Snowy Road

On Sunday, I had to take Terry back to Portland, OR so he could go back to work.  It was snowy on the mountain pass on Hwy 26 through Government Camp.  Even though it was slow going (40 mph) on packed snow, it was still beautiful.  I came back home through The Dalles so I could be on bare pavement - but the snow blew in on Tuesday night so have had snowy roads in Central Oregon the last few days.

B & B Dog Inn

Bogey and Birdie have a new dog house constructed by Uncle Jim.  It's a stick built house with insulated wall, floor and roof.  It has blue stain pine exterior and 4 other types of wood including paneling on the interior walls and moulding throughout.  It also has simulated Italian river rock "tile", a teak ramp entry way and a covered porch.  It has 1/4" hard plastic foundation and the roof can be raised to give extra ventilation in the summer or to put in the required food and water dishes.  It has room for a heating pad (that is big enough for both dogs).  Bogey and Birdie are negotiating on whether there will be a flat screen TV on the wall or book shelves.  Uncle Jim did an awesome job managing the construction crew and Terry was the architect.  I was the general contractor explaining Bogey and Birdie's several change requests to the sub-contractor (Uncle Jim).  These changes slowed down the construction but they are pleased with the final result.  And just in time for a predicted snow/rain storm.

Got to get serious

UPDATE 2/18/12 - I have exercised at least 30 minutes every day since January 24th and only have skipped one day so far!!!  I have also lost about 8 pound so far.  This new life style is NOT a habit yet.  I still have to struggle each day to prioritize the time to exercise and I am always wanting to eat more.  But I am going to keep working each day to meet this new goal.

02/10/12 Got the results from my blood work lab test today.  Good news - liver and kidney functions are OK and blood sugar results are good.  Bad news - high cholesterol.  Wasn't surprised it was high since it is a hereditary problem in my family - Dad had it, Mom and sister have it.  What did surprise me is how high it is - 314.  Doc says it should be under 200.  Triglycerides are high and bad LDL is high with HDL too low.  Doc wanted to put me on pills but I talked her into letting me try diet and exercise for 3 months to see if I can get it down.  Several years ago, I went the low carb route and my numbers turned out good.  I need to lose weight too.  So I am going to have to get very serious about my diet and my exercise (30 minutes at least a day!)  It is going to have to be a high priority so I can have a good healthy "rest of my life" and so that I can enjoy my husband, kids and grandkids for many, many years.  Please put me on your prayer list that THIS TIME it will be a permanent habit and part of my life!
Dear Lord Jesus, Help me lean on you when I am tempted to sit on the couch and munch those snacks.  Holy Spirit, Help me listen to you when you say "Don't eat that" or "Get up and get going".  Amen.

Terry's travels to NJ and NY

Terry traveled to the town where I was born today - New Brunswick, NJ.  He had to deliver a truck there.  He didn't see much of the town but took a picture anyway as he was leaving.  He had to take a taxi from New Brunswick, NJ to LaGuardia Airport in Queens, NY.  He saw the Empire State Building from a distance and the NY skyline.  Also, saw the Statue of Liberty but it was too far away to get a picture.  It is hard to get good pictures when you are sitting in a taxi, but it is still neat to have Terry share.

New Brunswick - I was only 3 weeks old when we headed back to Oregon so don't remember any of it.

Empire State Building - I rode a subway in NY and saw the Empire State Building when I was 2 weeks old.  "Oh the memories - NOT"

NY Skyline

Update on Misc things

Terry was home for a week and even though I had to work it was still wonderful to have him home and do some cookin'.  He also kept the fire going so when I got home each night the house was warm and the dinner (almost) ready.  We played our favorite card game "crump" but I lost 3 out of 4 games.  It didn't help that I discarded wild cards at least once in each game.  Terry puts on a TV show to distract me!

When Terry went back to work I had to take him back to Portland.  Because the weather was stormy all over Oregon and because Terry got a load heading east, I followed him down I-84 from Portland to Ontario as I had to be in Fruitland, Idaho for meetings.  We hit hard rain from Portland to The Dalles.  The road was dry the rest of the way until we got to about LaGrande.  By then, it was also getting dark and started snowing.  In one stretch of road only about 2 miles long, we passed a jack-knifed semi-truck and trailer, a car on its side in a ditch, and an SUV with its u-haul trailer tipped over.  We ended up going about 50 miles at 35 mph.  One spot, going up a hill, the new snow covered the road making it hard to see the edges but we made it safely!  We have so much to praise the Lord for.  We found out that I-84 had the chain law up this morning to get over Cabbage Mountain and when we went over last night it was dry.  I am glad we did not stop in Pendleton for the night. Terry would have had to stay in Pendleton until the chain law was rescinded.   For the rest of the week I will be in meetings and Terry will be driving across the country.

Bogey and Birdie are staying at Uncle Jim's Dog Spa and Hunting retreat.  So they will be too busy to miss us. Hopefully, the weather will be nice to them and give them sunny days so they can take lots of excursions.

On the road in 2011

Terry was on the road last year 299 days for work and 66 days at home or on vacation (with me!)

He stayed in 33 states (probably drove through more!) and 5 Canadian provinces and drove 97,259 miles.

I traveled to 10 states and was gone 60 days traveling (29 for work).  Doesn't compare to Terry but when you add it up, it is surprising!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!  I am praising the Lord for his creation and our beautiful Oregon landscapes.

Mt. Hood and the Columbia River - viewed in Portland on Marine Drive going west.

The Three Sisters Mountains - part of the Cascades - driving from Prineville to Bend.

Prineville sunrise January 2, 2012