my parents

Every one of my friends who have met my folks tell me how lucky I am. I am beginning to wonder if they think I don't know that... :)

When I was a kid and did something stupid (of course something all kids did) instead of coming down hard on me and spanking me (which was the thing to do in the 70's and early 80's) my dad would look at me with the look of disappointment on his face and simply say, "consider yourself yelled at." Man, nothing was worse for me than to see that look and hear those words. They hit harder than any switch, belt, open hand... And I would think, "man, Dad is disappointed in me...this sucks."

They worked in tandem. Perfectly with each other. Neither one undermining the others authority over my sister and myself. If Mom said no to something Dad was right in line. It got to the point where I didn't need to even go bug the other once that answer was given because I knew it would be the same. Looking back to the kid I was, it was hard. Looking at the person I have become, I understand.

I've always felt a kind of kinship with my Dad. Maybe it is the fact that his birthday is the day before mine, so we got to share that special time. Maybe it is that we are sooooo much alike (which growing up I didn't see but now am blinded by the fact that I truly am, My. Father's. Daughter.). Mom always used to get embarrassed when the three of us would go shopping. I can remember going to the mall and being bored, but at the same time intrigued by being silly and not really caring what other people around me thought. Mom has since gotten in on the act with us, although sadly we don't live close enough to be able to put on the show together all that often.

I am thankful to the two of them for allowing me the opportunity to become who I am today. Their influences played a huge part.

If you are looking for something else to read, go read my father's words. He is an amazing person, always upbeat, always supportive. He has recently decided to share his ideas and thoughts with the world. He has his blog, aptly titled Things I Have Stumbled Across Along the Way. If you choose to, read his words...

got 'em!

I got my shoes today. You remember the ones, the Merrells I pictured a few days ago? They are sooooo damn comfortable! They will be perfect for my trip. And now, my trip shopping is complete.

When Val, my UPS driver, walked in I almost gave her a hug and a kiss. She's pretty darn cute so... :) She laughed, handed me the box and told me I better open them to show her since I was so excited. She, and the customer I was helping when they arrived, liked them.

YEA!

the joy of friends

So after feeling like a drowned rat I began feeling achey and kind of fuzzy in my brain. I was chatting with my dear friend Amanda who told me to get some "emer'gen-C" in me soon. I told her I didn't have any and didn't know where to pick some up downtown.

Moments ago I am on the phone with a very excited customer. I am having to feign excitement myself...hard to do when feeling as I am. I look up and see my dear Amanda parking her car in front of my store. She walks in briskly and hands me two packets of, you guessed it, Emrg'en-C! I'm at a loss for words...

Friends like her come into your life and if you are lucky, you realize it and you hold onto them! I've realized it for sure!!! She's an amazing woman whom I feel lucky to have gotten to meet.

three drowned rats

Well, yesterday was Monday, aka Hikeday. We knew that we would be seeing some rain, or at least drizzle, so we left the camera at home. Don't want to destroy our favorite toy!

We get to Angel's Rest (it's the 1500' gain in elevation, 5 miles round trip loop we take) and start up...it starts to rain. We hang out under the trees for a while with the thought it would stop soon. A few minutes later it did and we pressed on. It drizzled off and on for the entire hike. We got almost to the top and decided that we were going to turn around, I know, why turn around when almost there? I was hungry, had to pee, Kev was done too. Plus we'd been to the top of Angel's Rest a dozen times and didn't fancy getting stuck up there if it possibly rained again.

On our way down we spoke of Gumby (Kevin's...ahem...Nitendog), who we'd left at home. She's really too small yet to enjoy the hikes...LOL

We were very close to the end when the sky opened up and took a large dump on our heads. Prior to leaving the house I told Kev to grab himself a dry tee shirt. I had a jacket on and it kept my tank rather dry. He was glad we had thought to bring it along. We were soaked through just about. Josie ran to the car, the button to unlock the car on Kev's key chain was not working all that well and instead of unlocking the door with the key and clicking the button inside, he kept jamming on the key chain button. Joy. Finally, it worked and he flung open Josie's door. Josie, pack and all, jumped into the car and shook. I ran around to the passenger side and jumped in myself, thoroughly wet. The tank did stay somewhat dry, but my yoga pants didn't fare so well. :)

Needless to say, we had a blast!!! The temperature was perfect and even the drizzle (before the sky opened up) felt great on our hike down. Josie had a blast and is now sacked out on the rug in the living room.

We have just returned from having a late lunch and I'm already in my pj's. No going anywhere tonight for me!!! I might just turn off my phone too...nah... :)

Can we say in bed by 9:00?

why i like blogger

I recently got an email from Blog-city...you all may remember the other blog I had kept up. I had made the switch a while ago because at the time Blogger hadn't had the option of inserting pictures into ones blog. Anyway, I digress...

Back to the email. It said that because I hadn't written any posts (it had been one month) they would be deleting my blog (which you can all see they really haven't). I decided I really didn't care if they got rid of it because I can do everything I want and more here at Blogger. However, you will notice in my posts from the past there was a long time where I didn't post here at my original Blogger blog. Did they send me an email saying they were going to cancel and delete me?!? NOOOooooo.

So thank you Blogger people. Now, could you do one more thing for me...could you make it so more than one reader can get the email alert that I've updated. It seems as though my family would like to be able to see when I've written an entry without having to remember to check in on their own.

phoenix

Kerri and Adrianne,

I am sad to say we really don't have anything in the works about Phoenix as of this date. We do have many friends and family members who live in that area now and would like to get there to visit you all at some point, but we really have no clue when that is going to be. Trust me, if we are coming, you two will be some of the first people to know! :)

As for trips we do have two coming up. Well, I have one and Kevin has one.

In September I am heading down to L.A. to visit Julianne. She emailed asking if she sent me a ticket would I come visit while her boyfriend is out of town. I said YES! The 23-25th I'll be living it up, playing with Oscar (the dog), doing as much yoga as possible, possibly even going to a spin class, and just spending time with Julianne.

In November Kev is heading to Kansas. It seems as though WEEN is playing in Lawrence at "the Granada, which is the first place Russ and I saw them...I have to go." So he will be heading out that last Monday of November, going to the show that night, crashing at Russ's house, getting up and following the band to Omaha, watching the show there with Russ, crashing somewhere in NE and then back to Russ's on Wednesday. He'll be back here on Thursday. I seriously doubt he's going to do much more than drink a lot of beer, play a lot of Stree Fighter, and just hang out with his best friend. He really misses Russ (as I'm sure Russ misses him) so this is going to be a wonderful trip for the two of them.

That's it for the trips we have planned though. After a certain time of the year, I don't/can't travel because of working retail. We have unofficial blackout dates when I have to be at the store.

But trust me, if we are heading to a town where we have friends or family, we'll let you know. :)

Love you,

Shannon

man....

Jennifer tagged me to write my top five idiosyncrasies...shit, did I spell that right?

Okay, so here they are in no particular order.

1. I really truly love the way new shower curtains smell. I blame Jill really. I hadn't even given them a second thought until we lived together and got one. She just stood in the bathroom sniffing. I asked her what she was doing and she told me...I then could be found in the bathroom with her. Showers, for that first week, took forever.

2. I set out my outfit for the next day, every night. I sometimes even put what jewelry I am going to wear with it. I try to arrange it so that the first item I put on is on top and the last on bottom. So, from top to bottom today's outfit was laid out like this:

underwear
bra
jeans
tank top
tee shirt

3. For breakfast every morning (just about) I have either two pieces of toast or a bagel. On one piece I will smear a bit of peanut butter and on the other I melt a piece of colby cheese. I must eat the peanut butter piece first. I finish it up with the latte. I never start drinking the latte until I am done with the toast/bagel.

4. I can not leave zits, bumps, scabs...etc alone. When my dear husband gets one (zit) on his face...everything. in. my. power. to not reach over and mess with it. I will say to him, "you know, that thing is ripe for the popping" and he just tells me "NO!" I have something on my chin that is just driving me crazy today. Must. resist. urge. to. pick.

5. I can't help but take photos of myself when I am having a damn good hair day. I feel I have perfected the art of the flattering self portrait. I...well, you tell me...


And now to see who my next "victims" will be...

Tanya, Amanda, Dad if any of you are up for it. :)

sorry kids

Well, because of the latest round of comment spammers I have taken a step to try to keep them from continuing. I am sorry to have to make you take the extra step if you want to comment, but I'm sick of the spam in my comments.

how cute are these?

visage
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

I decided that I really didn't fancy dragging my heavy and dirty and big trainers down to L.A. with me next month so when I was visiting with my Merrell dealer on Tuesday I had her show me these. I couldn't resist...

I think they are going to be the perfect shoe for going to the gym to possibly go to a spinning class as well as the dog park and the bike rides and ...

