"The lives - and remnants - of others"

This is not about my family, but it could be about anyone's family. The article appeared in a copy of last month's Oregonian. I found it while looking up an article from today on walruses. I'll have to stop by the location mentioned in the article the next time I'm in Portland. Sounds interesting to a family historian like myself, and a might-have-been archaeologist. "Archaeologist" was one of the occupations I had on my list in Junion High School for "What I want to be when I grow up." Nice article.

Amond cookies candle in a jar

Oh, my frogs, Kate, this smells so good! There's even a very waxy almond in the jar. I love it! I think the plastic igauana and resin baby tapir on the bottom left of the photo are moving in for a feast.

Bill Clinton in Astoria, Oregon - May 12, 2008

Former President Bill Clinton
with Astoria's Mayor Willis Van Dusen
Photo by Sheryl Todd, May 12, 2008

This morning Bill Clinton spoke to a small crowd in front of the Maritime Museum on the waterfront here in Astoria, just a block and a half from our office. It was amazing standing less than 20 feet from a (Democratic - I would have felt a little different had he been a Republican) former President for an hour or so. I thought his speech was terrific, and so did the crowd, apparently. I got a chance to shake his hand. He spent the next half hour just talking to people along the police barrier (rather flimsy and not too restraining), and I would say Astoria gave Clinton a very warm and well-behaved greeting. More to come. I certainly enjoyed the morning and now I have to get back to work!

Ideas to turn us on

Check out the TED site for some amazing talks on video.

Exceptional thoughts from exceptional people. Food for the mind, very exciting.

Transitions Lifestyle Systems for weight loss and improved health

Click the link below for a

Downloadable Transitions Powerpoint Presentation

Call toll-free for info: (888) 325-3179
Ask for Sue or Sheryl

Once the PowerPoint downloads to your computer, just double-click the file and you can page through the presentation. It's fascinating and loaded with interesting info.

This powerpoint presentation explains the program and why it works where diets often fail, especially as we get older and become "metabolically challenged." The file is large, so please allow several minutes for download. The wait will be worth it! Find out why "diets aren't the solution - they are part of the problem!"

This program was created by Dr. Shari Lieberman. I didn't create this powerpoint, but I did lose 40 pounds using the Transitions system. It was a lot easier than I could have imagined, and it happened when I thought I simply could not lose the extra weight I'd gained no matter what I did! Transitions classes are highly recommended to learn and apply the system in a supportive environment. The accountability of being in a group is also very helpful. I took the class twice, and now Sue and I are teaching Transitions classes in Astoria.

If you have any questions, please send e-mail. No, I'm not ready to put my "before" pix online yet, but if you really want to see them, let me know. Maybe someday I'll have the courage. For now, I'm enjoying the results! Actually, my "part way through the class" "before" picture is in the powerpoint presentation along with an "after" photo. You'll have to download the powerpoint to see it! You can see how much my attitude about my looks changed as well.

I've also made a blog with some recipes you can use on this eating plan.

One of the biggest challenges for me with this system was not losing the 40 pounds, but parting with some of my favorite BIG t-shirts!

I was so affected by the Transitions system and the supplements available from Market America, that I am now a Market America Independent Distributor. Here's a link to my Market America web portal:

Accrue credits for shopping online!

Buy just about anything you need or want and get money back when you shop again. When you buy, you become a "preferred customer." The number of partner stores is mind-boggling. Check it out!

May 2, Portland: My MA Convention Badge

I do have to say I enjoyed this. I felt like I learned a lot, and it was new and exciting. I didn't make any new friends, but I did talk to people and get a little out of my comfort zone. I enjoyed staying alone at the Double Tree, walking to the convention and taking photos along the way (to follow when I find time). Sue and I got to relate a bit outside of the regular business, and it was something different that I was doing. I felt independent and grown up in a way that happens when I step out of the routine and go somewhere, or stay somewhere by myself. As always, there was a lot of sitting, but it wasn't too bad. It was nice to be around people who were focused on improvement and basically positive-feeling. I am going to give this a serious go, although I don't see myself finding time for the fast track. That would definitely be an out-of-comfort-zone thing to do, but I think I would try it if I weren't already putting my time into The Animal Store.