This just made me cry… Though I am really enjoying and loving my life here in Illinois, Oregon will always be my home.
Oregon
Wow… I’m tired. We arrived back home at 11:00 PM last night after spending much of the last five days back in Oregon. What a time we had…
I’m sitting here looking back on it all and I’m overwhelmed with a feeling of love, laughter, and community. We have a big life there. So many people who love us and who we love. Amazing.
We arrived Thursday at about 10:00 PM after a direct flight from Chicago Midway. Kevin, my brother, picked us up and hauled us back to what used to be our house and is now Vicki and Kevin’s house. We slept on the hide-a-bed after staying up way too late talking to Kev. I love my brother. He’s an awesome man!
Next morning we jumped into our Toyota pickup truck (the one we left in Oregon so my brother could use it if he had to do stuff for any of our rentals) and drove in to Gravy for a fantastic breakfast with Kev. I love that place. So good. After we all drove down to Mom and Don’s place in Salem. Kev stayed over there as well, which was great, so we had a really nice time just hanging out at the farm with everyone. Mom and Don’s place is fantastic. A true Better Homes and Gardens kind of place. Gorgeous plantings, landscaping, etc. It was so nice getting the Mom hugs and just hanging out with her and Don. I love my Momma. She so rocks it out!
Saturday, after hanging out more at Mom and Don’s we jumped back in the trusty Toyota and headed back to Portland. We hit Saturday Market for some wedding gift shopping and some lunch. After we drove on out to Stacia and Eric’s place to drop our stuff and load Stan’s party playlist on his retirement present… new iPod and docking station. Then it was off to the fairgrounds to hook up my laptop to the sound system and make sure all was well. Then… party party party. We were there from 5:00 to after 11:00. I got to see so many great friends and people I hadn’t seen in a long long time. People who I hadn’t seen since I abruptly left when I got sick last year. It was wonderful getting to catch up, hug some people, and hang out with some fantastic peeps. Plus, getting to be there to help send Stan into retirement… so wonderful. I love that man…. he’s a true sweetie. A fantastic friend. He’s family…. many of those people are like family to me. So much love in that room. For Stan and for each other. It was lovely. When we got back to Stacia and Eric’s that night we had a chance to hang and visit with Stacia a little bit… and then again in the morning for a brief time. Not long enough… but it was great just getting the time we did. I love you girl… my sister from another mother!
Sunday we got up and drove back over to our Oregon house to drop off the truck and get a ride from Vicki (thanks girl!) into Maggie’s for the wedding. Wedding prep ensued. It was a lovely lovely ceremony. I love weddings…. after all, they are all about love. What’s better? I was so honored to be a part of it. I love Kate and Terri and am so happy they took this step. Plus, it was wonderful wonderful to hang out with the POD. Ladies, you are a classy group of babes and we are so lucky to be a part of this little family we’ve made. Love love love to all of you. It was so nice sitting around the chiminea Sunday night chatting it up.
Sunday we got up and hung out with Maggie a bit. She’d had to take Bernadette (so great to see you again B) to the airport early early that morning and then had come home before work. So glad she did so we had some time to chat. You’re house, and you yourself, are fantastic. We love you! Later Sandy and Angela came over, picked us up, took us to the airport, and then enjoyed some breakfast with us at a restaurant at the airport. So so great to get to spend this time with them. We were rushing so much that getting these little snippets of time with individual people was like getting little gifts each day. Sandy… you are a gift to us. We adore you.
It was wonderful… our time back home. Lovely. Fast. Furious. A whirlwind. We saw so many people, ran around so much, stayed at a different house every night, but so so good. So so wonderful. Our life there is so big. Our relationships so important to us. We love each of you. Know this.
Yes, it was also good to get back home. Which is nice. It was great seeing the pups again, great to see Mary and Sebastian this morning. Great to see Lisa Lynn who was so fantastic to stay with and care for our babies while we were gone. Girl… you rock and we love you. Thank you so much! And… we felt like we were coming home as we traveled back here. Because, this is home now. We are making new friends, loving being near Sebastian and his parents, and finding things to love here in Illinois. We are starting to make a life here… what we hope, and what we can dream… is that our life here starts to resemble, even in a little way, what our life in Oregon has been and still is. If we can do that, build even a part of that here, we will have done something amazing. Because people… you are an amazing glorious group… a huge web of love we feel all the way over here in the Midwest. Much love to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you….
What follows are some shots, mostly taken by Karen, during our road trip east. It was a tiring four days, but we got er done… as they say. We were so lucky to have Mom and Sandy along to help out. They were amazing and true champs! People say this all the time, but in our case we totally mean it… we couldn’t have done it without them! Thank you guys, you were wonderful traveling companions, and true champs of the road! We love you!
Seven states, 2300 miles, three nights in hotels with four adults and two dogs, road food, great conversation, some beautiful scenery, more gas money into a big ol’ truck and a car than two girls ever want to pay for again, and no real issues… it was a tiring, but good trip east.
