Thanksgiving is here again! Wow how time flies.
This year, I'm thankful for:
James.
A GREAT new job that I think I'm going to love.
A roof over our head.
A great group of friends we've made here in Portland that have become my "family".
A wonderful loving Family twice over who though we don't see them often, are thought of constantly.
2 adorable nieces, Lily and Addison, that we love to pieces.
Our health.
That we live in a city that we have come to love as home.
What are you thankful for?
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Remembering Rita
Two years.
Time flies, yet sometimes goes so slow.
On August 17, 2007 my Aunt Rita lost her 12 1/2 month battle with Lung Cancer. She was 52.
I did my best not to fall apart when learning of my aunt's cancer. I remember where I was when I heard. I was on a pay phone, in Germany. THOUSANDS of miles away from family. I walked over to my friend and travel companion after hanging up the phone with my mom for a much needed hug. The health care professional in me KNEW the seriousness of this cancer, the statistics, the horror of it. But as it hit home, the dreamer in me hoped and prayed for a miracle.
And I believe I found it.
It was a MIRACLE that she lasted over 12 months with the seriousness of her diagnosis.
It was a MIRACLE watching my extended family come together to take care of her, whatever the cost, time or money. We learned how to love each other more as well.
It was a MIRACLE to see the amazing job Hospice did when the end was near. Rita was comfortable, they were compassionate.
It was a MIRACLE to witness the throngs of people that came to pay their respects, the LONG line of cars in the procession.
But above all, it is a MIRACLE, a GIFT, an HONOR to be a part of this family and to be permitted to share 28 LONG wonderful years loving on my aunt.
It may never seem like enough, but gosh, I was LUCKY.
Cancer may have ended her earthly life, but I know she won the battle.
I love you Aunt Rita. I miss you every day.
Monday, July 13, 2009
One year....
OK so it's a little late, but James and I spent our 1 year wedding anniversary in Glacier National Park in Montana. It was BEAUTIFUL. More on that to come....
It's just so hard to believe it's been a year already! You can read all about it here,
We've be thrown a few loops in the past year.
I hated my initial home health job I was working after the wedding. DESPISED IT. Unethical, questionable illegal practices, not good for my license.
We moved THREE TIMES within 3 months of being married.
James was laid off in January. AND THE SAME DAY, he was also called back up to active duty. Thank God we got out of that one. He's still looking for a job. Keep praying he'll find something soon.
James lost his grandfather rather suddenly to a fall where he bumped his head in April. Two days after falling, he lost consciousness and never regained it.
But through it all, we've remained the best of friends. Yes, we have our disagreements but I can't imagine sharing this adventure we call life with anyone else.
James, thank you for a wonderful first year of marriage.
Thank you for the anniversary trip to Glacier National Park (more to come on that.)
Thank you for loving me.
On our anniversary, I want you to hear the vows I said to you.
I love you more today than I did then.
James, today I join my life to yours.
Not merely as your wife,
But your fun in life,
Your comrade in adventure,
Your accomplice in trouble,
Your ally in conflict,
I will be your strength in need,
Your greatest fan and your sincerest critic.
I will be your lover and companion,
Your partner in parenthood,
But most of all, your friend.
From this day forward
You shall not walk alone
My heart will be your shelter
And my arms will be your home.
It's just so hard to believe it's been a year already! You can read all about it here,
We've be thrown a few loops in the past year.
I hated my initial home health job I was working after the wedding. DESPISED IT. Unethical, questionable illegal practices, not good for my license.
We moved THREE TIMES within 3 months of being married.
James was laid off in January. AND THE SAME DAY, he was also called back up to active duty. Thank God we got out of that one. He's still looking for a job. Keep praying he'll find something soon.
James lost his grandfather rather suddenly to a fall where he bumped his head in April. Two days after falling, he lost consciousness and never regained it.
But through it all, we've remained the best of friends. Yes, we have our disagreements but I can't imagine sharing this adventure we call life with anyone else.
James, thank you for a wonderful first year of marriage.
