Life Transitions Now Include the Blog!

So after hemming and hawing (and capping out my picture capacity after blogging here at Simply Authentic for FIVE years....), I've created a new blog.

NAME: Journey Authentically

It's still under progress...but so am I. :)

Hope to see you there!

PS. I was looking into doing one of those blog-to-book sites...but apparently five years of writing and pictures is TOO much...anyone tried this or have any suggestions?! If so, drop me a comment at the new site!

A Trip Home

The parents have been asking me to come for a visit for the last several months in order to get away from the chaos of life up north. I have been reluctant to leave my own home abode but this weekend was Mom's retirement party and today is Father's Day, so I loaded up the car, scooped up Granny from her home, and headed South to the coast. And in a lot of ways its been refreshing and healing to be here. 

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

The first night we were joined by my brother about 5pm and so we headed out to dinner to my favorite restaurant. With all that's going on and with potential summer trips, the irony is that this was my fortune:

I also had THE.MOST.AMAZING sushi roll--avocado & cream cheese was A.MA.ZING!

I'd gotten a run in prior to dinner and the rest of the night was spent wrapped up in sweats, the Mariners baseball game on TV, stacks of home decor magazines, and laughter with the fam.

SATURDAY

Somehow on Saturday we were blessed with an abundance of sunshine which led to about 80 degrees. I was able to grab a late breakfast with one of my favorite gals from high school and then I headed to the small, local co-op to pick up a new recyclable toothbrush. I was really hoping to head to a patio somewhere for sunshine and vino...and then it dawned on me that I could do that here at my parents place. Before too long Granny was out in a separate rocker to join me and even the parent's indoor cat, Squeaks, took a few exploratory trips around the patio. Two wooden rockers, a glass of vino, and good company later....it was a beautiful afternoon. 

My sister and two of my nephews showed up about 3pm and then we all headed for the beach. It was overcast but incredibly warm for the southern Oregon coast. The nephews headed straight into the water and Granny wanted to follow suit!

We headed back to change and get ready for Mom's retirement party:

It was incredibly rewarding listening to Mom's coworkers show their appreciation, joy, and respect for this woman. She has blessed and touched the lives of many through her years of working as a SLP. Many in the crowd wore crazy hats and funny painted fingernails to embrace Mom's quirkiness. And the speeches from several reminded me of how blessed I've been to have phenomenal role models in my life. For years, Mom has continuously provided for those on her caseload and for her coworkers who were in need, especially around the holidays. She's prayed for and with so many. It was so evident how much her caring and giving nature will be missed by all those that she continuously touched on a daily basis.

After Mom's party, I headed over to Tall D's "family" where I loved on the adorable baby and caught up with some other incredibly strong and phenomenal women. It was great to spend a few more hours in laughter and sharing, recognizing how fortunate I've been to have the opportunity to get to know these incredible individuals.

SUNDAY

Today's Father's Day and Dad got up to provide us all with a pancake breakfast. Throughout the last several months, Dad and I have been blessed to have some great conversations and this incredible man has consistently shared how much it means to him to be able to "serve" and provide for others. His greatest satisfaction comes from attempting to give more to others than he receives...and to attempt to walk the talk that Jesus instructed us to live. This trip has reminded me how fortunate I've been to have these many significant role models in my life: Dad, Mom, Granny. (Although I've also been reminded that many of my traits I've gotten from those three as well.)

Sis, her kiddos, and Bro are all headed out and the rest of us are headed to church. This evening I'll grab drinks with my gal from high school again. Tomorrow I'll pick up my painting in the morning and then Granny and I will head back up North. Tall D moved the rest of his stuff out this weekend and there's much to get situated in the house....plus I've got to finish prepping one class and apply to that out-of-my-league job! Much to do, much to do....I've got big plans for the house this summer!

Awesomes of Late

So again amidst the chaos, we must look for the good things. Life is a slight cluster...or maybe a large one....and people keep asking me how in the world I'm keeping on. This might be a case of avoidance--no lie, but it also might be a case of trying to focus on the many blessings and positives that do continue to exist even within the madness.

