is lively, and brings so much happiness to Dave and me. The other day I was sitting on the floor and asked Sammy for a kiss but my head was down. She came up close to me, bent down, and grabbed my head in both her hands lifting it up, saying "mom" and gave me a big kiss on the lips...so sweet
I don't think I have ever been so freaking hot in my life as I have been today. Okay, Portland?? Not supposed to get to 106 degrees!!! And add the humidity into that, and add the fact that my house is on the second level directly facing the sun. It is now 8 p.m. and still 100 degrees! There was no chance of me cooking, so we went to a lovely air conditioned restaurant, and then walked around the mall for an hour to stay cool. For lunch we went downtown by Dave's building and swam in the fountain. That was nice and refreshing, especially being next to the sweaty hobos taking their monthly bath next to us. One thing about being in a public place like that is you feel so much better about your own body image. Instead of having only one layer of blubber around their midsection, some had five or six. It was like a bunch of sea lions sunbathing around the fountain while lighting up, and taking their meds while chasing it with some kind of cognac. ahhhhh.....Portland....what an interesting place. It has been a very busy month besides going on vacation without Dave, doing apartments stuff, and celebrating Sam's 2nd birthday! Oh my gosh I have a two year old! Although I think that whole terrible two's thing starts early. Okay she's really not that bad, but does have some temper tantrums. It's the whole, throw my head back, open my mouth wide, and fall to the ground dramatically!! Then, peek through my fake tears to make sure mom and dad are looking at me! I'll show them for trying to help me eat my food. I have to do it myself! She is little miss independent, and sometimes it drives me crazy. But she is also very sweet most of the time, and very helpful. Her new favorite thing is to help me with the laundry. Yesterday she went to the bathroom and grabbed her stool (the thing you stand on) and took it to the kitchen where all the dirty laundry was. She then proceeded to sort the laundry and put it in the washing machine. It was funny and sweet. Here is the video if you are so inclined.
For her birthday she was spoiled because she had 2 parties. One on the last night we were in Utah with my family. It was fun being able to celebrate with my family, since I rarely get to do so anymore. We had pizza and cake/cupcakes, and then her cousins very generously helped her open all her presents, and then helped her break them all in by playing with them :) She's good at sharing though.
On Monday on her actual birthday, we had a little party where Dave's siblings were nice to come over and party with us, and she was spoiled some more. It was a fun birthday celebration.
I am so happy and blessed to have a happy, healthy little girl who is lively, and brings so much happiness to Dave and me. The other day I was sitting on the floor and asked Sammy for a kiss but my head was down. She came up close to me, bent down, and grabbed my head in both her hands lifting it up, saying "mom" and gave me a big kiss on the lips...so sweet
Monday, July 6, 2009
Is that Hobo dead or just sleeping??
Another great week spent with more family. This time with my sister Angie and her son Caden.
They drove up here from Utah last Sunday night and stayed the entire week. And the great thing for Angie was she didn't have to take vacation days since she could work at her Intel office up here. That was part of the reason she came up. Weighing decisions to either stay in Utah and get a different job, or stay with Intel and move to Portland. I think we all know what my vote is. Come to Portland!
I tried really hard to make Portland seem impressive to her, but instead freaked her out the first night she was here by getting lost in the middle of downtown Portland until 10:30 p.m.!!! Yeah I know. "Katie haven't you lived there for almost a year now? Don't you know your way around the place yet?" And I say, "no, I really don't!" I can't seem to have anyone up here and show them a good time without getting lost at least once! With my parents, when I picked them up from the airport, we pretty much drove to the Columbia Gorge before we could turn around and take I-84 West instead of East!! oops...
But this time was a bit scarier when we saw some of the people, and the hobos sleeping on the streets. And then we really figured we might be in a pickle when we went under an overpass, where it was dark (I know, stupid) and a cop drove by and when he saw us, his eyes went very wide like "what are these girls doind?" It was probably good he drove by, probably distracting some lurking predator waiting in the bushes.......kidding mom. The funny thing was we kinda freaked out and almost ran past the street really quickly, not noticing until almost an hour later when we passed that street again, that her car was right there at the top of the street!! Bless that angelic car alarm!
It was really a ploy to keep things exciting for Angie. She was at a particular disadvantage as well walking around with stitches halfway across her knee without really being able to bend it, so it made her an even easier target. All I had to do was run faster. Oh my gosh I'm a horrible sister! Okay okay enough morbidity. We were perfectly fine. Plenty of well....lit...streets.
But I digest......back to the rest of the week :)
It was a fun, hot hot week full of swimming, solving crime at the OMSI museum with Caden, Burgerville, riding the streetcar around almost the entire Portland metro area :), Powell's books, Voodoo Donuts, driving to Cannon Beach basking in the sun and flying kites, and spending the night in a hotel in Lincoln City watching fireworks on the beach in the mist of night (very cool), shopping at the Outlets, walking along the beach in the morning seeing cool starfish and mini crabs, going to a parade, and basking once again in the sun on the beach. I think half of Oregon was spending the 4th somewhere on the coast since we had such great weather! The night before Angie left, we were like "is it already Sunday?" The week flew by!
We had a great time and look forward to spending more time with them and the rest of the fam when I get to Utah in a couple of days!! woo hoo
The Gleneden Beach parade on the 4th
Caden eating his ginormous donut from Voodoo, and yes he finished it
Riding the streetcar
They drove up here from Utah last Sunday night and stayed the entire week. And the great thing for Angie was she didn't have to take vacation days since she could work at her Intel office up here. That was part of the reason she came up. Weighing decisions to either stay in Utah and get a different job, or stay with Intel and move to Portland. I think we all know what my vote is. Come to Portland!
