The gift of gratitude

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. 
Denis Waitley 

If gratitude is a gift, then ya'll are about to get a whole bunch of presents from me. Because in the spirit of the season, but also as a gesture that should be made more often, here is a abbreviated list of things for which I am thankful. 

I give thanks for the new community that I have in Portland, from my friends that now live in the neighborhood, to those that live all the way out in Kenton. I am grateful to have come in contact with all the lovelies that I have and to have the support of my friends as I embark on a variety of emotional journeys.

I am almost everyday thankful that my stomach is not as weak and pained as it used to be. By all accounts I have a finicky stomach but if you all just knew how much worse it could be. (Shout out to those of you who do). 

I am eternally grateful to have been blessed with a family that is a: still around. b: very supportive. c: very handsome (I's got to get these genetics from somewhere baby dolls). But even more this time around, I am thankful for the way that my family and I got to grow closer over the past year and to be there for my grandmother as she was sick. I am thankful to see my immediate family this upcoming holiday season, I can't wait. 

With appreciation, I view the relationships that haven't made it because in the long run they will help me fine tune what I want and need and are great growing experiences. 

I appreciate, the fine food of the town in which I live.

Same for the shovel that helps me conquer blackberry bushes, plant veggies and bulbs. 

I really appreciate my roomies, who are a generally well meaning and kind block of people living far too close together. 

I appreciate the friends that aren't close by. It is a wonderful thing to have community all around the country but my how I do miss them. 

I am truly grateful for the people that I work with because work is only bearable when you do it with good people and am so happy to have a job that not only pays the bills but settles me down on the most anxious days and lets me be creative. 

If I have not mentioned some things that I should clearly be thankful for, don't you worry kiddos, this is an abbreviated list right?  a good thanksgiving. Eat your heart out. 

Friend Dinner

I am so excited to make this recipe (in approximation, I'm not getting crazy and buying $7 gluten free granola) that I've planned a friend dinner so that I can make it happen without eating them all myself.
Now, I've just got to make the rest of the dinner plans and things can happen.

I love summer time, friend dinners, and planning events so that you can make one dish.

What're your favorite dishes to make with friends?

P.S. I might make this dish too.

Shout outs today to Sprout Health for hooking it up on the recipes.

Photodocumentation

These pictures are from my friend's cell phone. I'm hoping that we can soon get even better pictures from our new friends but so far it's a no go. So, here's what we've got.

Sea Lion on a Buoy

 Harbor seals (we were actually much closer than all of these pictures lead you to believe)

The Coast from the water

 Sea caves that we almost went inside.

Eclipse (might just look like the sun in this picture).

Home, sweet, spring, home Again

I arrived in Portland yesterday afternoon. Starving and dirty, I was whisked away by my generous and driving friend, Dan to visit the good people of the Habitat for Humanity Restore-which made me feel like I belonged somewhere for sure.

I'll back up a minute and say the moment that I walked into the train station in Portland I was greeted by my friend, and former coworker, Nick, which really, really, made me feel loved and welcome back. I am lucky to have amassed a few people that are willing to go out of their way simply to greet me or who will take time out of their busy schedules, when I come back into town, to grab a drink and be a little silly with me.

Yesterday, I fixed up my bike and bought some potting soil.

Today, I planted the tomato plant that was gifted to me by my friend, Rachael and some baby basil seeds(because everyone knows that basil is meant to be had with tomatoes). I bought my first batch of groceries and went to my first prepaid, yoga class of the month. I walked around and explored the spring with friend Natalie reaffirming the realization that Portland is, truly, a beautiful city.

I'm about to miss the East Coast and all of the good people of the East but I am determined to take advantage of all the freedom  and opportunities that Portland (and current unemployment) allot me. Next up: Bagby Hot Springs.

Listing West

I have not been posting on the regular as of late. Sorry kids.

Things have been somewhat busy but even more than that somewhat uneventful.

Still, I was thinking the other day of all of the things I still want to do here on the east coast and some of the things I want to do in Oregon when I get back west.

