Sort of Here

I don't even know when I blogged last. October 2012? I got busy, lost interest in this blog and also have been feeling more private with my life lately. In a sense, this blog has become a personal diary and anymore, I am feeling like less is more when it comes to the Internet. I've always been careful with what I say...but sometimes that holds me back from writing what I want. Truthfully, I may make this blog private and create a new one that doesn't focus so much on my personal life. Not sure but it is a thought.

So much has happened since I last wrote. Big things always seem to happen when I stop writing. Maybe that's the problem. haha

• Early November -- My 101 year old Granny was in the hospital for a blockage in her intestine. Since she was at a hospital nearby I was able to visit her frequently. Thankfully she recovered and is doing well. Whew!
• Presidential Election -- I was relieved to have that over with to say the least. However, it isn't the end of politics and there will always be bickering. *sigh* 

• December -- Busy time. Granny got moved closer to us. She has had a hard time transitioning, which I don't blame her. It has been great being able to see her frequently. I'm hoping she will be able to get more involved and get comfortable living in the retirement community. 
• GRADUATED, finally!!!!!!! On December 8th, 2012 I became a Master. Not a hooded one yet ;-) That comes in May. My Mom, Dad, Granny, my boyfriend and I had a good dinner at a favorite restaurant. I loved celebrating with all of them (wish my sister and her husband were there!) - I love small intimate celebrations. 
•  I will say it feels great to be done but there is much uncertainty ahead. I am ready to be done with subbing... So ready for a consistent schedule, consistent pay and room of my own. So with that said, towards late spring/summer I will be looking for jobs with a passion! 
• Christmas was very good but fast. My sister and her husband came down from WA to celebrate. They were here for about 4 days. We packed in lots of fun -- baking, going to Zoo Lights, watching Christmas movies and general laziness. I wish I could see them more often but I am grateful for the time that we have together.
• New Years Eve.... While some might think it was absolutely boring, I had a the best day! I spent a good majority of the afternoon shopping with my lovely friend Jennifer. We went to all kinds of stores. I lusted after many items in J. Crew and Nordstroms. I was pretty good at not going too overboard (the looming thought of paying for health insurance, along with student loans... and not getting many sub days certainly keeps you from going crazy with $). Anyway, then after our shopping adventure, I spent a relaxing afternoon with Brian... then mustered the strength to drive home around 8pm so I could hang out with Mom. We stayed up until 12, of course... and we had no choice as it sounded and looked like the 4th of July around here! Awesome low-key, no drama, filled with special people type of day!

This month

My goal this month is to create some sort of routine. I really feel out of place and like I'm on a never-ending vacation. I mean, it's nice buuuuut it certainly doesn't help with the finances. I do have a couple sub jobs lined up and hopefully I will get a few more. I need to also fix my resume, write a cover letter, continue helping dad with all kinds of things, and look for jobs. Oh, I also have some clothing items I am hoping to sell through Craigslist. I need to work on that too!

We shall see what this year holds.... The past two years have had lots of very lows and very highs. I'm feeling mixed about this year already. Just one day at a time, right?

Here's to another year of ups, downs, and a whole lot in between!

4th of July Celebrations

"This nation will remain the land of the free only as long as it is the home of the brave." -- Elmer Davis

I have much blogging to catch up on but I thought I would do a separate post for the 4th of July (as I have done each year) and then do a few posts with updates. I think I will let the pictures do most of the talking....

The day started out with picking lettuce... I got a bit carried away and picked it all! haha It's not the best kind, very limp. So we are growing Romaine which will be better for salads. We are first time gardeners so this is all a learning experience!

Picking away, quite happily. 

LOTS of lettuce!

Mr. took a picture of me - I need to teach him a few tricks of photography but hey, I made him pick lettuce... a girl can't complain too much right?! ;-)

We had so much it was more efficient to wash it all in the sink. I enjoyed "swishling" it around.

My B and I went to the Blues Festival on the Waterfront in PDX. I loved watching people and the music was pretty good. He is so good at getting me out and about!

Yes! Our corn is "knee high by the 4th of July" :) Yay!! As of today it is even taller!

I was attempting to do a slow shutter picture of Mom with a sparkler.

The day ended with watching people around the neighborhood set off illegal fireworks. We hung out with our neighbors from next door and lit a few sparklers. I loved hearing people out and about hooting and hollering as they lit off fireworks. What a great 4th of July! 

Mother's Day

Hundreds of dewdrops to green the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.

--George Cooper

As I said in my previous post, it was an awesome weekend! Yesterday was absolutely delightful. I love it when special events are lovely like this! :) We had a small family gathering at my aunt and uncle's house. We enjoyed sitting on the deck eating our meal and chatting. After dinner, we toured through my aunt and uncle's gorgeous garden. I just had to share a few pictures! The sunshine put a lovely spotlight on the flowers and made the colors so vibrant.