They'll be here on Wednesday next week.

yoga arms return

Wow, my shoulders are feeling it today. So many Chaturangas into Up Dog...all because Jill kept muttering the word under her breath. :) Nah, not really. But still, we did this during every sun sallutation we did on Wednesday.

Last night I did a whole lot of nothing. I chatting with Reagan. I chatted with my sister. I chatted with Reagan again.

Josie and I will go on a nice walk tonight. Kev got home and asked if we did anything. I could instantly feel his disappointment when I told him we hadn't. I was still reeling from the 2.7 miles Jill and I had walked the night before. I mapquested it last night with Reagan. She was all, "you did that AFTER yoga?!?" :) We kind of had to really. I mean I suppose we could have called Mark to come get us, but we were already walking...

Okay, this is a random entry and if I had files, I'd file it there...

peace out.

zen of the mosquito

Jill and I arrive to Diana's (actually Jill got there first since I had these two wishy washy customers who couldn't make up their minds...mother and daughter and the daughter looked B.O.R.E.D.) So I arrive and they are waiting for me. I shake off the feelings I was still harboring from the women and proceeded to change.

Lawrence, Diana's boyfriend, joined us. The four of us walk up to Mt. Tabor where we found a nice grassy area to practice. The breeze is nice, the sun is setting, and the mostquitos have come out to feast. There is something to be said about the practice of yoga outside with the intermitent sounds of *slap* *whack* and *arg!* At one point Lawrence decided he needed to really make his point and called Diana over to look at the seven, yes count them SEVEN, mosquitos having a fiesta on his leg while we were in extended side angle, going up to half moon. We all decided together to walk back to their house and finish up with some inversions...ie head and hand stands.

Our butts were kicked. But not just by the practice. Afterwards Kevin was planning on picking us up, however we all decided that no dinner and Jill and I would just take the bus to her house and Kev would pick me up there. Diana and Lawrence had some things to work through, and since we didn't want to inconvenience them the bus was it. We caught the first bus, no problem. The second bus...well, problem. It seemed as though we had just missed it according to the random movements and shoutings going on across the street (a woman was making a motion as though the bus had just come and gone). We decided to walk the bus route in hopes of catching it along the way. We never did catch that bus...

50 some odd blocks later, we arrive at Jill's. Today...I am pooped and happy my friend Shannon has had to back out of our Thursday night walk/hikes. I have already informed Josie our walk this evening would depend on how Mamma was feeling but she shouldn't count on it. :)

it's about time

hall2
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

So last night Kev got home. I had arranged myself on the sofa in a similar position to the one I was in prior to him leaving for work. He fell for it and thought I hadn't gotten off my duff all night. He made some snarky comment and proceeded to walk down the hallway and into the kitchen for a beer.

I got up after he hadn't said anything for a little while and stood in the doorway of the kitchen that looks into the hall. I flipped on the light and just looked at him. He kept asking "what? what?" and then he saw just WHAT I was meaning. We laughed quite heartily.

He really likes it. He also thinks the bedroom needs to change colors now too. It's so similar to the hall, but the hall almost looks more pinky undertones and the bedroom has a grey/purple tinge to it. They DON'T look good together at all. Mom, got the color names and have gone to Ralph Lauren and Glidden to see them. Very pretty! Will have to go pick up some chips and see which ones look best in the bedroom. I'll let you know which color we choose.

glutton

After speaking with Mom this afternoon I got it into my head to go ahead and paint the hallway today. Some may remember the saga, for those of you who do not (and because it was all written at a different blog site which has been deleted) I will give you a brief recap.

We painted our front room red: We loved the idea of a warm and inviting living room. We LOVE the red room. The red is the perfect red and from what Jill says red is the hardest color to choose and get right the first try. Some come out to pink, others too orange. The one we chose is the perfect blue red with a hint of orange in all the right spots.

After going dramatic in the living room we decided to go equally dramatic in our kitchen and painted it a burnt sienna.




We love this color as well. It is lively and invigorating and makes us plain happy every time we walk into the kitchen.

My original thought for the hall was to go with a deep mustard, almost Moroccan in feel. I went to the store, got the chips, came home and picked the one we both felt would work. I painted the hallway while Kev and our friend Bob who was in town for work played video games. I hated it instantly! It looked primary yellow against the red and made our once "grown up" living room feel like we were in a Kindercare. Not going for that feeling we decided to paint out the hall white as we painted the bathroom.

While we like the bathroom being white the hall, no, not so much. When my parents were here this Spring we dragged them (kicking and screaming of course) to the Deep Hole to pick out colors for the hall. We found a wonderful color called Parchment by Ralph Lauren. It has say since May at the end of the hall, waiting to be put on the walls.

Today, was the day. I've only gotten the first coat up and NO, I have no pictures yet (nor do I have photographic evidence of the yellow...and Bob, Kevin and myself are the only living souls who have ever seen it). I will be finishing up here in about an hour, must let the first coat have a chance to dry.

Mom, BEST COLOR EVER!!!! We will be painting all the trim a stark white and it is going to be sooooooo wonderful!!! I'm thinking, however, the bedroom color needs to be changed. You want to bop over to the Deep Hole and find pretty blue chips for me Mom? :)

I guess that ended up being a big of a "waffle" as my South African friend would say. Oops...

triple 12 oz me baby

I went for it. I couldn't resist. It would have been futile for me to even try. The triple 12 oz latte, she tastes good. Everyone has given me sympathy and all I want is to feel like I slept for a good 10 hours. :) No, I do appreciate the sympathy.

On my way to the bus I stopped and chatted with the teenager who lives next door to us (in the opposite direction of the crazy people). I asked if she'd heard the commotion and she said that she had and she called the police. She was worried about the two little girls who live at the crazy people's house. I was pretty impressed that she would call the cops. I mean, most teens, don't want to "get involved" in things that don't directly effect them...perhaps a really bad generalization, perhaps not.

I told her I'd called as well. I'm glad she's my neighbor.

i'm am not even kidding

Last night we had a bit of excitement around the neighborhood (give you a guess at which neighbors). At about 11:00 the house across the street (where the two had been in front of yelling at each other [whom I'd assumed were yelling at my next door neighbor but now am thinking differently]), anyway a man and a woman started just screaming at each other. She was so loud but we couldn't really make out any of what they were screaming about. It stopped after a little, but I was this close to calling the cops.

But wait, the saga continues!

At 1:00 they started up again. This time there was a loud bang (not a gun shot, but possible someone being slammed up against something) as well as her saying "just leave me alone." This time, I called. I am through with that shit. These are the people we've been nice to and allowed them to borrow our lawnmower because it's the neighborly thing to do. It stopped last night.

I allowed myself to get freaked out because the cops rolled up (two cars, three dudes) and came to our house to ask which house it was. You can't see our front stoop from anywhere but the window in their garage (which Kev and I'd seen a light on just moments before the cops showed up). So with my wild imagination I had concocted this whole scenario where they saw me motion towards their house and they come to retaliate. I didn't sleep for shit last night. I am sooooo damn tired right now I think I may have to opt for MANY coffees today. At least at 3 I have a coworker coming in (not the flake, she called this week to ask if she could NOT work the last two Saturdays because her boyfriend...yadda yadda yadda. I told her that was fine). But there is a girl coming from our outlet who will be working downtown once a week. I just hope she can make it, she didn't call which was what she was supposed to do yesterday if she couldn't rearrange her schedule.

Okay, I ramble now. I need to shower, eat and consume MUCH coffee.

the simpsons....

I had a cat named Snowball...
She died!She died!
Mom said she was sleeping...
She lied!She lied!
Why oh why is my cat dead?
Couldn't that Chrysler hit me instead?

Lisa, the smartest Simpson of the family, always names her cats Snowball...not sure why, but she is now on Snowball II...or maybe three?

One of my favorite Simpsons moments...I just had Reagan send me an email telling me her phone died while we were chatting (yeah, cuz her not being on the other line was a little difficult for me to detect...LOL). The subject of the email was "it died" and this poem came to mind.

Is it bad that so many moments of my life have links to random Simpsons quotes?

the people we know

We bring certain people into our lives when we need them. We may not realize at the time of our meeting that we do, in fact, need them, but soon realize that that need is there.

One of my closest friends, I've never met. Her name is Reagan. She is my rock when I need someone to lean on and an ear to bend (a different ear than the ears I have here in town). She's amazing. She's whip smart. She's my friend. She's always there for me, and I for her. I've gotten calls in the middle of the night because a rogue possum has had the nerve to come into her garage and she needed someone to "talk her down" from her major freak out. She's gotten calls because I'm just need someone to talk to about things that are way bigger than I am and it freaks me out. And sometimes, she's on the phone with me while I'm finding those things...

We've never met in person but we are hoping to remedy that at some point in the close future.

memories...

Usually on Wednesdays Jill and I board the #15 bus and head over to Diana's for yoga. Today Diana is out of town so I will be going home to practice alone (unless I speak with Jill and we decide to get together). Although it will prove to be tricky with the 70 lb dog and the 18 lb cat trying to get into the act...