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Cones, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
I’m sitting here at the computer not doing what I’m supposed to be doing, but then… exactly what am I supposed to be doing? Packing. Yes, I should be packing. Books into tubs to take, kitchen glasses, plates, etc. Those are my tasks. I need to get to them. Yet, I blog, I surf, I go into the ol’ flickr account and organize photos. I’m avoiding the packing. Five weeks to go. Five weeks on Thursday. Not many weekends left until the big Uhaul leaves the town of Scappoose and heads east toward our new home in Urbana, IL.
I’m excited for the future… for the change, the adventure, the new life moments created with our grandson and the kids, the pups, and each other. I’m very excited about all of that. I’m excited about living in and decorating a new house, about planting new flowers, about riding our bikes and walking around a new town. I’m excited for the friends we will make and the times we will have.
It’s just that I don’t want to pack… not right now. Not right now I don’t. It’s raining outside and dreary on this not so sunny Oregon summer day. The dogs are asleep on their beds here in the office. My honey is working away… hard and with purpose. In command of her job and what she does so well. I’m listening to her type and talk on the phone and be in charge. It’s impressive. Weston snores occasionally and the little girlie changes positions every now and then. They look up at us hopefully every so often thinking maybe if I look at you and then at my ball and then at you again I will get you to play with me. Will you? I say to them… later babies. I promise. And we will.
It’s a Tuesday…
It was a lovely lovely weekend, this year’s anniversary weekend was. Sounds a little Dr. Seuss there, but what can I say… it was. We started the fun on Friday with our usual Fun Friday adventure. This particular Friday we decided on miniature golf and burgers at Steakburger and Golf-O-Rama in Vancouver. I’d never been there, Karen had. She used to take the kids there when they were younger. We had a great time. Great burgers and a shared chocolate shake followed by 18 holes of mini golf. She beat me by one point. One. We sort of sucked, but we didn’t care. It was fun and the weather ended up being perfect for it. We finished in time to meet some of our friends for the regular Friday at 5:30 get together at Crush. Always good to see the POD. A great ending to another fun Friday.
Saturday, our actual anniversary, my honey told me we had to leave by 9:30, she put an address in the GPS, and told me to listen to the commands and go where it said to go. Two and a half hours of listening to music, talking, singing, and laughing later, we pulled up at the Rejuvenation Spa in Lincoln City where she’d scheduled a couples massage. I’d been saying I wanted to get a massage for a long time. Neither of us had ever had one before… rookies, that’s what we were, and it was actually pretty great. We have no clue if they were really good as we’d never had one before, but we felt relaxed afterward, and I definitely felt less tense. It was nice and we are now saying we need to try it again. After all, we have to have something to compare it to. Naturally. We were pretty hilarious in the little room after our masseuses gave us a few minutes to disrobe and get ready. We were laughing a little and saying to each other… are you going to take it all off, I don’t know, are you, yes, I think I am, so am I, OK, let’s go… then it was a quick scoot onto our respective tables and a cover up with our respective sheets. We always seem to have fun, no matter what we are doing.
After the massage we went over to nearby Mo’s for a little seafood lunch. We split it, our new thing, and it was good. They were busy, as usual, but we managed to get in pretty quickly and also ended up with a table by the window. Gorgeous. The weather was so great over there on Saturday. Partly cloudy, warmish, not a lot of wind. It was so beautiful out we went out onto the beach at Siletz Bay and ended up walking for two hours after lunch. There were sea lions, gulls, loads of people out, and most importantly, us just spending time together.
We stopped at Safeway on our way out of Lincoln City, headed home, for some water and chocolate. Of course. We drove the same way back as we’d really enjoyed the drive, with one added stop. We pulled off at the Chinook Winds Casino and did a tad bit of gambling. For us the operative words there are tad bit. We walked in saying $20 each and walked out about a half an hour later ahead five dollareenies, not each, total. Not a huge gain, but when we got ahead we were like, Ok, that’s it, let’s quit. We were feeling quite satisfied with ourselves.
Nearly home we stopped at Dairy Queen, picked up a couple of Blizzards, came on home and settled in with Despicable Me on the DVD player and Blizzards in hand. A nice quiet end to a long and wonderful day.
Sunday we met a friend at Starbucks near the Fox Tower 10 and then walked over to the theater to meet the rest of our party for a group viewing of Hanna. The consensus about the film… interesting. Karen and I decided later, as we talked about it more, that it failed because it didn’t have enough heart. While some of the filming was cool, and the concept was good, we didn’t really care enough about her or her predicament because we didn’t know enough about her. Cate Blanchett was, as always, great. Whenever she’s onscreen you pay attention to her. She’s good. The girl’s (Saoirse Ronan) acting was good too, but there just simply wasn’t enough back story to like her or care. No heart. We followed the film with a late lunch at Shigezo. It was OK. Not really spectacular, though the California rolls were really good. Apparently the sushi there is very good, we just don’t really like sushi… except I like California rolls. We had a katsu chicken curry we shared and it was alright. The chicken on it was tasty, but the sauce was more like gravy or some such thing. Not great enough to repeat. Then it was home and cleaning up and cooking for the return of the kid’s after their trip to Sunriver. They had a great time over their weekend as well, so nice for Mary to get to see her long time friends. They hadn’t all seen each other since the wedding.
