One Project Down- a zillion to go!

1st Project Complete!

All right, I am actually following through with my word. Here is a picture of our first needlepoint project! Mine is the flower (left), and Ellen’s is the puppy (right). Now won’t these be cute on some 3-6 month old baby?!


Not sure what my next project will be. Maybe another onesie (how do you spell that?)? I think I probably will do another one, it is good practice. Then I can move to the big projects I want to do. But I have to learn counting before I can get to the intricate stuff.

I hope everyone’s Christmas was great! I know mine was.

The Cold Hard Truth

The reason why I don't post very much is because I feel like my life is not very exciting. I work, hang out with my awesome husband, and sometimes my family. That is about it. Every once in a while I get together with friends from work. Like tonight I am going over to my friend Ellen's. We are teaching ourselves needlepoint. Ok, I know, that is so boring right? Well, not to me. To me it is a creative outlet. Something I can make myself, and I have control over how it turns out. Of course, to get any good at it I have to practice. Practicing is always more fun in good company. I didn't make the one I posted- I'll have to take a picture and post once I have completed my first project. (But don't worry, I am so not into stitching the "home sweet home" with a picture of a little house on it. That is just not my style!

This is my life. Not very exciting. I don't really feel like I am moving one direction or the other right now, but I know that whole worlds can change in a split second. That is one of the biggest lessons I have learned from my current job. I work for an expert witness in the field of injury biomechanics. Basically, we are retained by attorneys who are either the plaintiff or defendant in injury lawsuits. I have seen some pretty horrific accidents just from everyday living. If you want to know more about it just check out the website here. Life changing quickly is something that has also been taught to me through the passing of a friend from the ward I grew up in. She was 25 years old, a newly wed, and just an amazing person. She had colon cancer. She blogged about the entire experience. It is incredibly moving and I reccomend reading it to anyone who needs a new perspective on life. Go to www.lemonademakers.blogspot.com. I just wish I had posted on her blog how she had impacted me, and all of that. Maybe this is my way of making up for it.

What I am trying to get at is that I have had the wrong perspective on life. Thinking that it isn't of importance because I am not doing anything "important". I have been so negative about the place I live, the job I work at, and the "lack" of things to do. Why? I can't say for sure, but I know it is something I am working on. The truth of the matter is that I can't compare myself to anyone else, and neither should you. I look at all of my friends blogs, and read about babies, and business, and all of these happenings. Then I think about my life and compare it. But there shouldn't be a comparison. I am not them, and they are not me. We each have our own set of challenges, and our own set of joys. And maybe I shouldn't be so afraid to share things that make me happy. I guess this whole time I have just been afraid of being judged. Silly to think that, but maybe not. But I am going to get over it because I know that my family and friends who read this love me for who I am. And if you don't, and you do judge me, then I guess I just don't need you in my life. And that is the cold hard truth.

So this Christmas Season, I want my friends and my family to know how much I care about them. Seriously, I really don't think anyone knows just how much they mean to me, and how each one of you have shaped and impacted my life. I hang on to every conversation, every laugh, every cry, every single experience. I love you all forever!

We Didn't Move!!!

Update: We did not move. Long story, but not very interesting. The place I thought was going to be great, was dirty, and unfinished, with no stove. The land lady didn't even have a lease ready, and I took off two and a half days to move! So, what did we do? I took into consideration everything, from financial well being, to that still small voice whispering into my ear. I didn't feel good about it- AT ALL! So we backed out. Still trying to get our money back, but at least we are living somewhere we feel comfortable. We are going to go month to month for a while, and see if we can save up some money, and move somewhere that we know is going to be great. That is all I have to say about that. :)

In other news.... well, we don't have any. Here are some pictures I have never posted that I should have- long ago. I am only about 6 months behind... hehehe...

Meet Marco. Our very own scaredy cat. This picture was taken when we first got him. He is now much fatter. I don't think anyone at his previous home ever let him eat. He is very cute and funny, but doesn't like sudden movement, loud noises, or to be pet too much. He is a pretty funny cat.



Now, this photo is a total blast from the past! My dad turned 50 in May, so my and my mom and sister got together and pulled a ton of photos which we scanned in, and I put them together to make a movie of his life so far. This picture makes me smile! It is all 7 of us kids, my 4 brothers, and 2 sisters. I am the one in the purple. This was taken on one of our camping trips in Colorado. Too cute.

Alright, maybe next time I will post something more relevant. But at least I am posting! :)

Been Awhile......

Ok, so I know it has been a while since I have posted anything- Jeni- this is for you (especially because I think you might be the only one still hoping that I will post!). There has been a lot of events that have happened since March- let me share a few.....