Anyway, at the end of the practice we go to a resting place called Savasana. As we lay there reflecting on our practice Diana will calmly talk our minds to a restful place as well. She starts at the feet and works her way up our bodies talking about relaxing and letting go of any tensions we still may feel. This takes me back to a time when I was little.

I couldn't sleep. I would be restless and sleepless. Dad would come in and do the "relaxation thing" to help me calm down and find peace in my mind. I realize now he was beginning me on my journey into the world of yoga. He would calmly speak of my breathing and slowing it down to a quiet place. The he would tell me to relax my feet, legs, etc...until I felt so calm and quiet that I honestly felt like I couldn't move a muscle. I'd try, but nothing would move. I'd finally drift off to sleep as Dad's voice would sooth me.

I still yearn for a recording of my Dad doing the "relaxation thing."

HB!

Growing up my Mom used to make hardboiled eggs every so often. So we wouldn't get confused and grab a non boiled one instead and make a mess she used to write "HB" on the ones she'd boiled. My sister and I would lovingly sing "HB!" every time we would open the fridge and see them sitting there looking at us. To this day I can't have a hardboiled egg without singing "HB!"

Lunch today consisted of...you guessed it...all together..."HB!!!" It reminded me that I used to HATE the hardened yolks, but now will suffer through them because I know that it is that part that is healthiest for you.

no hiking for us today

It is again a very hot day in the Pacific NW. We've gotten up, cleaned the hell out of the house and have decided it may not be a good day to take our black dog out on a hike. It was only supposed to get up to the mid 80s, but on our porch our Frogmometer reads 102. I don't think it's really that hot, but it's pretty damn hot again.

Kev's just finishing up the vacuuming and afterward I am going to suggest we grab a light bite to eat (once he's showered...). Chloe is off hiding somewhere, not the vacuums biggest fan. Simon has already gotten his butt vac'd (yes, he LOVES the vacuum). Josie, is camped out by my feet. She and Chloe think Simon is nuts-o for enjoying the vacuum (aka the beast).

I ran around with Jill and her mom, Kay, yesterday. We had such a nice time. We went down to the Woodburn outlet mall for a few hours (which proved to be a lucrative choice) before hitting the Nordstrom Rack at Clackamas (also, treated us all well). I think I may just have everything a girl could need for a trip down to LA to see her sister at the end of next month. I know, it's ridiculous how much thought I put into what I want to wear and take with me on these trips, but seriously I enjoy figuring it all out AND it helps me not over pack in the end. As it is, this trip I will be taking the most shoes ever and it's the shortest trip I'll have taken...

i'd have taken needy

The time is 5:59...I've got my keys in my hand, sunglasses on my head, I'm heading to lock up...the door flies open.

"We made it!"

I think to myself (yeah, made it with ONE FLIPPING MINUTE LEFT)..."yes, you did."

The two women proceed to keep me there until 6:45!!! Luckily Kev had come and picked me up so no long bus ride. They did apologize for keeping me there so late, but honestly, just leaving faster would have been nicer. I think I would have taken needy over that today. :)

Sorry, just in a shitty mood tonight. Although Kev and I did go to the Delta for dinner...oooooh, I hurt! BBQ pork po boy, dressed. I HURT!!!!!!

do you know?

Do you have any idea how annoying it is when you know you have had a conversation with someone and you are counting on them following through and coming into work only to have them not show up and deny having the original conversation in the first place? I know, Dad, separate realities...

thirteen times!

Okay, maybe it's not that bad, but it seems that lately when I get ready in the morning I change my outfit many, many times. I'm not trying to wear everything in my closet (which honestly, isn't all that much) in one day. Maybe I feel as though there is something lacking in there and I need to go shopping? Hmmm, I likes this idea. :)

Actually I am planning a day of running around with Jill and Kay tomorrow. We are going to meet early for breakfast (with groggy men in tow) and then the three of us are going to jump in my car and head for the hills...or the outlet mall, which really isn't anywhere near any hills.

Tops, I need tops. And bottoms, one can never have too many bottoms (the way that sounds...oooooweeee!). I'm perfectly happy with my shoe collection, kind of. However even if I wasn't, I'd have to only buy something from my store. If I can't wear it to work I try not to have it...yeah, right. LOL

Work will hopefully whiz by today. Yesterday it seemed as though time stood still. I think it's cuz I had tentative plans to meet Amanda out for a drink, which turned into a raincheck, which morphed into me stopping at Kiley and Shannon's house to meet their new kitten. He's really cute. Grey, white belly...big eyes and uber pink nose. Vladimir, the king cat of their house, didn't seem too bothered by the little beast. We will see how he is doing later today when I call to check in.

Okay, wish me quickness, wish me sanity, wish me NO NEEDY CUSTOMERS!!! :)

bekah flipping RAWKS

I've been battling how to list my friends blogs in my sidebar (as Bek has told me it is called)...Dad, let me get this under my belt a little before you have me help you figure it out for your blog.

Well, as you can see, under my profile is a list of peeps i adore!!!!

She's #1 on that list! :)

a'ight, i'm out...

my challenge to you

Do you find yourself thinking about things that you wish could have happened differently in your life? You know, playing the game of "what if"?

Do this, write what it is you miss, why you miss it and what you have learned from it.

Example:

I always ponder what life would have been like had I actually applied myself to playing the piano. What did I miss out on? Did I miss out on anything? What did I learn from being the sloth that I was about practicing? Did I only want to play because my big sister, whom I idolized, was playing? Was the desire to play because our mom played when she was our age?

I learned to enjoy music and enjoy doing things, even though playing music wasn't as enjoyable to me as it is for many others...yes, I do still envy friends who can pick up an instrument and just play, but then I remember there are things I can do better than they and the fact they can bring music into my life and I can live vicariously through their hands is fine enough by me.

*end*

So many people I know long for loves of the past. I suggest they take a look at why they loved this person, what happened to make the time with the person end and what did they learned from that particular individual. Did they learn to love with all their heart, making it possible to love the person they are with now more completely? Did they learn to trust again after they thought it was never possible? Did they learn that love is an amazing thing, when it is with the person they were "meant" to be with? It's a writing I've done...it's a healing thing. I suggest you try, if you have those ghosts...

a good read

Although I agree with my friend Kerri that Dooce is a good read, I am all kinds of about Mir!

Her post she titled Ghost Days is amazingly true! Everyone who ever had feelings of "what did I miss out on" whether it be about past relationships, past jobs, anything in the past will understand every single word she wrote....

top ten

Every so often I will be listening to a song and I can't help it but feel all kinds of emotions. Some songs give me goose bumps, others make me want to cry, and still others make me want to stand up and shake my booty like it's never been shaken before.

Here are my top ten (at this moment) songs that make me just plain old feel.

1. Video-India.Arie
2. Waltz #2-Elliot Smith
3. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye-David Gray
4. Dry the Rain-Beta Band
5. Fix You-Coldplay
6. Let Go-Frou Frou
7. New Slang-The Shins
8. Long Time Gone-Dixie Chicks
9. Seven Nation Army-The White Stripes
10. The Balrney Stone-Ween

man, had to open that can

I got a post from a member of my animal group asking if the group was interesting at all or ever had interesting conversations that she was bored and didn't anyone have a cat to chat about (among other rather rude and snotty 17 year old types of things). I sent her an email saying that if she felt the group wasn't to her liking there were several other groups online she could go join. She replied that she didn't know who I was to tell her to move on and that she was going to stay...yadda yadda yadda. Totally rude. Members emailed me asking who she was (when she joined a couple of months ago she never introduced herself to the group so when this email came through many had no clue who she was). I told them she was someone who apparentally felt that we were boring.

I booted her rude butt and then sent her an email telling her she needed to find some manners. I told her I did have the power to tell her to move on and I did have the power to see that she moved on. I know, I know someone will say "you should have done x, y and z" and explained and been more understanding, but honestly, I have no time for rude 17 year olds who think they can be disrespectful of the members of my list. It's ridiculous, I know, but still...it's not like Kev doesn't have his online nerds he "hangs" with at the Ween Forum!!!

it's damn hot

I think today is the hottest day of the summer here. Supposedly got up to 100. I just saw a girl walk past my store with argyle socks on her arms like sleeves (with the toes cut out for her hands....kind of like leg warmers for your arms). WHY?!?! IT'S HOT!!!

about being married to kevin

9 years ago I met Kevin. Actually it was about 9 years and one month by now, but who's counting? I saw him across the table during a meeting at my new job. I'd only been there a few weeks, he'd been there a month. His first thought of me was, "damn, she asks a lot of questions." And my first thought about him was, "he's really cute, but so not my type." 9 years later we are still together and have been married for five of those years.

