{12.30.05}

short week

Whew, it’s Friday again! I love me a short work week. Last night, Lauren and I met at Kayo’s Roadhouse for our traditional girls night out. As always, we had a great time talking and laughing for hours.

Russ got Brenner a snowboard and lessons for Christmas this year. As soon as he gets the hang of skiing we will get out the snowboard. I know he will be fine and have a blast, but deep down I’m stricken with fear and cringing at the very thought of my baby barreling down the mountain with little or no control. I guess I better get out my board and brush up on my falling skills…

{12.28.05}

new beginnings...

of the New Year…mmm, I can almost smell them. Out with the old and in with the new…and that’s exactly what Adam and I plan to do New Year’s Eve at the Sunriver Resort with friends. Oh my gosh, we have so many fun things planned for the day and evening…I’m SO excited!

I did it…I broke down and cut my hair, not super short - just styled. For me, the hardest part about growing my hair is the lack of style in-between stages…it’s just there, staring back at me in the mirror and mocking me for cutting it to begin with. Oh my dear Lord, am I really writing about my hair, again? Ok, stopping...

My parents leave in six days for Hawaii! After raising two semi-functional children, 39 years of marriage and for ALWAYS putting the needs of others before their own I think they are so deserving of this vacation. I love you both and hope you have the best time EVER. Aloha!

{12.27.05}

post-christmas

I stayed up way too late last night taking down my Christmas decorations, cleaning and packing. I'll be so glad when this move is over, I dread moving. I'm honestly to the point of chucking things just so I don't have to pack them...lazy I know, but it's the truth. I have just about everything purchased for the new place...curtains, rods, bathroom cabinet and futon cover. Mocha browns and creams with a splash of cranberry will be my new color theme.

Today was my day off...well kinda. I spent a few hours helping Adam paint his living room. It's really coming together and I know he will be glad when it's complete. We are taking the easy way out for dinner and heading to Papa's Pizza with Brenner in a few minutes, so I better sign off. Chow.

{12.26.05}

christmas without brenner

Augh...it was my first Christmas without my Brenner and oh man was that a hard one to swallow and keep smiling. But with the help of Adam, Jen and Eric, they managed to keep my spirits up. Jen came over and enjoyed a glass of wine with me while Adam prepared his first Christmas dinner, which turned out super yummy! Eric, Adam’s brother, came over for dinner and played a few games of Balderdash before leaving. All and all it was a fun and relaxing Christmas day.

Today, I’m organizing and packing my place for the big move next month. Wow, how did I accumulate so much more STUFF in just two years? I've already made one trip to the thrift store and foresee making many more before it’s all said and done. Ok, I better shuffle along and get things done.

{12.25.05}

merry christmas

{12.22.05}

thoughts on 32

Hmm, I’m turning 32 in exactly one month! Really, how did that happen? I was just adjusting to 31. Oh well, I’m happy, healthy and don’t act my age what so ever…so it’s all good, right? RIGHT?

So this is kinda my Friday...well, I have  to work until 12pm tomorrow, but then I won't be back until the 28th. I'm taking a vacation day next week to spend with my boys. I know it's not much time, but with Heather still on maternity leave, I didn't have the heart to ask for more.

This may be my last entry before Christmas, so I wish you all a very happy and blessed Christmas! Loves to all.

"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you . . . yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand."
-Mother Teresa

{12.21.05}

product obsession

So I was organizing my bathroom last night, getting ready for my move, and came to the conclusion that I have an obsession with products. I mean, how many hair gels, straighteners, shaping balm and sprays can one girl have? Is this normal, I wondered to myself out loud?

Stuff I’m totally digging these days…

• 
  
  Black Raspberry Vanilla perfume by Bath & Body Works.
  
  


• 
  
  Trapp - orange vanilla votive candles.
  
  


• 
  
  Lanza – final effects volume hairspray.
  
  


• 
  
  Tutti Dolci & DuWop lip-glosses.
  
  


• 
  
  SweetLiving peppermint gum.
  
  


• 
  
  Flax Oil- super for hair & nail growth.
  
