Well, we're comfortably lounging in our hotel in Bend, OR. The family reunion was great. My aunt and I got wrapped into hosting the next one... (wtf??). Bend is really different from when I lived here, but still pretty and quaint.
We're headed to Boise today to see my almost 85 year old grandmother. I probably won't be online much for a week or so because my next travels are going to be less hotels and more houses.
Hope you're all having a wonderful summer thus far!
Monday, June 23
Thursday, June 19
Another Amazing Day...
...then again any day where I see new stuff is amazing. We drove from Eureka to the Redwood Nat'l forest and then up to Gold Beach, OR and over this nice little road (so the map says) to Grant's Pass, OR.
Well that damn road was not nearly as nice as the map portrayed, and it didn't get bad until it was too far in to turn around. One lane. Not one fat lane where you drive in the middle and move to the side when you pass a car. No. Not. That. One skinny, tiny little lane. Parts of the road were roped off because the dirt under the road way had slid down the 4000 foot drop off and the blacktop was crumbling away. Then there was snow. Yeah. Snow.
It was stunningly beautiful. I mean make you weep gorgeous.
When I pulled off that road, I felt my entire upper body start throbbing. I had been so tense that I had worn out my muscles. I am sure that I will be sore tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow; we're going to Crater Lake which is a very unique place and quite amazing itself. From there we head up to Crooked River Ranch for the Family Reunion. Have I told you all that half of my family are wild, crazy, hippie, party-animals and the other half are very strict, law abiding Mormons? I think they (the Mormon portion) twitch when we put Bailey's in our double roasted espresso. I twitch when the cousin who is my age introduces me to the 2-3 more children she's had since the last reunion. I think she's up to 10 or so now.
It's always fun, and I am not even joking. Some how we all get along and accept the crazy differences. It's kind of weird though, since the relationship with this family is fairly convoluted anyway. My maternal grandmother was the daughter of the matriarch of this family. However, her mother was killed when she was 3 (as was her dad) and never really had any contact with these folks. Yet, we all still get together every 2 years in random places throughout the western United States.
I doubt that CRR has WiFi. So there will be no blogging. Also, I am having a humdinger of a time getting pictures uploaded from the PC to the public folder with these crappy WiFi connections in the hotels. You just might have to wait.
Hope you're all doing well.
Well that damn road was not nearly as nice as the map portrayed, and it didn't get bad until it was too far in to turn around. One lane. Not one fat lane where you drive in the middle and move to the side when you pass a car. No. Not. That. One skinny, tiny little lane. Parts of the road were roped off because the dirt under the road way had slid down the 4000 foot drop off and the blacktop was crumbling away. Then there was snow. Yeah. Snow.
It was stunningly beautiful. I mean make you weep gorgeous.
When I pulled off that road, I felt my entire upper body start throbbing. I had been so tense that I had worn out my muscles. I am sure that I will be sore tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow; we're going to Crater Lake which is a very unique place and quite amazing itself. From there we head up to Crooked River Ranch for the Family Reunion. Have I told you all that half of my family are wild, crazy, hippie, party-animals and the other half are very strict, law abiding Mormons? I think they (the Mormon portion) twitch when we put Bailey's in our double roasted espresso. I twitch when the cousin who is my age introduces me to the 2-3 more children she's had since the last reunion. I think she's up to 10 or so now.
It's always fun, and I am not even joking. Some how we all get along and accept the crazy differences. It's kind of weird though, since the relationship with this family is fairly convoluted anyway. My maternal grandmother was the daughter of the matriarch of this family. However, her mother was killed when she was 3 (as was her dad) and never really had any contact with these folks. Yet, we all still get together every 2 years in random places throughout the western United States.
I doubt that CRR has WiFi. So there will be no blogging. Also, I am having a humdinger of a time getting pictures uploaded from the PC to the public folder with these crappy WiFi connections in the hotels. You just might have to wait.
Hope you're all doing well.
Wednesday, June 18
Nor Cal
Wow... Wow... Wow....
There is nothing like Coastal Redwoods. We haven't even made it to the actual park yet (we're currently in Eureka) and what we've seen so far is incredible. I know I saw these trees as a kid, but they didn't have the impact on me, evidently. I drove THROUGH a tree today. The thick groves of old-growth Coastal Redwoods are magical. I feel like an intruder when I am amongst them. It must be how an ant feels in my home. It's just so bizarre. They are amazing, amazing organisms.
