THE SMART CAR

MSRP: $16,590

I've been seeing these around town lately and I think they are so darn adorable. But then I also think I would not want to get in an accident in one of them. Until my husband informed that they are made of reinforced steel, supposedly very safe. Here is some more info on them....
************************************************************************
The idea behind the "Smart car" was to create a vehicle easy to park and short enough to allow "nose-in" parking. Its length of 250 centimetres (98.4 in) would equal the width of a regular parking slot, allowing two or three Smarts to park in the space as one normal car.

But is it safe?
A potentially bigger obstacle for Heidemann is convincing Americans that the smart cars — just over eight feet long — are safe.

The frame for smart cars is made of reinforced steel, creating what engineers compare to the way a walnut shell protects the nut.

In Europe's five-star crash rating system, the smarts get three stars.

Since introducing smarts in 1998, the carmaker itself has spent time and advertising money convincing Europeans on safety, touting a frame design it likens to a walnut, with high-strength steel beams reinforcing key areas.

Smart also likes to show off a 30-mph crash test between a smart coupe and a Mercedes sedan twice as big. "The passenger cell survived the collision almost unscathed," says spokeswoman Julia Knittel.

Other safety features on the manual transmission smarts include braking and stability technology usually found only on high-end luxury cars. And on hills, a start assist keeps the brakes on for just under a second to allow time for the feet to adjust.

HORSEBACK RIDING ON THE BEACH

We had a weekend at the beach planned with my parents. While we were there I had made reservations to surprise Steve for our anniversary with a horseback riding experience. He has never been on a horse before and has mentioned that he would like to sometime. I was able to find a company that was about 20 miles away from where we were staying.

We had reservations for 10 in the morning on Saturday. We left the house we were staying at and headed there and I contacted the guy when we were close and he said he was having trailer trouble and had misplaced my number...not starting out well. So instead of 10 we were now looking at noon. We didn't want to drive back to the house so we waited around until the outlet mall opened and did a little retail action. Not a bad distraction. We called him again after 11 and he said he was heading toward the beach and we could come earlier then noon.

So we got there and he was starting to unload the 3 horses. When we saw the 2 horses that we'd be riding we saw one was a little bigger and both Steve and I figured that was his horse. His name was Red and Steve started petting and bonding with him. Then we were informed that I was riding that horse. Apparently he needs a little more experience rider then the female named Astonia, which Steve was going to ride.

We started out going through the dunes and down onto the beach for awhile. When we came back we went up through the dunes again on some trails back by a bay and then we came back out onto the beach for the return. It was about a 7.5 mile ride and lasted almost 2 hours. He ended up extending it a little because he felt bad for the delay we had earlier.

Bill was very nice and very personable. We enjoyed our conversations with him while we rode and at times he'd even hang back and leave us alone. We liked how he wasn't so rigid about everything and he pretty much let us do what we wanted to do, within reason. He had my camera the whole time and took many pictures of us. We would totally recommend him and will most likely contact him again in the future. I've listed his website at the bottom.

As for Steve, he thoroughly enjoyed himself and said he'd totally do it again. He would just prefer a bigger horse next time. At first his horse wouldn't get out of a trot and I was laughing so hard watching him trotting down the beach. But then he got her into a gallop and he really liked running.

It was beautiful to be on the beach riding a horse. I've rode horses in the past but never on the beach and it was quite the experience.





SMALL WORLD FARM

CERAMIC PROJECT

When the kids were here this summer we went to a local ceramic store. I wanted to take all 3 kids in to get their handprints done in a clay mold. They grow so fast and I knew this would be something that we'd treasure.

While we were there we thought they might enjoy painting something. So we decided on 2 different mugs for us to drink our coffee out of. Didn't know it would take so long, but it did. We were going to have Mackenzie paint something too but she didn't want anything to do with it. It was a fight just to get her handprint!

I finally made it back to pick up the finished mugs and it took me about an hour and a half to paint the 3 plates. They go in for one last fire and then after a week I can pick those up. I will post a picture once I get them back.

Austin did the taller cup for his Dad and Valerie painted the other one for me. Interesting to see what their creative vision is at this age.

Never Forget...

Thought this would be the only picture appropriate for todays blog.

Started off my day witnessing President and Mrs Bush holding a moment of silence this morning in Washington.

Today at work we discussed 9/11. Some remembering where they were at the time of the attack. I grew up with parents remembering where they were when Kennedy was shot. Seems every generation has at least 1. I only wonder what it will be our kids will not forget.