We don't agree on certain things in life. I don't understand his obsession with video games (although I understand they are an outlet for him much as sewing is an outlet for me I just don't understand why one would do something that doesn't produce anything but sore thumbs and dry eyes). He has no clue as to why I obsess about clothing I am either going to wear the next day or the next month (but he offers cute suggestions for shoes every once in a while).

We joke that we really don't feel like marriage is work for us. The thing is, it doesn't feel like work. Sure we have our moments of annoyance (as in, why in the hell doesn't he put his damn cereal bowls in the dishwasher, or even the sink? Why must he leave them on the computer desk?) and he probably is driven crazy by my shoes that are left out (I try to keep them picked up and those that I adore and don't want to donate to Josie as a chew toy I do keep put in their boxes...btw she's not eaten a pair of shoes in a long time...knock on wood).

I know he was annoyed when I insisted that we buy an entire fresh pineapple. He said, "I don't really like pineapple. Are you really going to want to eat that entire thing by yourself?" I have been making a dent and honestly, he likes fresh pineapple much more than that stuff in a can.

But the greatest thing is, we can appreciate our differences. We get pissed off at each other and we tell each other WHY. We don't really scream, but we can always tell when the other is annoyed. In the past I've had to tell him to speak his thoughts because I wasn't hearing his mind. Now, he will tell me without being prompted. I think this is a huge step for us. I love not having to try to read his mind nor ask him to share what he's thinking.

I am rather proud of us and our relationship. We once had someone who was checking out our purchases at Cost Co say, "you two seem like you have a lot of fun together." We looked at each other and started laughing...he was right, we do have a lot of fun together. That's what it is all about.

Namaste

yoga at mt tabor

I spoke with Jill last night and suggested we talk with Diana about taking our yoga practice up to Mt. Tabor this week. She said she'd already been thinking that (gee, ya think we are friends?). I called Diana and left a message saying we thought that and figured we should take advantage of the sun while we still have it. It's starting to get lighter earlier again. :( I didn't hear back from Ms. D so I assume it is a go. I just have to take the #17 to the #70 and get the car from Kev. Then I have to come home, feed everyone and then go over to Diana's. She said it only takes 5 minutes to get to her house from mine. Then she added she liked living only 5 minutes away from me. I like it too. :)

Well, it's off to put my face on before heading to work. I had this brilliant idea of something to write about last night when I was heading to bed and instead of writing the general idea down I thought I'd remember....nope.

what's that in the sky?

Could it truly be? CLOUDS!!! What a glorious site to see...

We slept in late today. Kev got up to feed everyone (I didn't actually hear him but when I got up to go to the bathroom before going back to bed I noticed Chloe had food in her bowl and nobody did the "she's up, we eat" dance). I slept in. And not "in" as in I got up at 7:30 as opposed to my normal waking time of 7:00. I slept until 10:00!!! Kev did too (although that's not a surprise or hard to imagine I am sure). We were rudely awoken by people doing work on the street in front of our house. How DARE they work on a Monday morning!! :)

It feels good to have gotten to sleep in (honestly, I didn't even wake up when Simon decided to tap dance on my head, which he does EVERY morning). We are planning on going somewhere to get our hike on, but we don't want to drive to much. I'm thinking over the the NW so we can hike Forest Park, but not the normal entrance we ALWAYS do. I want something new.

Oh, and we have decided to continue with our Monday weigh in rituals because even though we haven't gained any weight back and our new, smaller sized clothes still fit really well, we are starting to feel slightly mushy. By weighing ourselves we are hoping we will create the atmosphere of not allowing ourselves to become doughy again. :) So far I have butt kicking yoga on Wednesdays to take care of that feeling!!! My arms are now just feeling normal again. LOL

immediate gratification

We sadly live in a world where people are of the "now" mentality. I, too, have fallen into this behavior. I haven't felt that way in a while, perhaps as I continue down the road of becoming the best me I can be I will never have that feeling again. Also, I hope, I may stop feeling the sense of annoyance when others become demanding and "now" about things. But for today, I will be annoyed... :)

Case in point:

Got a pair of shoes back from a customer. They were an 8, she was a size 9.5. My question to her when she called about returning them was "did Jessica try calling the other stores?" Her response, "no, she was adamant about this being the only pair..." When I questioned Jessica about it she said the woman was in a hurry and didn't have time for her to look, but that she offered (which was what I figured already). We have received the sandals back and they are second in the folder of returns. Our policy is when items are shipped back to us to be returned we will do the returns in order of the arrival back to the store and we have 30 days do make said return. This customer just called saying, "I sent the shoes back and you have to return the money to my card, now." I lied and said she was next in the folder and it should be able to be done today. I will do it today, moving her ahead of one other return (which we had only gotten a day or two ahead of hers). I know that I have rewarded her behavior by giving in to her demand of getting the return "now" but I didn't want to have to deal with her any longer.

I wish you all patience and happiness.

very possibly

The best yoga class EVER! Tonight was the first night that Jill and I met with Diana after work to start our private instruction. She kicked our butts and we, loved. every. minute. of. it. I can see where this road is going to lead us and it makes me happy. Yoga has brought a meaning to my life that I never really knew existed. It's brought peace and balance in my world and has given me a whole new appreciation for the human body. I like the idea that if I treat my body well it will do so in return.

I urge everyone whose eyes read my words to do something specifically for yourself. Something that is kind. Something that will not harm yourself or others. But something souly for yourself!

Right now, I'm going to go read and fall into probably the best nights sleep I've had in a long while...

Namaste (love, light, respect)

oh the beauty of it all...

I have received several cases of shoes in today. I covet...COVET...these:

I have them sitting next to me as I type (they are still in the box though). I've worn them around already and they are so damn comfortable! Some may ask, "are these really clogs?" To which I reply...we are clogs-n-MORE!

It is warm here today and I think the suede may not be conducive to this time of year, but they are fall shoes. Yeah, I can also hear the same people who asked if they are clogs make the comment about me living in a rainy climate and suede...

My store room is horrible right now. I had to wear the really cute skirt that I got on Sunday though and I don't want to get all messy. I have done quite a bit of unloading, but I have more to do tomorrow. I am thinking jeans tomorrow. I don't mind if they get dirty. They are jeans. Although can the new shoes be worn now with jeans?

I just had a customer come in and buy the Poppy Suede (red) for her wedding! FOR. HER. WEDDING! I love it when brides come in and buy shoes from me for their weddings! I applaud those who will wear what they want. Me, I couldn't feel my toes for three days after our wedding and although it was a fabulous day I really wish I'd have thought about the whole switching shoes thing after the ceremony, OR just worn silly little sandals. Nobody saw my feet anyway...

quiz time...

http://www.blogthings.com/coffeequiz/

as for me: I'm a soy latte (yeah, right)

"At your best, you are: free spirited, down to earth, and relaxedAt your worst, you are: dogmatic and pickyYou drink coffee when: you need a pick me up, and green tea isn't cutting itYour caffeine addiction level: medium"

today

We decided to go to Fryes (aka Geek City USA). We jumped in the car and whose little face should we see peering at us, longingly, through the front window but Josie. I looked at Kev, who looked back at me. I told him I wished we could take her with. He said "LET'S!" The road to the store goes right by one of the best dog parks (the 2.5 acres) and so I jumped out of the car, got on her collar, grabbed her leash and off we went.

After walking the park a few times we decided it was time to head to the store. On our way through the parking lot there was a woman with her daughter. Her daughter was laid out on the rock drive, having just had a seizure. We get to the car. I look at Kev and tell him I have to go see if the woman needs any help. I sit and chat with both the mother and daughter and BOOM she goes into a grand mal. I just sit there with her mom until she is out of it, it lasted maybe 20 seconds. As soon as the daughter was coming to and talking with us we were hopeful about getting her up and in the car. No going. She couldn't really feel her legs. Her mother called the EMT's and two physicians came up as well. At that point I felt she had it under control and bid my farewell. I told the daughter I wished we could have met under different circumstances, but wished her well.

At Fryes I stayed in the car with Josie so we could have the A/C on. I read a book my Dad sent me as I waited for Kev to finish up inside. We joked that it really was for the best that I stayed outside with Josie. If I'd gone in he'd have felt rushed to get in and get out. As it was, he mulled around a bit and I just sat with my girl reading. He said he felt badly for the guys in the store with their girlfriends who he overheard trying to explain WHY they "needed" x, y and z. He said he thought, "man, leave her out in the car...don't try to explain..." We joked about it together. Heck, I'm glad I stayed in the car with Josie. I got to watch my beautiful dog observe the world around her.