Thank you for the anniversary trip to Glacier National Park (more to come on that.)
Thank you for loving me.
On our anniversary, I want you to hear the vows I said to you.
I love you more today than I did then.
James, today I join my life to yours.
Not merely as your wife,
But your fun in life,
Your comrade in adventure,
Your accomplice in trouble,
Your ally in conflict,
I will be your strength in need,
Your greatest fan and your sincerest critic.
I will be your lover and companion,
Your partner in parenthood,
But most of all, your friend.
From this day forward
You shall not walk alone
My heart will be your shelter
And my arms will be your home.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Portland Rocks
It just does.
I love it here.
You should come visit.
I've recently been following a blog called Travels With Two. Since I'm pretty much obsessed with traveling, I love it.
One of her popular posts is all about my new hometown.
Check it out here.
Pack your bags.
I love it here.
You should come visit.
I've recently been following a blog called Travels With Two. Since I'm pretty much obsessed with traveling, I love it.
One of her popular posts is all about my new hometown.
Check it out here.
Pack your bags.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Strawberry Pickin'
It's the perfect time of year for picking strawberries. Oregon is stocked full of places to pick berries, and James and I headed out to Bushue's Family Farm to pick some delicious berries. We came home with NINE pounds of strawberries and $1/lb. Can't beat that! We of course have big plans for them much like our apple picking adventure in the fall.
The first thing we did was make homemade strawberry daiquiris to drink on this lazy sunday afternoon. Priorities people. Then we started on a strawberry rhubarb crisp that just finished baking in the oven for desert later. Lots more to come come as we still have LOTS of strawberries left over!!
Excuse the last picture that is sideways...blogger wouldn't let me turn it.
The first thing we did was make homemade strawberry daiquiris to drink on this lazy sunday afternoon. Priorities people. Then we started on a strawberry rhubarb crisp that just finished baking in the oven for desert later. Lots more to come come as we still have LOTS of strawberries left over!!
Excuse the last picture that is sideways...blogger wouldn't let me turn it.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Great Urban Race
This past weekend James and I participated in the Great Urban Race in Portland. You can get more info at www.greaturbanrace.com but it is basically a scavenger hunt around Portland. At 12 noon, we were handed an envelope containing our 12 clues for the day. Some of them were straight forward and others involved solving cryptograms, riddles, or trivia to find the correct location. At each location, a picture was taken to prove we had completed the task.
Some of the best clues involved solving a murder mystery logic puzzle, creating a ransom note style letter with cutout letters and words from newspapers or magazines, and asking 10 random strangers to pose with us at a fountain while we all flexed our muscles. It was so fun! We finished all 12 clues in about 2 hours 15 minutes. We had the option of skipping one clue if we wanted but we chose not to since we were having so much fun. Most of the teams that finished close to the top did in fact skip one of the clues so I'd be interested to see the times of the teams that actually did ALL the clues.
We can't wait to do the race again next year...perhaps with a more outrageous costume. I don't like to stand out, but there was no way we would stand out with the costumes some people had. There were 2 guys covered in blue paint like the guys in arrested development, 2 ladies dressed as minnie mouse, and 2 girls with tutus made of plastic shopping bags. It was fun to see everyone's costumes and I'm sure people were wondering what the hell was going on!
Some pics:
Some of the best clues involved solving a murder mystery logic puzzle, creating a ransom note style letter with cutout letters and words from newspapers or magazines, and asking 10 random strangers to pose with us at a fountain while we all flexed our muscles. It was so fun! We finished all 12 clues in about 2 hours 15 minutes. We had the option of skipping one clue if we wanted but we chose not to since we were having so much fun. Most of the teams that finished close to the top did in fact skip one of the clues so I'd be interested to see the times of the teams that actually did ALL the clues.
We can't wait to do the race again next year...perhaps with a more outrageous costume. I don't like to stand out, but there was no way we would stand out with the costumes some people had. There were 2 guys covered in blue paint like the guys in arrested development, 2 ladies dressed as minnie mouse, and 2 girls with tutus made of plastic shopping bags. It was fun to see everyone's costumes and I'm sure people were wondering what the hell was going on!