Let's see. I'm really trying to go see my friend Andre's  show in Philly before I leave this side of the country and I'm also trying to hit up NYC if at all possible. I still have a few restaurants in Richmond to get my stomach into,  and I've only been to the beautiful Byrd Theater once since I've been here so I will try to get a date to a movie for sure. Maybe, I will be trying to go to Agecroft Hall as well. Dinosaur Land is on my list but it is way down there and I don't think it's going to happen in the next three weeks. But, really, who can say for sure.

I'm only here for three more short weeks (in Richmond, VA) that is. So, I am, for sure, trying to see all of my friends for a few more good times and am looking forward, in a really serious way, to the Monument Avenue 10k which is my favorite race ever. I'm super excited for my family to come visit with Mamaw and me. And am also eager to make the brief venture up north to see my mom for her birthday. I'd like to point out (for good daughter points) that I have not missed one of my mom's birthdays since moving across the country.

When I get back out west I have so many things to do in mind (besides finding a job). I want to redouble my volunteering efforts. I've got a month's pass of unlimited yoga that starts two days before I get back home to take advantage of. I'm trying to buy a jalopy and drive to the Oregon High Desert (ok the jalopy part isn't true but the desert part is). I'm going to go whale watching off of the Oregon coast with some friends and visit some hot springs too.

I am going to go see some shows. Namely those of Yours, And And And, Death Songs, and My Autumn's Done Come. I cannot wait to be back in town to see all of these guys in action. I really hope they have shows close to my return. Culture! Oh yeah, I'm also going to hit up some museums that I haven't hit up yet in Portland and check out the famous rose testing garden (double culture!!)

I can't wait to ride my bike, run, and do yoga on a regular basis. I'm excited to make vast quantities of food that I really, really like and eat Thai take out from down the street. I can't wait to see all of the people in Oregon that I love and have friend dinners. But, I will desperately miss my family and friends who are sticking to their guns here on the east coast. I will be sending mail. Don't you east coasters worry. You will hear from me. Hopefully  I will also making some sweet stuff in the near future. So, maybe you'll see some art posted.

All the best kiddos I've got to get the ball rolling on this stuff.

3 from 70.

It is supposed to be 70 degrees on Thursday which is three days from now. That being said, I got snowed in town last night and didn't make it back until this morning. Shout out to Scott & Renee who don't know me well but still feed me (lasagna), gave me drink, (home brewed beer) and entertained me, (Apples to Apples and a movie plus good conversation) then let me crash at their house.

blue skies and snowy trees 

 Snow in tree nooks, Daniel in the background

Branches are down, but snow begins to melt. 

The white stuff did melt enough to let me get back to Mamaw's in time to cook breakfast: my first ever making of soft boiled eggs was a success. Hurray for short term snow. I hope somebody got a snow day though. 

Steady does it.

We're moving into a bit of a routine, Mamaw and I.

Eat yogurt first thing in the morning.
Drink Gatorade too.
Eat real breakfast -yesterday steak and eggs, today ham and cheese quiche.
Alongside breakfast, take pills.
Rest or reading time.
Lunch time with the drinking of more Gatorade*,
TV, nap, read, get out of the house: depending on energy levels (Yesterday we went to the Spa! a few days ago we went to the Audiologist)
Snack time & Gatorade
Get mail**, accept phone calls, maybe clean up a little
Dinner time. It isn't irregular for another member of the family to come over and make or help out with dinner.Last night my aunt, Sarah, came over and made meat loaf, the night before my uncle came over and grilled steaks. Tonight, another uncle, Scott, is coming over to hang out during or shortly after the dinner hour.
TV: Wheel of Fortune
TV: Jeopardy: I think we're getting better at the game.
Bed 

*Gatorade is consumed every time I can convince Mamaw to drink more of it.
** if you know her, send Mamaw mail. It makes her day so much better and I don't see a reason why any day has to go by where she doesn't get something good in the mail.

As you can see, much of our day consists of eating, drinking, sleeping, and sitting. It's an easy life, but one that pretty much guarantees that a few pounds will be gained whilst I'm here. Hopefully, running and kart-wheeling will keep those pounds at bay for a time. If not, my second hope is that my family doesn't give me too hard a time about said pounds (Hear that family?!?!).

I am always, happy to be a help, and am thankful to all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins for making it easy for me to help by giving me so much support and away time.