I tried really hard to make Portland seem impressive to her, but instead freaked her out the first night she was here by getting lost in the middle of downtown Portland until 10:30 p.m.!!! Yeah I know. "Katie haven't you lived there for almost a year now? Don't you know your way around the place yet?" And I say, "no, I really don't!" I can't seem to have anyone up here and show them a good time without getting lost at least once! With my parents, when I picked them up from the airport, we pretty much drove to the Columbia Gorge before we could turn around and take I-84 West instead of East!! oops...
But this time was a bit scarier when we saw some of the people, and the hobos sleeping on the streets. And then we really figured we might be in a pickle when we went under an overpass, where it was dark (I know, stupid) and a cop drove by and when he saw us, his eyes went very wide like "what are these girls doind?" It was probably good he drove by, probably distracting some lurking predator waiting in the bushes.......kidding mom. The funny thing was we kinda freaked out and almost ran past the street really quickly, not noticing until almost an hour later when we passed that street again, that her car was right there at the top of the street!! Bless that angelic car alarm!
It was really a ploy to keep things exciting for Angie. She was at a particular disadvantage as well walking around with stitches halfway across her knee without really being able to bend it, so it made her an even easier target. All I had to do was run faster. Oh my gosh I'm a horrible sister! Okay okay enough morbidity. We were perfectly fine. Plenty of well....lit...streets.
But I digest......back to the rest of the week :)
It was a fun, hot hot week full of swimming, solving crime at the OMSI museum with Caden, Burgerville, riding the streetcar around almost the entire Portland metro area :), Powell's books, Voodoo Donuts, driving to Cannon Beach basking in the sun and flying kites, and spending the night in a hotel in Lincoln City watching fireworks on the beach in the mist of night (very cool), shopping at the Outlets, walking along the beach in the morning seeing cool starfish and mini crabs, going to a parade, and basking once again in the sun on the beach. I think half of Oregon was spending the 4th somewhere on the coast since we had such great weather! The night before Angie left, we were like "is it already Sunday?" The week flew by!
We had a great time and look forward to spending more time with them and the rest of the fam when I get to Utah in a couple of days!! woo hoo
The Gleneden Beach parade on the 4th
Caden eating his ginormous donut from Voodoo, and yes he finished it
Riding the streetcar
Saturday, June 27, 2009
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
Why??? Two words: GARAGE SALES
Yes I love them! I'm just like my Grandpa Brewster in that way. And they have really good ones up here in Portland. Last week they had a huge multi-family neighborhood garage sale in NE Portland, and this week there was a HUGE one in SE Portland. Like 141 houses participating! Ginormous! Another way I don't have to pay full price for things, especially kid stuff!
It was a great morning for Sammy and me to spend some time together walking around the neighborhood, with especially nice weather looking for great finds, and I'm super excited about what we did find.
First of all, we have been in desperate need for more lighting in our living room, and I've been wanting to find a nice lamp, but didn't want to pay $60 plus bucks for it. I found a really nice wooden lamp at this huge house for 5 dolla! Now I just need a pretty shade. And growing up at Christmas time we always had these awesome bubble lights that were on my Grandparents Christmas tree, and they had those too for 5 dollars! Yay!
But I think the biggest thing I was excited about was something I found for Samantha. So for the last few months I have been trying to find those Leap Frog alphabet magnets for the fridge for her birthday in a few weeks, but they are so expensive! There they were sitting for me in a plastic bag on the table for $5!!! I snatched those things up so quickly, and then a couple of houses down, they had the Leap Frog magnet set for animals, for $5!!! I am so set for her birthday now! (Almost)
Ahhhhh I love garage sales! I guess the only thing I wish I could have found was a little tricycle for her too. oh well.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Just Catching Up on The Wall Street Journal
She was so focused on reading what was in the magazine while we were driving the other day. She barely even noticed we were there.
Yesterday was fun. I went with my friend Sofia and her little girl who is the same age as Sam, and we drove to Sauvie Island to pick Strawberries! I have been itching to do it for a while now, and it was a perfect opportunity for us to go. MMMmmmmm....delicious strawberries! They were perfect. And a perfect outing for the girls too. How much better can it get? I'm outside, I get to play in a big field, and eat as many strawberries as I want! (which is exactly what those girlies did, and afterward they looked more like something out of a horror movie) The weather was nice too. It was mostly overcast with a little breeze, and just a bit humid, so no blistering heat. Picking your own fruit is so much fun.
Last night soon after getting home, I went to the store, bought my pectin, jars, and sugar, and Dave and I made strawberry jam last night. I can't wait to eat it. Homemade Marionberry will always be my favorite, but Strawberry is pretty delish too. Now I just have to make some homemade bread and my little homemaking circle will be complete!
Next couple of months goals: pick blueberries, marionberries, peaches, and apples, and whatever else I can to make more jam and do some canning!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
New Address
So I finally decided to cut the confusion of our last blog address and make it Demcak.blogspot.com instead of Demcaca.blogspot.com. So for the few of you that follow my blog, here is our new address. www.demcak.blogspot.com
Come on over!!
Come on over!!
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About Me
- Katie
- Dave and I have been married four years and live in Portland, Oregon where Dave works downtown for Bank of the West. We have a little girl Samantha who is a fun-loving 1 year old!