Some pics:
Monday, June 1, 2009
Why?
Why is it that we have 2 of the cutest nieces in the world? Seriously. These girls are C-U-T-E. Pictures of them make me happy...so I thought I'd share some with you.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A Quick Update
Oh boy....
I have failed in my new year resolution to keep this blog more current. Sorry to those who think I haven't been updating it since 1912. :)
2009 has been quite a roller coaster for us here in Portland.
James was laid off at the end of January and is still looking for a job in this stellar economy. He has been on several interviews and we're both hopeful something will come of it soon.
James was also called back up to Active Duty in the Army and ordered to report to SC and then be sent overseas. THANKFULLY, we have gotten that order revoked due to the fact that he is currently enrolled as a full-time student. YAY! We had many stressful weeks trying to prepare for a possible deployment and get our affairs in order. I'm so glad that won't be happening.
We've put the house hunting on hold given the current economy and our single income but we're still renting in a great place though looking to possibly move somewhere a little cheaper.
We've spent many of our weekends hitting the slopes at Mt. Hood with our season passes to the ski resort there. I'm pretty stoked that we live 60 miles from skiing. As of right now, the resort is scheduled to be open until the end of April so we have a few more weeks of skiing ahead of us.
James is turning the big 3-0 on April 2 and we're heading to the Oregon Coast for the weekend. I haven't been to the coast since Sept 2007. I miss it. I love it. We're actually going to the central coast since we haven't spent much time there. We usually head to Cannon Beach on the northern coast (and where we got engaged!) so I'm excited to explore a new area.
So it's not a great update...pretty boring. But I figured my first post in a while shouldn't be something too random!
I have failed in my new year resolution to keep this blog more current. Sorry to those who think I haven't been updating it since 1912. :)
2009 has been quite a roller coaster for us here in Portland.
James was laid off at the end of January and is still looking for a job in this stellar economy. He has been on several interviews and we're both hopeful something will come of it soon.
James was also called back up to Active Duty in the Army and ordered to report to SC and then be sent overseas. THANKFULLY, we have gotten that order revoked due to the fact that he is currently enrolled as a full-time student. YAY! We had many stressful weeks trying to prepare for a possible deployment and get our affairs in order. I'm so glad that won't be happening.
We've put the house hunting on hold given the current economy and our single income but we're still renting in a great place though looking to possibly move somewhere a little cheaper.
We've spent many of our weekends hitting the slopes at Mt. Hood with our season passes to the ski resort there. I'm pretty stoked that we live 60 miles from skiing. As of right now, the resort is scheduled to be open until the end of April so we have a few more weeks of skiing ahead of us.
James is turning the big 3-0 on April 2 and we're heading to the Oregon Coast for the weekend. I haven't been to the coast since Sept 2007. I miss it. I love it. We're actually going to the central coast since we haven't spent much time there. We usually head to Cannon Beach on the northern coast (and where we got engaged!) so I'm excited to explore a new area.
So it's not a great update...pretty boring. But I figured my first post in a while shouldn't be something too random!
Monday, January 19, 2009
On the brink of history...
The day has come.
January 20. 2009 is a few hours away. On this day, we will swear in Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.
Actually, he is only the 43rd man to hold this office, as Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms as the 22nd and the 24th president.
Other interesting presidential trivia?
Nine presidents never attended college: Washington, Jackson, Van Buren, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, A. Johnson, Cleveland, and Truman
The most common religious affiliation of the elite few elected to President is Episcopalian, followed next by Presbyterian.
Obama will be the first president born outside the continental US. He was born in Hawaii.
The tallest president was Lincoln at 6'4", the shortest? James Madison at 5'4".
4 people won the popular vote but lost the Presidency: Andrew Jackson won the popular vote but lost the election to John Quincy Adams (1824); Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote but lost the election to Rutherford B. Hayes (1876); Grover Cleveland won the popular vote but lost the election to Benjamin Harrison (1888); Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the election to George W. Bush (2000).
