"The Electric Maid for Modern Mothers"

Count me in!!!

This last week has been a happy whirlwind of endless activity - a visit from friends where we tried to stay up late like we were in our teens, and ended up reality checking and finding that our bodies are indeed in their 20's and 30's. Such fun ... photos to follow of our coast-hopping dear friends visit.

Right after that we packed up and drove to Yamhill county for family camp with our church - no cell coverage - nothing but babbling brooks, extreme adventure courses, and lotsa outdoor worship. Slept on the floor, ate a sloppy joe, swam in a water hole ... definitely summer camp!

Back home again, we had to switch cars and rent a pickup to fetch some house supplies - an exterior door, bathroom vanity, and my New Best Friend. (see photo above). 1920's electric stove in gorgeous condition! All original nickel hexagonal knobs - wood oven handle - porcelain plug. It's dreamy. Very very dreamy. And it was on Craigslist in Vancouver for $145! It's sitting in the middle of my kitchen as we speak being polished up.

Back to Portland again to return the truck, and spend a hot day in PDX with Sonja ... sippin' Sangrias, toting the wee ones to gourmet pizza affairs and playgrounds, stealing a moment in Anthropologie, and wondering how we can convince the girls to be anthropologists when they grow up ... you know, women how invest heavily in Anthro stocks and inventory on behalf of their mothers. How proud we would be! lol....

We have a one day turnaround (today) where I'm unpacking and repacking for the 2nd annual Hillsdale west coast reunion. This time, our friends Allie and Joel and baby Cate are flying in all the way from Hotlanta to join us for a weekend in Cannon Beach, along with the Downey and Weeks families from the Portland area. Can't wait to fall asleep to the surf, watch the kids run through the dune grass, and have the usual seafood dinner bash. Anna, Queen Planner of these trips, found the most beautiful beachfront house for everyone ...

http://www.oregonbeachvacations.com/rental/imgview.html ID=339&UN=Landers&IT=R

It will be crazy in Cannon Beach with the annual (Mt) Hood to Coast relay, ending in Cannon Beach this weekend, but a nice dose of sun and friends will more than make up for tourist overpopulation :)

That's all for now - desperately trying to catch up with bills, phone calls, emails, and .... LAUNDRY!!!!