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I'm back....in the back yard that is...

2011-04-18T02:23:00Z

I've been totally ignoring my blog but it's not my fault...fault Facebook! I've been seduced by it but no more...well I will still be there on occasion but I've promised to be more faithful to my own blog. So...here we are in April and still waiting for a miracle...two consecutive days of sun....alas it did not happen. But yesterday Larry and I managed to get in some yard work. For a long time I've been wanting to lay down rock in a strip between the fence and the deck. Friday after work, Larry scurried on over to Knife River and picked up a load of gravel...about 1.5 tons of it! Then early Saturday morning we got up, nixed the showers, and just got dressed and got right to our project. Here are a few pictures! It is half done...next Friday Larry will pick up more gravel and we will repeat our early morning task and finish it. Next project will be to power wash the deck! Stay tuned!....update for you now! Sunday, April 18th, 6:59 pm. Today we finished with another load of gravel. After three hours, with legs responding Gumby-like, the recent "strip" project was complete. Larry suffered through a aching back to shovel and dump about 1.6 tons of rock from the pickup to out back. I raked and raked and raked.....when all that was done I moved some of the potted plants back into place and sprayed the deck. Didn't get to removing the algae from the tops of the glass-top tables but that will be for tomorrow after work. Check out the progress photos below.

Then on Sunday, April 17th we completed the strip.

Now, here's a couple shots of what the next project will be...first, there is this mountain of dirt/weeds/sand to disperse. To the right, along the fence - which has an uphill slant to it, I will build a stone wall about three of four stones high. some of the mountain will be used to fill in where needed. Then I'll probably build three tiers from the corner down, also tiered/walled with stones wall material.

Now, a different view. To the right of the "mountain" is an area where Larry used to have a hot tub. See the concrete slab? Imagine the three foot wide and three/four block tall flower bed against the fence. It will run down and meet with a tier coming down to meet it over where that hill is....picture a fire pit to the left of the hot tub. So I can jump out of the hot tub and go sit next to a fire.

Hunting and Marriage Trip

2010-10-30T20:09:00Z

On the morning of October 15th Larry and I were packed up and headed to go hunting and to stay with our good friends in Bully Creek near Vale, OR. While there we went to the County Courthouse in Vale and Monday, October 18th and we GOT MARRIED! We had a blast for about a week. On the evening of our marriage we went to Boise to enjoy a nice dinner at the Red Lobster and then stayed up late attending the Boise Blues Society blues jam. It was great seeing all my BBS friends and some of my former bandmates! Enjoy the slideshow.

Nancy and Larry Wedding and Hunting Trip

Darlings Resort Camping Weekend

2010-10-09T16:50:00Z

Around 18 of our friends camped out September 17th & 18th at Darlings Resort near Florence, OR. With a bar and restaurant just across from where we camped it was pretty convenient since it rained a lot over the weekend. So at least we had a place to go and watch the Duck game out of the rain. The bar also cooked up a real nice chicken and ribs dinner with all the fixings for our hungry crew. Here's a slide show of the place!

Darlings Resort Slideshow

Booze run to California

2010-10-05T15:59:00Z

Larry and I ran to the California border to All Star Liquors to stock up on discounted booze! It was a nice sunny Sunday morning. Have to say the breakfast at Port and Starboard in Port Orford was VERY disappointing. Larry loves eggs and even they were bad tasting. My biscuits and gravy were nothing to write home about. Should have eaten somewhere else. Steer clear of Port and Starboard!

Booze Run Slideshow

Friday before Labor Day Weekend 2010

2010-09-07T17:27:00Z

On my way to Bandon on Friday, September 3rd, I saw this bus with car in tow...both painted alike....wish I had that kind of money! Color-coordinated all the way! Very cool!