James Buchanan was the only president never to marry.
3 Presidents died on the 4th of July: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe. Adams and Jefferson died in the same year.
George Washington's salary while president was 25k, G. W. Bush's? 400K. One would argue the latter is way overpaid. Then again, you couldn't pay me enough to be President.
Tuesday we witness history as Barack Obama becomes the first African American to be sworn in as President. I think it speaks a true testament to this nation that this barrier has finally been broken. 150 years ago, the Civil War took place to end slavery, yet discrimination lived on. The 60's brought the courageous civil rights movement where names like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks became etched in history. And now, we see an African American elected to the highest position of the most powerful country in the world. Yes we can, America.
I think the next 4 years are going to be a time of trial as we are in a recession with an ever growing debt and a war that continues, but I think Obama brings hope, restores faith that America can rise up. That we can restore out economy, that we can bring home our soldiers overseas, that we can restore respect to our nation.
Whether you voted for him or not, let's give him the chance he deserves. Things could not be any worse than they are right now, after 8 years of this current administration. So tune in on Tuesday as we watch history....
If only I had the day off...oh well, I'll have to watch it on DVR.
January 20. 2009 is a few hours away. On this day, we will swear in Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.
Actually, he is only the 43rd man to hold this office, as Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms as the 22nd and the 24th president.
Other interesting presidential trivia?
Nine presidents never attended college: Washington, Jackson, Van Buren, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, A. Johnson, Cleveland, and Truman
The most common religious affiliation of the elite few elected to President is Episcopalian, followed next by Presbyterian.
Obama will be the first president born outside the continental US. He was born in Hawaii.
The tallest president was Lincoln at 6'4", the shortest? James Madison at 5'4".
4 people won the popular vote but lost the Presidency: Andrew Jackson won the popular vote but lost the election to John Quincy Adams (1824); Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote but lost the election to Rutherford B. Hayes (1876); Grover Cleveland won the popular vote but lost the election to Benjamin Harrison (1888); Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the election to George W. Bush (2000).
James Buchanan was the only president never to marry.
3 Presidents died on the 4th of July: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe. Adams and Jefferson died in the same year.
George Washington's salary while president was 25k, G. W. Bush's? 400K. One would argue the latter is way overpaid. Then again, you couldn't pay me enough to be President.
Tuesday we witness history as Barack Obama becomes the first African American to be sworn in as President. I think it speaks a true testament to this nation that this barrier has finally been broken. 150 years ago, the Civil War took place to end slavery, yet discrimination lived on. The 60's brought the courageous civil rights movement where names like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks became etched in history. And now, we see an African American elected to the highest position of the most powerful country in the world. Yes we can, America.
I think the next 4 years are going to be a time of trial as we are in a recession with an ever growing debt and a war that continues, but I think Obama brings hope, restores faith that America can rise up. That we can restore out economy, that we can bring home our soldiers overseas, that we can restore respect to our nation.
Whether you voted for him or not, let's give him the chance he deserves. Things could not be any worse than they are right now, after 8 years of this current administration. So tune in on Tuesday as we watch history....
If only I had the day off...oh well, I'll have to watch it on DVR.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
2009!
Happy 2009! and happy 6 months of marriage to my hubby and me! :) Time flies....
My new year resolutions for 2009:
1. Blog a LOT more frequently.
2. Stay in better touch with family. Now that we have new nieces I want to know ALL about them as they reach their milestones.
3. Work out at least 30 minutes a day, 4 times a week. I'm not going to say "get healthy" or "lose X amount of pounds" because I think those resolutions are easily forgotten.
4. Buy a house. Super excited and super nervous about the prospect of that but I think it will be a fun adventure for James and I.
What are YOUR new year resolutions? Leave me a comment. Putting it in writing sometimes holds you more accountable. :)
My new year resolutions for 2009:
1. Blog a LOT more frequently.
2. Stay in better touch with family. Now that we have new nieces I want to know ALL about them as they reach their milestones.
