It is the day of our departure to Italy and I have been up since 5:30. We attempted to fool around with jet lag and went to bed earlier these past fews days and then wanted to get up at the crack of dawn. Needless to say, I am up and roaming around the house as Rob enjoys the last few hours of shut eye. I don't think our plan worked.

Italy--everything we have heard and read about this amazing country will be a reality by tomorrow morning. I will be up drinking my Italian coffee, listening to the sounds of Rome as Rob snores away in bed. He will be sorry he did not adhere to our system to beat the jet lag curse. At least I hope I am right (usually am).

If you are following my blog, I hope to update our adventures every few days. I'm not sure what kind of computer access we will have, but that is the plan. I also hope to improve on my Italian, which is presently limited to five words. So far I know, hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and where is the bathroom. I really don't know how Rob can turn those words around and offend anyone but time will tell!

Let the adventure begin!

Ramblings on 60

Here are my thoughts for an event that will take place in approximately a year and a half. As we were driving across country in 2010, I mentioned to Rob that I wanted to do something unique and memorable for my 60^th year. A brainstorming session took place as we motored across the desolate highways in Okalahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Really, there was nothing to see, I was bored out of my mind and needed a distraction from my mind going numb as well as the other end.

It started out with the idea of climbing a 14,000 foot mountain in Colorado and bringing a group of friends together to hike it. Of course, I thought that one range wouldn’t be adequate and as long as we were there, I might as well hike a few more. That’s when my husband came up with the idea to climb 60,000 feet—but do it in 10-14 thousand increments. Brilliant idea! I dragged out the map and found that Colorado actually is full of 14,000 range mountinas along with lesser climbs. I could make this my goal and feel like I had accomplished something in my 60^th year.

The brainstorming continued beginning with the mountain climb in the summer and springboarding into doing a variety of “sixty” things. I decided since it will be 2011, I might as well begin January 1 for my sixtieth year. Thoroughbreed horses always begin their birthday on January 1 of the year—not their actual birth day. Why not celebrate right at the beginning of the year since my mother was carrying me at that time.

The miles began to fly by as we cruised through state after state. My boredom and tired bottom were a distant memory as we continued generating the list that I would solemnly swear to adhere to for my birthday year.

My thoughts were to think of “60” things to do. My goal was to create a list numbering 60 of 60 things to do. Confusing? Not as difficult as the task will be to succeed. I will not quit, I will not cheat, and I will keep track of every “60” goal for the year.

Now to think of things that I could do that would equal 60. I wanted to make sure everything was doable and, by the end of the year, I would be a better person for having such a schedule in my life.

Relying on my strengths (don’t the self help books always say that) I decided to begin with reading—one of my favorite things to do. It is quite a list and it will keep me not only very busy, but engaged in the celebration of my birthday instead of dreading that next milestone.

The list—not in any particular order:

1. Read 60 books

2. Climb 60,000 feet

3. Swim 60 miles

4. Watch 60 movies

5. Bike 60 miles

6. Volunteer 60 hours

7. Write 60 letters

8. Take 60 pictures

9. Learn 60 new ideas

10. Learn 60 spanish words

11. Have a party for 60 people

12. Raise $6.00-$6000

13. Travel 6000 miles

14. Run 60 miles—outside

15. Do 60 push ups at one time

16. Make 60 international friends

17. Collect $.60 a day and then give to charity

18. Serve 60 people lunch/dinner at the Salvation Army or homeless shelter

19. Plant 60 bulbs

20. Buy 60 items at the farmer’s market

21. Lose 10 pounds in 6 months

22. Make 60 dozen cookies to give away

23. Sweat for 60 minutes for 60 days

24. Sleep 60 hours

25. Skype Margaret 60 times

26. Make 6 aprons

27. Write 60 blogs about this experience

28. Vacuum 60 times

29. Dust 60 times

30. Write 60 memories for my children

31. Walk the dogs 60 times

32. Say I love you to my children 60 times

33. Throw away 60 things from the basement

34. Make a list of 60 reasons why I love my husband

35. Recycle 60 items

36. Take 60 pictures of unusual doors or windows

37. Take 60 pictures of historic buildings in the area

38. Try 60 different kinds of food

39. Since my children will be reading this, just say that sex will have something to do with it—sexy at sixty might have a new meaning.

40. Spend 60 hours with my sisters

41. Practice the piano for 60 minutes for 6 days

42. Do laundry 60 times

43. Do 60 sit ups

44. Watch 60 minutes of TV

45. Read 60 minutes a day

46. Send 60 birthday cards

To be continued!

The Sixtieth Year

April 19, 2010

Dear Friends and Future Friends,
I am about to embark on a journey of another decade and I want to do something significant, meaningful, rewarding, etc, etc, etc,. What to do? What to do? Since I am still in the “fifties” decade, I have a year and a half before my next decade birthday year. Get focused, get goal oriented, and make a difference. So, my plan is to raise money during my 60th year by asking everyone and everyone asking everyone else to contribute one dollar to go towards a charity. I have 111 friends on facebook so that’s a start with $111. And if they all ask a friend, that is $222. Not an earth shattering amount, but it is going to be the sixties snowball. Build! Build! Build!

The Sixties Snowball! I have a name. I still don’t have a cause, but that should be the easy part. Again, it will have to be significant, meaningful, rewarding, etc. etc. etc.

Okay, so I have found one outlet to canvass for money, and now I need a few more to make my contribution to society and to the charity that will benefit from my birthday. The Ellen Degeneres show? Oprah? The Today Show? Maybe I will try all of them and see what happens. The least I could do is get all the sixty year olds to contribute. How many would that be? I'm sure it is a significant number. After all, we are part of the infamous baby boomer generation.

