{10.29.06}

it's sunday afternoon...

3:40pm to be exact, and even after sleeping until 11am this morning I still can't get with it. I'm still in my sweats and I've just changed all my clocks back an hour. I had a great to-do-list carefully written out for the weekend but here it sits on my desk mocking me. Oh good intentions and high expectations, blah! My lazy susan is being oh so lazy with only a few juicy juice boxes, fig newtons, saltine crackers and a can of sweet peas on her shelves. I've become Adam. Ha. Must go shopping!

Last night was super FUN. After a day of running around gathering things for our costumes and tending to Adam's busted kitchen faucet we headed over to Jen and Jake's to celebrate Cohen birthday. The cake Jen made was amazing and all the food was yummy, of course. We dashed out in time to make party number two at Lauren and Nathan's Halloween bash. As you can see Adam went as a suicide bomber and I, Pippi Longstocking.

{10.25.06}

mismatched

I had the pleasure of starting my day with an appointment to see my Dermatologist. After reading my history chart about my Dad, the doctor turned into a kid in a candy store searching for every funky mole and freckle on my body. After finding three, one between my toes, shoulder and chest he was quick to get out the honkin' needle that he didn't try to hide from me and started between my toes, OUCHIE. He wanted to cut them off to send to the lab for testing. Joy. He also informed me that my ears don't match my body. Yeah, you heard me. Basically he told me that I have ears of a weathered golfer. Peachy.

For those who don't know about my Father, he had melanoma skin cancer a few years back. One morning he woke and shaved his beard that he had since he retired from the State several years ago. I believe God led him to shave it because underneath the beard was a rapidly spreading cancerous mole on the side of his face. I thank God he listened to his body and insisted that it be removed and tested. If he would have waited even three weeks he probably would not be with us today.

I'm excited for the weekend. Adam and I are going to Lauren and Nathan's Halloween party Saturday night. Now, to find costumes. Maybe we will just go as Adam and Mel. Ha.

UPDATE: We just received word that Adam's house SOLD this morning. Yay, so Adam should be moving into our home sometime late November early December. Woo Hoo!!!

{10.23.06}

peeves, perks and goals

If you haven't voted yet, DO IT! I'll admit that I had to research a few local measures to even know what the heck they even were about. I'm so out of touch these days it isn't even funny. It couldn't be planning a wedding, buying a new house, changing old/new jobs, planning trips across country and working full + time that has my mind preoccupied, could it? Ok enough complaining.

Brenner has been begging me for days to buy him his very own wallet, you know, the kind with a chain? My Dad would die if he saw his Grandson carrying around a wallet in his back pants pocket with a chain hanging from his bum, DIE I tell you! I'm hoping it's a phase, really really hoping.

Good news re: Adam's house...since he reduced the price he has a number of people interested and possibly making an offer soon. I refuse to have doubts and continue to think positive about the sell.

Current Peeves:

• Brenner asking me questions I don't know how to answer, like boy private part questions - HELP! 


• Inconsistent friendships.


• The amount of hair I'm currently shedding.


• The game Trouble that Brenner insists on playing 24/7.


• Picture Day.

Current Perks:

• 
  
  Finding my bridesmaid dresses.
  
  


• 
  
  Brenner reading.
  
  


• 
  
  Daily chats with Jamie.
  
  


• 
  
  White chocolate covered espresso beans.
  
  


• 
  
  My new tall and sassy boots.
  
  

Goals this week:

• 
  
  Lose another two pounds.
  
  


• 
  
  Resist Jordan Almonds.
  
  


• 
  
  Call a close friend, not text or email.
  
  


• 
  
  Hug Brenner and Adam more.
  
  


• 
  
  Clean and sort my garage.
  
  

{10.22.06}

weekend update

Yesterday while Adam took Brenner to see Open Season I headed to the peaceful town of Prineville for Auntie Lauren's bridal shower. She made quite the haul with some terrific gifts and I was only one correct answer away from winning a door prize, dang it! And I thought I knew my bridesmaid so well. I was able to get my weekly baby fix holding baby Max, what a cutie-pa-tootie.