3. Work out at least 30 minutes a day, 4 times a week. I'm not going to say "get healthy" or "lose X amount of pounds" because I think those resolutions are easily forgotten.
4. Buy a house. Super excited and super nervous about the prospect of that but I think it will be a fun adventure for James and I.
What are YOUR new year resolutions? Leave me a comment. Putting it in writing sometimes holds you more accountable. :)
Quick Recap of the Holidays
James and I had a great time back east visiting family but as usual it was a whirlwind and sometimes not very relaxing. It was GREAT to see all our siblings and parents and so much fun to meet our two adorable NEW nieces, Lily Anne, who is 5 months old, and Addison Naomi, who was just over 3 weeks when we met her.
Lily Anne
Addison Naomi
We're so in love with both of them, though sad we live so far away from them.
We made it out of Portland just in time as Portland was hammered with a snow storm the weekend we left. They received 11 inches of snow which is the most the city had seen since 1968.
We flew back to Portland Dec. 30 and headed to Bend, OR about 3.5 hours from Portland the afternoon of New Years Eve. Our plan was to spend two days on the ski slopes at Mt. Bachelor. A friend from PT school who I recently found on Facebook lives in Bend with her husband, and we were able to ring in the new year with them. It was great to see Meg again! We hadn't seen each other since we graduated over 6 years ago!
We were up early to head to the mountain on New Years Day, only to be met with hurricane force winds on the mountain with all the lifts closed except the bunny hill lift. Not wanting to spend the money for a lift ticket for one lift, we headed home. Good thing we did though since about mid-day the resort lost power and had to close, and with no refunds given, I would have been pissed! We spent the day shopping, hot tubbing, and going to see Marley & Me. (I bawled, no sobbed, like a baby) We got up early again on Friday to head back to the mountain to find a few more lifts open (still very windy) and were told by the ski patrol that conditions were "grim". Hearing ski patrol say they wouldn't ski in it was enough to convince me not to do it. Visibility was basically 6 inches in front of your face at the top of the mountain. So we went tubing instead and had a BLAST. It sucked not to be able to finally get on the mountain, but we had fun nonetheless.
We're back home in Portland, the Christmas decorations have been put away, and we're enjoying our last evening off before heading back into the working world. Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season!
Lily Anne
 |
| From Christmas 08 |
Addison Naomi
 |
| From Christmas 08 |
We're so in love with both of them, though sad we live so far away from them.
We made it out of Portland just in time as Portland was hammered with a snow storm the weekend we left. They received 11 inches of snow which is the most the city had seen since 1968.
We flew back to Portland Dec. 30 and headed to Bend, OR about 3.5 hours from Portland the afternoon of New Years Eve. Our plan was to spend two days on the ski slopes at Mt. Bachelor. A friend from PT school who I recently found on Facebook lives in Bend with her husband, and we were able to ring in the new year with them. It was great to see Meg again! We hadn't seen each other since we graduated over 6 years ago!
We were up early to head to the mountain on New Years Day, only to be met with hurricane force winds on the mountain with all the lifts closed except the bunny hill lift. Not wanting to spend the money for a lift ticket for one lift, we headed home. Good thing we did though since about mid-day the resort lost power and had to close, and with no refunds given, I would have been pissed! We spent the day shopping, hot tubbing, and going to see Marley & Me. (I bawled, no sobbed, like a baby) We got up early again on Friday to head back to the mountain to find a few more lifts open (still very windy) and were told by the ski patrol that conditions were "grim". Hearing ski patrol say they wouldn't ski in it was enough to convince me not to do it. Visibility was basically 6 inches in front of your face at the top of the mountain. So we went tubing instead and had a BLAST. It sucked not to be able to finally get on the mountain, but we had fun nonetheless.
We're back home in Portland, the Christmas decorations have been put away, and we're enjoying our last evening off before heading back into the working world. Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season!
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