It is still early but I need to start the planning now. World, you have not heard the last of me!!! $60, $600. $6000, and beyond. I really believe it is possible.

So, if you are reading this and think that you would like to be part of this great celebration, send it to everyone you know. The only contribution needed is $1.00 per person. I promise to keep everyone informed on my accomplishments for the year. Read my post about what my plans are for my sixtieth year. Maybe there will be sponsorships! The sky is the limit. I can't wait. Really? For this next birthday? How amazing is that?

Winter time

As I sit inside my house looking out at the white stuff floating down, I think, what crazy fool lives in this climate? We are out of here next week to Panama where the last temperature report was a balmy 90 degrees. The trip was thoroughly researched by none other than my favorite traveling companion, husband Rob. I hope it is everything we hope it to be which is: 1. warm weather, 2. beautiful surroundings, 3. clean toilets, and 4. delicious food. Unfortunately, whenever we tell people where we are going, we are faced with a quizzical look and the question, "Why Panama?". Hmmmm. Is there something we don't know and no one is telling us or did the Panamanians not have the same public relations gurus as Costa Rica. Every time you mention Costa Rica, people smile, nod their heads, and a look of envy crosses their face. Not so with Panama.
We have been brushing up on our limited Spanish and now can tell people how many children we have and that the sky is blue. Ordering a beer is almost mastered along with "check, please." What else do we need to know? Of course, we have the "thank you, hello, and good bye" down. Anyone watching an old Clint Eastwood western knows that by now. I have to monitor Rob in case he does try a conversation and we end up thrown out of a place, or worse, in jail. He tends to confuse some of the words, but has no reservations about trying them anyway. Have to love that man for his efforts!
I will attempt to update our travels if we have computer access and let you know our discoveries in this country.
Stay warm!

Holiday greetings!

Where in the World are the Goozes?

All over! You can find Aaron and Gillian as serious Seattle Sounder’s fans enthusiastically cheering their team to many victories. When not in the soccer stands, both keep busy with work and school where Gillian is studying for a graduate degree in public health. Margaret loves a glass of wine in Sonoma Valley, which is just a skip and a jump away from her home in Davis, California. This is her second year with her autistic student and she thrives on the challenges and rewards of para educating. David spent last winter in New Zealand and Australia for a semester abroad and entertained (or scared) us with stories of bungee jumping and hiking up the mountains. We hope he is in his final year at the U of O and will graduate (fill in the blank).

The ma and pa of this group enjoyed traveling to Mexico, whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon for fifteen days, and a trip to Thailand where we found Dumbo. Our passports are always ready for the next adventure. Look for us at the 2009 Rose Bowl with our green and yellow garb rooting for the Oregon Ducks. Rob and David can’t wait for the game. I just hope to get a good seat at the parade.

Enjoy your holidays and let’s all make a difference in someone’s life.

Wishing you the best in 2010!

Indiana Jones

forward to others, bad internet and may not have computer anymore. survived an incredible jungle walk today. it is hard to describe but our guide didnt speak english and we were on our own with him. we were scrambling up jungle stuff and through the streams. the guide cut the trail with a machete. i could only laugh thinking that it was a good thing we had our will updated. didn't see any wild life--thank heavens--and couldn't take any pics because we were trying to stay vertical and keep up with the guide. finished hike in pouring rain forest rain storm. our guide cut down a banana leaf for an umbrella for himself--to go along with his bamboo hiking stick that he didn't share. i guess it wasn't in his nature. needless to say, we lived through it and feel like we could be another indiana jones or--teddy roosevelt in river of doubt.

The trip continues...

We are finally back to civilization and what a trip it was! First off, the boat ride took us through a beautiful remote area. The boat looked like it would sink at any moment, but we made it to the elephant village without any mishaps. The village was full of elephants and a giant boa constrictor, which you could wrap around your body for a photo moment. Not my cup of tea so, no thanks to that adventure.
We did buy some bananas to feed the elephants. Their enormous trunks would reach out and grab whatever you had in your hand. One took the entire bunch including the plastic bag, but I managed to get it back from him. Their eyes are beautiful with the long lashes and the intelligent look they give you as they look you up and down. I'm not sure I would want to take one home, but I felt honored to be in their presence.
You would love riding an elephant--much different than a horse--very rocky. In fact, I almost felt car sick--or elephant sick. It took a while to get used to the movement but then we really enjoyed it. The Mahout--elephant trainer man--traded seats with Rob so he could ride on the neck. It was one of those things that is truly thrilling for the first five minutes and then got a little old after a while. Elephants have prickly hairs and when it started jogging, Rob had had enough, however, the mahout continued to sit in the basket with me and laughed as Rob flopped all over the poor elephant's neck. It was truly a unique experience.
After an hour and half ride, we got off the elephant and hiked straight up into the hills to the tribal village. That is a story in itself. We stayed with the teacher's family and slept on mats on the floor of their home. We were told the women in the village would come and give us massages for three dollars a piece. What a deal we thought. Little did we know that the village kids were part of the massage all playing and crying around us while their mothers worked on our bodies. Can't say it was the most relaxing massage. Our dinner, Thai style (sitting on the floor), was delicious and after seeing the kitchen the cook worked in, we were amazed at what she accomplished in a limited area. Bedtime was around eight because we were told the roosters start crowing at four, however, we heard the dogs howling at three. Sleeping on a mat on the floor with a mosquito net over our heads added to our list of "experiences we never thought we would have".
Our guide cut bamboo hiking sticks for us when we hiked out of the jungle towards civilization. A quick stop at a waterfall for a swim and pictures and were were then on to the very far north region. We saw the Chinese influence in the area from the foods we ate to the people we met. Our stay in the resort was a welcome sight after our night in the village.

We are still having fun, but it will be nice to relax by the pool today. This traveling is exhausting!