Down Memory Lane

As I had hoped, I have been organizing a few closets and drawers during the Spring Break. Since it is such a dreary day, it is the perfect Saturday project. It's taking a little longer than I thought because I keep coming across sentimental things. My motivation to complete this project is a movie date with Walt this weekend.
As I have been scanning old pictures and documents, I found this photo from 1959-60. My friends, Sue Waterman and Debbie Pulioff came over to play Barbies and my mom clicked a quick photo in our front yard in northeast Portland. Good memories ... Barbie was extremely popular during that time ... AND still is around our house. Maybe in the future I'll feature my collection with a "Blogger Tour of Barbies." I bet you can't wait : )

Family Game Day

It was fun to get the family together Sunday afternoon for a game day. After playing ScrutinEYES and enjoying a pizza we decided to break in the decks of cards the Dehazes' gave us for Christmas.

Brian was especially excited with his Star Wars deck and found it to be his new "secret weapon" in slowing our Nerts game down. You see, when he puts his cards in the middle, we cannot determine the suit or number due to the Star Wars characters replacing the familiarity of a regular deck of cards.
It was hilarious ... and Brian loved it!

It was so much fun being with the kids ... a great way to kick off the Spring Break.

A Weekend of Fun and Games

My Spring Break started out with a fun-filled weekend.
Friday night was Girl's Wii Night at Heather's. We enjoyed a salad buffet and got plenty of exercise while bowling, boxing and playing tennis. I have to admit that my shoulder was a little sore the next morning after working hard at a boxing knock out. I think it's an age thing! Maybe there should be a warning/caution on the box ... "those in their 50's must play at their own risk."
We spent Saturday night with the Dehaze's. After grabbing a bite to eat we settled down for an evening of ScrutinEYES -The Game of Closer Looks. We bought this game in the early 90's while shopping at one of those Fred Meyer Black Friday sales ... I think we paid $4.00 for it. Anyway, after opening it for Christmas it found a home in our game cupboard while we spent years going from one soccer field to another. Since the Dehazes bought it at the same sale and actually PLAYED the game, we decided to open the brand-new box and give it a try. Oh my, is it ever FUN! I can't believe we let it sit in a cupboard for nearly 15 years.

Using picture cards you need to find/list as many objects in an area of the picture that begin with an assigned letter of the alphabet within a one-minute time period. The lower portion of the "S" card has over 1,000 objects that begin with the letter "S." You can look for hours and not find all the answers. There's just one catch ... if your answer matches our opponent's, you don't score. I can't believe we ignored this fun entertainment for so many years.
AND ... to top off our evening the Dehazes brought a bakery box filled with desserts from St. Honore's. Life is GOOD : ) Thank you, friends for such a fun evening.
Oh, but the weekend filled with fun and games continued. Check back for the next post -- our Sunday Family Game Day. Who needs to travel for Spring Break??? I have amazing friends and family right in my own backyard.

Happy 50th Birthday, Barbie

Check out what the grandkids surprised me with Friday ... a new Barbie celebrating her 5oth birthday. I can still remember the day I got my first Barbie ... the box she came in ... the plastic smell ... the black-striped swimsuit and plastic high heels. I picked out one with dark hair and my dear friend, Paula had one with blonde hair. Oh, the hours we spent playing with those dolls.
Of course, after a half-century Barbie still looks fabulous ... ready to capture the hearts of a new generation of little girls. However, the "original" owners have aged and are now eligible to be card-carrying AARP members!

Touring Italy

Ah, yes ... another "time claimer" in our busy life. In my distracted mode I have also been touring Italy -- just a quick glimpse at Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome and Naples each evening.
A few Saturdays ago Walt was talking to one of our neighbors about our dream of vacationing in Italy for our 35th anniversary. Several minutes later he came out with a shopping bag full of books and Rick Steves' videos for us to borrow ... and dream!
Now we can sit back in the recliner and catch the sites, sounds and flavors of our dream destination. Just makes my mouth water for a good pasta dinner : )
Ciao

Totally Girl Weekend

What a fun beach getaway we had several weekends ago. The weather was perfect for a walk on the beach Saturday ... warm and no breeze. It was hard to believe is was the end of February.
There are usually many activities included in our stay ... good food, good talks, good movies and this time we added "beading therapy" led by Shelley. We each made a bracelet with one common bead and check out how many looks came from each "jewelry artisan." (Mine is second one on the right) What patience Shelley possesses ... she crimped every bracelet ... and we each made more than one!
It was time for a much needed "retreat" ... it was nice not having a schedule, staying in jammies most of the morning and just hanging out. What a blessing it was to spend time with such fabulous friends.

Where Have We Been?

Seems like I've had fewer posts lately and it's probably due to a new obsession ... American Idol! Can you believe this is the first season we have watched from the very beginning? It took eight seasons to get me hooked : ) Since this is a time commitment of sometimes two nights a week ... I also juggle two weekly Bible studies, digital scrapbooking, knitting, blogging and reading ... I have been pretty "distracted" this winter. Blogging has dropped a notch or two in priority on my schedule. I'm thinking the season will end by May and I will be back to my normal routine. Anyone else hooked????
In the meantime, I will try to post more often.
P.S. My vote is for Danny!

Wii Are Having Fun!

Last weekend we had the opportunity to share in many new "firsts." Donna & Pierre took us to a Junior Hockey League game to watch their nephew, CJ play for the Jaguar's. And I was not disappointed watching my first hockey game. There were bodies slamming against the plexi-glass, sticks flying and even a fight where masks, pads, and gloves flew and so did fists! Wow ... what entertainment.
Then came the real competition for the evening ... playing Wii Sports and Wii Fit @ the Dehaze arena. Since this was a new experience for me ... it was also very entertaining for my teammates and spectators. There were plenty of "belly laughs" and many "you can do its." Probably the event I enjoyed most was bowling -- perhaps because my score was much higher than when I am at the alley. Although, had you been a "screen" spectator you would probably be wearing a neck brace as I kept releasing the ball behind me into the crowd. Same with tennis ... many little green balls smacking over the spectator seating area leaving injury and mayhem behind.
I think Wii Fit would be a great motivation to exercise ... but could end up stacked next to the elliptical. It's the same as a gym membership ... I'm a great card-carrying member / make the payments but my enthusiasm dwindles after a few visits. Hhhmmm ... but the Wii might be different -- something to consider.
What a great evening ... those Dehazes know how to have fun. But next time I'm bringing my workout clothes!