Today was super productive. While I went to the Chamber to clean with Brenner Adam sat at home preparing a budget for when we get married. Even though I work with budgets all day at work I have absolutely no desire for them at home. Strange isn't it? I mean I still actually write checks to pay my bills and have one of those old fashion check registers, go figure! After all that fun we were having we drove to Pier 1 to check out the silver chargers I found online for our centerpieces, found, love and ordered. We also managed the strength (yes, with a five-year-old I mean strength) to register for our wedding. I added the link to my favorites if you care to take a gander. Last stop, Costco. I found Brenner's new down comforter and flannel sheets. No more little boy prints, only solid colors for the big boy he has so rapidly become. Ug.

Last night we and by "we" I mean Adam carved pumpkins while I shot a few pictures and caught up on the Hollywood gossip in the latest US. I particularly enjoyed the article on how Britney Spears lost her baby weight...only ONE hour running on the treadmill and 45 minutes lifting weights in the evenings....yeah, super practical. Why didn't I think to do that? Oh yeah, it's called REAL LIFE!

Before...

During...

A dare...

Just pretend...

Brenner's allowance for a double dare....

He won...

Ta-dah!

{10.19.06}

so...

last night after doing all my grocery shopping for the week, eating dinner (crackers & cheese), emptying the dishwasher, folding laundry and flipping through a bridal magazine, I jumped on myspace to browse for some new tunes. Occasionally I search musicians from Portugal. Well last night I came across Sara Serpa's profile, I didn't particularly care for her music but her last name popped out at me and I couldn't help but scream and get a little excited. I may have found a long lost relative from my Great Grandfather Manuel Serpa's side. I wrote to her but I haven't heard back yet. I sent my mother a photo of her this morning and she seems to think we have similar features. So who knows, I'll keep you posted.

This morning was our first school conference with Brenner's teacher. She showed us his journal that he's been drawing and writing in. He read his first book to us which left me in tears. My baby is reading!!!!! Because there is a hearing impaired student in his class they are all learning sign language from an interpreter that comes in during the week. I'm thrilled with his teacher and how much he has learned already.

So I'm looking at my calendar for the next month and I'm in shock that Adam and I leave for North Carolina in three weeks. Adam's good friend is getting married and we're making a mad dash across country for three days, two of which will be spent in the air. Ugh. I wish we could stay longer but we are conserving our vacation time and expenses for our wedding.

{10.17.06}

yesterday's funk

I was definitely not myself. Maybe it was a combination of things; like finding out Brenner's Great Uncle Lynn died the exact time I was awake and thinking about him, or the gloomy weather, or an unpleasant blast from my past episode. Whichever, I'm just glad yesterday has come and gone. 

Today is a much better day. We received word today that our offer on the house we absolutely love was accepted. Yay. Now to sell Adam's house...so if anyone reading is interested in property investing, let us know. Tonight after work Adam and I are driving to Bend to get a yummy bite to eat and shop for a frame for our most awesome 16x20 photo of us that Jen shot and gave us at our engagement party.

Tootles Noodles!

***

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

{10.16.06}

peeves and perks

Eight months today until I become Mrs. Adam Ridlon. Hurry hurry up! I'm so ready to get this show on the road. After Friday night I'm itching to get all the fun projects started. And after Brenner telling me last night, "Mom, don't be upset ok? But you kind of have a big butt!" I'm getting serious about my exercise routine. You gotta love brutal honesty to put things into perspective. Yikes.

Yesterday I drove out to the High Desert Museum for Hadi's baby shower. Her tummy is as round and cute as can be. Nothing like getting the worse case of baby fever EVER! I was caught several times smelling the diapers through the packaging. I miss that smell. It was so good to see her smile and can't wait to catch-up over lunch soon.

Current Peeves:

• My dying camera.


• Motives.


• Oscar's filthy fish bowl.


• 
  
  My obsession with Jordan Almonds, I can't stop eating them - HELP!
  
  


• 
  
  Selfishness.
  
  

Current Perks:

• All our fun engagement gifts.


• 
  
  Good Earth tea.
  
  


• 
  
  Exotic Coconut Bath & Body body cream.
  