  


• 
  
  White Chocolate Mochas.
  
  


• 
  
  Hummus dip & Greek Isle pita chips.
  
  


• 
  
  Organic wine.
  
  


• 
  
  My humidifier.
  
  


• 
  
  Wearing my favorite size 6 jeans again!
  
  

{12.20.05}

reflecting

Crazy…2006 is rapidly approaching with only 11 days left in 2005! With a few exceptions, it's been a great year. It was a season for personal growth and second chances for sure. Along the way I was blessed to find some awesome people that accepted and loved me unconditionally – without judgment or condemnation. Learning whom I can trust with my deepest thoughts and open heart was also a difficult lesson learned…but God is good heals and restores.

**Holy Moly...I'm looking at my new office phone and I'm counting 71 buttons on this bad boy...why in the world do I need 71 buttons?  We only have five phone lines for crying out loud...and you know you're in trouble when you're given a manual book to learn just how to answer the darn thing!

{12.19.05}

manic monday

It’s Monday…I’m tired and all I really wanted to do this morning was stay in bed and snuggle with my Brenner. But I’m here, at work, looking out the window and wishing for the snow to melt…just a little. I was up til 11pm last night trying to clear my walkways with a broom and dustpan, which failed miserably. I must buy a shovel today.

Friday night, at Papa’s Pizza, I enjoyed catching up with the Hagen family. The Hagen’s and Mooney’s go waaaaaay back. It was amazing to watch Emmett and Brenner play together…just like Sean and I did at their age. And when Adam would leave the room, they would all take turns asking questions about him and giving me their approval. It was sweet.

Saturday…we went up to Three Creeks, by Sisters, in search for a Christmas tree for Adam’s house. At six degrees, sledding lasted all of 15 minutes and the first tree that looked half way decent was cut down. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! After decorating the tree, we went over to my Aunt and Uncle’s for our Christmas dinner. Back at my place, Adam had a great time playing Santa. From tossing snowballs on top of the roof and ringing bells while Brenner was trying to fall asleep to eating Santa's cookies and making reindeer bite marks in the carrots…good memories and traditions were made for sure.

Sunday morning, Brenner couldn’t wait to run downstairs to see if Santa ate all the cookies. He was thrilled to say the least. After Brenner opened all his presents from Santa, we headed back over to my Aunt and Uncle’s to finish opening presents with my parents. I feel very blessed to have such a great family…loves and thanks to everyone for a great weekend.

{12.18.05}

our christmas weekend

Sledding on Saturday

Presents on Sunday

Laser Tag! Once a man, twice a boy

Sockmunki22

Brenner's Gingerbread House.

{12.15.05}

funk

I’m in a funk…I feel that I have no direction or plan. I have a great life…my son is perfect and healthy…I have a fabulous boyfriend that loves and spoils me rotten…my awesome family and friends that support and love me…so what’s wrong with me? I hope I can shake this before the weekend…bleh! I did get a call this morning from the owner of the apartment in Canyon Rim to let me know that I’m approved and set to move in February. So after Christmas, guess what I’ll be doing?

Snowman Cups I'm making for Brenner's Christmas Party

{12.14.05}

a case of the 'but firsts'

I must get out all my Christmas cards, "BUT FIRST" I have to finish wrapping presents, "BUT FIRST" I have to shovel my driveway, "BUT FIRST" I have to call my landlord about a leaky pipe in Brenner’s bathroom…AUGH there is no rhyme or reason to this craziness.

The week doesn’t seem to be slowing down any; today I have a business lunch about a side bookkeeping job and dinner/shopping with Adam in Bend. Tomorrow I hope to finish any and all baking for Christmas with my family this weekend. And Friday we have Emmett’s birthday party at Papa’s Pizza…yay for Papa’s…I love that place. Ok, I’m done rambling and boring you all to death with my to-do list.

{12.13.05}

giving up

on straight hair. I was given curly locks and I’m gonna wear em. I find it strange how the longer my hair gets, the curlier it is. I just thank God for hair products…I couldn't survive without my texture crème.