Shout outs this week to: Eddy for coming over and making us steaks; Sarah both for picking up much of her family and transplanting them to Mamaw's for dinner last night making it possible for me to go out and see my friends and for checking in regularly to see how things are going; Scott for coming over tonight so I can go to an impromptu baby shower; and my Cousin Aaron who is willing to come over tomorrow night if need be, so I can go to another friend's birthday party. You guys really make life easy on me and I appreciate it ever so much.

Waffles

Today, My friend Dan and I made waffles for lunch. This is what happened. 

Dan started off with a more fun approach to waffles 

Mine were just traditional scattered berries. 

Binicula style waffle 

A vampire and a vampire cat. 

floral pattern 

Birthday Dinner

I forgot to take pictures of the food!! I was so overwhelmed by the company. Sorry guys, you'll never get to see the delicious things that we consumed. However, I do have some pictures for you (not that you didn't already see them on Facebook). Shout out to my friend Jon who took these beautiful pictures.

Natalie, an awesome friend I've made in Portland

A bit of the party in reflection

Me and my friend Marika who I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before.

Birthday cake time.

The candles were in the shape of a heart

This week I also went to a GWAR show which was awesome. It was this crazy metal show played by dude's in costumes who acted out crazy little dramas where they destroyed monsters and such spraying "blood" into the audience. Everyone was covered in pinky-red when they left the show.

Also, San Francisco update: I'll be flying to the bay area on Sunday the 20th and coming back to Portland late on Thanksgiving evening. This is all possible due to a super cheap flight I got to take me there. And, it's awesome because I'll get to see both of my sisters since my days there overlap with both of their stays. I'm so excited.

The give and take of it

So Halloween has come and gone. I ended up not getting a picture of my exact full blown costume but I did get one picture (thanks to my friend Marika) which shows you a good approximation of what I did end up looking like.

Cruella-Lite. I'm not wearing my real dress or using my long cigar

but this is pretty much it.

Since Halloween it seems like a whole lot has happened. I guess it has been almost a week since my last post.

Firstly, despite my lack of Halloween candy eating, I did go to the dentist only to find that I have approximately 1,000 cavities. I was flabbergasted to say the least. Up until this point I've had perfectly good teeth with not a one cavity. It's kind of a bummer since I hate to end a positive streak and really it's only been this year that I've really come to be responsible about taking care of my teeth by both brushing and flossing on a super regular basis. So, it seems like the worst year for my teeth to fail me. Oh well, what are you going to do? I'm going to drill 'em out and fill 'em in, is what I'm going to do. I've already gotten some of them filled and I go in again on November 8th (the day after my birthday :( whomp, whomp).

Secondly, I met a boy on Halloween, well I've met him before but I really talked to him on Halloween while I was out at a show. He invited me to this lecture series that he had organized.

It was about food issues, especially in relation to where we live in Portland and it was really interesting. He also inspired me with his go-getter nature to look into more things that I can do in my community and now I'm going to volunteer with a tree planting group called Friends of Trees

If I like the organization I may look into being a community or team leader of sorts for a following planting season. Go get it, I guess.

I don't want to keep starting my paragraphs with numerical placements, so on top of all that, I have been planning my birthday party. This is something about which I am very excited. I am almost too jazzed up to sleep at night because of all of the planning and and anticipation. I'll just give you a quick menu peek here.

A) pigs in a blanket

B)home made tomato soup and Italian seasoned bread

C) Butternut squash Mac n' Cheese

D) roasted carrots

E) Something green

F) Honey Cake and cinnamon-coconut ice cream.

Don't worry, I'll take some pictures for you all to salivate at.

Also, I invited a cute boy to my birthday dinner. He works at the Restore and I just met him yesterday but he left me his number when he left the restore in the afternoon and we had a long text conversation immediately after. So, I think he's pretty interested in me. We'll see how he fields my friends at my birthday.

Not the least important but maybe the furthest in advance, I am working on a trip to San Francisco in two weeks. It wouldn't be a very long trip (I'd probably get to San Francisco on a Sunday evening and leave on a Thursday at some point). But, I've been meaning to visit a friend down there for a year and now that Katelyn is down there I just can't resist the trip! Travels Hurrah!