I went to Bandon for a couple things...one was to visit The Lavender Lady, Sherri Merrit's place just about six miles south of Bandon. Here is a picture of her shop inside. I bought a bar of soap, facial wash, and some lotion. Mmmm...nice! Visit her website at: www.lavenderladyfarm.com
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HOG State Rally and Sunday Brunch

2010-08-29T19:16:00Z

On Friday, after my Doctor's appointment, I ran by the Harley dealership to see what the group of H.O.G. Rally riders were up to...good BBQ and oysters by Fat Tuesdays and Joe Pepper. Music by Toyz....nuf said! Saturday I helped out at the Recall Adam Colby table at the Blackberry Arts Festival...sorry, no pictures of the awesome fudge and blackberry cobbler I ate...but on Sunday Larry and I had a nice lobster brunch. Look for it in my Facebook Foodbook too!

HOG Rally pic

Lobster Brunch - A hunka, hunka of yummy warm love!

Coos Bay Speedway Weekend

2010-08-08T22:26:00Z

This past weekend on Saturday night, Larry and I went to see one of his contractor clients, Mike George, drive his #67 Car out at the Coos Bay Speedway. Mike came in 1st in the Trophy Dash for his class and ended up winning the Main Event when the guy who was ahead of him the whole race won but was subsequently disqualified for being underweight. Yeah, Mike. Boy that guy can drift on the corners better than anyone I've seen in a long time. Then Sunday morning we hit the Humboldt for our breakfast. Larry is cooking dinner right now and making Spanish Rice. Can't wait.

On a sad note, last Thursday morning my guitar player for my old band in Idaho, Kevin Rowlands, passed away. I'll be going to Boise this coming weekend for his wake. More on that later...Nancy

View of the Speedway

Larry at the Speedway

Me at the Speedway

Bad Mojo Going Down in Coos Bay

2010-08-07T03:27:00Z

For the past two months or so I've been working for a local non-profit in Coos Bay, OR which is why I haven't blogged a while...been crazy busy. I answered an ad through the Employment Office for a bookkeeper. On the third day I was there I asked why the previous bookkeeper had left. Was told the Executive Director was a pompous ass and told her that he "didn't answer to her." Well I started digging into the books, receipts, etc. and found the Executive Director was FLEECING the place. To make a long story short, the Oregon Department of Justice thought that I presented more than adequate evidence that they asked for an open audit. As a bonafide whistleblower I told the man he couldn't fire me because of Whistleblower statutes but that I'd accept a lay off (which I had tried to get him to do a few weeks earlier). So now, I'm outta there but the ED was laid off until yesterday when the hand picked (and personal friend of the Executive Director) new President of the Board brought his wife on as a new board member which in essence let him back in the door to continue his fleecing. Plus, he gets to provide the audit records....wonder how many things he'll try to change in the books. So, if anybody wants to know who or what organization I'm talking about feel free to call me - 888-2443. The entire Coos Bay city council, county commissioners, and others know what is going on and all we can do is hope they make a move in a more positive direction to take public funds out of this man's hands.

The Weekend after the 4th of July 2010

2010-07-12T02:33:00Z

Eased into the weekend with a game of scrabble with friends. Beautiful plant...that got your attention! Anyone need a good 18554 Samuri sword. Good shape. Two owners...the guy who carried it and the guy who took it from him after he killed him in a little war with Japan. Sunday we went to The Mill Casino for breakfast...gotta add this one to "Foodbook" pages. While Larry worked on painting the shed I finished the entry to the backyard gate.

Read the above....