6 YEARS

Today my husband and I have been married for 6 years. We are celebrating it in a couple weeks when we go to the beachhouse for a weekend. We are going with my parents so we thought that might be a good time to get away for an hour by ourselves.

About a month ago I got this idea from a lady I work with. She told me that her and her husband trade off every year planning the anniversary. I thought that was a great idea. It's both of ours so why should one person always get nominated to do something. When I had presented this idea to my husband he seemed ok with it. Especially since I told him I would take this year. So I have something planned for the weekend we go to the beach and I'm not telling him what is involved.

Today we thought maybe we'd go to the zoo but then backburnered that idea because of the heat today, new baby elephant, and grandparent's day. We figured it would be kind of crazy there. So instead we lazily went out for breakfast, which we seldom do. Came home and I had some errands to run while our daughter slept so I took full advantage of that window.

We went to the neighborhood park before sunset and also blew bubbles in our front yard. It seemed like just any other typical day which is good in a way too. Nice to not HAVE to make such a big deal about it on one particular day when the whole year should be just as nice too.

THINGS I LIKE

Did this awhile ago, thought I would post it here. If you haven't done this, you should. It's kinda' fun.

covered bridges
fresh sheets
frogs
caterpillers
a clean house
laundry done
my daughter's laugh
a warm bed
great books
an infectious laugh
candles
my husbands cologne
finding shells on the beach
new electronic gadgets
mild yardwork
hanging with friends
pedi's
new car smell
watching movies
tulips
a clean car
walk in closets
making memories
taking pictures to capture the moment
gettin away from it all
the beach, anytime
smell of baby lotion/powder
basking on tropical beaches
singing all the words to songs I know
diamonds and white gold
my TIVO
riding horses
great smiles
beautiful eyes
fresh cut hayfields
babies laughter
my family
smell of first rain
pouring hard rain and running outside barefoot to dance in it
painted toenails
coupons
thunderstorms
Fossil watches
tan skin
reality TV

WEIRD...

Saw this out on my walk last night. Seriously? Corn stalks growing in the front yard? I'm wondering if they think of it as a shrub? Is this the best place they had for a garden?
And then you can also see a couple tacky fake dark green plants on the front porch.
Just had to share.

LABOR DAY BBQ

Family came to our house for a BBQ. Had good food, played some outdoor games and had a great time. Not very often that all of our schedules mesh and we can all make it so it was nice to see everyone.

Kids and Grandkids

All of us

Amanda, Tim and baby Paisley

Me with Paisley

Tony and Rachel on his new bike

RIVER CRUISING

Today we ventured out with the boat and checked out the rivers. We have always wanted to, just never got to it. Forecast was rain so we brought the covers and we were able to stay dry when it would pour. Had some sun breaks and was able to see a lot of pretty sights. Was a nice way to see the city. We want to go back and tie up to the dock at Newport Bay Restaurant and have lunch.

Our city has a lot of cool bridges. This is only 2 of what we saw.



Convention center in the background


View of the city in the background


I took a picture of this tugboat because my husband grew up on one that looked very similiar. He said that this one might be a little bigger but not by much. His family lived on this instead of a landhome. He has said it was pretty cool. They would just take their home wherever and they spent a lot of time around Catalina Island. They would catch fish during the day and would be eating it that night.

Was interesting to see all the houseboats along the river. I thought this one was the most beautiful and...

...this one was the most unusual. I called it the potato bug home. Steve called it the airstream home. I'm sure I could find an article on it.

Petting Zoo

Went to a state fair today. I loved the petting zoo. They had 3 different kinds of fawns in there, 2 wallaby's (very soft), a very gentle llama (kids were practically laying on the thing), several goats, a couple chickens and I'm sure I'm forgetting some other things. But this particular pygmy goat I was petting was just so darn cute. You can barely see my daughter behind me but she's more interested in playing with the straw and trying to cover up the animals.

If you want to hear more about the fair, click here to go to my other blog.

R.I.P Kevin Duckworth "00" (1964-2008)

Back in the 90's was when I loved to watch the Blazers play. Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Buck Williams, Jerome Kersey, Cliff Robinson and all the rest. The most inspirational figure was a soft-hearted yet determined 300-pound center named Kevin Duckworth.
Kevin Duckworth, 44, a two-time NBA All-Star who starred on Western Conference Championship teams in Portland in 1990 and 1992, passed away Monday evening in Gleneden Beach, Oregon.

A member of the Trail Blazers from 1986-93, the 7-footer - affectionately known to Trail Blazers fans simply as "Duck" - also played for San Antonio, Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers during his 11-year NBA career.

