Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo

Judi waved while freezing, hard to believe she was born and raised in Wisconsin.

The wind was picking up (wind chill is a killer), so I had to hide behind the wall I hope you can get an idea of what it really looked from our perspective.

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo

It is a White Christmas, sort of.

Salem is located in the Oregon's valley. One hour east of the coast and one hour west of the Cascade Mountains. Yep, you got it. One hour to the sea and one hour to the snow. Oregon has the same geographical features as Puerto Rico in the sense that all the moisture of the cold Arctic air hit the mountains and precipitates over the valley. The air which flows to the east of the Cascades is dry making eastern Oregon a desert. The same is true in Puerto Rico in which cold moist air flowing north to south, from the Atlantic ocean to the Caribbean sea, hit the "Cordillera Central" keeping the north side of the island wetter than the south.

This geographical feature keeps a lot of rain in valley during the end of Fall, all Winter, and the beginning of Spring. Rain start at the end of October and stops on early April. Now, Summer is awesome here in Oregon. We were told that very rarely snow hit the valley floor due to its low altitude. They claim snow does not fall below 500 feet very often, but our house is only 361 feet above sea level and I have seen snow flakes both winters. Go figure !!

Judi and I spend Christmas Eve with Molly's family here in West Salem; and x-mas day was spent with Karla, Judi's partner in crime when Child abuse has been reported.

The Weather News predicts 2 to 3 inches of accumulated snow after midnight. I can only hope. Have you noticed the hills around the house?

Erin Lynn Mann

WELCOME HOME ERIN !!!!! Michael and Holly Mann are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl named Erin Lynn. She was born at 0410 hrs on December 22nd, 2007. I think she is quite a lucky girl to be born in such a loving family. I have no pictures of her but as soon as I get them, with the parents consent of course, I will let you have a pick on the new Mann's baby. Congratulations Michael, even when it was Holly who did most of the work and all the labor.

RE: The Manns, posted on April 22nd 2006. (20 months later, huh?)

Blog Update

Hello there, I hope you got the chance to enjoy the updates I have been adding to the blog. First you may notice two (2) weather gadgets added to the blog. I added one (1) because I like to keep track of the movement of wind current and NOAA information. The other because it has a lot of cool features.

1. It has access to the web cams around the state with a link to its original page.
2. It also has access to Gaiagi, a cool satellite photo program.
3. It has a few days weather forecast by the Weather Bug and you can also see a little weather forecast clip.
4. More stuff, just play around with it.

I also added three (3) sources of local news, since the blog is kind of center around our lives in Oregon. Two (2) are TV stations gadgets and one (1) is a local news paper.

I hope you like the improvements.

PS.

Well, as I searched for gadgets to add to the blog, I came across a gadget about earthquakes. I thought, Oregon has the Cascadian Fault of it's coast, maybe a "watch" gadget will not be such a bad idea. Then I thought, why be such a pessimist. So I did not include it in the early updates.

I was proudly showing Judi my accomplishments as a "blog master"and she pointed out that the news feed has reported a 4.7 quake out of Oregon's coast tonight. So here I am adding this gadget. I hope you like the gadget as well, feel free to play with it.

Check Out, If you are a Trekkie of course, the tribute to Star Trek 40th Anniversary at the bottom of the page.

Mannheim Steamroller (Fresh Aire)

Click on the post title for a link to Mannheim Steamroller's web page.

This is how close we got to see Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller. We sat on table 36 and I took advange of the complementary wine. Judi attacked the cheese and crakers, typical Cheese head.

The "Show" is on its way.

Judi broke the Gingerbread man's heart.

Is the season to be Jolly.

This was an excellent village display

On November 30th Judi and I went to the Quarter Rose Auditorium in Portland to enjoy a Concert by Mannheim Steamroller. I became a fan of this group back in December of 1984. Bobby Beceril, a friend of mine, introduced me to a song from their first Christmas album.

I liked it so much that I did a diligent search and started to gather their Fresh Aire collection, first on tapes and now in cd's, all 8 of them. During the years I have also collected 5 of their Christmas albums, but I doubt I will collect all 7 of them since they are getting repetitive, Mannheim Steamroller meet the mouse, Yellowstone: The music of nature, Classical Gas, Saving the Wildlife, Romantic Melodies, and 2 of their Ambiance collection. Yes, I am a big fan.