  


• 
  
  Brenner saying, "Hey Mom, could you do me a favorite?"
  
  


• 
  
  Knowing who my dearest friends are and why!
  
  

{10.14.06}

blissfully blessed

What a fantastic weekend! Last night literally left me in tears with all the endless efforts Jen and Jake put into our engagement party. The food was incredible and all the personal touches Jen made were simply amazing. She amazes me. To top the evening off Adam's Dad from New Hampshire flew in to surprise us at the door. Even though I left my camera at home, which is rare, the memories made will forever be burned into my memory forever. Thank you all for coming, I love you all!!!!!

We spent this afternoon at the Central Oregon Pumpkin Patch....tons of fun...tons of dust...and tons of laughs...

{10.13.06}

engagement party

The smell and crispness of Fall is truly in the air. The nights and mornings are freezing and the days are comfortably warm. Layering is a must. I love all the colors of Fall. I'm looking out my office window at the beautiful nearly naked trees with only a few leaves hanging from their branches. Love. Love. Love.

Today is a busy day. My parents are coming to town for our engagement dinner party that Jen and Jake will be hosting for us tonight. I'm so excited to have all my loved ones together to celebrate, laugh and make new memories.

"When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place." C.S. Lewis

{10.11.06}

boys, lunch and shopping

I'm pretty sure I wasn't exactly cut out to be the perfect Mother to a boy. I've never understood the joy in crawling around on the floor and in the dirt making cars go back and forth. Nor was I cut out to deal with my five-year-old son telling me tonight that he has two girlfriends at school already. Let me repeat...TWO GIRLFRIENDS!  Oh Lord, grant me mercy...sweet loving mercy. For example; tonight I took two five-year-old extremely energetic boys to Papa's Pizza, fed them pizza, soda (caffeine free), cleaned up a #2 accident Brenner's friend had in the men's restroom (you wouldn't believe the looks I got) and listened to belching contests for two hours, car ride to and back not included. I realized more than ever how much Brenner wants and needs a sibling. Adam and I are praying for a sister, or sisser according to Brenner. And we even have her named.

Today was a fun day with a super yum lunch with my second favorite Jen at the Mustard Seed and a short shopping trip to the Blue Moon. I adore the owner and all the colorful funky items she carries in the store. Jen scored some great items on the clearance rack and I found a few items to ponder over. I rarely buy anything on a whim, I'm an over-thinker...it's an illness.

"The art of living does not consist in preserving and clinging to a particular mode of happiness, but in allowing happiness to change its form without being disappointed by the change; happiness, like a child, must be allowed to grow up." --Charles L. Morgan

{10.6.06}

oh friday...

how I love thee. This week has gone by so quickly and I've accomplished so much at work. I'm nearly caught up (knock on wood) and I feel like I'm back in the groove of things. The Chamber's annual dinner fundraiser was very successful and with a few outstanding items I have the event balanced and reports printed. Phew, feels good.

Tomorrow is our engagement photo session with the very talented and awesome photographer, Jen Thompson. After the microdermabrasion treatment I had last week that caused a few tiny break-outs, I'm on my knees praying to the good Lord that my face stays clear. I'm so vain, geeaaaz.

I'm off to pick up my Brenner who I've missed more than anything in this world.

{10.4.06}

hmm...

I'm trying to think back on the past week and I can't for the life of me figure out where it went or what I did. I feel like someone kidnapped my brain and returned it EMPTY. How rude. I remember vaguely going back home (John Day) with Jen and Adam to get some wedding planning done with my Mom and from the looks of my binder full of ideas we did a fantastic job. So instead of 20 past dues on the knot.com we only have 11. Sweet.

Last night Adam and I had dinner with Julie and Phil at the Pine Tavern. We have such a great time together and they gave us some great tips for our Honeymoon trip to Kauai. They took some great pictures of Brenner and I at Jamie & Rob's wedding a few weeks ago and I couldn't purchase the prints fast enough.

Tonight I'm meeting my maid of honor and bridesmaids for drinks and dinner to discuss the wedding notes Jen made last weekend. She'll be so proud of me when she finds that I haven't made any changes.

Be The Change:
Light up someone's life today, in ways big or small.