"Today is an extremely sad day for the Trail Blazers family," Trail Blazers President Larry Miller said. "Kevin will be remembered by fans as one of the most popular and recognizable players to ever wear the Blazers uniform, but to people who knew him, he'll be remembered as one of the warmest and biggest-hearted."

Duckworth remained in the Portland area after his playing career ended, living in Tigard, Or with his fiancee and his 2 children. Kevin was an avid fisherman & outdoorsman, and a skilled carpenter.

Duckworth died of a heart attack on Monday, August 25, 2008 in Gleneden Beach, Oregon, near the coastal town of Lincoln City. He collapsed in his hotel room, and emergency services were unable to revive him. His death was confirmed by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. Duckworth was on the Oregon Coast representing the TrailBlazers as a Heritage Ambassador on the team's 19-city Statewide Summer Tour, hosting a free kids basketball clinic.

OUR ZOO HAS A NEW BABY!

He is so adorable looking I just had to share...


Oregon Zoo's Rose-Tu Is Now The Proud Mother Of A Healthy Son

Rose-Tu, a 14-year-old Asian elephant and first-time mother, gave birth to a 286-pound, male calf at the Oregon Zoo at 3:56 p.m. on Aug 23. The first-time mother seemed confused during the birth and showed aggression to the calf. Veterinarians and keeper staff quickly intervened, but reintroduction efforts are now underway.

"The baby is calling to his mom and she's calling back," said Mike Keele, the zoo's deputy director and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' species survival plan coordinator for Asian elephants. "Our veterinarians have examined the calf to see if he sustained any injuries, however from the behavioral signs we've seen thus far, we're very hopeful."

Keele believes that because Rose-Tu had never seen a birth before, she became confused when the baby was born.

"After several failed but energetic attempts, the calf finally stood up and took his first few steps," said Keele. "He has a good suckle response and took water from a keeper's finger within the first hour after birth," he added.

Rose-Tu is doing well after more than 31 hours of labor, thanks to a daily exercise regimen that has kept her in top shape.

PRAYING MANTIS

Today when I got back from the park I found a praying mantis on a bush by our driveway. I've been hoping this summer to find one. I found one over 10yrs ago and kept it for awhile, feeding it crickets.

I went in and got my daughters bug container and put it inside with a part of the bush. I kept it in there for a couple hours then I took these pictures of it before I let it go onto a bush in our backyard. I would have liked to have kept her but I just don't have the time nor the energy to keep her alive.

I think these bugs are not only odd looking but are also very cool. I always think of the movie Aliens when I see them. They turn their head and study you and they always look like they understand. Not sure if you have ever seen one eat but that's cool too. They will hold their victim with their big forearms and devour it. If you ever see one in your yard, keep it there. They do a great job of getting rid of the bugs.

USAIN BOLT from Jamaica

I've been trying to watch the olympics and most the time my busy schedule has made it a little hard. There is so much coverage of it and at times it gets a little overwhelming but I do try to watch when I can.
Having said that, I did happen to catch Usain Bolt break the worlds record the other night. This guy is amazing and was inspiring to watch him. And I just love his name.


BEIJING (AP) -- Usain Bolt of Jamaica broke the world record by winning the 200 meters in 19.30 seconds Wednesday night, becoming the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to sweep the 100 and 200 gold medals at an Olympics.

Bolt is the first man ever to break the world marks in both sprints at an Olympics. Not even Lewis or Jesse Owens managed that.

Showing what he can do when he runs at full speed all the way through the finish-something he hadn't done yet in the Beijing Games-Bolt eclipsed the old record of 19.32 seconds set by Michael Johnson in Atlanta in 1996.

Bolt was an astonishing 0.52 seconds ahead of Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles, who was second across the finish line but later was disqualified after a U.S. team protest that he had run out of his lane.

The third man across the line, Wallace Spearmon of the United States, also was disqualified for leaving his lane.

Those rulings meant Shawn Crawford of the United States, the defending Olympic champion, wound up with the silver medal, and another American, Walter Dix, ended up with the bronze medal despite being the fifth man across the finish line.

The performance marked Bolt as one of the breakthrough stars of these Summer Games, coming on the heels of his victory in the 100 Saturday night.

He bettered his own world record in that race by winning in 9.69 seconds-despite slowing down over the final 20 meters to showboat.

KITE BOARDER IN STORM

I saw this footage on the news this morning. Not the best view but ya get the picture.
I just can't believe the guy didn't let go when he was slammed down the first time on the sand.

Kite boarder at A1A (Florida beach) tries to fly during TS Fay