Now I'm waiting for Kev to finish getting ready so we can go pick up Jill and she and I can take him to work before running around together. It's funny because she had the idea last night to run around with me and when I called her this morning to see if she wanted to do just that she started laughing and told me her story of telling Mark if we went to yoga we could run around together after...I told her I wasn't going to yoga but we could still run around. :) I felt like sleeping in and spending the morning with Kev. It was very very nice.

random ramblings

Man, today has gone by quickly, now that I look at the clock again. For a while it was slugging by, but now it is 4:43 and I have just over an hour before I head home for my weekend. No major plans, it's going to be a bit warmer this weekend so no painting (we still have yet to do the hallway again...) but I am hoping we can get a big trash can for yard debris and work on the back yard a bit. The back corner, which was cleared when we first moved in, now has tree limbs, blackberry vines as well as who knows what living in it. The blackberry vine is the most annoying of them all though. It could easily take over the world. I'm reminded of Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins whenever I look at the vines. They are mentioned in the book, which takes place in Seattle. They were taking over the yard in the book too...

Last night Jill, Kiley and I went out to dinner. All of our partners in crime were either out with pals, off to LA, or at work. We decided it would be fun to get together and eat Italian at a place not too far from home. Very nice indeed. Pastini. The Cannelloni Fruttie Die Mar is to die for!!! Go to their menu and read what is in it and then tell me you don't want to go there whenever you are in Portland...

I was riding the bus home last night after work and got to chatting with Michael (he's actually someone who works at our bank, which is how we met). We were talking about blogs and he seemed a bit surprised that I had one. I told him it was for freinds and family and complete strangers to see what's going on in our life. We got to talking about how I'd have ideas of things I'd want to write about while doing whatever (I could be drinking coffee and have an idea, or walking up the block to the store and *poof* something would enter my mind...) and as soon as I got to the computer to write about whatever it was it would be gone. I don't have my book in my bag right now. The book I use to write things in as I get ideas.

Kev is giddy right now. Maybe giddy isn't the right word, perhaps he's more loopy than giddy. He called me earlier, I had to call him back. When I did he just sounded like he'd not gotten enough sleep and was feeling a bit slap happy. He told me he indeed did NOT get enough sleep last night and WAS feeling a bit loopy. Sadly we had to cut our conversation short because he had a customer come into the store. When he's loopy, he's also chatty. I like that...

Okay, those are some ramblings to tide you all over. Sorry for the long wait. I know this entry probably doesn't make up for it. :)

oh the joys of hiking

It was a hot day yesterday. We got up early and picked up Jim and Kathy, my father in law and his wife. We decided that we should take them to the Falls Creek Falls. It was nice that we left early because it got up to 100!

Josie loved the water... We are thrilled she's finally finding her water legs. She went in rather far in the creek, river, babbling brook, whatever it was. She had a blast! I wanted to jump in with her by this point because it was on our way back to the car as the heat was climbing.

Today is quite warm as well, but since I'm in the good ol' A/C at work it's not bothering me too much. We just got some darling shoes in and of course I'm trying to justify them already!!! :)

I'm just bad.

sorry, a little (stupid) rant

Bekah, you will appreciate this one...

I "own" a list on yahoo groups. Most of you all know this. The reason I "own" my own list now is because of ill feelings that I had with the original dog list I was part of. It was deemed time to move on (by my gut feelings) and so I did. I started another group, got together with a couple of my online friends and got a great group together.

Now one of those original friends (we will call her C) has decided she needs to totally blast my very good friend (we will call her R) behind her back to me. OMG!! Are we back in flipping high school?!? If C has an issue with R she knows she can talk to her about it, however, C is now saying she's done with R and sees what other people see....I'm still waiting to see what that is because as far as I'm concerned R has been respectful of others and just shared her knowledge (and damn, she's one smart cookie).

(don't worry, I've said these things to both parties so I'm not really going behind backs here)

The truly interesting thing to me throughout this is that C joined both under her name as well as a fake one. Does she think I don't know she's got two identities (and maybe more) at my group? What made her feel compelled to sign up with the other one (I know she does at all the groups she is a member of)?

And then I remember, it's the freaking internet! It doesn't have any affect on me personally. If she wants to be stark raving mad, I have the power to boot, ban, and not let anyone else join...in fact, I can make my list an invite only list. Hmmmm.

surprise!!!

My internet friend Bekah sent me these (I say me, but really they are for Josie). I can't wait until Monday to give her some!! Thank you Auntie Bekah! Josie says her card is in the mail...

Speaking of Monday, we are sharing our sacred day with Kev's dad and step mom. I'm excited about taking them to Falls Creek Falls. It was the hike we did a couple of Mondays ago and forgot the camera. Not this time!!! I will have to try to get a shot of Josie gobbling up her Power Bones! I love the name of them.

I've got something up my sleeve to send Bekah, but it's going to take a little while since I've got other things up there at this moment in time. She'll just have to bide her time and be patient...I hope she'll like it!!! :) I'll let you know how much Josie loves and appreciates her treats after Monday.

i am a medium

Not in the sense that I can speak to the dead or anything creepy like that...

You all know of our weight loss thang (seriously, if you are looking for inspiration watch this falls Biggest Loser!)

Anyway, I was out shopping with Kev this week on Monday and I stopped to look at this great tank by Isaac Mizrahi (I'm so glad he's doing things for Target). There were two left, one was a medium and the other an extra large. I hesitated for a second, but picked up the medium. I figured if I got it home and it was too small I'd take it back (we live a hop, skip and a jump from Target). I did the same thing with a pair of rose colored yoga pants. Only there were larges available, I just decided to take the medium there too. Well what do you know, I'm a medium. It's still hard for me to envision myself wearing medium in clothes that for quite some time I was wearing XL. It boggles my mind a bit quite honestly. But hell, I'll take it!!!

I was thinking the other day, as we were driving home from our trail run/walk. I really enjoy who I (we) have become (or would that be whom?). I like being the outdoor-sy girl. I like getting out in nature and really being there in it, away from the "real" world. I like that we want to do these things together, Kev and me. I wouldn't have thought this when we first moved here that in 5 years after moving to Portland I'd be living in my own home, with my fabulous husband, our wonderful animals and getting out and DOING. We used to watch our old neighbors, Kim and Brad, go out all the time to do things out of doors. I'd long to be like them. Now, I am...sigh.

my dream house...

Will have a room where we have zero furniture, hardwood floors, maybe the free weights, but plenty of room to practice our yoga and meditate.

It will have a well planned and laid out kitchen that is a bit larger than what we have to work with now. I'd love for it to open up into the rest of the house, although not necessary. As long as it is a well thought out and planned kitchen, I'm fine. Oooh, and it has to have a pantry!!!

It will have a large enough "master" bedroom so that all our gorgeous maple bedroom furniture will fit in it and Kev's chest of drawers won't have to reside in the closet.

It will have a cave. I've gotten so accustomed to having a quiet, dark room that I've grown to rather like it...a lot. Especially when the neighbors find themselves needing to set off fireworks. Josie enjoys having a quiet place to go.

It will have a lovely patio where we can entertain our friends and family and Kev can wow them with his culinary skills...he is the true Grill Master!!!

It will have a back yard that Josie ISN'T affraid of.

It will have a spare bedroom as well as a sewing room, that will be used!!!

It will have a garage, two car (not that we will have two cars, but storage baby).

It will have at least one and a half bathrooms. Dood, if we can't both go WHEN WE NEED TO...it isn't our house! As of right now, it gets tricky at times.

It will be in a neighborhood where you know each other and you wave when you see the familiar faces of those you live around. You won't get told stories of home invasions.

I want it to be even closer to Jill and Mark. Not only have they gotten hugs, two bottles of wine, a loaf of homemade bread, but they just recently got...COOKIES! Homemade oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies with a welcome note. I so want to live near them! :)

ahhhh, yoga

So this week I got an email from my yoga instructor Diana. She asked me to give her a call when I had time to chat. We spoke the other evening about her desire to have Sundays off and for herself and Lawrence. I understood completely. I was a bit heartbroken, until she uttered the words "private instruction" to me. She asked if I thought Jill and I would be interested in furthering our learning with her privately if one of her other classes at the other two yoga studios she teaches at wouldn't work. I told her that I was sure that Jill would be interested and I knew that I was interested.

After I got off the phone with her I called Jill. I believe she said something to the effect of YES YES YES to me. We got quite happy about the idea of private instruction, but kept in mind that Diana had mentioned other classes and if we couldn't make any of those then we talk private instruction...

Well, today after class we all went to breakfast and as we were talking she mentioned private instruction again and this time it sounded like she was more into that idea than having us join one of her other classes. When we left Jill and I were giddy because she was talking about going to the park and leading our practice there. My head is spinning and I am all kinds of excited about it! I mean think about how much further we are going to get to go with our practice...YEA!!!!

TAG!!!

I got tagged by Bekah...