So what are some of the things I'm loving right now:

1) Keb Mo. He's awesome. And his songs make me want to dance. I hope they make you stage mini-dance parties in your kitchen with your dogs too:

2) A weekend pretty much spent with Tall D. Lots of realizations occurred and deals were struck. He and housemate G will be moving out by end of next week for real and Z will move in as planned. However Tall D and I had a great weekend together---happy hours at Old Chicago, drinks with our other old housemate downtown, a soak in the hot tub at Tall D's new apartment, movie rentals, sleeping in mornings, summer dreaming, errands (the most fun of which included a trip to Costco to get things for his new apartment and the mini-dance party we staged in the aisle of REI as I tried on backpacking packs), good food, good coffee, good drinks, and even a trip downtown to the Portland Farmer's Market for a biscuit breakfast:

We've tentatively agreed upon spending one day a week together to connect over the summer and we'll try to take a backpacking trip together over to Central Oregon for a long weekend. Summer has always been a good time for Tall D and me, so as much as he needs his space and time (we both do), I will definitely miss our regular adventures too.

3) Purchases! I know, I usually try not to spend, but folks I went a lil ballistic this last weekend and I bought the following awesomes:
a) My first official backpacking pack. Cut for a woman thank God! It should be arriving soonish.
b) Replacement Klean Kanteens. A larger insulated one for me and one of the 16oz ones for Tall D.
c) New summer sandals---potential sunny weather and travels? Yes PLEASE!
d) New/replacement Vibram toe shoes. Old ones are wearing thin!

4) This purchase deserves it's own number. 9 years after the first time I saw it and started pining for it....I finally broke down this weekend and purchased one of my dream art pieces. It's a painting by one of my high school best friend's dad and I've been in love with it all these years. I finally decided that if he still had it and would give me a reasonable deal....I'd get it. Check went in the mail yesterday! SO EXCITED to claim it this weekend.

5) Bro got his tattoo! Looks great :)

6) Tonight I gave the first of two finals of the week and organized my online courses. As of Thursday afternoon I hope to have this term wrapped (WHOOOSH! Huge relief) and next term planned out. I also plan to take a few vacation hours next week from the veterans position so I can actually enjoy a few days of true vacation.

7) I've started working out again. Sunday was Insanity (SO good to get my core busting its gut again), yesterday I ran 3.6 miles with the dogs and tunes, and today in-between jobs I seriously dripped and slipped in major sweat to another Insanity DVD. NEED TO KEEP WITH IT! I've also put my foot down about eating the delicious items the vets bring in to tempt me with in the center and I've been bypassing all the cakes, cookies, etc.

8) This weekend I'm headed to the parents. I have mixed thoughts as my hometown is where so many good memories of Tall D and I exist.....but Mom's retirement party is Saturday and it's father's day Sunday....and some salt air and friend time should be great for my soul too.

9) These chickens are just too much. a) First they got snarled at this morning by the dogs for consistently trying to steal dog food out of the bowls and they went hightailing it wobbling across the yard. b) How can you not smile at a chicken staring in the window at you?!

And that final picture is what I'll leave you with folks. Hope you're enjoying some great items of late also!

Decisions, Decisions.....

It's like these mass updates keep occurring :) but don't worry, I promise there are some fun things also.

I guess major announcement #1 is that Tall D and housemate G are still living in the house so far, albeit they're paying rent on their apartment also. The main reason behind this is that Tall D and I have been trying to figure out where we currently stand, because last week a prior decision was reversed for the time being, honest communication ensued, and hopes for a future (either together or apart) were shared. There have been major conversations since then and lots of time spent shared together---but we're still no where closer to a decision on which of three main paths to walk down. There's still much to work through..... and if I'm being authentic...then honestly I feel like I'm avoiding listening to my heart AND to my head. Avoidance isn't usually my subscription to life, but no one wants to be the one to make a final decision.

All this ties into announcement #2 which is that plans for the summer are on a stand-by. I've been looking forward to a summer of simple pleasures--river floats, hiking, gardening & yard work, travels, happy hours, etc, interspersed with my summer work schedule. While I recognize that all these things are still viable options, I'm not sure how readily they'll still pan out the way I'd envisioned. (Envisioning!!) Additionally Tall D's and my indecision places Z and Tall D's new apartment mates G and J in limbo as well.....

Ha--now add onto all this the end of the term that both Tall D and I are working through. Tall D's trying to bring his grades back toward his 4.0 status and I'm trying to finalize my students grades and prep for summer term. It's looking like I'll maintain in my other position until a new hire can be brought on, which extends my original contract into mid July. Great for the paycheck and my extra responsibility of bills (cell phone plans have already been broken up, half the utilities transferred to my name only, and did you know that car insurance goes up when you're separated?!), but I'm really just ready for some sort of a break this summer. But then again who isn't?!

