they said they'd clean it up...day thirty-three

they said they'd clean it up
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

For those of you who don't know we live in the Parkside section of Portland. A lowlying neighborhood next to Deering Oaks Park which houses the city's rose garden, duck pond and water park & only a few vagrant items, the occassional condom, needle or beer can. Next to the park is Bayside, an industrial type neighborhood which houses city services and the homeless shelter, a free health clinic and a variety of other fun locales.
Immediately next door to us is a home run by the YWCA for young mothers and their chronically degenerant boyfriends. The young women at this building are nice enough, their children are cute and they don't bother us a bit. Their friends and boyfriends on the other hand can be quite much.
It seems that this past summer has been all get out in this section of the city. Beside the constant theatrics of the gas station across the street (which we have fondly named Mobil Masterpiece Theatre), we have also dealt with a barrage of trash. This photo is what we look down upon outside our ktichen window, if you lean a little you can see the park and pond. I have gone several times to complain about the abandoned trash and refrigerator but to no avail. This week I was put over the edge. Someone took a shit right by the steps, with toilet paper stuck to it. I am glad the person thought to clean themselves proper & leave such a lovely view for us to see!
The nice people next door who run the program claimed they have been trying to get the place cleaned up. The YWCA, after a long, long stint in Portland helping many women, are shutting their doors. The staff doesn't know what is going to happen to the program, nor the mainetance of the building. Lucky us.
The kind girl that runs the program got rid of the poo and booze bottle, but the frig and trash still stand today. I believe I will count this as Day 33.
Tomorrow we are fleeing the city for much greener pastures...
http://www.wolfesneckfarm.org
I would like to give a warm and early ups to Chris who celebrates his 29th Birthday Monday, August 28th, & who we thank for our nice camping trip! Happy Birthday Chris!

I also had a call today from a somewhat frazzled father-to-be. Apparently Sue is still going strong, into what I think it may be her 3rd day of labor. I am hoping by now that little girl Finn has swam her way into the world. You go, Sue!

Mr. & Mrs. Gross

Mr. & Mrs. Gross
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

On August 19, 2006 at five in the evening, a Ms. Holly Maher wed Mr. Daniel Gross at the Sandals Chapel in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The wedding was highlighted in a gorgeous tropical locale with exquisite meals and loving friends. Even the afternoon showers could not put a damper on the excitement.
Congratulations Holly and Dan.......a toast to your many, many years of marrital splendor!

Goddess Gathering

gailstorm w/ her new gift from Lily
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

Goddess this year was filled with wine, henna, fire and dance!
This year was great, a new friend joined us this year and brought her fire skills with her. Lilymoonstorm danced with fire and the little goddess brought it too, showing us there new bellydance!
We shook it late into the night!
big roar to all the goddesses!

Alonso's Picnic

Alonso's Picnic
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

I am in a whirlwind to catch up with this blog & I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to a certain pregnant lady who has been hauling her heinie up to the 3rd floor to read our little blog and has been sorely disappointed with our laziness!
So here is to her, who hopefully is in labor!!!!!

This here photo is from a Picnic we attended at our friend Alonso's house. We had a smashing time. They had lots of food and friends plus an extroidinary day to do it on! Thank you Katya, Mario and Alonso!

Look for continued blogs on the Goddess Gathering and Holly and Dan's Jamaica Wedding.....