What was I doing 10 years ago:
I was turning 22 and wondering when the hell I was going to grow up and know what I wanted to do with my life.
5 years ago:
I was marrying the man of my dreams (actually exactly five years ago we'd been married already for just two months and had just gotten settled in Portland).
1 year ago:
I was working where I work now and enjoying it as much as I do now (which honestly, is a lot!!)
Yesterday:
I was...crap, what the hell was I doing yesterday?!?!? (I was just beginning to start answering these questions...then we had dinner with Kev's dad and step mom.)
5 Snacks I enjoy:
1.almonds
2.grape tomatoes (like cherry but BETTER)
3.baby carrots
4.cheese
5.yogurt (had you asked me this one year ago I'd not have answered the same way)

5 songs I know all the words to:
1.farmhouse, by phish
2.voodoo lady, by ween
3.not alot to do, by the zutons
4.alphabet song, origins unknown
5.1 2 3 4 5 .... 6 7 8 9 10....11 12222222 (you know the one)

5 Things I would do with a $100 million:
1.pay off the house
2.pay off the car
3.pay off the credit cards
4.pay off my family's debts
5.pay off my friends...

5 Locations I would like to run away to:
1.Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
2.the mountains here in Oregon
3.anywhere that has no clocks (but I suppose that would be impossible for me...there's a Clock any place I go)
4.a cabin in the woods where we can just sit and relax and enjoy each others company (and by we I mean me, Kev, Josie, Simon and Chloe...)
5.seriously, my Mamasita-in-law's house in Texas...total resort!!!

5 Bad habits I have:
1.picking at my nails
2.obsessing on what clothing I will take on trips (no matter long it is until said trips happen)
3.picking my nose
4.finishing sentences for people that I don't know
5.using "..." waaaay too much

5 Things I like doing:
1.embroidery
2.playing with the animals (simon, chloe and josie)
3.talking on the phone with my Mamasita-in-law
4.eating good food with great friends
5.playing board games!

5 TV shows I like:
1.The OC (I know, I know)
2.The Simpsons
3.Futurama
4.The Biggest Loser
5.The Amazing Race

5 Biggest joys of the moment:
1.Knowing I am married to someone who will tell me what is on his mind (finally!!)
2.NOT the fact that I think Josie just snuck some "snacks" from the bathroom
3.hiking every Monday with Kev and Josie
4.watching the cats play with each other
5.chatting with my online animal list (the ladies are just too funny)

5 Favorite toys:
1.my bernina
2.my serger
3.this here computer
4.if board games count as toys than QUELF!!!
5.my living and breathing toys, the cats and the dawg
5 next victims:
1.Kerri
2.Daddy-O
3.the Female CS GradStudent
4.can't think of 4
5. can't think of 5

i'm getting a girls weekend!!!

Let the obsessing begin! My sister emailed me last week asking if she used her frequent flyer miles would I come down to LA in Septemeber. I told her I had to make sure it was okay with the guy who pays me but I'd let her know. Yesterday Ahmed told me it would be fine and so now I've got a ticket booked!!! Jill might be trying to go with, but I was just looking at the flights and I think she might have to call United to see if she can get the same flight leaving as me. I hope she can go, but if not Julianne and I will have a blast! She has mentioned yoga, dog park, wine bars...

Now, to start figuring out...what ever will I take?!?! I already know that the yoga pants and new yoga tops I'm getting soon from Sierra Trading Co are going. My new jeans. My brown slightly dressy, but not too over the top, top. I mean, Sept is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!! :)

this is my horn...

...and I'm going to toot it!!!

It is just after I have opened the store downtown. I have a customer trying on clogs I'd held for her. I have another woman come in the store and start looking around. She's acting a bit suspicious. I watch her as she kneels down with a pair of clogs. When she stands back up the clogs are gone and there is an empty spot on the rack. I approach her, knowing the clogs are in her big raffia bag. I ask her if she liked the blue clogs she'd seen on the rack. She sheepishly said yes. I tell her softly, "I'm going to need to look in your bag." She pulls out the clogs. At this time my adrenaline is pumping. She says, "I'd like to buy them, how much are they?" I tell her they are $105.95 and that I can get a different bag for her to carry them in. She doesn't have the money (which I knew would be the case) so I tell her I'll hold them (I'm sure she won't be back).

I RAWK!!!!!

My former co-worker just popped in to get her last paycheck so I told her the story. She said it sounded like I was very compassionate and she thanked me for that.

not my energy!

Okay, as I wrote before Josie dislikes fireworks. I don't care for them based on the fact that they make my dog pace, bark, pant, lick the air, just act NOT like herself. I don't do anything out of the ordinary, except turn on loud music to drown out the noise. Then I peacefully sit and read. Nothing new there.

As soon as Kev took over he turned down the music...she started doing the afore mentioned behaviours. Tell me, my energy? My dislike? No, my guess is she could hear the damn things and it freaked her out. As a child I did not like the loud booms because they frightened me, as an adult it is because they frighten my animals. I could give or take fireworks for myself personally. But for the three kids I've got running around my house in a panic every 4th of July, I'll give every time!!! Yes, Simon and Chloe got into the act as well and hid all night...although they would come out every once in a while only to have some loud boom happen and send them back into hiding.

oh how i loathe fireworks

We got home from a long hike (at one point we took our hike books author's suggestion and took the "scramble" up the unmarked trail to the upper falls trail...it's called .2 miles of straight up for about a 400' gain in elevation ALL AT ONCE) and decided we needed to go get some grub to grill. As we turned onto our street we looked in the garage of our newer neighbors and saw a card table FULL of fireworks. I HATE FIREWORKS!

Josie's been doing the bark, pace, pant thing for a little while now and we just have to ignore her. She calms down faster than if we say anything to her, but it's hard to NOT cuddle her and tell her it will be okay. I mean, she's a dog and doesn't speak english and wouldn't understand those words at all. However, I do wish she'd chill the hell out. I also wish the neighbors wouldn't have bought out the entire fireworks booth, but that didn't happen either!

I see Tylenol in my future and possibly ear plugs...

pictures from the game

There are several different cards you have to pick during play. One set is called Roolz. These are things you must do during the game, unless another Roolz card says to discard a current Roole. We had several global Roolz, one of which was we had to keep something that was larger than our fist in our left hand. So, beer. Then I drew a card that made me put one finger in a nostril, yodel while trying to roll three twos. And I had to keep the beer in my left hand...I haven't laughed so hard in a long time!!!!!

oh baby, i'm so tired

Man, I know how to pack a weekend full. Day one of my weekend and I've gone to yoga (such an amazing class today!!!), helped my dear friend Amanda with painting the trim in her kitchen/breakfest nook/mud room (I told Lisel, her beau, it shows how much I love Amanda because I HATE painting trim), took Josie to the dog park (where she only tried to escape once, but was foiled because the woman who came in after me latched the gate after I asked her to), mowed the lawn (which was in need), cleaned the kitchen (which was in dire need after our game night with Shannon and Kiley last night...you all must play Quelf), and now I've finished eating dinner (yummy veggies, almonds, ham and cheese...). I'm pooped. Kev has no clue I've done any of this, other than the yoga and the painting. I told him I'd take Josie somewhere but I don't think he always believes me. :)

Tomorrow we are thinking about getting out of the city. Josie has done much better this year with the fireworks our neighbors have already started setting off (the ignore her while she's barking and reinforcing when she's quiet really is working), but we think we'd still like to get out of town. Hence the lawn work, etc. We had been thinking the coast, but then my friend Reagan sent me and email, as did another friend Kay. It was a link to a story about the Oregon coast being the busiest on the 4th and to expect traffic. We started talking and realized that people will go to the vast expanses of beaches to set of fireworks, watch fireworks, and just be there in general, we think we would like to get up to the mountains instead. So we have been looking online and in our hike book for a place that sounds like it will be the place for us to go and get away from everyone and everything.

We'll let you know how it goes. Please be safe this holiday weekend.

mmmmm

Friday nights our friends Kiley and Shannon go out to eat. On occasion I get to join them. For no other reason then we like each other's company.

We went to a new place called Nuestra Cocina. It was rather tasty, however the desserts...where it is at! The ap we shared was nice, seared scallops over radicho (sp) and some kind of verde sauce. I opted for a main course of little baby tortillas (made there by hand) stuffed with black beans, avocado, grilled poblano peppers and cheese. They were served with a verde salsa. Kiley had some pork dish that was goooood and Shannon got an ap as a meal and they were little pastries stuffed with chorizo and other goodness.

Because we'd not eaten too heavily we opted for dessert. All night we'd seen this plate coming out of the kitchen with chocolate cake on it. Very dense looking, the kind that would kill me if I ate more than a couple bites. Shannon got that. It was served with a cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce. For all of Kiley's talk of Flan he changed his mind and got the crepes with fried bananas and fresh strawberries. While I had an Empenada Limon. It was a lemon custard filled empenada served with fresh whipped cream on a ribbon of caramel. The custard was warm inside which was a lovely surprise.

The margaritas...they muddle the lemon, lime and orange with ice giving it a burst of citrus. Muddling is when the bartender puts the ice in a cup with slices of orange, lime and lemon, takes something that looks like a pestle (or is it the mortar that is the basher?) and smashes it all together. YUMMY!

