Alright... That's it-

I know the universe is teaching me patience right now, and honestly I'm feeling okay considering my car was broken into today while I was running on the treadmill at 24 hour fitness. Came out to my car in the parking garage to find another broken window on the passenger side. My first thought was, "Seriously? Is this happening again?" 

The funny thing was that this was WAY different than the last time this happened to me. When my Mom's car was broken into at Bree's wedding in Seattle- I felt really bad about what had happened to her car, not to mention the extremely personal information that was taken from me.... my diary, my planner, my social security card... and I think I interrupted the break-in in progress, which makes me feel sick to my stomach when I recall it.  

This time--- not nearly as bad. I had some things in a cheap Winco re-usable bag. I still hadn't replaced my bag from the last time this happened and that may have been a good thing, since I was walking around with very few things. What was taken? My little clutch purse with a credit card, driver's license, health card, and my student ID. Canceled the card- but the student ID is not replaceable. That card has been the gift that has kept on giving. Do you know how many discounts you can, or I could have gotten with that card? Guess I'll have to re-enroll to get another one. I was missing school anyways. They also got my favorite Jeans, a favorite shirt, a sports bra, a regular bra and my favorite pointy white shoes. They also got my new book, "How to live", which I was loving!!! and my diary with personal thoughts and ideas for my consulting business and life in general. Major bummer. Good news I still have my brain to think that stuff up again. Third time's a charm I guess after already losing a diary in the first break-in.  What else?? Oh. My Cell phone. That brings me to my next point. If you are needing to get in touch with me, please email me at my gmail account. I'm not sure when I will be able to put out for a new phone. The last bad thing.... They broke my window. Pain in the butt, but tomorrow I will call and hopefully that will be fixed ASAP so I can get to the mountain for back country boarding and camping this weekend. Priorities!

So the serendipitous things that made today less painful- my cash card was in my jeans on the floor in my apartment. My forgetfulness was inconvenient at Starbucks this morning, but I sure was glad I didn't have it this evening! I also didn't wear my favorite 'Pike's place market' belt on my pants today, which I originally thought was gone. I also forgot my planner today and was missing it at work- but again glad it is sitting next to me on my bed right now. I also had a phone meltdown and wrote down all my contact numbers about 3 weeks ago so I have them for when I can afford a new phone. WOW! so much to be thankful for. It gets better! My snowboard Jacket (which was a victim of the last car theft) was not taken. My snowboard was also sitting in the back with my boots! YAY! 

So- lucky for me this day could have been SO MUCH WORSE!

If you need me- please email!

Sometimes I just don't blog as fast as I should! Last Wednesday night I was so lucky to see Miss Jamie from Minnesota. Jamie used to live in Portland and work in my dementia program. She was so fantastic that after knowing her for just a short time I felt compelled to ask her what her grad school plans were. I had to ask her because I just felt like the world needed her to get her Master's so she could get lots of grant money to start her own programs. She is super smart, emotionally intuitive, compassionate and basically just tuned into people.

Now Jamie is almost done with her first year and is even interested in dementia! Yay for people with dementia! The other thing you should know about Jamie is that she epitomizes what an Oregonian is! She is outdoorsy, socially and environmentally responsible, and she really knows how to wear earth tones.... Great fashion sense!

A few of us met up with Jamie and it was so great to catch up. The best part of the evening was hearing that she wants to return to Oregon! This makes me very happy.

A quick pic of the ladies outside the Imbibe off of Hawthorne.
Jamie Rocks! Seriously- what was I saying about wearing earth tones?
One last pic before we departed.

She is so much fun to spend time with I didn't want to stop hanging out! The good news is that Jamie is the type of friend that I have a strong feeling I will be seeing in the future and hopefully we will be working together again, only this time she will be therapeutically introducing nature to people with dementia in a way that will make their lives better. I can't wait to see what she will do!

Miss you Jamie! Please come back to Oregon for good!

I have a problem...

I was just scrolling through my own blog and realized that I have a problem.... a donut problem. I even blogged about fresh donuts from the Beaverton Bakery in November. I'm connecting with the appropriate community resources to help me with this issue. I do want to say that of all the donut places I have been- Joe's donuts wins the donut trophy for the most delicious cake treat of them all. The old fashioned glazed donut from small town Sandy, Oregon gets my vote.

I'm going to call donut-a-holics anonymous now.

St. Patty's celebration: year three

I moved up to Portland just over 3 years ago. My first year here, we had a St. Patty's day party and it seems like it has become a tradition to spend this holiday with Mrs. Jen Grube. I know I have rambled on about how great I think Jen is in previous posts- so I will just share photos from previous years.