4th of July 2010

2010-07-05T00:52:00Z

What a great, relaxing weekend I had although Larry really didn't so much rest as work on painting the shed. He was up at 5 on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Three sides are done and he has Monday (tomorrow) off so he will more than likely finish the last side. But I jump ahead of myself. After work on Friday I picked up Pizza at Gino's in North Bend...awesome pizza! Also stopped and picked up two movies at Video & More...Green Zone and The Book of Eli! Tried to watch Green Zone on Friday night but both of us were tired so we saw about half of it before we pooped out! On Saturday morning as Larry was working on the shed I ran errands around town, picking up dirt, stacking yard blocks, new comforter, sheets, and blanket to go red, white and blue themed for the summer! Also, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I'm making trips over to Cecelia's to take care of her cats while she is in Portland at the Waterfront Blues Festival. I'm going next year! Got to make it once before I die! Anyway, today (Sunday) after breakfast with the Garretts at The Humboldt we took a drive up to LaVerne Park near Coquille. When I was a kid my dad used to take us camping or picnicking up there. It was smaller than I remembered. On the way back we stopped in at the Ring Ranch where several friends were camping. Stopped long enough to have a short drink and then drove back to Four Corners and up over the Sumner hill to Catching Slough and then on home. As soon as we arrived home we set about fixing our dinner for the 4th of July celebration...16 oz lobster tails and steamer clams with cheesy french bread. Now, as I am writing this blog, we are stuffed. Larry is fast asleep in his easy chair and I pulled a ladder out to take pictures of some baby birds that are in a next above our front entry. The movie, "The Book of Eli" is playing as background music to Larry's soft snores. Good thing I rented them for a week. Tomorrow I'll go into the office long enough to tell my boss I'm taking the day off and then I'll work on some of my yard projects and help Larry finish up the painting project. All in all a nice weekend.

Our new bedding evokes the spirit of the holiday...gonna keep it on all summer though!

LaVerne Park brings back memories of when my dad was still alive.

Our 4th of July feast...huge lobster tails and steamer clams with cheesy French bread! Yum, yum!

Four little baby birds living above our entryway. "Where's our food, Mom?"

2010 Chainsaw Sculpting Championship - Reedsport, OR

2010-06-20T01:10:01Z

Went to the Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championship in Reedsport, OR on Saturday, June 19th. Walked around and admired the work of chainsaw carvers from all around the U.S. and some international carvers too! Beautiful work! Larry and I went with our friends John and Rosie Hamilton. Stopped in Winchester Bay on the way home for Triangle Farm oysters...smoked them for an hour and a half when we got home and had them for dinner with fries from McDonald's....am sleepy now!
Check out the slideshow!

Clamming and Rhody Festival

2010-05-24T00:06:00Z

Check out the slideshow! Larry and I and our friend Don went clam digging out on Clam Island last weekend (5/15) and got our limit. There are a few pictures of Don and Larry in this slideshow. Then this weekend on Sunday (05/23/10) we hit the Rhody Festival in Florence to watch the parade and met up with some friends. When I got home I had a message on the answering machine that said I got the job I interviewed for on Friday. Nice way to end the weekend! But possible the most lame theme for the Rhody Festival ever - "You Are Here." What marketing genius came up with that one?

2010 Crawdad Festival - Lakeside, OR

2010-05-09T19:30:00Z

Just got back home Sunday, Mother's Day after having spent Friday and Saturday night at Tenmile Lakes, Lakeside, OR. We stayed with friends, Dave and Jan Morin, at their lakeside home on The Tenmile Queen - an old paddleboat converted into a floating home. We had a great time touring both North and South Lake. Saw my old cabin where I lived for about three years - boat access only when I was about 7th grade to sophomore. We listened to "Charlie Freak" - a local band and then Etouffee came on - good music, good friends! Here's some pics. Going back out with CeCe today at 2:00 pm. T-Bone Stone sitting in with Elkhorn...maybe I'll sing one too!

2010 Crawdad Festival Slideshow

No Jobs....so I will create my own! First Steps!

2010-04-23T00:12:00Z

Today I got my new website signs put on the car. Next step...finish website tonight, tomorrow business cards, handbills, and flyers. Oh, my! Went and did a little grocery shopping then worked on my new website: www.nmmbusinesssolutions.com Visit my site and see what I'm offering in services.

Brian from Import Experts in Coos Bay, OR does vinyl graphics as a second job. But he does great work for a beginner.