Now I am getting ready for my last day of work for the week and when I get home I must run the vacuum quickly as we have a couple people coming over to play a new game called Quelf. Our friend of a friend designed it with two of his friends...just go to their site to get the logistics. :)

one wacky night

So at about 1:00 this morning I notice Kev's not in bed. I hear the dog barking up front and think to myself, "Hmmm, I hope he's not collapsed over the keyboard." Yes, this is truly the way my mind works when I wake in the middle of the night to a barking dog and an empty bed.

I get up and go out front. He's at the computer, fully awake and aware.

"What's she barking at?"

"Oh, some drunk guy outside...I'm hoping he'll just go away."

I go back to bed, Josie comes with and minutes later Kev joins us too. I get some sleep, although it doesn't feel like much when I hear Josie "Ooof oooof oooof" I also hear voices (not THOSE, but ones coming from in front of my house!!). I get up to investigate and find two people standing in front of the neighbor's house to our left (yes, that would be Larry with his two barking dogs...who were silent last night) looking at his house and yelling. I figure Larry has already made contact with the police and go back to bed.

Josie's barking becomes more urgent and she's pulling the Lassie going to get mom because Timmy has fallen into the well routine. She comes back to my side of the bed, since clearly I'm the one who is going to get up and look again. I figure I should take a look and make sure they are not trying to break into the house or our car. They've now made their way to the edge of our property and are yelling back down the street. I can't tell if it's two guys or a guy and a girl. Are they fighting with each other? I look online and find what I think is the non-emergency line for the Po Po (yes, it really is what the Portland Police are called). I get "This is Gerry." I feel like crap, have I woken this poor man? I called the number I found online for non-emergencies! I tell him I'm needing to call someone to report people disturbing my peace. He gives me the correct number...

"Umm, yeah, there are two people standing outside my house yelling and my dog has alerted me that I need to call and ask for a squad car to drive through our neighborhood."

"Is it drunken yelling or fighting?"

"I'm pretty sure it's fighting."

"I need to know for sure which it is."

"Okay, fighting..." what, I'm going to stick my head out the door and ask, 'umm, excuse me, are you two trying to instigate a fight with someone in my neighborhood or just wasted off your asses?!?!'

"What's your address?"

I tell her.

"It looks like there is already another call in about this. Someone will be there soon."

YEA!!! Moments later the Po Po show up and in the light of their headlamps I see it is a man and a woman. She's in her pj bottoms and a big poofy winter coat and her hair is dyed bright freaking pink. He's thin and lanky wearing baggy clothes and that's all I got.

I go back to bed and look at the clock. It reads 4:00. Ugh, now I'm supposed to go to work and reformat my hard drive? Yeah, that's another story all unto its own.

nothing exciting

Man, it's been a few days (I can hear Reggie and Russ right now) and I just figured since there was really nothing all that crazy exciting to write about, why write?!?

Okay, maybe I can write about what a wonderful time I had last night with my friends Linsel and Amanda and Linsel's housemate Kevin and his girlfriend K/Cathy. I took Kev to work and really didn't feel like I wanted to spend the evening alone at home. I called Amanda and she didn't answer her phones (mobile or land) so I thought she might be at Linsel's house. Called him and he and I chatted before he said I should try her again later. Within miutes of hanging up with him she called me. We decided to get together at Linsel's house and decide from there where to eat.

I wish I would have called Lins to see if we were going out otherwise I would have brought Josie with. As it was first words out of his mouth were "where's Josie?" I half thought about driving home to get her, but we live about a half hour away...

We ate homemade pizza and artichokes. I've never eaten artichokes without them being involved on pizza, but we boiled them and dipped the leaves in butter....yummy!!! The heart was a bit tricky, but I got that taken care of for me and Amanda, who were sharing one.

Okay, that's about it. :)

serendipity

I'm not going to start making this a blog about fitness, etc. This will be the last one and then I can email people to let them know more if they ask...

When Kev threw the challenge in the ring I was all kinds of excited. I wasn't sure what kind of work out I would do...until I got my Glamour in the mail (I really hate the name of the publication, but it is an amazing source of information!). It was the day after we challenged each other that I received it. There was an article about three different exercise programs they had real women test for 8 weeks to see which one helped them lose the most inches/weight. They then ran the entire work out of the winning program. It was lifting weights, with 10 minutes of prep cardio.

I started doing the routine. It was tough at first, but as I did it longer, it got way easier. There were 8 different movements to do with the weights. Once I got going I would adjust the movements to serve me better. Certain things made my knees hurt so I'd alter it slightly with things we'd done in yoga.

Now I do my own kind of thing, but honestly, that article in Glamour, huge for me!!!

how it was easy for us

We started out with a vengence. We were going to lose weight and we were going to lose it NOW!!! Actually, I don't think the two of us thought we'd lose all that much all that quickly, but at our first weigh in after the first week of our working out (we'd weigh in Monday mornings prior to going hiking...or eating anything) Kev had lost 4 lbs and I had already lost 3lbs. Granted it was mostly water weight, but that was all it took for us to get our grove on.

A basic week of exercise looked like this for me:
Sun- Yoga
Mon- hike with Kev and Josie (usually around 5 miles every week)
Tues- weights (a great routine found in Glamour magazine...more about it and serendipity later)
Wed- Billy Blanks and Tai Bo (I love to hate this man)
Thurs- weights
Fri- cardio (from on demand cable)
Sat- night off

A normal meal for a day would be

Breakfast: half a wheat bagel with a small amount of peanut butter and a small bowl of Smart Start cereal OR a banana.

Lunch: Ham sandwich with no mayo, baked chips

Snack: granola bar or fruit

Dinner: Fish or chicken grilled, potatoes, zuchinni grilled

Dessert: if I had something it was usually about 5 m & m's

Dinner was different each day, but roughly the same idea. I would work out when I got home (still am, but now it's more walking the dog) and then I would eat afterwards.

I've slacked off a small amount of the work outs (had started reining back during the comp really) but will start going to Shannon's "gym" to lift some weights two nights a week.

I don't eat after 9:00 at night and I don't snack anymore (other than the granola bar or fruit during work).

I have gone down two sizes and honestly, am close to a third size lower (which BLOWS MY MIND!). All in all we are happy with where we are at and our bodies seem to be staying where we are now, although I still have a few more pounds that I'd like to shed. However, I am happy with who I am now. I feel better about myself, we both do actually.

The one thing we did is made sure we didn't deprive ourselves of things. If we wanted to eat something less than healthy we would, but we wouldn't (and won't) eat the large amount we used to. When we go out to eat we will sub a salad for fries many times and not finish our meal (mmmmm, lunch the next day).It's all about making the right choices for us.

And about moderation. Life, it's about moderation.

whole lot less

The month is January. We are watching the very last episode of The Biggest Loser Kev looks over at me as we marvel at how wonderful these people look. He says, "I challenge you." I look back at him and say, "Oh yeah?" "Yes, we need to see who can be the biggest loser in this house," he states with authority. I'd already been thinking of this as an idea so I say, "Bring. It. On."

January 10, 2005 our first weigh in date. Not a pretty date at all. The numbers, staggering. We had no idea we were as heavy as we were. I mean we had a pretty good idea we were getting quite big and it didn't thrill us, but until we watched that show, we had no motivation.

Today, we are a combined 60 pounds lighter. The end of the official competition was the Monday prior to our departure to Texas. Kev won by 3%. He got his Nintendo DS because he won. The sweetest thing he said as I gave him his prize was, "But I'm proud of you too and you deserve something because you did really well."

I'm off to Timbuk2 to find Mamma a bag for the gym (well, the room at my friend Shannon's apt complex that has work out machines). I don't have a good bag for that purpose. Shannon and I decided that to keep me on the losing end (Even though I've lost 25lbs, I still have about 10 I'd like to drop) and to get her started we needed to have a buddy. She's got the equipment, I have the motivation for both of us (which actually she sounds quite motivated when we talk about doing it...we just mentioned it last week Thursday and she brought it up a few days later in an email to me that after her parents are here this weekend, we're starting).

I'm proud of Kev and myself for losing the weight. I'm even prouder to be able to say we didn't do the South Beach Diet (wow, I almost said South Park Diet) , we didn't starve, we didn't NOT eat things we love...

We ate in moderation, we exercised (be it weights and cardio, like myself, or hiking and cardio like Kev). We kept ourselves motivated with the knowledge that we would both be winners in the grand scheme of things. We realize this is a lifestyle change, not just a for now diet. We can't go back to our eating habits, we can't eat garbage, we can't eat late at night, etc. But we do allow ourselves a few splurges here and there. Mmmmm, Delta Cafe....

We didn't tell anyone, well hardly anyone. We didn't tell our parents because we wanted to see their jaws drop. Peggy about lost it when we got off the plane and approached her. She asked where half of us went. My folks were quite proud and I got an email from my mom saying she was quite motivated by our change of life. We are thrilled to have that kind of impact on our families. His Dad and Kathy still haven't seen us, but are heading this way soon so...