In recent years Mannheim Steamroller became popular with their Christmas albums. Prior to the success of holidays music, only few people like me knew about them, not so good for bus sines. Now all they seem to focus is Christmas music. I am disappointed since I really enjoy the Fresh Aire style Chip Davis created. Now, I guess, I will never hear them play those song live. Anyways the concert was excellent.

First Movie

Here is a copy of the first short movie created by the Furry Herd Production company. The film was taken in the winter of 2004 in Wisconsin. The company agreed that an old fashion appearance was the key factor for the activity display by the protagonist.

2007 Summer Project Update

Hey Luis, are you done yet? asked Judi.

Can you finish today? asked Judi.

I dig and dig just like a chain gang inmate, but I make no progress.

What should I do with all this dirt?

The work just piles up around here. said Luis

Here are more pics of the project. At this progress , it may become into the "Summer 2008" project. Of course Judi will kill me if I let it go that far. besides I am ready to see the whole plan get together. I'll keep Ya'll posted.

Bahia Principe Part Deux

Click on the post title for a link to Bahia Pricipe Web Page.

Photo of the buildings

Judi drinking Rum products in a coconut by the beach

Judi leaving a shop by Pueblo Principe.

Judi and I, am not holding my belly in, judi is pushing it in.

Yours truly arriving in Florida, United States in 1986.

Now I know I am getting old. In past years some one would have sugest to take a vacation to sit by the beach and do nothing but eat, drink, and sleep. I would have laugh at that person. Vacation is not for rest it is for exploring and adventure. Well, I spent 7 days sitting, eating, and drinking and I loved it. I am getting old.

Bahia Principe, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Click on the post title for a link to Bahia Principe web page.

Judi enjoying a Bacardi and coke while waiting for our dinner buffet.

Judi about to enjoy some shopping at the resort. God bless the peso was 33 to 1 dollar.

Judi enjoying another Bacardi and coke. Can any one see a pattern here?

My parents and Judi on our way to enjoy some drinks before the buffet. Bacardi and coke for Judi, Presidente beer for my dad, just a coke for my mom, and a Mojito for yours truly.

View from the front of our building into the resort complex.

We went to Bahia Pricipe, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic back in September. We spent 6 fabulous nights there. It is an all inclusive resort, yes that is right., All inclusive. Food, drinks (also alcoholic drinks), tips, acquatic activities, etc. We pampered ourselves until our hearts content.

2007 Summer Project Update

I added some blocks to the existing wall. The rule is four(4) feet but I have to be different and it is 41/2 feet tall at its end.

Here is Campeon, Chester, and Morena keeping me company while I play landscaper. Yes, I did stop building steps but you can get an idea of the final result. Can't you?

I started digging on the other side of the wall. The clay is as hard as rock and progress is as slow as snails, but I get rid of my frustration by beating the H@&* out of the hill.

Here is my first attempt to build the wall and reclaim five (5) feet of taxed and unused land. I said the first attempt since I have to re-start three (3) times already since I am using the most rudimentary of engineering tools for the job. I am starting to feel a lot of respect for those that build the Pyramids and Hedge Stone.

2007 Summer Project

Here are some pics of the first stage. Building steps into the retaining wall A slow process, a lot of frustration. Last Summer we did the fence. This summer we are creating a patio area and a flower bed to enjoy the awsome Oregon weather and the new grill.

Suave Got Hurt !!!!

POOR SUAVE !!!!!!!!!

Suave took advantage of all the pampering she got from me.

These are the last days of her injuries. She is now as good as new.

Suave and the rest of the pack went to the park. Suave being Suave, ran in front of the pack. She struck a car with her head, (yes, she struck the car. Not the other way around) dropped to the ground and her left front paw ended up under the rear right tire of the car. Because Suave is a lucky dog, the driver stopped the vehicle on top of her paw. Suave suffered a broken leg and broken toes.

Drew Does Oregon

Drew Arrived at Portland Airport and Judi was beside herself. Can you tell? Drew, Judi, and I at the Sea Lion Cave. Judi & Drew at the portland China town, more like a china village. Judi & Drew before his flight out of Portland. Can you see the sorrow on Judi's eyes?

No Camera, No blogs post

In December the Sony digital camera became damaged. Lucky for me, my wife is a genius and bought the extended warranty. I took it to BEST BUY twice and twice the camera did not perform well. So they finally let me have a new camera. The best part of the ordeal is that the camera model that I used to have was discontinued, so I got an upgrade. Now I have camera and the blog should be up and running.