Shoreacres looking for Whales...none sighted.

2010-04-22T02:09:00Z

Went out to Shoreacres a few days ago to see if I could see any grey whales traveling through....none sighted. So I took this photo of a fallen tree that has been reduced to just its nearly petrified root system. Very cool looking though! Then I drove to the end of the road at Cape Arago and took a photo of all the sea lions - 4 different kinds - basking in the sun on the rocks below.

Taxes were done in January - here's how I spent April 15th

2010-04-20T03:07:00Z

April 15th - Tax Day found me singing the blues at Quackers in Eugene, OR. My host (while my car was in the repair shop) was T-Bone Stone and his wife, Carla, and their daughter Autumn. Closest Kia dealership to Coos Bay is Eugene.

Easter Egg Time

2010-04-03T02:43:00Z

It's been many, many years since I colored eggs for Easter. At least 30 years I'd wager! But Larry, being the kid at heart that he is, really wanted me to color some eggs for our Easter. So after Larry bought us dinner at Luigi's - Garbage Grinders with lots of onion - I commenced to dyeing eggs! Here is a picture of a black baby stuffed animal lamb that I got as a gift years ago! Put the eggs in a glass bowl that has sentimental memories for Larry. Cute and colorful, don't ya think? My fingertips are dyed all sorts of pretty colors too! And there is glitter everywhere in the kitchen. Probably be there till Christmas!

Food and Music

2010-04-01T17:02:00Z

Nothing much going on around here...just trying to learn more AutoCAD, rearranged my garage music "studio" so it leaves a smaller footprint, ate out this past weekend twice (Sat and Sun) at our favorite watering hole/restaurant in North Bend - The Humboldt. Great eggs benny! Full bar! For me coffee and Carolyn's. The Humboldt has no website and the owner said he's not interested in having one....but if you are visiting the coast try them out. Right on Hwy 101 in North Bend. Across from Roger's Zoo, which by the way...segue here....T-Bone Stone is joing Bobby Lindstrom this coming Saturday night. T-Bone and his wife, Carla, will be staying the night at our place.

Nancy's Bio

2010-03-31T17:49:00Z

Nancy McIntosh was born in Caldwell, Idaho on June 13, 1955. She spent the majority of her youth growing up in Coos Bay, Oregon.

On July 21st of 1981, five weeks after moving from Coos Bay to Phoenix, Arizona, she survived a 125-foot jump from the infamous cliffs of Arizona’s Salt River. She did, however, crush her second lumbar vertebrae from the impact. In the weeks following back surgery, doctors told her family that she would never get out of bed again, much less walk. Through sheer determination and steel will, Nancy got out of bed within the first three weeks of a 3-month hospital stay. Her first task out of bed was to paint the body cast she wore for the next year with the “Wonder Woman” motif because the hospital staff had began calling her by that name.

She returned to Idaho in November of 1981 to continue her rehabilitation. In December of 1982, she enrolled at Boise State University and made her way around campus using crutches. When she entered the workforce, after earning a BA in English Writing in 1986, she was using only a walking cane for balance and her signature high top tennis shoes or boots for needed ankle support.

Nancy has countless stories to tell of overcoming adversity while keeping a sense of humor and maintaining a healthy, positive outlook on life. She is an accomplished floral designer, musician, computer software specialist, bookkeeper, and more. Recently she took AutoCAD II at S.O.C.C. and earned an A grade (March 2010). She hopes to learn all she can about home design and become a home design draftsman.

Chicago Blues Festival 2000 (source: topix)

2010-03-29T01:05:30Z

After last year's outpouring of complaints about the lack of big-name talent at the Chicago Blues Festival, the Mayor's Office of Special Events has put together a heavy-hitting main-stage lineup that should help restore some of the respect journalists, m... (source: topix) RSS feeds and Widgets and RSS feeds - uk.feedzilla.com