Wish me the best of luck on everything coming together appropriately from dental work to travel plans. I hope you all are staying healthier in the mouth than I, and are having just as much fun this week. All the best to you all. Thanks for reading.

A little walk in the sun

Sickity sick is how I would describe my last 5 days. I've been real, real, ill.

However, three and a half days of antibiotics and my energy is back. My, lymph node is no longer incredibly large and covered in some scary looking grey-brown film. I can swallow food without incredible amounts of pain, and water with none. I can walk around my neighborhood and run into my fellow neighborhood mates (some of which are pretty cute). Which is exactly what I just did.

I don't have Strep or Mono and truth be told, no one knows what I have. But, I am on the mend and that's really all that I care about right now. Hurray for modern science! Hurray for healing! Things are on the up and up.

I'd like to make a quick shout out to my dad who was in contact with me from the beginning (convincing me to go to the doctor), Mamaw for checking in with me, my friend Natalie who came and kept me company while I was sick and to my roommates who did much the same. But, out of them, a special thanks to Travis who came and checked in on me when I couldn't leave my room. Also, shout outs to everyone who offered to bring me soup. I truly appreciate having this community of people that care here. It means so much to me.

long time no post

Can anyone tell me what my little sister is doing going to CA? I for one have had no news to talk about until today (hence the long pause in posts) but somehow Katelyn, the aforementioned little sister, has made plans to hit up CA and I didn't even know about it.

You people need to keep in touch with me. I've spent the last couple of days making carrot juice at my neighbor's house and you've spent it doing god knows what. No one ever tells me anything. Also, that carrot juice did turn out delicious. I'm trying a kind of crazy diet right now to stop the pattern of reoccurring yeast infections that I've been getting (sorry, TMI I know, but it's a big part of my life right now) and you guys are climbing mountains, training for half marathons, taming lions, etc etc... I feel so cut off.

Alls I'm saying is "call a sister from time to time and tell her what you're up to".

Things, Things, Things: We live in a material world

Well, since I've returned to Portland I've pretty much worn at least one thing a day that I brought back from the east coast. Here are a few of the treasures that I picked up back home

Earrings that I stole from Mom. They were broken so I replaced that top bit. That's why they're mismatched.

A blouse that I bought at Rumors, a Richmond Boutique.

Another pair of stolen earrings

A book that my friend made. It honestly didn't photograph very well but is awesome.

Tonight, I have a date with a boy that I met at the restore. Well, nothing is set in stone, but I think there will be a date tonight and I'm planning on rocking some of my east coast fashions.

Shout outs to Mom for hooking me up with all those sweet earrings, to Rumors for being such a positive and steady Richmond force over the past few years, to Terrance Edwards who designs sweet products which you can find at here, and to the Habitat for Humanity Restore for bringing people together.

On my own

All of the days of the past week have been spent with one homeless friend or another until tonight. Up until this point, I've been helping people move boxes and furniture, driving stuff to and from different storage spaces, and squirreling people's things away at my house. I've come home from work to a friend (and sometimes a dog) at my house, I go to bed and a friend is on my couch but suddenly things have changed

I'm all alone for the evening and I don't know what to do. I took a deep breath, I worked on my art project, I ate some homemade watermelon sorbet, I've watched the first two episodes of Mad Men and I am lonely. What do you do when all of the social interaction you've been having finds another place to stay?

I think that having my space back and getting to be calm is going to prove useful in keeping my sanity but I have fallen in love with the constant bustle of people, in my room, and generally in my space. I'm used to them needing my help and I don't know what to do now that no one needs me.

Oh, well, I'll go to bed, sleep well and wake up to a spacious room in the morning. It's not all bad.

Dead Camera

Bad news bears. I've got a dead camera and the charger is no where to be found. I'm sure that at some point it will show up but right now there are many things I'd like to share with you that I can't! It's such a bummer.

Here's a quick list of awesome things that are up in my life.

I have a new friend from work named Christopher. I'm pretty happy about that 'cause I've been weirdly lonely since i started working on my art project. Not getting as much social time in I guess. Plus, one of my friends has no way of getting in contact with me and works all the time and I miss her!