I’d say this weekend was up there as far as anniversaries go. This was our eighth. Karen of course is now saying we’ve been together for almost nine years. She does this, always the day after our actual anniversary. I love that about her.
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Sunday and a trip to the beach. My honey decided that getting out of the house would be good for this girl, rightly so, and we headed to Astoria this morning. She packed a picnic lunch, loaded up the pups, and off we all went down Hwy 30. It was a great day for a drive. It felt so good to be out of the house. I’m just now starting to feel a bit better (not as tired and such) after my five day second consolidation in the hospital stay. Was that a real sentence? LOL
We got home late afternoon, early evening, and rented a free paper view movie (we got a couple free from DISH so we took advantage). Now it’s just hanging at home on a Sunday night. Dinner of leftover chicken with BBQ sauce, fake mashed potatoes with cottage cheese (I can’t have the real thing when I’m neutropenic… and we are starting to act as if I am), and some canned green beans. I think Karen is skipping the cottage cheese (she doesn’t understand this particular delicacy that my mom has passed down to me… cottage cheese on potatoes… so tasty) and is going for some red beans with her chicken. She always makes my dinner first if we are having a sort of left over night. That way we both get what we want.
It’s been a nice weekend. Too fast. Much too fast… but a nice weekend. I love hanging out with my honey.
It’s almost five o’clock and time to go home. Woo hoo! This has been a long week. L-O-N-G. I’m tired and ready to hang at home, watch a movie, enjoy a snuggle with my sweetie and our pups.
Monday and beautiful outside. I love these days. Crisp air, blue sky, fall feeling, leaves changing and falling. This is an absolutely gorgeous place to live.
The Color of Fall
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
The leaves are changing, the weather has changed, and soon the time will follow. Yes ladies and gents… autumn has arrived.
I decided, since I’m pretty behind in posting the inner workings of our lives over the last couple of months, I would sort of post a general overview of what’s happened, what we’ve been up to, and general “stuff” related to that.
It’s fall now. Obvious, I know. For us this means leaves are falling like mad all around our little hovel. The consequence of this is that soon, very soon, the leaf blower and the rakes will come out. A task we both detest, but have to do. Not fun, but so great when it’s done and the place looks all spiffed up.
, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Had a flat tire the other day while out in the field for work. Two hours waiting for the tow truck, a police officer (who I know… maybe it’s me?) who didn’t assist, no time to see all the kids we were going to try and see that day, 20 mile drive back to Les Schwab on the donut, hanging out at the tire center doing the crosswors with Liz. At least I got a free lunch (thanks Liz!) and a free eclair with it. Birthday weeks are great!
Clouds, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Driving home the other day… gorgeous clouds.
Titleist, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Went golfing in prep for the upcoming annual tournament. We sucked. It was fun though. There’s always that.
Out on the river again. One big nibble so far, no fish on yet.
Scappoose Bay, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Photo two for the fund raising auction is this one I took last year. It was also selected to appear in a calendar. It was used as the June photo.
The Spoils, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Connie and Stacia’s fish. Not bad.
Waiting, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Watching the line is part of fishing. Did it move? Was that a fish? Grab it!
At The Dock, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Girls have to take breaks while fishing to go in and take care of business. This is the dock for those purposes. Nice dock. Great photo op.
Fishin’, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Last week and then this last weekend has been filled with “stuff” for the addition. Shopping for the addition, painting and siding the addition (Thanks Kev, Mom and Don for the assist this last weekend. You guys rock as painters and siders!), more shopping for the addition, more siding, etc., etc., etc. I also snuck in a day of fishing with Stan, Stacia, and Connie. Nice to just get out on the river and hang. I caught nothing, but got to watch Connie and Stacia catch fish. It was worth it.
Bridge 99, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
There’s no better place to camp. I know that feeling in me is spurred on by all the great memories I have of the place, but seriously… gorgeous river, fantastic trees, the smell of the air is breathtaking, and the beauty unparalleled. Ah, it will be good to go back again.
Water, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
The Metolius is gorgeous as a river. Springs up, literally, out of a hillside, and grows ever larger as it moves along being fed by other smaller rivers, creeks, etc. It is clear, clean, and beautiful.
Pups, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
The pups love camping. Weston is on his lead here, but he got to be off of it. They both did. They were worn out by the time we got home. Two hikes in one day just about did the little souls in. They made it though, and actually wanted to go to bed that night. Pretty funny.
The Four of Us, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Here we all are. Sandy, Vicki, Karen (via the glasses), and me. You can’t see us very well really, but you can. Sandy would be the one hamming it up. You can barely make us all out, except Karen of course, who’s glasses and head came out quite nicely.