And all of this leads directly into announcement #3: I've been asked by my supervisor to apply for a fairly big position within my campus...and per the usual I have mixed feelings about applying for it. I honestly don't even know that I could land the job because it's several steps above where I am now, but the recommendation from my supervisor would go far and the other campus administrators have all been impressed with the work I've done in my position this year. I meet many of the qualifications of the position, but I can also guarantee that they'd hope to get someone with more experience than what I have...and it's another position where I feel the fact that I'm only going to be 30 would be unnerving for some. I know I have the ability to do the job but it's also full-time, potentially high-stress, and I would have to give up most of my teaching.

Thus, in life currently, there are many DECISIONS, DECISIONS.

Now I promised some awesomes and I won't fail to deliver....although if you know me on Facebook, you've already seen many of these:

1) This lil' critter I found alive (albeit traumatized) hidden in my closet this week. Looks like Major lost one, but thankfully the bird was rescued and released (mainly) no worse for the wear.

2) I'd been pining for this awesome elephant mug from Starbucks for the last week or two. After sharing that bit of intel with Tall D, he hunted one down and had it in the cupboard to surprise me. Definitely has been making me happy as I sip my morning coffee.

3) My new passport arrived. The irony of life is that it arrived the same day that Tall D sat me down for our change-in-direction conversation. Whether or not it'll get used this summer as originally planned, I honestly can't believe how fast it came and it's still nice to have it available.

4) My buddies Z and B helped my aunt, uncle, cousin, and I rip out my aunt & uncle's old deck on Sunday. In one long day of fun work we got the whole thing removed, enjoyed lots of jokes, indulged in some great lemon drops, and ended the night with an impromptu dance party in their living room. FUN DAY! (Plus some of the wood from the deck is transporting to my place for chicken coop construction.)

5) Last Saturday I did my first organized running event: The Starlight Run which leads off the Starlight Parade. Tall D probably won't be very happy I'm including him in a picture on the blog, but I wanted to document so here we go. He, myself, and one of his college buddies ran the 5k together through downtown PDX. Costumes are encouraged, hence the ram's hat on his head. The run was a ton of fun and we even saw B and B's dog in the crowd! I've been getting a few other 5k runs in during the last week and with the help of Tall D's and my friend who is deployed, I plan to start training for a half. Woot woot---NEW GOALS! :)

So amidst chaos, enjoy the awesomes! How have y'all been?

Spring Time Outfits

So obviously with everything going on, I haven't put much thought into what I'm wearing and have gotten back to the point of grabbing many of my stand-bys. Accessorizing is the last thing on my mind these days...and honestly I've taken more personal days in the last two weeks than I have this entire year. But I did discover a few old outfit pictures from March when we first started having some nice sunny weather on occasion.....and then I bought two new dresses in the last few days which make me happy and "springy." You can tell these top three pictures are from before the separation because a) I still have my ring on b) you can see some of his stuff in the bedroom and truthfully c) I've probably put on 5-10lbs in the last 1-2 months since I'm not working out as much.

MARCH SUNNY OUTFITS:

The usual standby--pencil skirt, plain tank, cardigan, and ballet flats. Pretty sure these are all from Target.

Told ya---uniform, much?  :) 

Pencil skirt, tank, button-up, belted, & w/ leopard print ballet flats.

Pencil skirt, tank, cardigan, ballet flats---theme continues. 

On off days, I love this one with my jean skirt. 

APRIL SUNSHINE:

Pencil skirt, button-up, sandals, & chunky white accessories.

RECENT PURCHASES:

White cami, CK dress (Costco), sandals, & the same ruffled teal cardigan from picture #1. Wore this last evening to teach in.

Dress (recent sale Target), old turquoise cardigan, orange ballet flats--also all Target. 

And both dogs felt the need to help today....and that in Tall D's absence they get to be on the bed more ;) 

Obviously I wasn't joking that when the weather gets nice, dresses and skirts are my FA-VOR-ITE! :)

What are you loving to wear these days?!

A Productive Weekend Staycation

Whew what a weekend y'all, but although it was busy it was also relaxing and fulfilling. Much got crossed off the "need to do" list this weekend for sure! But before I get too far let me broach a few things first:

1) Last Saturdays event went pretty well. Lower turn-out than expected but everyone behaved, the food was decent, the decor and venue looked great, and everyone reported it was a good time. Even Tall D said it was much better than he ever would have expected and for someone who rarely gives compliment that should mean something! (His words, not mine.) The other plus side was that I was left with at least a dozen bouquets of flowers, which I got to bring home and re-vase for the house:

2) Tall D and a coworker of mine both also have made me think twice about leaving the world of veteran services. While I definitely need a break and the center really could use new blood to re-route it a bit more, I asked my supervisor of that position if I could extend until they actually bring someone else on. As much as I burn out, everyone tells me that I do a really good job. My original plan was to vacate as of June 20th and I still might, but extending also gives me the option to stay until the transition can be complete. Plus there are several projects that could get worked on this summer.