This first photo is from a Sellwood Dive bar in 2007. In 2008 we celebrated at Kell's with Michael and Peter (Jen's hometown buds).

And a photo from this year- 2009.

Jen's friend Tiff came from Bend, Oregon and we started at Kell's and migrated to a bar that had great dance music.

We danced for what felt like hours! One look at my feet and it is evident that we weren't messing around- I have 2 blisters!!!
After all that dancing (and calorie burning) we had to get doughnuts from Voodoo doughnuts. This is pretty much a Portland landmark. This centrally located shop is home to various quirky creations like, a maple bacon bar, a captain crunch berry doughnut, a dirt doughnut and the no name doughnut. The doughnuts are so delicious that we walked several blocks in the pouring rain.... definitely worth getting soaking wet!!!

Sadly, Jen had to drive the 1 1/2 hours back to her hometown this morning. I look forward to seeing her again soon. Luckily, we had a great evening with plenty of pics to hold us over until next years celebration.  

a little bit of tele??

Today Erica, Betty and myself made it to Mt. Hood. Big surprise- a trip to hood... I know. The trip was not my usual trip, because I rented telemark skis and joined the frustrating and difficult world of 'beginners'. I thought I would just try it for a day and spend some quality time on buttercup with the ladies. Unfortunately, I liked it... a lot.... This has got to stop! I do not have room for more gear and I do not have money for more gear. I have to admit that this sport was challenging and that makes me want to do it again. I can also say that my quads are burning right now and that is also very appealing.

We had to stop at Joe's Donut Shop so Erica could have the entire Mt. Hood experience. She was pretty pumped and had two poses for me. I love the following pictures so much, I had to share them both. SHE CRACKS ME UP!

Getting used to new equipment is never fun. Betty was helping Erica and she did Great!! She is a natural!
Erica in Action!
I took Betty to the top and she killed it! You would never know that she has only been on a board 3 times!!
I really enjoyed my Telemark experience. I hate that I liked it so much. I'm already contemplating the date of my next rental. Ugh!
Erica and I on the lift.
Betty posing on top of the mountain.
These two ladies are a blast to hang out with. Today was so much fun and I look forward to doing it again real soon-

Gales Creek hike

Saturday was a great day for a hike. My friend Jerad took Baby and I to Gales Creek trailhead just West of Forest Grove, Oregon. The trail was pretty overgrown, with several fallen trees that have yet to be cleared by the forest service. It was pretty chilly, but beautiful. It snowed almost the entire time we were out there.

I think the pups enjoyed being out in nature as much as I did! There were several areas where the trail had been washed out by a major landslide a few years back. Baby was forced to find her inner 'mighty-dog' and she managed to gracefully jump over several obstacles. At ten years old, she is still going strong!
Barley crossing a wooden bridge.
Baby and I posing for a picture.
The growth on the trees was beautiful. I feel for those that hike with me, because when I see something beautiful, I just have to take a picture! Often times that includes pictures of my Pumpkin with snowflakes on her nose....

I also have to include at least one cheesy pic. 
A photo of a late winter moon.
After a hike I had THE BEST Jalapeno chicken with brown rice and mango salsa. I was starving after the hike, so this was a real treat. Geez do I feel spoiled! It was nice to be on a trail today. I can't wait for the summer backpacking season to begin!

Not another Mt. blog entry....

I know... How many posts can you have on mountain visits? I do apologize. I mean how much can you write about Mt. Hood? Well, This post contains a lot of pictures because yesterdays trip to Mt. Hood was breathtaking. Most of the lower half of the resort was clouded in for most of the day, but one quick ride to the very top and it seemed like you could walk on the clouds.

I love the feeling of being above the clouds.  I was a happy girl.

This next picture is of upper Heather Canyon. This isn't open often, but after 14" of new powder, it was open and glorious. It is pretty steep, which is just the way I like it! There is also a picture of my leg and board looking down the ridge, but it doesn't do the edge of this bowl justice. 

It was another great day on the Mountain. Fresh Powder and great music all with a board strapped to my feet. It is funny, but these trips fill my tank for the rest of the week. I'm so glad I found an activity that is physically challenging, but after a day I feel refreshed and less exhausted with all the other crap life throws at me. The perfect Stress Release.

I had to include a picture of my car. It has actually become a sport to give me crap for how dirty my car is and has been. Secretly, what they don't know is that when it is dirty like this, I love my car more than ever. She has been such a great vehicle! We are at 10 years and 130,000 miles together. I have really only replaced the clutch(2x), but other than that, she has been great. KNOCK ON WOOD of course!