It was a great day to celebrate mothers!!

A cookie Mom and I thought was appropriate for Granny -- "The Queen" :)

With my momma

Hope that you all had a lovely weekend...whether it was celebrating that special woman in your life or remembering or doing the usual.

Easter Celebrations

"He is risen! He is risen indeed!"

Easter was a wonderful day! Not only was it a grand celebration of Jesus but it was also my mom's birthday and a cousin's. We started the day off with church, then a delicious meal at Granny's, and a little party at home in the evening for Mom. The "icing on the cake," so to speak, was that the weather was glorious this past weekend! Believe me, that is a BIG deal for us Oregonians! Usually Easter brings rain, rain and more rain... We enjoyed ourselves!

Amazing Tiramisu cake from Whole Foods :)

I love this tradition and eventually it will stop... but at 25, there's still a lil girl in me that LOVES hunting eggs around the house! It also provides my mom with good laughter because I am awful at finding them! haha

Well, when all this is inside- who can blame me for wanting to hunt?! haha 

Hope that you all had a blessed weekend whether you celebrated Easter or not!

Twenty-five

That's how old I am today! The big 2-5. A whole quarter of a century. Sheesh.

I had a fairly low-key day which was just fine with me. Being that there was abundant sunshine made it an even better day. So good to see that bright stuff pouring through the windows. :)

I had to go to a class meeting tonight and got home about 7:30. Mom, Sarah, and I went to a wonderful bar and grill for dinner. We had a good time laughing about the interesting words on the menu. Who knew that foi gras ("fat liver") was a dessert item?!

Delicious salmon chowder - my choice

Apple Caramel Bread Pudding... Oh man. That was SO good!

 

Mom and Sarah got Creme Brulee for dessert

Opening my presents with the help of a lil miss

Party Animal #1

Big Party Animal #2 - he was quite intrigued with his (ahhemm) pink toy filled with catnip 

I liked my little celebration, a "quiet evening in Kensington Palace" (reference to someone there...). I'm looking forward to this weekend when we have Granny staying at our house!

Must get to bed, subbing for part of the day tomorrow. Happy February everyone!

Happy Birthday Papa

Nestled into a corner of the New Year.... in between the fading low hum from the holidays and the distant bursting blooms of fragrant roses was a celebration that happened for 16 years of my life.

For all those years, I celebrated my birthday with an exquisite human being, Papa. Today is his birthday, which I why I'm writing a post of rememberance. And tomorrow is mine. I have always loved that our birthdays are right next door to each other. If he was still here he would be turning 101.

Most years, there was a big family party around the first weekend of February. I loved gathering together with all of my family and being with Papa. I particularly enjoyed the fact that we shared the attention, as being in the center has never really been my cup of tea.

I'll always remember what it felt like to be with him. I loved his study strong hand on my shoulder and the way he held me close.

Twenty-five is a big milestone year for me and while I've missed him terribly on every birthday that has passed, I miss him even more now. I almost want to ask "I wonder what he would say to me this year?" but I don't think I need to. He would put his arm around me and with or without words say: you're enough. He would pat me lightly on the shoulder and reiterate that again. Who I am today, tomorrow, and in the future-- I am enough. And that is good.

Happy Birthday Papa :) I'd pick every rose for you.

Credit: Carl Christensen, his shop at Etsy

From Sea to Shining Sea

(Flags on the bridge at Pacific City)

Even though the 4th of July wasn't the greatest day the evening was still good. After the worst part of the day, we came home and headed over to our neighbor's house for a BBQ (Gary and Nancy). It was very fun to hang out with them! They recently bought a fire pit so everyone had fun making s'mores. I enjoyed listening to the bangs and booms of the fireworks while we ate dinner.

As the sun began to set, lots of fireworks were set off and it was very noisy. All around the neighborhoods there were lots of fireworks that went up in the air. I was quite impressed some of them; nearly looked like professional quality. Very fun to watch!

In our cul-de-sac everyone gathered to set off their fireworks in the street. Unlike some years where it's been low-key, there was a good gathering of people. Joy's family & some extended family, neighbors across the street & their family, Gary & Nancy (and some of their friends), and some others were all out. Good number of people! I had so much fun hanging out with my friend Joy as I don't get to see her too often. I love how the 4th brings people together :)

I feel so blessed to live in this country despite it's many issues. I'm incredibly thankful for all the men and women who are WILLING to risk their lives to fight for our country-- I feel thankful for those in the past, present and future. They deserve so much respect and honor for what they do. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

~ I will post about my week about the beach tomorrow!