Tuesday 29 July 2008

Just another day in the Beilby family. Caitlin decides that she wants to volunteer to work at "Paws" - the local shelter that hosts kittens and bigger kittens until such time as a generous human will adopt them. So...we embark on the walk to the cat sanctuary for some unknown reason with our cat chasing, slightly neurotic, not completely bright but lovable dog! As we approach the "Paws", Redd decides to attack the lovable creature basking in the the summer sun on a chair outside the shelter. Much to the cat's credibility, it fought back and gave Redd a couple of nasty scratches on his nose.

So...despite the drama, the shelter owner agrees that Caitlin and her friend Annabella may help out in the shelter and puts them to work immediately scooping poop and feeding the 30 or so kittens they house here.
I'm very proud of her. She worked very hard, despite the smelly poop and feral kittens jumping all over her.

Friday 18 July 2008

Nina Turns 40!

Well, it was inevitable but a relief now the anticipation and anxiety about hitting a big one is over. I spent the morning drinking tea. Then my Caitlin fixed my hair with the most wonderful arrangement of gold and brown and black clips.

Then Brandon made me Scrambled eggs with just the right amount of salt and pepper which I indulged in whilst watching the morning news. Patrick and Caitlin went down the street to get a a Latte. Just perfect!

Caitlin and I took Redd to the park where I pushed her on the tire swing and then we swung together until motion sickness (or maybe the scrambled eggs) got the better of me and we decided to walk around the river which was glorious!


Back home I was showered with flowers and gifts from Oz. Yeah! Thank you.


Then I got ready for lunch whilst speaking to my mum!

Lunch was at Ricardo's Italian. My friend Michelle got me the cutest martini glass so I just had to put something in it!

Thank you all my special friends for their phone calls and email messages. I feel very very lucky to have such thoughtful people in my life.

Funny cards...thanks for making me laugh.

"At 40, a healthy diet is more important than ever."
Open card..."Better have a glass of red wine in between margaritas...and remember to eat the celery in your Bloody Mary!"

"Like a great wine we get better as we get older."
Open card...Or rather, as we get older, we feel better with lots of great wine!"

"Do you know what it means if a man is in your bed gasping for breath and calling your name?
Open the card..."It means you didn't hold the pillow down long enough! Have a killer birthday".


The kids and I went to Marrakesh Moroccan restaurant for dinner to celebrate. We sat on cushions and ate with our fingers which the kids adored! We had our fingers washed then rubbed with rose scented oil. I wasn't certain that they would enjoy the food but they LOVED it


Most of all they liked the belie dancer. Especially Patrick whose eyes opened wide as she sashayed along side of him! Caitie was determined to put a tip in her skirt despite her wiggling bottom and she eventually succeeded much to the joy of the diners.

After dinner, the kids and I met Kerri and her son, Sean for photographs down on the dock by the river with the city and the setting sun in the background. They should be incredible and what a wonderful gift and memory of my day.

When we got home (10pm) my neighbour turned up with more flowers. Oh my gosh! I have just had the most perfect day. Thank you all and goodnight.

Wednesday 16 July 2008

MR WHITE HAS GROWN!

It is amazing what a diet of regular exercise water and pure bred mice will do for a snake!



Mr White is now gorging himself on Adult sized mice. It's incredible to watch him although lately he has taken to dragging the creature into his den for a private dining experience.





He likes to exercise everyday. He has taken to slithering down the stair case which he enjoys.

Even though the rest of us have tried to be friendly with Mr White, he loves Brandon best and actively seeks him out. Although he is not unkind to us, he just freaks out a bit and feels safer with Brandon, his buddy.

The photo above shows Mr White and Caitlin
approximately one year ago whilst in this photo Brandon holds Mr White up so that you can see his full length.


Saturday 12 July 2008

Daddy Daughter Dance

Kevin and Caitlin attend the annual Daddy and Daughter dance attended by the Portland Princesses.



Indian Beach


In the heat of summer, a balmy and humid 90 degrees F, The Beilby's decide to spend the day at Indian Beach on the Oregon Coast only to find that here it is only 55 degrees with 50 mile icy winds.

This, apparently, does not deter Beilby children from swimming in the freezing arctic waters. I pointed out that the only people in the water were surfing in full body wetsuits, but that only encouraged them to swim until there was no feeling left in their legs!

Nina Graduates

Finally, after two years of blood and sweat, I have graduated from Mt Hood Community College with an Associates Degree in Professional Photography. Not only that, to my surprise, I was valedictorian as well! Double honors and top of the class!

Kevin and the kids as well as my good friends, Jan and Renee came all the way out to Gresham to watch the ceremony.

Thank you to mum and Nana and Kevin and Jan and Renee who showered me with lovely congratulatory gifts. It touched my heart to be made felt so special.

I am pleased to be finished but a little anxious about entering the "real world". Still not certain about the direction I want to take but I think that shall become clear very soon.