I cannot wait for tomorrow!!! I will upload and post pictures soon.
There is nothing like Coastal Redwoods. We haven't even made it to the actual park yet (we're currently in Eureka) and what we've seen so far is incredible. I know I saw these trees as a kid, but they didn't have the impact on me, evidently. I drove THROUGH a tree today. The thick groves of old-growth Coastal Redwoods are magical. I feel like an intruder when I am amongst them. It must be how an ant feels in my home. It's just so bizarre. They are amazing, amazing organisms.
I cannot wait for tomorrow!!! I will upload and post pictures soon.
Monday, June 16
Some Pictures
Austen at Alex & Janet's home:
The trees at A&J's:
Lombard Street:
Headed into China Town:
In China Town:
me too:
The Bridge:
My Fave of the Bridge:
Me and Juliann:
The trees at A&J's:
Lombard Street:
Headed into China Town:
In China Town:
me too:
The Bridge:
My Fave of the Bridge:
Me and Juliann:
Frisco
Wowsers....
I haven't been to this area of California for a million years. We got in to the Bay Area Saturday evening. We were greeted by Alex and Janet with open arms into their new home. Their beautiful son is a delight and I was so honored to get to hang out with him! Their home is situated on the side of a mountain in the middle of a coastal redwood forest (new growth <100 years old - still the tallest trees I've seen in 20 years). The entire side of their house is windows. It's STUNNING!!! We had the most yummy soup ever (chicken broth with a touch of soy and fish sauce with chopped asparagus, green onions, cilantro, pea shoots and king crab) for dinner and spent the evening chatting.
Then it was time to go to bed. Changed our clothes and brushed our teeth. I was camping on the fold-out sofa in the living room. I curled into the down mattress topper and down duvet that were provided to me and looked up. I had not realized that there were two MASSIVE skylights in the living room, directly above the aforementioned sofa. The moon is nearing full. I cannot describe to you the amazing beauty that filled my vision as I drifted off to slumberland. Seriously, you could not be pissed off living in that house. You just could NOT.
We're up in SF proper today. We're staying on Lombard, which is infamous. I think we will hit china town and the trolleys today. We're going to go to the exploratorium tomorrow... I'm stoked!!!
I haven't been to this area of California for a million years. We got in to the Bay Area Saturday evening. We were greeted by Alex and Janet with open arms into their new home. Their beautiful son is a delight and I was so honored to get to hang out with him! Their home is situated on the side of a mountain in the middle of a coastal redwood forest (new growth <100 years old - still the tallest trees I've seen in 20 years). The entire side of their house is windows. It's STUNNING!!! We had the most yummy soup ever (chicken broth with a touch of soy and fish sauce with chopped asparagus, green onions, cilantro, pea shoots and king crab) for dinner and spent the evening chatting.
Then it was time to go to bed. Changed our clothes and brushed our teeth. I was camping on the fold-out sofa in the living room. I curled into the down mattress topper and down duvet that were provided to me and looked up. I had not realized that there were two MASSIVE skylights in the living room, directly above the aforementioned sofa. The moon is nearing full. I cannot describe to you the amazing beauty that filled my vision as I drifted off to slumberland. Seriously, you could not be pissed off living in that house. You just could NOT.
We're up in SF proper today. We're staying on Lombard, which is infamous. I think we will hit china town and the trolleys today. We're going to go to the exploratorium tomorrow... I'm stoked!!!
Thursday, June 12
Head 'em up, Move 'em out!
Rawhide....
oh, not really....
Austen and I are taking off on our 'big uhbenture' (stolt from the Liz - add it to the list) on Saturday. I am so excited I can hardly see straight. The next two days will be full of laundry and packing and organizing and making sure the kiddo brought a toothbrush and then Saturday morning, we're OUTTIE!
I will keep you all abreast of our travels as I can. It's going to be an awesome trip. 6 weeks of family and friends, which are the family that you choose. Love, smiles, laughter, hugs, giggles, and nostalgia will ensue. I get to see some of the most beautiful places in this country and some of the most awesomest people to ever walk around in it.
So, you all hold down the fort. I will check in as able. Until then... have a wonderful summer!
oh, not really....