I went to my friend Shelley's wedding in Texas in April. It was the most beautiful wedding ever! I should post some pictures of it. I made some new friends there, and got to see some of my favorite Coloradoans! Love you guys!

Greg got a job at East Gate Vetrinary Clinic. He has already been promoted to a tech-which is basically like an animal nurse.

We now have 2 cats! One cat, all white- named Marco (he is such a scaredy cat!), and a grey and white kitten named Dora. I should get some pictures of them. They are very cute and very entertaining!

On August 1st, Greg was diagnosed with appendicitis. He had to have an emergency appendectomy. It was a laproscopic surgery, 3 incisions and that was it. That was exciting- especially since my former boss and good friend Diane and her husband Geoff were in town for a visit the very next day. Greg amazes me- he still drove out to the coast with us opting to make his recovery in our ocean front condo. It was a great time- we also met her brother Dave and his wife Peg. They are very nice and we all had a good time.

The latest bit of new is that we are moving out of our two bedroom, two deck apartment, and moving downtown into a studio apartment. Some think we are crazy, but I think downsizing is the right idea. I will be 4 blocks away from work, and Greg can ride a bike to work, and the building is SO cute- built in 1912, hardwood floors, separate kitchen, huge walk in closet, totally remodeled bathroom- it is really nice, and the price is right. I will post pictures of our move next week.

That is all for now. I will post again after our move.

Blossoming into Spring!

So, I have been walking around downtown lately, noticing all of these gorgeous buds and blooms, and just HAD to return to capture them in pictures. So on Sunday, Greg and I went for a walk downtown by the river. These pictures are some of the things we saw. (I'll get on and write more later, I just wanted to get some of these posted!)












Greg took the one of the alley. I liked it a lot! It doesn't really represent spring, but I think it is a great image. As you can see, I was really into taking pictures of all of the buds and new leaves blossoming. It is so incredible to watch things grow. It changes so much every day!

One snowy night......

So, a couple of days ago, it snowed. And not only did it snow, it stuck to the ground! That night Greg, Justin and I went on a walk. We went up some trails into the neighborhoods behind our apartments. The snow on the grounds was powder dry and it crunched under our feet as we walked. The boys were gracious enough to let me stop to get a few snowy night pictures. It really was beautiful, all of these gorgeous houses all covered in snow. A long walk like that makes you think that maybe life isn't so bad, and it makes you remember what life truly has to offer. It also is a lot of fun. The hills were so icy that cars couldn't get to their houses. They would get halfway up the hill and then slowly slid right back down. Of course, we had to experience to this sliding sensation for ourselves. So Greg found a piece of plastic and sat on it, and slid down the hill. They even got me to try it once..ok twice! We must have looked hilarious as 3 adults sliding down the streets on our bums at 9 o'clock at night. But it is these things we do that make life count. Finding joy in the everyday will always keep the worries at bay.

The images I took were in your basic neighborhood. I just love the way snow makes everything look. The night was cloudy with some clear skies. It was cold and crisp, and quiet. Here is one shot I got of the moon.


And last but not least, here is a look off our back deck. I know, you've been dying to see where we live, so here is a small preview.

Into the New Year we go.....

It is now 2008 and we are still in Oregon! I am thinking that is a good sign. We have not rushed back to Arizona (although I must admit I want to sometimes) into the land of warmth and a decent job market. As we face this new year ahead of us, we realize that it is a year of change, a year of taking life into our own hands and making something out of it. I expect that even though we have a slow start, we will emerge at the end in our own way, victorious.
I miss everyone so much. I have a little piece of home with all my family and many friends scattered across the country. If I could have all of you in one place, no matter that place, that would be home to me. But for now, I think I am making Oregon my home and am going to take more time to enjoy its many splendors. I have seen so many beautiful things, and there is so much more out there to explore. I am really looking forward to the spring. I really want to start my own garden on my great back decks. Greg and I have been trying to decide on what to grow. What kind of peppers and what kind of tomatoes, but we definitely want to try to grow lavender, basil, rosemary, thyme, mint, bee pollen, and lemon grass. We'll see what I actually do, and can grow. Maybe I will develop a green thumb this summer! Of course, Oregon weather does help.




Well, I don't know what else to say right now, but I will try to check in soon. this whole blogging thing is very new to me! Hope you enjoy some of these photos!





Oh yeah- here is a video I made for us Naylor kids for Christmas. So Kristi, Tyler and Devin, if you by some chance logged on to this, you can see your Christmas present. Hope it was a good one for all of you.