3) Tall D and Housemate G are supposed to be moving out this week. They spent the long weekend up at a major concert series in the Gorge and so Z spent part of the weekend here helping me around the house and making sure that we'll be able to live sanely together, as I'm not always the easiest person to live with. (Somehow, Tall D has actually been the best housemate I've ever had. We co-existed in living conditions extremely well.) With the boys moving out, Z will probably officially move in sometime mid-month.

4) Mid-week last week, I went grocery shopping....and it dawned on me that was the first time I'd been grocery shopping in six weeks. Tall D and G haven't been shopping either--how in the world we've existed over the last few weeks, I don't know. (Well okay, I take part of that back....Z brought over food for all of us on occasion.....) But hopefully this return foray into proper nutrition in the fridge is a good sign.

5) Albeit last week was also a bit harder emotionally again. As much as I know in my head that the upcoming split is the right one, some days as it approaches move out day it's a little bit harder for my head and heart to agree. And sometimes they want to agree....but in the opposite direction of it being the smartest decision....

And now without further ado....pictures and some updates from the weekend:

1) Dinner out on Thursday evening followed by an evening curled into blankets on the couch watching Blood Diamond.

2) Spring is upon us, which meant a 8-10 mile walk/hike with the dogs through Forest Park in the middle of the city on Friday afternoon. 

3) Friday dinner out with my brother, Z, and another Marine who you'll probably read a lot about by the letter of B. B will be spending a lot of time with Z and I here this summer...and has been tasked out to complete a few yard projects for me.

4) Saturday morning included a quick trip to the Beaverton Farmer's Market (the largest in the state) for tomatoes, onions, and a few other items for home cooked pasta sauce.

5) Saturday afternoon, I took my brother to meet with two tattoo artists to schedule his tattoo and to put down the deposit. Came back to clean the house, mow the lawn, and weed for an hour before my gal N, her hubby, her SIL S, and S's boyfriend came to join Z and I for dinner. Z's sauce rocked and N's cobbler was A-MA-ZING. It was great to have friends over for dinner, enjoy good food, and even to eat out on the patio!

6) On Sunday, Z and some of the center vets had organized to come over to help me out in the yard. Z and B were able to till my raised beds with a little help from B's wolf-hybrid dog, Rommel. I also spent part of the afternoon ripping out weeds and over-run berry brambles. I'd written previously that one of the guys had drawn up plans for a coop and Sunday was Day #1 for implementation. In this picture, three of them are digging the trench that will hold the gravel, cement footings, and cinder blocks so that hopefully no critters can dig under the chicken wire. B and Z are helping out my aunt and uncle by ripping out their deck for them next weekend, and some of that left over wood will be used to construct part of the chicken's actual shelter. After trench digging, Z grilled up brats and garden burgers for our work crew of 4 guys and 3 of us gals.

7) Monday was a day of errands and garden making. We returned the mini-tiller to my aunt and uncles. Then Z worked over the two chain saws in the garage while I finished my online grading. We headed out to Target (uh....CUTE dresses on sale y'all!), Home Depot, BiMart, and Ace Hardware. I picked up a pair of new work gloves because I'm not sure where my old ones ended up and I sliced the skin off a finger hauling cinder blocks on Saturday. We got a new chain for one of the saws and then Z bought materials to build a sort-of trellis for the beans/peas. When we got back, we planted the garden and then I finished weeding the front of the house. Laundry was done, the rest of my in-person grading and prepping was completed, and somehow even a work-out with Insanity was added in there last night (which felt GREAT!). 

Peas, beans, & various squashes that will run with the rhubarb in the corner.

First box: Tomatoes, the returning artichoke, a row of lettuce, two peppers.

Second box: a row of cucumbers, herbs, two rows of carrots, a row of koli rabi, and space for strawberries.

On trellis: grape making an effort and the kiwi is in full force.

Alongside the boxes: berries, rosemary, overrunning mint, and massive garlics. 

Honestly it was a great weekend and I'm so glad to have the garden in and the coop on its way. The yard has a great start to looking better as well. I worked on perfecting Tall D's blueberry waffles and for the first time made french toast from actual french bread and with my own chicken's eggs. The weekend was the perfect blend of socialization, productivity, and relaxation. However most of all, I feel so grateful to Z and to all the guys for how much they've been helping me out.....and in a lot of ways the future looks potentially brighter...

Hope each of you had a wonderful weekend too!