WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING...

Hi all. It's been a busy couple of months. This is probably the first weekend I have had to just be at home and it feels like an actual weekend... relaxing. I've been taking photos more and am becoming better at chronicling my life; I just need to complete the last step and actually post about it! Even though things have been busy, life has been good.

So think back two weekends ago, the weekend before Halloween -- We went to a pumpkin carving party at our friends house. It was great re-connecting with old friends! Unfortunately I don't have much to show except our pumpkin. Isaiah and I both finished carving, and realized that our two unique pumpkins would make one great pumpkin if we combined them. So meet the Monkey...

That same weekend we were doggy sitters for my in-laws. Sammy doesn't get out much, so we really wanted to treat him to something wonderful. We decided to take a trip to Hood River and do part of the fruit loop (a series of fruit and wine tasting stands along the Hood River scenic highway). It turns out that Sammy doesn't care too much for traveling. He got pretty anxious as we were driving through Portland, and he really didn't like it when we would make multiple stops, get out and leave him inside. So, we went down to the river a little earlier than planned and let him play while we watched the kite surfers. I think that made up for it all... he was a pretty happy and tired pup at the end of the day.

Last weekend we made a last minute trip up to Gig Harbor to visit our Aunt and Uncle and to do their art walk. Isaiah and I love road trips together, so it was great to actually feel like we went away for a while. We ended up going to a 50's dance with them Saturday evening... yeah, I know. It actually turned out to be fun... Isaiah and I had a blast just laughing at each other and over emphasizing the silly moves they would teach us.

This weekend I had the chance to deep clean like I've been fantasizing about for so long (I know, I'm crazy). I also went to Ikea with big plans to completely re-do our bedroom that has been the same for six years! Isaiah was sweet enough to ask if he should come (he hates Ikea), and I told him I wanted to go by myself. You should have seen me tyring to squeeze a box with a bed frame in it into the car. I don't know how many strapping fellows walked by watching me sweat and try to get the thing in and NOT offer to help. Anyway, I ended up taking the bed frame out of the box and putting it in with minor cuts and scrapes to the upholstery on the Subaru... cardboard was all over the parking lot thanks to the windy weather. Oh well! Anyway, to make up for not being there to help me, Isaiah helped me put together the room without complaint. I'm still keeping my eye out for pillows and a blanket to help tie the blue and red together.

In the midst of our busyness we have found time for date nights. When the weather is kind, we ride our bikes to Ice Cream Renaissance (or the ICR, if you're a local). My current fav is the Northwest Afternoon-- coffee ice cream with cinnamon and pieces of chocolate. Isaiah and I also are making more time for art these days. Check out his latest...

It's acrylic on plywood. The tree is the negative space.. you can't really tell from the picture. A picture of an apple is nailed on, and at the bottom he painted an apple that is eaten. He wants to do a larger piece with more trees. I'm excited to see what happens!

Well, that is our life so far. I hope you are all well!

I love fall.

I am sooo in love with this season! The last few days have been perfect; sunny and brisk. Here is my list of the top ten (or twelve) things I love about Autumn (in particular order):

Invigorating walks with all the colors and the nip in in the air :: I love that I can start making soups again-- Soup in 80 degree weather just doesn't have the same appeal as it does on a 50 degree day :: Yogi Ginger tea with a little honey...yumm :: Apples... Golden Delicious have been the fav so far :: The make shift pumpkin patch with my students (we set up pumpkins in the gym, and let them pick out their own) :: Pumpkin spice lattes, hold the whip :: Wearing layers; tank, then a long sleeve shirt, then sweater, then puffy vest, then a scarf ... perfect :: Adding the heater blanket to my bed :: Butternut squash soup (add a little sour cream and pomegranate sprinkles on top) :: One word, Thanksgiving :: Fuzzy slippers :: Fatty, fuzzy wannabe Ugg boots

What are some of your favorites?

We Did It!!

It's over. Thank you Lord it is over. I have to admit that this race was the most physically painful, emotionally exhausting and humbling experience of my life so far. But you know... I did it and I finished. I am exactly what that shirt says... I am, a "finisher," I couldn't ask for more. Isaiah and his brother did amazing (as expected), they both finished around 3hours 40minutes (yeah.... I know). Isaiah admits it was tiring and painful towards the end, but thinks he will do another one next year. Me? My legs were already tired and sore at mile 11... not good. I also got really hungry at mile 13 and GU only gets you so far before your stomach starts hurting from the excess glucose (the equivalent of PMS cramps). So, I was hungry, tired and cold all before I was half way through this ordeal. Did I mention that the Portland Marathon has had a 27 year record of no rain on race day? We broke that record this year : ) It was a nice, steady drizzle for mile 4 to 22 and I was sporting a tank and skort (they're all the rage in the running world). Needless to say, I had a more challenging run than expected, and honestly don't know if I'll do it again (sorry Jenny). I will say... as I was coming up to the crowd of people at the last .3 miles, this cute little old man (who was running his 75th marathon at age 75) started passing me... and I thought NO WAY, I refuse to let this sweet grandpa show me up. I don't know where it came from, but I picked it up and passed up 5 people before I crossed the line. Go me : )