Austen and I are taking off on our 'big uhbenture' (stolt from the Liz - add it to the list) on Saturday. I am so excited I can hardly see straight. The next two days will be full of laundry and packing and organizing and making sure the kiddo brought a toothbrush and then Saturday morning, we're OUTTIE!
I will keep you all abreast of our travels as I can. It's going to be an awesome trip. 6 weeks of family and friends, which are the family that you choose. Love, smiles, laughter, hugs, giggles, and nostalgia will ensue. I get to see some of the most beautiful places in this country and some of the most awesomest people to ever walk around in it.
So, you all hold down the fort. I will check in as able. Until then... have a wonderful summer!
Tuesday, June 3
Momentum
It's going well. At least thus far. Austen and I are taking our communication breakdown seriously (ok, so it is more of a rebuild than a breakdown, but I couldn't resist the LZ ref). It's hard. We both have to stop and think about what we're saying. We got into some bad habits. I really think that was a huge part of our conundrum. I am sure this is going to be a one-step forward, two-steps back process at times, and I am ok with that. As long as most days are positive; we've got a shot.
We went to play some goofy golf today, and we had a great time. It felt *so* good...
We went to play some goofy golf today, and we had a great time. It felt *so* good...
Sunday, June 1
Pretty Dern Good Weekend
Surprisingly enough...
We started out rough. I really thought I was going to spend the weekend fighting with Austen; however, we did not engage. It was good. It was a step in the right direction.
I wiped out his room. The poor kid has nothing left. Well, that is not applicable today, but he spent Saturday with n.o.t.h.i.n.g. It was hard for him. He stepped up and helped me with some things I needed to do for the party last night and managed to execute almost exactly what he was instructed to do during the party (stay in his room and take care of the dog). So, he was told he got to have one thing back. He hemmed and hawed all day about it. In the end, he chose to get a more attractive pair of shoes back, which was far more logical than I expected. So, I let him have another thing back, too. I got a long, deep, tight hug tonight before bed. I haven't gotten one like that in a long time. It was awesome.
On to the party! What a freaking RIOT!!! Oh.my.gawd. that was one of the most amusing nights of my adult life. I laughed so hard that my cheeks hurt when I went to bed. I really, really, really enjoyed the heck out of myself. If everyone whom attended the party last night had half as much fun as I did; it was a success.
I finished off the weekend with a little cleaning today (note to all: when you have a party with all women, it is *very* easy to clean up afterward!) and a lot of very militant lounging and ardent snacking. I am presently adorned in the haute(st) of lounge-ware couture.
The only dismal part of the weekend was my lack of communication with Tom. I am raptly staring at my IM, though. I am sure I will get to talk to him in a moment! Well, bag that. While I was writing, I looked down at my little 'systray' and realized that there was no smiling, yellow face looking at me. So, I booted up Yahoo! Instant Messenger, and found that I had just missed my beloved by about 2 minutes. Sometimes I wonder how I made it to maturation.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, too!
We started out rough. I really thought I was going to spend the weekend fighting with Austen; however, we did not engage. It was good. It was a step in the right direction.
I wiped out his room. The poor kid has nothing left. Well, that is not applicable today, but he spent Saturday with n.o.t.h.i.n.g. It was hard for him. He stepped up and helped me with some things I needed to do for the party last night and managed to execute almost exactly what he was instructed to do during the party (stay in his room and take care of the dog). So, he was told he got to have one thing back. He hemmed and hawed all day about it. In the end, he chose to get a more attractive pair of shoes back, which was far more logical than I expected. So, I let him have another thing back, too. I got a long, deep, tight hug tonight before bed. I haven't gotten one like that in a long time. It was awesome.
On to the party! What a freaking RIOT!!! Oh.my.gawd. that was one of the most amusing nights of my adult life. I laughed so hard that my cheeks hurt when I went to bed. I really, really, really enjoyed the heck out of myself. If everyone whom attended the party last night had half as much fun as I did; it was a success.
I finished off the weekend with a little cleaning today (note to all: when you have a party with all women, it is *very* easy to clean up afterward!) and a lot of very militant lounging and ardent snacking. I am presently adorned in the haute(st) of lounge-ware couture.