The fabulous thing, there are customers who will come in and will say that I've become their motivation. They look at me and the look of awe is on their faces. I keep telling them it really is easy, and you know what? IT IS! If anyone wants to know more in depth what we've done, please ask. I'm always willing to share!!!

shoes, the international language

I have a customer who I see every so often. She doesn't speak much English. I get very few words from her when she comes in. Usually she will bring a pair of shoes she wants a second pair of and will point and say "same black" or "same brown." Somehow we muddle through and she ends up with something that is to her liking (or something she will take home to her daughter to say yes or no to). It's amazing because we "speak" in motions and sounds and very few words. Most customers who come in are English speaking people and I can chat them up, but she's different. We smile and laugh and have figured out our own language...the international language of shoes.

why won't blogger remember me?!?!

When you log into Blogger there is a button you can "check" so that it will remember you on the computer you are using. I never check this box except on my computer at home. Alas, Blogger never remembers me and automatically logs me in....sigh.

Work went well yesterday. Got word that my fabulous and wonderful Jessica at work will be leaving. It is an insurance issue and with her being preggers...they must have insurance that will cover the entire time, not just after the baby is born. I am a sad girl.

The rain is here AGAIN. We keep having these goregous, sunny days followed by crappy ones. It's a cycle I'd love to see stop so we can just get the summer going! But as that happens, I will probably complain about the heat. There is just no pleasing me. :)

Okay, I'm out. Lunch isn't going to put itself together and I have no ideas as to what it is going to consist of today...hmmm, light yogurt, banana that is almost past it's prime, wheat thins....

Punch Bowl Falls

pbfmeandjosie
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

We went on one of our Monday hikes today. For those of you who don't know, every Monday we take Josie out on a hike. Sometimes they are long and hard (aka Death Marches) and other times they are nice calm ones (like today). It was a gorgeous day in the Pac NW and Josie and I had a great time getting our feet wet!! Kev was the camera man and since he wasn't wearing water shoes didn't wade with us. This is just before you can view the falls...

We also decided to measure out how large we'd like our cobblestone paver patio to be as well as looked into the idea of a portable tent type thing.

Now the dog has been washed and Kev and I are pooped. We're hoping to grill out with our friends Jill and Mark. Got the call out to her and we'll call them again in about an hour, just to make sure she shared the suggestion with her darling husband.

I've got a bottle of hooch (hard cranberry lemonade), Kev's playing his new video game and everyone is anxiously awaiting suppertime.

rainyday

rainyday
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

I am sitting in the family room watching really bad tv and all of a sudden...THUNDER!!!!

I go and look out the window and this is what I see. Rather sunny, pouring rain.

Gotta love Oregon!

is it just me?

Or is there just something creepy about this? The last line of the "story" makes me think eeeuuuuwwww:

"For Holmes, her engagement to Cruise is something of a dream come true. The former Dawson's Creek star has said she grew up with a poster of Cruise on her wall and always fantasized about marrying him. "

He's HOW much older than she? In my mind she's still the girl from Dawson's Creek (a show I luckily did NOT get sucked into, but would glance at it thinking they all looked so young). And why, oh why, does the media have to shorten and combine names like TomKat?!?!?

Jen recently posted a rant about celebrities and I couldn't agree with her more!!! It's the entry from the 12th...

Wow, I'm all kinds of posting today. I guess when the urge hits me...

poooooop!

latch9
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

I don't know why Josie will dive into her favorite snack pack and come out to me with litter all over her nose. She knows I'm going to call her a bad girl, which makes her hold her head low and lay down beside me looking guilty as all sin. Ever since the latch I'd made for our bathroom door to keep the dog out but let the cats in broke we've been trying to clean out the potty box everyday (I'm using the term "we" loosly as it's really been mainly me). This morning I actually had the thought pass throuh my head that I should do a quick scoop before I make my breakfast and my latte. Why did't I listen to that voice?!?!?

I'd better go check to make sure she's not going back in for a second course!!!

photos

If you click on the pictures in my blog you will be taken to Flickr. If you click on more properties you can see just about everything about that photo, when it was taken, what time of day, was there a flash...etc. HOW DOES IT KNOW?!?!?!?

book

I have now finished Carl Hiaasen's "Skinny Dip". It was a great book, like all his others I have read. He takes you on twists and turns that you think might be coming up, but you don't know how he will arrive at that exact moment. And then it starts happening and you can't put the damn thing down! That's pretty much what happened last night, although as it neared 12:30 I couldn't keep my eyes open and I put the book down with FOUR PAGES LEFT!!! Needless to say, the book is done now.

I am always sad when I finish a really good book. I think it's because it's something I'd spent time with and the characters are in my head that when it's time to say bye it's hard. I like authors who have reccuring characters in their books so I can revisit with old friends.

Slowly the time is drawing near for me to get off this computer so that I may make my lunch and wait for my bus to take me to work. I will be doing some training this afternoon. She's coming in at 3 and staying with me until close. Tomorrow she'll come in and open. I figured it would be in her best interest to have her learn how to open and close my shop since she is the floater and may just get called in to work my store...I digress (surprised, aren't you?).

dad's got the bug

I guess I'm an influence on my dad...not sure it it's good or bad. :)

FACE

FACE
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

This is the face of a pain in my ass. EVERY MORNING he is there, walking on my head, breathing his nasty cat breath in my face, knocking stuff of my nightstand...

And every morning I swear I'm going to feed him to the dog. I don't think she'd actually eat him though since she is IN LOVE with him.

josie and the feet

counternoze,
originally uploaded by chlortence.

This is Josie the other night. She couldn't deal with the fact that there were chicken feet in her house and she couldn't find them. This is the ONLY time I've EVER seen her sooooo crazed about a treat. I used to think that the pig skin sticks were the end all be all, but oh no...chicken feet are where it is at!!!

ruffian big head

ruffian big head
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

I think that it's going to work kids...

check out my great friend Reagan's dog Ruffian. I LOVE THIS DOG!!!

welcome back kids

Hey! I'm here, it's great...

I can do things like this . We saw this phenomenan today in P-town. It was amazing. I had to google it immediately. A guy who works in the building above the shop indicated it looked more like a cloud and not an actual ring around the sun, but I still say it was a ring! :)

I am going to play with Flickr tonight. I am going to see if my friend Bekah was right. If she was, you'll soon see photos in this here blog soon!!! If she tells stories, I'll send out the post saying she lies like a rug and I'm going back to blog-city....nah, I wouldn't do that to you again, at least not so soon.

I'm out!

pictures

I've not quite figured out pictures and how to upload here to blogger. I think I have to go through someone other than photobucket, which I've really found to be easy to use. However, blogger uses flickr or some other bloggerbot thing. I've heard great things about flickr so we will see how it goes tonight when I get home. I will play and see if I enjoy it as much as Bekah.

Just at work and finished changing the window. Got some of the cutest things in from Indigo and am deciding if either of the two styles will be coming home with me. Probably not, but it's okay to dream. Sadly the styles we got aren't listed on their site, but you can see what cutie patootie things they have going on there!!

I think I am going to make the change again...don't hate me people...wait, I need to be saying that at my other blog site...too many blogs!!!

don't know if...

Anyone will follow...yeah, right. I know that Reggie, Russ, my parents...they'll all follow...

But I can not find anywhere that allows people to sign up for an email notification when I update through blogger. However, it has had some changes done to it that make it easier to use. I'm not sure I like the photo upload though. It's easier at blog-city. A friend Bekah has told me that Flikr is amazing...we'll see.

As for now, I may just play around before making the grand announcement that I'm changing anything..

bus!

trying to link

Okay, this is just really going to be a test and if I can do it then I may make the change back here again...just to piss people off. :)

Kerri

Holy crap, I think I'm back!!!

damn construction

For the past few weeks we have had builders across the street pounding and sawing and yelling as they build two houses on one lot. Not the perfect world, but at least there will be houses there that will hopefully increase our property value so that when we sell in a few years this house will pay off.

Once that construction is done though there may be one more they work on this year (although I am praying for the rain to come early so they have to wait until next year).

Okay, another annoyance:
The fact that I asked my dear, darling husband last night to take my bowl to the kitchen with his before he came to bed...you'll never guess I'm sure! They are still in the damn family room where they were when he said "okay" to taking care of them. WHY does he not listen to me? Or why is it he doesn't follow through?

okay, done bitching...for now.

i'm back

Thought I would start blogging here again and see if anyone I know checks it anymore. I doubt they do, so this could be perfect!

I am in pain. My back decided that it no longer wanted to help me stand erect, rather I must walk hunched over at a 50 degree angle. I am icing it right now, after having done the exercises that my chiropractor gave me to do four years ago. This, I am sure, is such interesting reading for anyone who stumbles across this link.

I can no longer sit upright...must go arrange myself on the sofa once again. Ugh, I hate not being able to move and function like I know I am capable of!!!