So last night while driving to Adam’s house for dinner, Brenner says “Mom, guess where God lives?” “Where Brenner?” “God lives in the moon, cuz it’s far away and bright like Him”. My heart stopped and my eyes filled with tears…I asked him where he heard this and he said, “Nowhere, I just know”.

{12.12.05}

weekend update

The weekend was good. Saturday afternoon, Adam made peanut butter fudge while I supervised and photographed the event. In the evening we went to my boss’ Christmas party, where we witnessed Senator Ben Westlund reading a politically correct Christmas story to a baby…priceless!

Sunday…after cleaning the office, I went to my Aunt and Uncle’s to decorate their house for Christmas. Which by the way, we are having with my family next weekend because of Brenner’s schedule with his Father this year. Anywho, before dinner with Lauren and Nathan at Lauren’s new house, I decided to go for a run outside…bigo mistako…my ankles and hips are killing me this morning from running on uneven snow/ice pack roads. Dinner was awesome and Lauren and I exchanged our Christmas gifts…I so love my DuWop venom gloss…serious plump action! The only downside to the evening was that Desperate Housewives wasn't on last night…what’s that all about?

Back to invoicing…I’m almost done with the B’s…mercy!

{12.10.05}

2006

In 2006, I'm scrapping those pesky New Year's resolutions and replacing them with challenges.

•  Love more.


•  Strengthen a relationship.


•  Expand my horizons.


•  Eat healthier.


•  Tackle a creative project.


•  Double-think "luxury" purchases.


•  Stress LESS.


• 
  
   Chill MORE.
  
  

***

Making Peanut Butter Fudge (hey it's not 2006 yet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{12.9.05}

giving tree

All you locals, we are getting 45 more names for the Giving Tree today. For those not familiar with the program, we are given 175 names of children/families every year that are in need during the holiday season. If you’re interested in sponsoring a child, the remaining names will be on the tree located at the Local Grounds Café, hopefully, by this afternoon. It touches my heart to see our boardroom full of gifts every year and it reminds me what the Christmas season is truly about…people coming together to support the community and the needs of others.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Friday and weekend.

***

babe, this is what you get for falling asleep on my couch at 9pm. 1-4-3.

 

 

{12.8.05}

a sweet explanation

Um, it’s really Thursday? I did get a lot accomplished this week, so I cannot complain. Last night I wrapped all the Christmas gifts and placed them strategically under my tree. This morning I caught Brenner going through them and when confronted, he said, “Mom, I’m just petting them”. He has the most vivid imagination and wish I could record everything he's saying right now…priceless!

Beautifully Stated…

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn’t supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it’s harder every time. You’ll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You’ll fight with your best friend. You’ll blame a new love for things an old one did. You’ll cry because time is passing too fast, and you’ll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you’ve never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you’ll never get back.

 

{12.7.05}

royal treatment

Yesterday, I managed to sneak out of the office at 4pm for a haircut…so I thought. I received the royal treatment from the new Aveda salon (and new members) in town. First, they served me a glass of wine with yummy festive Hors d’oeuvres. Second, they had a consultant sit down with me and ask questions about my hair and what type of style I was thinking about. Before my trim and while my hair was detoxifying, I was given a scalp, neck and shoulder massage…umm, HEAVEN! I did NOT want to return to work but I had the new Ray’s Food Place preview party to attend and work my membership marketing magic. They had a great band and hope to book them for our Music on the Green concert series this summer. Reasons why I’m a new customer…

- General location of conventional and natural items.

- Walk in beer cooler.

- Seventh generation toilet paper...what happened to the sixth?

- Western Family brand (it's an Eastern Oregon thing)

- Wine shop.

- Bulk food selection

- They keep the stalks on the artichokes for presentation.

- Courtesy clerks…hoot hoot for customer service!

- And last but not least, it’s the closest store from my place.

{12.6.05}

my christmas wish

Oh Membership billing to be done. I’m so behind and feel some serious over-time in my near future…bleh! Regardless of my workload, I’ve decided to take a few days off after Christmas to spend with my Adam. How does Vegas sound babe? Ohhhhh Vegas…

Not much else to write…back to work I go.