The only dismal part of the weekend was my lack of communication with Tom. I am raptly staring at my IM, though. I am sure I will get to talk to him in a moment! Well, bag that. While I was writing, I looked down at my little 'systray' and realized that there was no smiling, yellow face looking at me. So, I booted up Yahoo! Instant Messenger, and found that I had just missed my beloved by about 2 minutes. Sometimes I wonder how I made it to maturation.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, too!
Meme
Add this to the 'lifting things from Liz' list"
Top 5 things I couldn't do without under $5:
- Burritos from Senor Panchos
- Songs off I-tunes
- Smell-good dryer sheets
- Fresh Fruit and veggies. I spend more than $5 but not individually
- Peanut Butter
Top 5 favorite movies:
- Legends of the Fall
- Braveheart
- Tombstone
- The House of Sand and Fog
- Terms of Endearment
Top 5 baby names you love but probably won't use:
- Caley
- Ruth
- Jo
- Kaiva
- Kai
Top 5 songs I could listen to over and over again:
- The Corrs: Runaway
- Spoon: Don't You Evah
- Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here
- Sublime: The whole Sublime Album
- Natalie Merchant: The whole Tiger Lily Album
Top 5 people who have influenced your life in a positive way:
- Austen
- Tom
- Eve
- Lisa
- The women I've met at/on Camp Pendleton. This will be the bar that all neighbors are held to for the rest of my life.
Top 5 things that stay in your purse at all times:
- Wallet
- Pen
- Lipstick
- Chapstick
- a bunch of damn receipts that I am bad at throwing away.
Top 5 moments that changed your life forever:
- My parents divorce - more specifically seeing my mom when she came to pick me up from the friend's house that morning with half of her face black.
- Moving to Florida
- Christmas 2001
- Becoming a mother
- Becoming a wife - there is nothing as special as being deeply seated in your love for someone and their love for you. I didn't know that until Tom.
Top 5 obsessions you have right now:
- Computer/Internet - Only connection to Tom
- LOLCATS
- The Scale (I check 2-3 times per day)
- Pictures - with the new camera, it's so fun!!
- Not yelling. This is brand new and I am working very diligently on it.
Top 5 places you would like to go:
- St Louis
- Fallujah, Iraq (No I am not kidding)
- Destin
- South Pacific
- Every-freaking-where
5 people you would like to see their top 5:
- I am not saying, because there isn't anyone that I don't want to hear/read their top 5s from.
Top 5 things I couldn't do without under $5:
- Burritos from Senor Panchos
- Songs off I-tunes
- Smell-good dryer sheets
- Fresh Fruit and veggies. I spend more than $5 but not individually
- Peanut Butter
Top 5 favorite movies:
- Legends of the Fall
- Braveheart
- Tombstone
- The House of Sand and Fog
- Terms of Endearment
Top 5 baby names you love but probably won't use:
- Caley
- Ruth
- Jo
- Kaiva
- Kai
Top 5 songs I could listen to over and over again:
- The Corrs: Runaway
- Spoon: Don't You Evah
- Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here
- Sublime: The whole Sublime Album
- Natalie Merchant: The whole Tiger Lily Album
Top 5 people who have influenced your life in a positive way:
- Austen
- Tom
- Eve
- Lisa
- The women I've met at/on Camp Pendleton. This will be the bar that all neighbors are held to for the rest of my life.
Top 5 things that stay in your purse at all times:
- Wallet
- Pen
- Lipstick
- Chapstick
- a bunch of damn receipts that I am bad at throwing away.
Top 5 moments that changed your life forever:
- My parents divorce - more specifically seeing my mom when she came to pick me up from the friend's house that morning with half of her face black.
- Moving to Florida
- Christmas 2001
- Becoming a mother
- Becoming a wife - there is nothing as special as being deeply seated in your love for someone and their love for you. I didn't know that until Tom.
Top 5 obsessions you have right now:
- Computer/Internet - Only connection to Tom
- LOLCATS
- The Scale (I check 2-3 times per day)
- Pictures - with the new camera, it's so fun!!
- Not yelling. This is brand new and I am working very diligently on it.
Top 5 places you would like to go:
- St Louis
- Fallujah, Iraq (No I am not kidding)
- Destin
- South Pacific
- Every-freaking-where
5 people you would like to see their top 5:
- I am not saying, because there isn't anyone that I don't want to hear/read their top 5s from.
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