There are blackberries growing in our yard! Big sweet, delicious blackberries that you can mix into thick, plain, Greek yogurt with a little bit of honey to make the most delicious yogurt ever. I don't even like yogurt but I'm trying to eat it to keep my diet b/c it's pretty good for you.

Also! my friend Jon came through Portland yesterday which was great! I'm so glad that he's going to be back in town in about 3 weeks. So many great things are going on. If I could only show you pictures.

Alright, I'm out to enjoy the beautiful weather and my day off. Later kids.

Zoobomb

On Sunday I went Zoobombing. I've attached an article here which pretty aptly describes the event.

In fact, I rode on the Max up the hill with the blind bomber who is mentioned in the article. It was delightful. I went up with my new friend from work, Christopher (because I was afraid to do it alone) and we made it for the second round of hill bombing. We rode back up for the third round but ended up doing it before the rest of the group since it was getting late and we both had work in the morning. I was super tired for work the next day as we ended up staying out pretty late (I got home at about 1:40am) but it was totally worth it. Not only did I get an awesome new experience I also got some new friend time in.

Outside of my new zoobomb experience, I've also been working on an art project and have made some pretty cool purchases as of late. I bought a table saw the other day but am still in the process of changing the blade so that I can use it. I'm about to head out to buy some embroidery floss. Hopefully, I can show you all some pictures of what's been getting underway pretty soon.

Bye for now.

3 day weekend!

I am about to enjoy a three day off period from work. I am so psyched. I cannot even begin to describe it. I do have to volunteer tomorrow but that's all good. It's only a 4 hour shift and before that I get to play tennis. Hurray! Things are on the up and up.

Tonight, I'm going to enjoy a delicious tomato pie dinner, with sauteed squash on the side with my friend's Rosie and Dana. Afterwords I'm going on a movie date to the original Italian Job (a $4 movie!) It's gonna be a good night.

I can stay out as late as I want as well since I don't have to be up early tomorrow morning. I'll probably still be up by 9pm. But these days that's seriously sleeping in. Can't wait! Can't wait!

I'm about to go for my predinner run. Hope you all are having a good week so far.

Rising with the sun

6:30am is the time I've been getting up for work the past couple of days.

Needless to say, I've been tired and grumpy. Waking in the early AM is not really my cup of tea (although speaking of tea I've been drinking it to survive the mornings). Thankfully this early wake up time is because I've served the past 4 shifts that I've worked so I can't complain too much.

Today, I get to volunteer and hang out with my friend, Monica, who's in town. She actually just called. Hurray for visitors!

I'll try and keep you guys caught up on what's going on but things are starting to get busier here so be patient with me.

Side Note: Shout out to dad for a belated Father's day. I love you Dad!

Keeping it busy

Wow, The last week or so has flown by.

When I got back into town from some delightful family time, I went straight to work. After work I set into getting my house ready for my guest Jamie.

That was Friday.

Saturday, after work, Jamie got into town and the festivities began. Sunday I worked some more (luckily Jamie had to work every morning he was here anyways so it worked out well). We did all kinds of things in our free time though. We made dinner together (I made him make my household banana bread). We went to the highest point in the city and looked out over the beautiful vista while eating delicious sushi. We got food from food carts, we got $2 local beers (and I almost convinced Jamie to go to a Hamercize themed dance party). We went to the Rose Festival and saw a show. We visited Voodoo Donuts and tried three different kinds of donut-Bacon Maple, A little Voodoo doll one, and a vegan oreo one.

Now after working the today and yesterday and running my long run (10 miles) I am off to a Prom Bike ride. Yay for Pedal Pallooza!

City of Roses

They don't call this town the city of roses for nothing. And that's what I learned upon returning to Portland*. My yard, which is generally a little unkempt, was filled with beautiful blooming roses! I shot some pictures and meant to have them up for you yesterday but got distracted as my buddy, Jamie, arrived in Portland yesterday.

Bunch of roses on the side of our house

A couple of roses in the front of our house

Rose from the back yard

Huge rose (like 4 or 5 inches in Diameter) next to our back gate

*The city of Portland is actually, called the rose city because of the existence of it's famous rose testing gardens where a variety of roses found no were else may be growing at any given time.

Now, I'm off to get ready to work. I'll see you on the flip side.