{12.5.05}

inventory

After hours of shopping and working up a healthy appetite, I made the boys my yummy Kielbasa dish. After clean up, Brenner helped me make peanut butter cookies while I fought Adam to stay out of the dough. After Adam left, I settled Brenner down with a Christmas Veggie Tale movie while venturing upstairs to super clean Brenner’s room. I do this yearly; prior to Christmas and before the massive haul of toys he receives.

Things I found…and three bags later...

• 50 bouncy balls from Papa’s Pizza.


• 
  
  Fluoride chewable tablets.
  
  


• 
  
  His collection of dead bugs in plastic Easter eggs.
  
  


• 
  
  Missing in action GI Joe parts.
  
  


• 
  
  A zillion art projects from daycare that I can’t bring myself to toss.
  
  


• 
  
  Random fast food happy meal toys from his Friday visits with my Uncle.
  
  


• 
  
  Abandoned Fisher Price toys never to be played with again because they are “baby toys”.
  
  

Let it melt...let it melt...let it melt...I miss running outside!

Brenner's "Cool" snowman.

{12.4.05}

photo session

Yesterday was hectic but fun. Aside from my horrible hair day and Brenner's cheesy smiles, I was happy with our photo session. With Christmas only 21 days away I was thankful to view and order my Christmas cards before leaving the studio. Now the hard part...deciding which images to order - ohhh decisions!

Jen's visit was fun but too short, we could have easily spent more time gabbing for sure. She found a few items collecting dust in my closet while Brenner and Adam gave us their fashion opinions and approvals...it was cute.

Adam's company Christmas party was fun and relaxing. They had an elf come from the resort and read the kids a bedtime story and gave them each a toy from Santa. Brenner was stoked and is still talking about it.

While Brenner goes with his Dad sledding and Christmas tree hunting this afternoon, Adam and I plan to get some shopping in, use our 30% off coupons at the Old Mill that Jen gave us, thanks girl! What a gorgeous day...I love a blue sky on cold winter days...so clean and bright...mmmhmm, good for the soul.

Brenner wants to say something - yry46gfr7tfbg (Brenner, Daddy is my friend - good)

{12.3.05}

why i love her

- She fills my internet favorites with random stuff.

- She refuses to shop at Safeway.

- She pronounces it 'crick'.

- She knows everyone.

- She tries hard.

- She's a cribbage champ.

- She loves her family.

- She jumps at movies.

- She can't stand reality tv.

- She does the worst impressions ever.

- She motivates me.

- She eats junk food, but health food too.

- She challenges me.

- She laughs at my jokes.

- She makes me be social.

- She smells good.

- She always sneezes in pairs.

- She likes my family.

- She's beautiful.

- She has to have a plan.

- She makes the bed faithfully.

- She tries to understand me.

- She's creative.

- She won't let me buy a Volvo.

- She's a great Mother.

- I just do.

by Adam Ridlon

{12.2.05}

mysterious scripture

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Brenner and I have a photo session in the morning with a client of Adam’s, and I really hope that Brenner doesn’t get any new bruises or scratches on his little face, which usually happens without fail before picture day. Then, my bestest friend Jen is coming over to raid my closet to find something to wear for a party while we fit in some much needed girlie talk. In the evening, we will brave the drive to Sunriver for Adam’s company Christmas party!

Jamie and I found this scripture on the printer this morning with no clue how it got there…but it’s fitting and certainly found a place in our hearts.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” ~Colossians 2:8  

{12.1.05}

oh drama

Just when you think senseless drama is out of your life, it somehow resurfaces it’s ugly self in rare form. Last night Adam received a phone call from a friend back home to inquire about a rumor. Adam took the high road, remained respectful and diplomatic with his words. He’s not infatuated with spreading rumors or persuading people to take his side…they know the truth and remain loyal friends.

Let it snow…let it snow! We received about 7 new inches of snow last night and I love it. Even without snow tires, I was very impressed with how well my little Honda did this morning. Today is the Business Hop and the caterer just cancelled due to the weather. So back to work to find meats and treats for 150 people…groovy!